FostexB16 - Preservation Sound
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1. the meter panel is removable You can place it next to the au dio console video switcher or mount it in our cab over version of the floor standing console Remote Control The Model 8090 is a compact unit that sits conveniently flat wherever you re working Or if you prefer use a normal mic stand for exact placement A single switch transfers record select con trol from the B 16D to the remote unit so there s no chance for operational con fusion All the functions of track record status and transport control can be commanded from the remote Plus there s a REPEAT or LOOP function Identify the beginning of a section with a ZERO reset button mark the end with the CUE button even in fast wind modes The B 16D will now cycle between these two points until instructed to stop Selecting any transport button will automatically defeat the REPEAT mode Independent Tape Monitor Model B 16M This particular model was designed specifi cally for the demands of live recording typically multitrack video shoots and re mote location recording It is configured with the direct drive PLL capstan motor independent reproduce head an 7 rack height unit with 16 in dependent channels of reproduce decode and a remote control unit This remote unit lets you select any combi nation of 16 track reproduce which you can then monitor via the headphone jack and independent level control or via the line out jack T2. 10 or 11 dB above the reference level and as you can see from the results even at those recording levels distortion had not NS 60 2dB 18dB D 8 18 B D L 64 2dB Figure 4 Signal to noise analysis without Dolby measured without weighting curve A and with CCIR ARM weighting B 56 MODERN RECORDING amp MUSIC NS FT L 82 7dB 10dB D A Figure 5 Signal to noise analysis measured with Dolby C unweighted A When weighting curve reached the 3 percent maximum which we use as a reference for maximum permissible recording levels We estimated therefore that headroom would be about 12 dB with or without Dolby on and separate measurements using an ordinary distortion analyzer confirmed that estimate At nominal 0 dB recording level third order distortion measured only 0 24 percent with Dolby C and 0 25 percent without Dolby These results are far better than the 1 percent claimed by Fostex The tape used incidentally was Ampex a reel of which was supplied with our test sample Several analyses of signal to noise were made both with and without Dolby noise reduction turned on As shown in Figure 4 S N without Dolby and without a weighting curve measured 49 8 dB Adding a CCIR ARM weighting system this figure improved to 60 2 dB For the results shown in Figure 5 Dolby C noise reduction was activated This time the unweighted S N measured a very high 82 7 dB When we added CCIR ARM weighting the mes
3. E a a The World s First 16 Track Re 16 Track Flexibility More than any other factor the multitrack tape machine determines the actual record ing flexibility of an audio production facility There are logarithmic progressions in flexi bility as you move from 4 track to 8 track to 16 track machines The freedom to experiment expands con siderably when you have open tracks 16 Track Efficiency The acceptance of the smaller more effi cient machine in many related fields from aerospace and automotive to computer and video suggests a basic trend to reduce size and increase efficiency That s the reason the B 16D exists It s the newer better way to increase your audio production efficiency It fits nicely into the cramped confines of a remote truck Live multitrack recording dates have suddenly become straight forward Extra dollars can be stretched from tight production budgets when you have your own in house audio sweetening facility The B 16D comes pre wired for video inter lock synchronizers and it locks up fast in the chase mode The operational logic is so well defined and the internal switching is so convenient you don t need someone else to help work the recorder The B 16D is the ideal recorder for the serious musician songwriter or producer who prefers to work alone 16 Track Economy Consider all the key money issues initial investment options and system interface operational co
4. FOSTEX PROFESSIONAL MULTITRACK USER PRICE SCHEDULE June 15 1984 B 16 Standard Model 16 channel recorder reproducer with Y2 tape transport Belt drive capstan motor two direct drive reel motors full 1 C logic 15 ips with 15 variable speed operation video interlock ready intergral Dolby C noise reduction 12 point LED bar graph metering system 5900 00 Modification for 7 ips operation Call for quote All prices are suggested retail and are subject to change without notice Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Labs Inc FOSTEX PROFESSIONAL MULTITRACK B 16D Shown in optional floor console Same features as the standard model but with direct drive phase locked loop capstan motor Key specifications for both models 10 dBV 0 3V inputs and outputs 0 dB referenced to 320 nWb m of tape flux S N ratio 80 dB weighted with Dolby C NR crosstalk 55 dB at 1 kHz erasure 70 dB at 1 kHz 6800 00 Modification for 7 or 30 ips operation Call for quote B 16DM Independent Monitor Model The B 16D with the following additions a third head for tape reproduce a 7 rack panel with 16 independent channels of reproduce and Dolby decode a remote control unit This remote units lets you select any combination of 16 track reproduce which can then be monitored via the headphone jack with independent level control or via the line out jack There s a meter for fast alignment an
5. ION FOSTEX CORPORATION OF AMERICA 15431 BLACKBURN AVE NORWALK CA 90650 U S A TELEPHONE 213 921 1112 TELEX 67 4918 Oct 1984 FOSTEX Printed in Japan
6. PORATION OF AMERICA 6301s 2050s fe o 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 MONITOR package includes two 8 channel stereo line mixers gain and pan controls for each channel and a pair of self powered personal monitors An incredibly flexible monitor package Four units 698 00 Look for these and other useful audio tools at your Fostex Professional Multitrack Dealer Chances are he s also a Fostex Pro Audio Dealer In which case be sure to find out about Fostex microphones headphones and speakers Be especially sure to audition the new near field point source monitors They incorporate Fostex RP technology which has earned over 20 international patents to date 15431 Blackburn Avenue Norwalk CA 90650 213 921 1112 All prices are suggested retail and are subject to change without notice FOSTEX B 16 TEST REPORT REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION OF MODERN RECORDING amp MUSIC NOVEMBER 1984 FOSTEX CORPORATION OF AMERICA 15431 Blackburn Avenue Norwalk CA 90650 213 921 1112 Fostex B 16 16 Track Recorder Reproducer General Description The Fostex B 16 is first and foremost a remarkable engineering achievement Being able to lay down 16 independent tracks on half inch tape is no small feat and that s what the B 16 lets you do easily and effectively For multitrack live recording dates in the field or even for small studio work the B 16 may well be the answer to a recording engineer s dream With it
7. Response 3 dB 40 Hz to 18 kHz 40 Hz 18 5 kHz 40 Hz 22 khz no Dolby Input level 10 dBV 0 3V Confirmed Output Level 10 dBV 0 3V Confirmed Operating Level 0 dB 320 nWb m Confirmed S N re 3 THD w Dolby C Unweighted 60 dB 82 7 dB CCIR ARM Weighted 80 dB See Text THD at 0 dB 1 kHz 1 0 0 25 3rd HD Level for 3 THD 10 dB 12 dB Wow and Flutter 0 06 0 044 Crosstalk 1 kHz No Dolby 44 dB 51 2 dB Crosstalk 1 kHz Dolby on 55dB See Text Erasure 1 kHz 70 dB 72 dB Power Requirements 170 W Confirmed Dimensions W x H x D in 17 x 17x 9 Confirmed Weight 67 Ibs Confirmed Price 6 800 00 Fixed and variable speed modes available In variable mode 15 E 58 MODERN RECORDING amp MUSIC Fostex PROFESSIONAL MULTITRACK The B 16D is the latest achievement of the engineering team that has put more multitrack recorders into the hands of more people than almost all others combined It s compact affordable and well suited for any number of professional applications Different models have been designed to meet specific production needs and a variety of optional accessories are available to configure this versatile machine in a number of User Friendly ways The B 16D Another first From Fostex VENTAS HET Lit O OC N jel IA BEBLERERE REE BEBLEREPEREP BEELEEEREREE PRERRREPEEE pe po N fan 1 y 13 4 IG 1 2 pe 1 An ERREEEERERFE BREEEREPE RE
8. d a switching facility for source tape comparisons without touching the recorder 9600 00 B 16 OPTIONS Description Remote Control unit with all transport command functions 16 track select for record ready plus a cue switch for setting the end of a section to repeat loop 450 00 Auto Locator has all above features and functions plus a 9 position key pad The recorder can be programmed to repeat loop between any two positions 1200 00 Remote foot switch for punching in and out 15 00 10 2 Metal reel with Fostex logo 20 00 Rack mount adaptors 60 00 Floor Console requires rack mount adaptors 360 00 Meter mounting kit contains rack adaptors blank panel interface cable 100 00 12 alignment tape Ya speed flutter tape Record Reproduce card Extender card 130 00 Service manual 2 8 track playback head mounted in front of the 16 track head stack uses the recorder s reproduce electronics 1000 00 Other Fostex Options SRN ot oho CaN a ALLAN i Cocco 6 Cele eceleoed INTERFACE with studio commercial equipment is as simple as patching Model 5030 converts 10 dB high impedance unbalanced line with pin jack connector to 4 dBm 600 Ohms balanced line with XLR type connector or vice versa 8 channels per unit Two units Fostex PROFESSIONAL MULTITRACK 1190 00 FOSTEX COR
9. duce control logic bias and noise reduction circuitry for one channel These cards plug into a mother board and all major pre sets are available through clearly marked slots behind the hinged meter panel The B 16D is as easy to set up and main tain as it is to own Routine calibration and alignment don t require the specialized services of a studio maintenance tech The service manual spare circuit boards and extender cards are all readily available so that you can maintain your B 16D in top professional condition by yourself Easy to own easy to use easy to maintain top performance The B 16D gives you 16 track flexibility the easy way B 16D SPECIFICATIONS Tape 1 2 inch tape width 1 5 mil base Ampex 456 Scotch 226 or equivalent Track format 16 track 16 channel Reel size 10 1 2 inch NAB hub Tape speed Fixed 15 ips 38cm s 01 Variable 15 ips 15 Inputs X16 10dBV 0 3V Impedance 25k ohms unbal Outputs X16 10dBV 0 3V Load impedance 10K ohms unbal System operating level Equalization OdB referenced to 320nWb m of tape flux IEC infinitive 3545 Overall frequency response 40Hz 18kHz 3dB Signal to noise ratio 80dB weighted 60dB unweighted With built in Dolby C Referenced to 3 T H D level 10dB above operating level at 1kHz T H D 1 at 1kHz Erasure 70dB at 1kHz Crosstalk 55dB at 1kHz Wow amp flutter 0 05 peak we
10. ducer to Use 1 2inc frequencies above the music is reduced without affecting the music itself Low fre quencies are not processed by the Dolby circuits thus avoiding the problem of noise modulation An additional benefit of the i eSignal to noise ratio _ RESPONSE bm 3 E a BE NOT TOT BROT O O TEO A FREQUENCY he Dolby C system is a circuit that helps to prevent high frequency tape saturation There is a definite musical quality about this newest Dolby system that goes beyond the specification 80dB weighted which you really have to hear to appreciate The B 16Dis easy to use too A minimum of hard wired switches and a straightforward operational logic mean that a single artist can work alone with the B 16D Normally you monitor playback Touch the ALL switch and you hear input signals to all channels Touch RECORD and you hear input signals only to those channels in Record Ready status Touch RECORD PLAY normal record mode and you hear input to those channels recording and sync on those channels in reproduce n Tape Here is a 16 track recorder where every thing is where you would expect for fast and smooth operation Metering Monitoring record select status are obviously and easily cross referenced so you don t have to give your undivided attention to the recording process Which gives you more time to concentrate on the material you re recording For extra flexibility
11. fic track button places that track in the RECORD READY mode and the LED above that track s meter will flash on and off If only the main RECORD button near the transport control buttons is depressed the dB meter indications and signals from the output jack will change from tape out to input monitor for those channels whose record track buttons are depressed and if the INPUT MONITOR switch is set to Individual the Input Monitor LED will begin to flash This mode is cancelled by again MODERN RECORDING amp MUSIC 184B D L 3 908 R 2 8dB 22 kHz A dB B Figure 1 Frequency response record play without Dolby noise reduction Cursor shows high frequency cutoff A and bass cutoff B depressing the record button If the record and play buttons are depressed together recording begins the Record Track LED stops flashing and remains lit continuously and the Record LED turns on If the tape is rolling in the PLAY mode depressing a record track button readies the track for recording If the tape is rolling in the record ready mode the record LED near the record button will flash and subsequent depression of a record track button will immediately cause that track to enter the record mode It is this procedure which is used for punch in recording of any of the 16 available tracks An input monitor selector switch if set to the ALL position will cause all channels to read input mon
12. ficult or complex Test Results Results of our laboratory measure ments are summarized in the VITAL STATISTICS dB 18dB D L 2 6dB R 2 6dB Alk B Figure 2 Frequency response record play with Dolby noise reduction Cursor is set to show high frequency cutoff A and bass cutoff point B NOVEMBER 1984 55 10 Percent 03 w dB D L 36 dB 18dB e 1QdB D L 23 74B 1148 Figure 3 Third order distortion record play vs record level with Dolby A and without Dolby B chart found at the end of this report In order tobe fair and yet thorough we elected to use a pair of adjacent tracks for tests involving crosstalk between channels By the same token we felt that it would be unfair to measure such parameters as frequency response and signal to noise using the outermost tracks and so for those measurements we selected a pair of tracks near the center of the half inch wide tape We later discovered that had we used the outer tracks results would have been essentially the same quite an achievement when you are trying to accommodate 16 tracks on half inch tape RECORD PLAY frequency response without Dolby C turned on was flat within 3 dB from 40 Hz to 22 0 kHz at a 20 dB record level relative to 320 nWb m or 0 dB on the LED metering system Figure 1 shows the graphic results obtained at 0 dB record level upper curve and at 20 dB lower curve ove
13. here s even a meter for fast alignment What you have is a dedicated independent monitor system The third head feeds an entirely separate set of reproduce electron ics so you always know the actual repro duce signal Thus you can set up true simultaneous source tape or sync tape comparisons And in video interlock situations you can use the monitor head to check tape at any time even compare reproduce with input without touching the recorder s electronics This model is available only through FOSTEX Corporation of America Direct Drive Capstan Motor A quartz oscillator generates a reference frequency of 38 4kHz The capstan motor itself generates another frequency 2 4kHz at 15 ips An error detection circuit within the feedback loop compares the two fre quencies and varies the current applied to the motor whenever erratic motion happens As this correction takes place the two fre quencies are locked together such that their phase relationship is identical Even the slightest irregularity of the motor is thus detected and compensation results This is the advanced Frequency Generated Servo controlled Phase Locked Loop Direct Drive Capstan motor It s the textbook design for rock solid speed control And because inertia is lower it locks up faster with synchronizers for example in video post production applications Plug In Electronics Each of the sixteen audio circuit boards carries the full record repro
14. ighted IEC ANSI measured with flutter free tape Power requirements 120V 60Hz 170W A Fostex P i NW 0012 Metal Reel _ 9080 Wedge Console with 9082 A h 4 q 9082 Meter Mount Kit Dimensions 430 W x 444 H x 235 D mm 17 W x 17 112 H x 9 1 4 D Weight 30kg 67 Ibs OTHER OPTIONS e AUTO LOCATOR replaces Model 8090 Remote Control Contains all the functions of the 8090 plus a 9 position memory repeat shuttle can be accomplished between any two positions with keypad 5030 Line Amplifier Two of these units will give you 16 channels of direct interface to any standard 4dBm system with XLR type connectors 2050 Line Mixer Two of these units will give you a 16x4x2 10dBv line level mix for monitoring or as a separate stereo feed 8050 Foot Switch for remote punch in out 9905 Rack Mount Adaptors 9080 Metal console with castors for B 16D rack mounts 9905 are necessary e 9082 Meter mounting kit for B 16D Manufactured in the U K not a Fostex brand product DOlsocvena Dolby and the Double D symbol are the registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories 516 5 Ali te 333 h 4 I VE Dimension in mm f OSTEX FOSTEX CORPORATION 560 3 MIYAZAWACHO AKISHIMA TOKYO JAPAN 196 TELEPHONE 0425 45 6111 TELEX 2842 213 FOSTEX J FAX 0425 46 3198 MULTITRACK DIVIS
15. itor levels and a green LED nearby will be lit If the switch is set to INDIVIDUAL individual channels can monitor input signals A cue lever located beneath the head block assembly if pushed forward towards the head makes the tape lifters retract allowing tape cueing during FASTFORWARDor REWIND modes The rear panel contains the required input and output jacks for each channel the remote control connector jack a remote punch in punch out jack that dB Skt A accepts a Fostex Model 8050 footswitch a meter jack for use when the meter assembly is remotely located and the noise reduction switch In the INT position of this switch the built in Dolby C circuitry is active When the switch is set to EXTERNAL the Dolby C system is bypassed and an external noise reduction system can be patched into the system While the control layout as described may seem a bit complicated at first we found that if we followed the instructions step by step the full versatility of the B 16 was easily accessed After a few minutes of working with the machine we were quickly and efficiently performing such standard functions as ordinary multitrack recording overdubbing punch in punch out recording onto given tracks and of course playback While we did not work with an associated console during our bench tests it was clear that the addition of a 16 track console would in no way make use of the machine any more dif
16. n the EDIT mode you have servo control over the reels so you can rock one handed to find a precise cue This is especially use ful if you have to get rid of a kick drum beat or a hiccup just before the vocal Other editing conveniences include a man ual cue lever to defeat the tape lifters during fast wind modes and a simple push push retractable hum shield gives excellent working access to the heads The real time counter is a digital display in hours minutes and seconds and provides both plus and minus times relative to zero set Elapsed time is logged in both the play and fast wind modes and search to zero can be accomplished from either direction The Electronics The precision head assembly is a break through in design that has made the unique format of the B 16D possible Special high density permalloy is used with a core design which reduces contour effects to less than 1dB FREQUENCY RESPONSE RESPONSE um CROSSTALK Adjacent channel crosstalk is only 55dB at 1kHz which easily matches the perfor mance of wider format machines Heads are block mounted for accessible azimuth adjustment Dolby C Noise Reduction circuits are built in and encode decode switching is auto matic The Dolby system operates over a constantly changing band of frequencies In the presence of music the band slides up out to the way ofthe music so noise at corder Repro
17. no more sub mixes are needed you can do a full 16 track live recording where formerly you had to settle for 8 tracks To be sure cramming 16 tracks on half inch tape means that each track is about as wide as the narrow tracks you find on a home cassette deck You d think therefore that such important parameters as frequency response signal to noise ratio headroom and distortion would suffer Not so thanks to such innovations as Dolby C asuperb proven half inch tape transport an unusually precise head configuration and excellent record playback electronics Many of the features demanded of a professional recorder are there including punch in recording The one thing that is not there is tape monitoring since the record head is also the reproduce head With the excellent LED meters available for each channel however you probably won t miss the third head in actual production work With the B 16 calibrated for fixed input and output levels there are no front panel level controls only calibration controls for initial adjust ment you will of course need a 16 in out console of some kind to go with the B 16 A remote control Fostex Model 8090 can be interfaced with the B 16 via a remote control jack on the rear panel The 16 channel LED Bar Graph meter on the front panel of the B 16 can be lifted out and installed at a remote location such as a mixing console or video switcher An optional meter mounting kit is available fo
18. oint unerringly Sometimes that means a slight overshoot but that s followed by a quick return to the correct point Though the owner s manual doesn t mention it we soon discovered that if you press ZERO RETURN and follow that up with a press of the PLAY button the system remembers your instructions and goes right into the play mode after the zero point has been reached Punch in recording resulted in absolutely no audible glitches during playback and overdubbing or sync recording was easily and perfectly accomplished from any track to any other track or tracks by the versatile track touch buttons used in combination with the monitor switch and record buttons Of course tape monitoring would have been nice but we suspect that having to come up with two perfectly aligned 16 track heads one for record the other for playback and nearly double the amount of electronic amplification circuitry not to mention a double Dolby C requirement would undoubtedly have added considerably to the cost of what is now an extremely reasonably priced machine Editor s note the Fostex B 16DM does have a full 16 track playback head and 16 additional channels of Dolby C for full monitoring capability and in cluding remote control and other features The price is 9 600 Even if you have been accustomed to being able to tape monitor every track in a multitrack machine the ability to monitor previously recorded tracks while d
19. r that purpose 54 len feldman Control Layout The reel holders of the B 16 are equipped with permanent NAB hub adapters The pinch roller head assembly and other elements in the simple tape threading path are fairly conventional and there is a tape sensor which is activated to put the transport in the stop mode if tape breaks or at end of tape A head shield gate in front of the head assembly can be manually raised or lowered The lower right section of the front panel contains a dual concentric pitch control knob The outer knob is used for large amounts of pitch change the inner knob for trimming pitch to exact requirements A pitch control switch nearby is used to bypass the pitch control when precise 15 ips speed is desired A five digit counter display nearby shows hour minute and seconds of tape travel For tape positions below the zero point a minus sign is displayed in front of the hour numeral A reset button for the counter is located adjacent to it Transport touch buttons include PLAY FAST FORWARD FAST REWIND STOP RECORD and ZERO RETURN Touching this last named pushbutton will cause the transport to rewind tape to precisely the zero point on the counter Sixteen small pushbuttons spread across much of the width of the front panel are positioned above the 16 bar graph LED meters These pushbuttons determine whether recording can begin on a given track If the tape is not in motion depressing a speci
20. r the range of 20 Hz to 40 kHz Figures 1A and 1B are identical except that the dotted line cursor has been moved to the high frequency cut off point in Figure 1A while in Figure 1B it has been positioned to the low frequency 3 dB point or as close to that attenuation as possible in this case 40 Hz The double vertical lines in all of NS FT 1 49 8dB 1AdB D 8 BkHz these frequency graphs represent reading from leftto right frequencies of 100 Hz 1 kHz and 10 kHz Vertical scale in this and other figures of this type is 10 dB per division A second set of frequency response measurements was made with the Dolby C circuitry turned on Results are shown in Figure 2 This time response extended to slightly above 18 5 kHz and to slightly below 40 Hz at the bass end Results were still better than the minimum specified by Fostex Again the dotted line cursor in Figures 2A and 2B has been positioned to show the closest frequencies to the 3 dB roll off points at the bass and treble ends of the sweep Figure 3 shows a plot of third order harmonic distortion as a function of recording input levels Results shown in Figure 3A are with Dolby C active while those in Figure 3B are for the Dolby Off condition The double vertical line represents 0 dB reference level while each division horizontally represents an increase or decrease of 5 dB with respect to that level Our test equipment generally starts plotting at around
21. sage seen above the graph of Figure 5B tells the story the noise level was simply too low for our test equipment to measure In short the signal to noise ratio obtainable with Dolby C added to these very narrow tracks is a lot FL MD LO 044 FSO 10 Percent 0104 0 L 9 045 10 8 Hz Figure 6 Wow and flutter analysis of Fostex B 16 NOVEMBER 1984 NS SIGNAL TOO LOW 104B D L 94 8dB CCIR ARM was added noise was too low for test instrument to read better than we would have ever suspected Effective dynamic range using the built in Dolby C isso high in fact that it would not be unreasonble to use this deck as a mastering system for a recording that was ultimately intended for transfer to Compact Disc format Wow and flutter was also analyzed using our Sound Technology 1500A Audio Analyzer and as displayed in Figure 6 the WRMS value of wow and flutter measured only 0 044 percent while the peak wow component at 10 Hz measured 0 045 percent Again the sample did much better than the minimum specification published by Fostex Channel separation plotted in Figure 7 was particularly good at the high frequency end of the spectrum where we would have expected it to fall off As shown in the diagram separation at 1 0 kHz measured 51 2 dB a bit short of the 55 dB claimed but remember that we measured separation between adjacent tracks That is a worst case condition and separation between more widel
22. sts tape maintenance and resale Your Fostex Professional Multitrack Dealer can show you in black and white point by point why the B 16D is the smartest most economical 16 track investment you can possibly make 16 Track Reality The B 16D was made possible by innova tive advances in head technology record reproduce electronics the incorporation of Dolby C Noise Reduction and the proven design principles of the half inch tape transport Signal quality and overall performance characteristics are far beyond the practi cal limitations of most commercial media So regardless of your application look to the B 16D to increase your audio pro duction efficiency and flexibility in the most economical way possible The Transport The rigorous demands of multitrack record ing the constant back and forth use of the same piece of tape can strain the tape if proper tension control is not main tained The design of the B 16D ensures constant tension in every mode Two sensor arms constantly monitor motion and govern the two direct drive reel motors for smooth positive control Full IC logic The latest high torque motors and solenoids all consume less current so a more com pact power unit is used for less heat and less weight Motion and tension sensing servo control tachometer and audio switching all inter face to a central LSI This dedicated chip is the intelligence behind the B 16D s tape handling prowess I
23. ubbing tracks that are currently being recorded offsets the disadvantage of full tape monitoring facilties And as we said at the outset those 16 LED bar graph meters remove a lot of the doubts otherwise associated with this type of non monitoring recording Fostex obviously has studied and fully understands the needs of its potential customers the music industry and the small recording studio owners and has come up with a product that seems to fill their requirements perfectly B 16 options include a full remote control with all transport functions at 450 an auto locator with all the features of the remote control plus a 9 position key pad permitting the recorder to be looped between any two positions at 1 200 dual 8 channel interfaces convert the 10 dB high impedance unbalanced lines to 4 dBm 600 ohm balanced lines with XLR type connectors the set being 1 190 As a special feature Fostex has available a half inch 8 track playback head that can be mounted in front of the 16 track head stack using the recorder s reproduce electronics This permits half inch 8 track formatted tapes to be played on the B 16 the price is 1 000 This must be requested at the time of ordering your B 16 FOSTEX MODEL B 16 TAPE RECORDER Vital Statistics SPECIFICATION MANUFACTURER S CLAIM MR amp M MEASURED Tape Speed 15 Ips Confirmed Reel Size 10 inch 10 inch Confirmed Number of Tracks 16 Confirmed Number of Channels 16 Confirmed Frequency
24. y separated tracks is much higher as high as 60 dB in fact What did surprise us somewhat was the rapid decrease in separation at the extreme low frequency end of the audio spectrum At 100 Hz for example 1 00kHz Figure 7 Channel separation vs frequency of Fostex B 16 Dolby C is off 57 separation between the two adjacent channels we tested had decreased to just over 30 dB Happily that will not affect stereo imaging to any significant degree since as everyone knows ultra low frequency components are essentially non directional during reproduction Of course this also means that if you want to put an isolation track onto tape it would be best to leave the adjacent track or tracks blank Note also that our measurements were made only with Dolby C off Thus the measured 51 2 dB at 1 kHz would be improved by 19 6 dB handily exceeding Fostex s 55 dB Dolby On spec Comments Our first impression of this remarkable tape deck remains unaltered after bench testing The B 16 is we would think exactly what many professional music groups are looking for It is also what many small recording studios who have to do remotes and are limited in terms of space inside their vans or trucks have probably had right at the top of their wish lists Tape motion during fast winds was very smooth and quieter than on most professional decks we tested of late If you use the ZERO RETURN REWIND mode the system quickly finds the 0 00 0 p
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