Tape based recorders compatability

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Mr_P

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Hi
Many years ago I recorded many sessions using the Fostex 250. I have many tapes that were recorded using this machine and would like to dig these tapes out and see if there is anything of interest on them that I could use in my recording today. The problem however is getting hold of this machine. My question is, if I was to purchase another tape such as a tascam would that be compatible with tape speed of the 250 which I think from memory ran at 7.5ips.

I would be grateful if someone could offer any suggestions as to what machines would be compatible with these tapes.

Many thanks.
 
The Fostex 250 is a cassette 4-track, right? If so, it definitely did not run at 7.5 ips. There were two versions of that machine: the 250 and the 250 AV. The 250 records at two times normal cassette speed, which means 3 3/4 ips.

Most Tascam units will have this feature, including the 424 series and 414 series, which are the most widely available on the used market. The main issue will be with the noise reduction system. The Fostex 250 used Dolby C, while most of the Tascam units (at least the ones I mentioned) use DBX. Some Tascam units use Dobly B I think, but I'm not aware of any that use Dolby C.

The Fostex XR7 uses Dolby C; although they're not terribly common, you do see them on ebay occasionally. You also see the 250 on ebay sometimes, but I'd be very wary about getting a fully-functioning unit.

Now ... if you happened to have recorded way back when with the NR off, then any 4-track deck that has 2x speed and a NR defeat switch will work. This includes the Tascam 414 and 424 series.
 
Cheers Beagle. My bad. Don't know why I put 7.5. You are correct with 3 3/4 ips. However, I cannot remember if NR was on or not. If that is the case, are you saying that the only option is to find a XR7 for sale. Thanks very much.
 
Those are the only two 4 tracks I know of that used Dolby C (the 250 and the XR7). There may be others, but I'm not aware of them. A 250 is an option too, but like I said, older machines like that are more likely to have issues. I'm not saying you can't find one that works well ; it's just more likely (I think) that you'll find an XR7 in good shape. A working 250 would probably run you more as well.

Of course, they will still play in a machine with the wrong NR; they just won't sound right.
 
Thanks for all your help beagle. Will try to find working XR7. 250 like trying to find rocking horse poo in the UK. Cheers
 
There's also the Tascam 134 which uses Dolby C, but it too is a bit of a rarer item to see on ebay.



Cheers! :)
 
Ideally you need something that runs at 3-/34 ips (9.5 cm/s) that uses Dolby C noise reduction to be compatible with the original 250. The 250 was the first "portastudio" made by Fostex, made to compete with the original Tascam Portastudio. There were a lot of models over the years by both companies and many other companies.

I don't remember if the Dolby C on the 250 was deflatable or not. If so and you didn't use it, as already mentioned, you've got a lot of other options by Tascam and others.

The Fostex 160, 260, and 280 would work, as well as some of the models starting with an X. Some of the X-models used Dolby B and ran at standard Cassette speed, but I don't know the details of each model.

Check at the following link for specs to sort those out.

Manuals : Fostex Support
 
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