Fostex B16 not recording - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Analogue Alan · 3rd Mar 2016, 1:30 pm

Hi

My Fostex B16 registers the audio going when setting levels. Upon activation of record/play the led's still register the audio but upon play back it hasn't recorded anything?

Any ideas anyone please?

Many thanks

julie_m · 3rd Mar 2016, 2:27 pm

Has it ever worked properly?

When you say "it hasn't recorded anything", has any previous programme been erased?

Analogue Alan · 3rd Mar 2016, 7:16 pm

Hello Julie, thanks for replying.

It has been in storage for about 4 years. Yes, it has worked previously. However I am using an old tape with it, a Quantegy 456. There is a little oxide shedding but not a lot. it still plays back the previous recorded material. I'm wondering if the tape is the issue.

Kind Regards
Alan.

julie_m · 4th Mar 2016, 4:01 pm

If it's not erasing the old material, chances are it's not even entering record mode properly. (You would be able to tell for sure by using an oscilloscope to look for erase voltage on the appropriate windings of the erase head, and bias voltage on the appropriate windings of the record / play head.)

Are all tracks affected, or only some? If only some, suspect the record safety switches; if all tracks, suspect a missing PSU voltage rail.

TIMTAPE · 4th Mar 2016, 8:09 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Analogue Alan

I am using an old tape with it, a Quantegy 456. There is a little oxide shedding but not a lot. it still plays back the previous recorded material. I'm wondering if the tape is the issue.

Look carefully at the record head. It may have sticky shed tape gunk on it. If so, clean the head - and the entire tape path - thoroughly. Then use a tape not prone to sticking and shedding. The machine may still have a record problem but at least you can eliminate the tape.

Diabolical Artificer · 7th Mar 2016, 7:49 am

I've had similar problems with gear that's not been used for a while including a Tascam 38 with motor logic issues and two mixing desks with dead channels etc.

Let's hope its your tape, Andy.

Diabolical Artificer · 7th Mar 2016, 7:59 am

I've had similar issues with stored vintage recording gear; a Tascam 38 I had which worked ok previously developed problems with the logic controlling the motors and not switching relays for PB and record. Also had problems with mixing desks with dead channels etc.

Properly speaking your deck should be set up before every session including cleaning the heads and setting the bias levels. The heads and any iron work should be de magnetised every so often too.

Hope its just the tape, not simple things to work on these beasties. Good luck, Andy.

3rd Mar 2016, 1:30 pm	#1
Analogue Alan Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2	Fostex B16 not recording Hi My Fostex B16 registers the audio going when setting levels. Upon activation of record/play the led's still register the audio but upon play back it hasn't recorded anything? Any ideas anyone please? Many thanks

3rd Mar 2016, 2:27 pm	#2
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Fostex B16 not recording Has it ever worked properly? When you say "it hasn't recorded anything", has any previous programme been erased? __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

3rd Mar 2016, 7:16 pm	#3
Analogue Alan Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, UK. Posts: 2	Re: Fostex B16 not recording Hello Julie, thanks for replying. It has been in storage for about 4 years. Yes, it has worked previously. However I am using an old tape with it, a Quantegy 456. There is a little oxide shedding but not a lot. it still plays back the previous recorded material. I'm wondering if the tape is the issue. Kind Regards Alan.

4th Mar 2016, 4:01 pm	#4
julie_m Dekatron Join Date: May 2008 Location: Derby, UK. Posts: 7,735	Re: Fostex B16 not recording If it's not erasing the old material, chances are it's not even entering record mode properly. (You would be able to tell for sure by using an oscilloscope to look for erase voltage on the appropriate windings of the erase head, and bias voltage on the appropriate windings of the record / play head.) Are all tracks affected, or only some? If only some, suspect the record safety switches; if all tracks, suspect a missing PSU voltage rail. __________________ If I have seen further than others, it is because I was standing on a pile of failed experiments.

7th Mar 2016, 7:49 am	#6
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Fostex B16 not recording I've had similar problems with gear that's not been used for a while including a Tascam 38 with motor logic issues and two mixing desks with dead channels etc. Let's hope its your tape, Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.

7th Mar 2016, 7:59 am	#7
Diabolical Artificer Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sleaford, Lincs. UK. Posts: 7,662	Re: Fostex B16 not recording I've had similar issues with stored vintage recording gear; a Tascam 38 I had which worked ok previously developed problems with the logic controlling the motors and not switching relays for PB and record. Also had problems with mixing desks with dead channels etc. Properly speaking your deck should be set up before every session including cleaning the heads and setting the bias levels. The heads and any iron work should be de magnetised every so often too. Hope its just the tape, not simple things to work on these beasties. Good luck, Andy. __________________ Curiosity hasn't killed this cat...so far.