Fostex A-8 anyone??

  • Thread starter Thread starter TASCAM MAN
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pianodano said:
Hmm. I just got out the manual for the thing and I can find no mention of NR at all. I bought it brand new, when they came out. I am (was, hell don't know) postive it used Dolby C. I do remember that I had owned it for a couple months and something went wrong. My dealer sent it back to the factory service center. I was pretty sure I was told that something had gone wrong with the Dolby circuit and it was replaced. I do know that when I replay tapes recorded on the A2 back on my Otari MX5050, there is a good bit of hiss. But zero hiss on the A2. Go figure, I am sorry if I have given you bad info. Maybe someone that services Fostex machines will weigh in and give a definitive answer.
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Just a thought, the Otari's have an adjustable operating level. I wonder if you haven't switch it to the same one as the Fostex? (Also, I'm not sure what the factory setting on the A series, I think it's 250. I'd have to check which that is on the Otari. Not sure if that is the culprit.
 
TASCAM MAN said:
But anyways the 8TK has only one speed set at 15 IPS and the 2 TK beleive it or not is the one that has a choice of 7 1/2 or 15 IPS. I actually would like to see that reversed right??
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Chances are, you can change the speed internally on the A8 - you certainly can on the larger E8.

James
 
TASCAM MAN said:
Im sure the A-Series was one of there first machines :cool:
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I've read it was the first 1/4" 8 track. They all (the A8/80/R8) look like they have pretty similar transports though. I don't know how different the electronics are.
 
jpmorris said:
Yeah, but the E8 is considerably more sophisticated technology. The A8 is pretty clunky from what I remember.
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If Fostex are consistent, the A8 will share the transport design with the A2. If the A2 can do different speeds then I would be surprised if the A8 can't with the right mods.

Hmmm - just downloaded the service manual and it seems that the capstan motor already runs at 2 speeds - 7.5ips when idle and 15ips when in play or record - so in theory it would be simple to keep it running at 7.5 ips while in play or record.

James.
 
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In the A8-LR supplement section of the A8 Manual, it says the A8-LR came in a low speed/7.5ips version and a high speed/15ips version. This would also indicate there may be a way to mod the speed feature. It might pay to carefully study the A2 or A4 schematics and look for differences between them and the A8/A8-LR. However, IMO 15ips is a good operating speed and 7.5ips is not an issue.
:spank::eek:;)
 
Belive me guys,the A-series are nice sounding and running little machines for the money I paid...they do not have to be "modded" for any reason being in the category of tape recorders that they are:eatpopcorn:
 
I don't own one, but doesn't the 388 run at 7.5? The only advantage I'd think is running time though.
 
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Blue Jinn said:
I don't own one, but doesn't the 388 run at 7.5? The only advantage I'd think is running time though.
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Yes. Running time is longer, which I suppose is an advantage, but it also imparts a distinct sound that's different than 15 ips.
:spank::eek:;)
 
Blue Jinn said:
I don't own one, but doesn't the 388 run at 7.5? The only advantage I'd think is running time though.
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I dont know what a 388 is?? I started this thread specifically about the Fostex A-Series although I have 2 Fostex A-Series,both probably there first generation in semi-pro reel to reel recording. Both machines look identical (gray and orange with VU meters)but do NOT say A-8 or A-2 nowhere on the machines,they both just say "A-Series".The 8TK version is set at 15IPS I think (havent used the unit buy on one song) and has Dolby C built into it with an INT/EXT switch. The 2 TK version is 7 1/2 or 15 IPS switchable and plays back all of my TEAC 3300SX mixes flawlessly. When I bought these machines on e-bay yrs ago,I was only curious to see if they compared to Tascam recorders. They are a little more semi-pro than Tascam is all I can say,cause they sound pretty dam good for what little money I paid and for how long they sat up (around 5 yrs) and were never touched for that long.I thought i was ju,st "toying" around with them but I really beleive if I wanted to that I could build me a little studio around just them 2 machines and a nice little analog mixing board :eek: :laughings: :eatpopcorn:
 
T-man: the 388 is also known as the Tascam Studio 8. It is a 1/4" 8 track with a built in mixer. Like a cassette portastudio, except with 7" reels. It's big, heavy, and beautiful. You mentioned running the A-8 at 7.5ips which is why I brought it up. I imagine if time were not a factor, it would be worth the effort to explore the conversion idea. FWIW, I also have a Teac A-3300SX, and I posted in passing on Tapeheads about converting it into a 2-TR. As I'm sure you're aware but for the benefit of hte masses, the two track runs at 7.5 and 15 vs the 3.75 and 7.5 and is half track. Skywave (?) I forget his handle at the moment, said it really isn't that difficult and he had parts for it. At the moment I need a 1/4 track that will run at 3.75, so I haven't explored that further, but just an FYI.
 
Blue Jinn said:
T-man: the 388 is also known as the Tascam Studio 8. It is a 1/4" 8 track with a built in mixer. Like a cassette portastudio, except with 7" reels. It's big, heavy, and beautiful. You mentioned running the A-8 at 7.5ips which is why I brought it up. I imagine if time were not a factor, it would be worth the effort to explore the conversion idea. FWIW, I also have a Teac A-3300SX, and I posted in passing on Tapeheads about converting it into a 2-TR. As I'm sure you're aware but for the benefit of hte masses, the two track runs at 7.5 and 15 vs the 3.75 and 7.5 and is half track. Skywave (?) I forget his handle at the moment, said it really isn't that difficult and he had parts for it. At the moment I need a 1/4 track that will run at 3.75, so I haven't explored that further, but just an FYI.
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Ok I remember that machine now, I actually was hired to go and do some mixing at a lil studio that owned one of them yrs. back....always thought it was a cool machine !!!:listeningmusic:
 
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