Fostex A2

The Fostex A-2 is a compact 2-track stereo reel-to-reel tape deck from 1981, aimed at home and semi-pro recording studios as Fostex's entry into the 1/4-inch tape market.

The A-2 was aimed at project studios and semi-pro users — offering a compact, relatively affordable 2-track recorder with good sound performance and enough features for mastering, mixdowns, and quality stereo recording.

It operates at 7½ and 15 ips with up to 7-inch reels, delivering frequency response flat to 20 kHz (±3 dB) and a characteristic 3-4 dB bass boost around 50-100 Hz for analog warmth. Wow and flutter is around 0.05% at 15 ips, with signal-to-noise ratio of 60 dB; inputs include mic (0.25 mV) and line (77 mV), outputs at 0.775 V line and 30 mW headphone.

Transport & Mechanical

• Reel size: up to 7 inch reels (standard “cine” size) 

• Tape speeds: 7½ ips (19 cm/s) and 15 ips (38 cm/s)
  Higher speed (15 ips) yields best fidelity and lower noise. stereonomono.blogspot.com

• Head system: 3 heads (erase, record, playback) 

• Motors: 3 small DC motors — separate reel and capstan drives for balanced tape tension and smooth winds Preservation Sound

• Pitch control: ±10 % (per manual) 

This transport is belt/gear-driven consumer/pro-sum setup rather than industrial broadcast quality, but still solid for mastering and personal projects.

Design Features

As a 3-head deck (separate record, playback, erase), it allows off-tape monitoring during recording, with belt-driven transport (capstan and dual reel motors), NAB equalization, and basic controls like pitch adjustment and memory stop. Dimensions are compact at roughly 480 x 260 x 360 mm, weighing about 15 kg, suiting portable studio use.

Fostex targeted budget-conscious multitrack users with the A-series (A2 to A8), popular for home demos despite belt wear issues after decades; the A-2 excels sonically with good channel consistency but narrower tracks limit separation compared to pro half-inch machines.