Hello,

I have bought Otari MX-5050 MKIII - 8 8 Track 1/2inch Tape. Unfortunately I do not have user's
manual for it. Would you know where I could get it online?
I would appreciate if you could tell me how to synchronize Otari with
my computer and other digital devices. Also I have no idea what
LOCATOR and OSC are for - do you know it?
Could you explain?

Thank you very much!

To sync your otari you will have to strip a timecode track (tipically track 8).
Feed that track in a device like Motu midi time piece for example, and toggle whatever settings are required in the sync preferences menu of your DAW and you will be able to slave your computer to the Otari transport.
I'have never used that Otari machine that you are mentioning but I assume that the locator button is related to the ability of the machine to memorize one or more locations to be recalled at the push of a button.

Ciao

Well, it's been over 15 years since I've used one, so I'll have to give you info from my failing memory...

1) Contacting your local Otari dealer or distributor should get you a manual
2) Synchronising. At the time, I used that machine with a QLock 3.10 synchroniser. The machine was in slave, the Master being a 3/4" video machine. We would normally stripe time-code at -20 dB on Track 8 (to reduce crosstalk) in "Fix" speed mode, leaving 7 tracks for recording. Then, we would put the machine in "Ext" speed mode. feeding its time code into the synchroniser, the synchroniser controlling the speed and FFWD, FRWD of the Otari viia parallel controls (there is a connector to that effect).
3) "Loc" and "Osc". Loc would put a "locator" point in memory, so that you can easily return to it. Only usefull really if you use the machine as stand-alone, as synchronisers would give you many locator points (also known as Cues). Osc is short for oscilator and would generate 100-1k-10K (once again, pardon my failing memory) to help align the machine, and print a ref signal to tape.

Now, all in all, it was a great and reliable machine: very good value for money at the time. I have even used it on location recordings. Congrats with your purchase.

You may also want to try to find information on rec.audio.pro (google newsgroup) as there are many "veterans" there likely to be able to help.