The Fostex B16 tape machine

Download fourteen pages of early-80s publications regarding the Fostex B16 1/2″ sixteen-track tape recorder.

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.

chris

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View Comments

John Chase says:

12/07/2013 at 6:52 am

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?
Ronni Bech says:

09/09/2014 at 7:10 am

hi, i'm looking for the original price of the eightees of the fostex B-16, anyone ?
Marty says:

09/18/2015 at 9:39 am

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?
- Johnny Dee Davis says:
  
  09/25/2015 at 11:49 pm
  
  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
  - Mr. Melody TM says:
    
    03/31/2022 at 9:46 pm
    
    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?
    - Don says:
      
      05/19/2022 at 4:18 am
      
      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.
ION SENDRENI says:

10/15/2022 at 10:01 pm

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