Download fourteen pages of early-80s publications regarding the Fostex B16 1/2″ sixteen-track tape recorder.
DOWNLOAD:FostexB16
You will find in the package: a complete pricelist; a lengthy ‘test report’ as published in ‘Modern Recording and Music’ Nov 1984; plus an original 6-panel full-color product sheet.
The B16 was the flagship product-offering from FOSTEX in the 1980s; it was available in 3 models. The base model had a belt-driven system and was capable of 7.5 ips or 15ips operation. The B16D was direct-drive and offered a number of additional ‘professional’ features, including 30ips operation. The B16DM was a 3-head version, which I have never seen or heard of outside of the literature that I am offering here.
Anyone using one of these things? impressions?
Follow this link for earlier PreservationSound dot com coverage of the FOSTEX B-16, featuring Christine McVie.
9 replies on “The Fostex B16 tape machine”
[…] the personal reel-to-reel multitrack and the FOSTEX 250 cassette four-track. See previous posts here, here and here for information on these recording […]
[…] November, and I have some news. As luck would have I’ve been generously offered the use of a Fostex B16 tape machine, Fostex’s flagship product from the ’80s and has been described as ‘the machine […]
I never saw a three head version either!
One of the more tedious alignments, I did a ton of these in NYC when they were popular.
It was not a bad sounding machine for what it was.
Do you recall what these sold for when they came out?
hi, i’m looking for the original price of the eightees of the fostex B-16, anyone ?
I have a few tapes made on this machine from the 1980s, but have no machine. Does anyone have a contact in Australia with a working deck?
I have just received a B16 in great condition. Will be checking
have service manual alignment tape and great service shop. My business is sound transfer. Doing the best work here at a fully equipped facility. My work is know worldwide in the Film Score business.
Johnny Dee Davis
I have a B16 that does not record or play back and the counter is stuck at zero. Tape transport works fine record, ff, play rewind. Is their an internal 7+1/2 to 15 ips switch? What repair does it need. Should I sell?
Hi Mr Melody.
I just purchased a B16 along with about 80 original studio tapes. Need parts for my machine because I want to digitise the original recordings for the copyright owner. B-16 runs at 15ips only. I may be interested in purchasing yours because mine has different faults. Might end up with a good working machine. Please let me know if you are interested in selling.
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