Fostex E-2 Mastering Deck

[Byron]

I just recieved a Fostex E-2 1/4 inch mastering deck for free.The
person had no idea what it was worth. It had been stored for years. It
is in excellent shape. Came with roll stand and Evertz Emulator
Transport Interface, for SMPTE I assume. I have no manual and I am
trying to figure out if it runs at 15 ips at high speed or 30 ips.
I've seen both quoted. What are peoples thoughts on these machines and
what would it be worth ? I 'm actually thinking of using it to record
guitar tracks for warmness and then convert the tracks digitally to
add to my digital songs. Basically replacing my digitally recorded
guitars with the analog ones. Would I be waisting my time ?

Byron

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> trying to figure out if it runs at 15 ips at high speed or 30 ips.

Got a reel of tape? Put it on and see how long it takes to run through
the reel. It's easy to identify the length of a reel of tape. Or
simply play a tape that's recorded at a known speed and see what it
sounds like.

> What are peoples thoughts on these machines and
> what would it be worth ?

It's a very solid machine, and there's no reason why, when properly
set up for a decent tape, it shouldn't sound good.

> I 'm actually thinking of using it to record
> guitar tracks for warmness and then convert the tracks digitally to
> add to my digital songs. Basically replacing my digitally recorded
> guitars with the analog ones. Would I be waisting my time ?

I think so, but how much is your time worth? It's easy enough to try.
But get it to a competent technican and have it aligned and adjusted
to a type of tape that you can obtain conveniently, and buy a few
reels. Otherwise you won't be giving it a fair chance.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> trying to figure out if it runs at 15 ips at high speed or 30 ips.

Got a reel of tape? Put it on and see how long it takes to run through
the reel. It's easy to identify the length of a reel of tape. Or
simply play a tape that's recorded at a known speed and see what it
sounds like.

> What are peoples thoughts on these machines and
> what would it be worth ?

It's a very solid machine, and there's no reason why, when properly
set up for a decent tape, it shouldn't sound good.

> I 'm actually thinking of using it to record
> guitar tracks for warmness and then convert the tracks digitally to
> add to my digital songs. Basically replacing my digitally recorded
> guitars with the analog ones. Would I be waisting my time ?

I think so, but how much is your time worth? It's easy enough to try.
But get it to a competent technican and have it aligned and adjusted
to a type of tape that you can obtain conveniently, and buy a few
reels. Otherwise you won't be giving it a fair chance.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me here: double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

[James Perrett]

Byron wrote:
>
> I just recieved a Fostex E-2 1/4 inch mastering deck for free.The
> person had no idea what it was worth. It had been stored for years. It
> is in excellent shape. Came with roll stand and Evertz Emulator
> Transport Interface, for SMPTE I assume. I have no manual and I am
> trying to figure out if it runs at 15 ips at high speed or 30 ips.
> I've seen both quoted. What are peoples thoughts on these machines and
> what would it be worth ? I 'm actually thinking of using it to record
> guitar tracks for warmness and then convert the tracks digitally to
> add to my digital songs. Basically replacing my digitally recorded
> guitars with the analog ones. Would I be waisting my time ?
>
> Byron

These can be set to run at anything between 3.75 and 30 ips depending
upon the jumper settings on the capstan motor driver board. You'll have
to remove the back cover to see them. The record/replay equalisation
will have to be changed if you change the speed as well - I'm familiar
with the E8 and E16 which share some of the same internals but I don't
know how the record/play electronics on the E2 handles the speed change.

As Mike says, it might just be easier to time a known length of tape.

Cheers.

James.

[James Perrett]

Byron wrote:
>
> I just recieved a Fostex E-2 1/4 inch mastering deck for free.The
> person had no idea what it was worth. It had been stored for years. It
> is in excellent shape. Came with roll stand and Evertz Emulator
> Transport Interface, for SMPTE I assume. I have no manual and I am
> trying to figure out if it runs at 15 ips at high speed or 30 ips.
> I've seen both quoted. What are peoples thoughts on these machines and
> what would it be worth ? I 'm actually thinking of using it to record
> guitar tracks for warmness and then convert the tracks digitally to
> add to my digital songs. Basically replacing my digitally recorded
> guitars with the analog ones. Would I be waisting my time ?
>
> Byron

These can be set to run at anything between 3.75 and 30 ips depending
upon the jumper settings on the capstan motor driver board. You'll have
to remove the back cover to see them. The record/replay equalisation
will have to be changed if you change the speed as well - I'm familiar
with the E8 and E16 which share some of the same internals but I don't
know how the record/play electronics on the E2 handles the speed change.

As Mike says, it might just be easier to time a known length of tape.

Cheers.

James.

[Byron]

Right now the only thing wrong is that it is missing one centre piece
for the reel hub. The part that screws in the middle of the hub. Any
leads to one would be awesome. None on ebay at the moment.

[Byron]

Right now the only thing wrong is that it is missing one centre piece
for the reel hub. The part that screws in the middle of the hub. Any
leads to one would be awesome. None on ebay at the moment.

[Scott Dorsey]

In article >,
Byron > wrote:
>Right now the only thing wrong is that it is missing one centre piece
>for the reel hub. The part that screws in the middle of the hub. Any
>leads to one would be awesome. None on ebay at the moment.

Did you try Fostex? They still have limited spares for these machines.

Is what is missing actually part of the reel turntable or part of the
hold-down? Third-party hold-downs will work on those machines.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Byron]

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
> In article >,
> Byron > wrote:
> >Right now the only thing wrong is that it is missing one centre piece
> >for the reel hub. The part that screws in the middle of the hub. Any
> >leads to one would be awesome. None on ebay at the moment.
>
> Did you try Fostex? They still have limited spares for these machines.
>
> Is what is missing actually part of the reel turntable or part of the
> hold-down? Third-party hold-downs will work on those machines.
> --scott

It's part of the hold-down. I guess I will try Fostex. I figured
they'd of stopped supplying them. If I'm lucky they'll have an
operation manual too.
Byron

[Pete Dimsman]

Byron wrote:


> It's part of the hold-down. I guess I will try Fostex. I figured
> they'd of stopped supplying them. If I'm lucky they'll have an
> operation manual too.
> Byron

You might be surprised. On the other hand you might also consider
looking for a cheap non working unit for parts.

[Scott Dorsey]

Byron > wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
>> In article >,
>> Byron > wrote:
>> >Right now the only thing wrong is that it is missing one centre piece
>> >for the reel hub. The part that screws in the middle of the hub. Any
>> >leads to one would be awesome. None on ebay at the moment.
>>
>> Did you try Fostex? They still have limited spares for these machines.
>>
>> Is what is missing actually part of the reel turntable or part of the
>> hold-down? Third-party hold-downs will work on those machines.
>
>It's part of the hold-down. I guess I will try Fostex. I figured
>they'd of stopped supplying them. If I'm lucky they'll have an
>operation manual too.

You will probably have to buy a new set of hold-downs. If Fostex doesn't
have them, measure the center post diameter and someone here will have a
third-party one that will fit, I am sure. VIF may even still make new ones.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Byron]

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
> Byron > wrote:
> (Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
> >> In article >,
> >> Byron > wrote:
> >> >Right now the only thing wrong is that it is missing one centre piece
> >> >for the reel hub. The part that screws in the middle of the hub. Any
> >> >leads to one would be awesome. None on ebay at the moment.
> >>
> >> Did you try Fostex? They still have limited spares for these machines.
> >>
> >> Is what is missing actually part of the reel turntable or part of the
> >> hold-down? Third-party hold-downs will work on those machines.
> >
> >It's part of the hold-down. I guess I will try Fostex. I figured
> >they'd of stopped supplying them. If I'm lucky they'll have an
> >operation manual too.
>
> You will probably have to buy a new set of hold-downs. If Fostex doesn't
> have them, measure the center post diameter and someone here will have a
> third-party one that will fit, I am sure. VIF may even still make new ones.
> --scott

VIF ?

[Scott Dorsey]

Byron > wrote:
>
>VIF ?

VIF Magnetics. They make a lot of aftermarket tape machine accessories,
and also do things like rubber recapping.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Byron]

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
> Byron > wrote:
> >
> >VIF ?
>
> VIF Magnetics. They make a lot of aftermarket tape machine accessories,
> and also do things like rubber recapping.
> --scott

Hmm. I just did a search for VIF Magnetics. Can't seem to get a link.

[Scott Dorsey]

Byron > wrote:
(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
>> Byron > wrote:
>> >
>> >VIF ?
>>
>> VIF Magnetics. They make a lot of aftermarket tape machine accessories,
>> and also do things like rubber recapping.
>
>Hmm. I just did a search for VIF Magnetics. Can't seem to get a link.

I doubt they have a web site. Most of the old-line analogue outfits don't.

Go to http://www.recordist.com/ampex and look for the Ampex Parts Sources
List from Dave Dintenfass. They should be listed there, as will a lot of
other companies that have tape machine parts.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Byron]

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
> Byron > wrote:
> (Scott Dorsey) wrote in message >...
> >> Byron > wrote:
> >> >
> >> >VIF ?
> >>
> >> VIF Magnetics. They make a lot of aftermarket tape machine accessories,
> >> and also do things like rubber recapping.
> >
> >Hmm. I just did a search for VIF Magnetics. Can't seem to get a link.
>
> I doubt they have a web site. Most of the old-line analogue outfits don't.
>
> Go to http://www.recordist.com/ampex and look for the Ampex Parts Sources
> List from Dave Dintenfass. They should be listed there, as will a lot of
> other companies that have tape machine parts.
> --scott

I found the part and manual ! From Fostex USA. They actually
comunicated and had stock ! Now at least I know it runs at 15 ips
max. Now to get some 456 tape and see what she sounds like. Thanks for
your input Scott !