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The Fostex A-8 multitrack tape machine

Download the original 2-page product sheet for the Fostex A-8LR tape machine.

DOWNLOAD: FostexA8LR

Billed as being “about the size of twenty albums stacked together,” the A-8LR differed from the more common A-8 by virtue of 8-track simultaneous recording (as opposed to 4-track simultaneous on the A-8).  We had one of these machines in the house briefly when we were kids and it did not sound very good.  The A-8 records on 1/4″ reel tape.  It is certainly very small for an 8-track machine.

38 replies on “The Fostex A-8 multitrack tape machine”

I do know someone selling an A-8. It’s it almost in
perfect condition. Original owner w/ original
boxes, manuals. I mean this guy said he only used
it twice. There wasn’t a scratch on it. It was very
clean. He also has the 8ch. mixer w/ VU meter
bridge which was also in perfect condition. Email
me if interested. D.C. AREA/ earforsound@hotmail.com

I just happened across one in a thrift store. It starts up, but not having reel to reel tapes to test all functions, I can’t say if it works. By the time I figure it out, it may be gone, but priced at $124.99 as of 8/28/21

Keep in mind that the track width on the A8 would have been about the same as a standard consumer cassette; machine care and tape choice could be hugely influential in the quality of recording/playback. I used one of these for years, kept it de-mag’ed and clean, and restricted my tape choice pretty much to Maxell UD35-90B. And was always happy to go into my home studio. For the money spent the A-series open reel studio was solid.

Is the A-8 you are selling an A-8 LR? I’m looking for the one with the full 8 track option. thank you.

I have an A8, A2, matching mixer and transport pad (navigator) for sale. This was THE set to have in the 80s! Email me.

if anyone has a A-8 LR for sale I am willing to buy and have a Paypal account if preffered.

Hey Teresa,

Can I get your contact info to get more info on the Fostex A8?

Thanks,
Matt

Hello,

Do you still have this A-series multitrack. I have tapes from way back then that i would like to play so if you want to sell, I would buy…

thank you

Hi,
I have an A8. And the counter stopped working. Does anyone know the fix?
I love this old trooper but it’s a pain to navigate through the tape without the numbers.
Thanks.

There is a little belt inside, that runs a wheel which is moving the counter! That belt usually gets slack over the years…..

hey it may be a bit superfluous but the majority of these i can find for sale are the grey version, does anyone know what year the black ones were, or have one you want to sell? it’s so much smoother

Hi Folks, I am looking for a Fostex reel to reel 8 track, 1/4″ ( the grey model ) in good working condition. I have many tapes I did in the 80`s that I would like to re-do digitally. I live in South Africa so with our weak currency at the moment, it has to be affordable, many thanks, Fred.

Hi, I have a Foster A8-LR (full 8 input version, not just 8 tracks and 2 inputs as with the A8) that I am wanting to sell. Everything is seemingly working very well. I’ve had it for over a year and have used it to record on all 8 tracks successfully. I would still reccomend having someone do a once over to have it working its best of course. One VU lightbulb also needs replacement. E-mail me at filthystillsucks@gmail.com if you want to know more.

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