Mixer for a Fostex Model 80

[Ally In Stereo]

Hello all! I hope I'm posting in the right section, and that something like this wasn't already brought up. I did a quick search and didn't find anything so here I am posting.

I have a cheapo Fostex Model 80, got it way cheap, and the heads are surprisingly in amazing shape, as well as the rest of the deck. Right now I have some complicated set up between two mixers and a patch bay to use this deck, I won't even try to explain what I'm doing because it's really quite silly. That being said I'm trying to cut down to one mixer and hopefully a less complicated set up. For those of you who don't know, and I'm sure most of you do, the Fostex Model 80 is a cheap 1/4" Tape 8 track deck, with no gain controls. Just 8 inputs, and 8 outputs. I did get the mixer that goes with this deck but it's pretty lame. I was looking at the mackie 16x8, but it almost looked like a little much. What would you guys recommend?

Cheers, Ally

 

[Beck]

The analog section of the forum is your best bet, as several regulars there have or have used the Model 80.

https://homerecording.com/bbs/forumdisplay.php?f=21

It’s a good machine if working up to spec. A 16x8 Mackie console would be fine. You rarely find a multitrack reel-to-reel with gain controls. The older Mackie, Studiomaster and Tascam mixers from that era and newer are nice too.

I was never very thrilled with the Fostex mixers, but the tape decks were/are not bad at all. There are really tons of mixers... 4 or 8 buss that would serve you well. Don’t get a cheapo mixer because you think you have a cheapo tape deck, as cheaponess has a cumulative effect. Get a decent console within you budget and be happy.