Fostex1982 (defined the format through the 80s-90s)4-trk4-Track Portastudio$Budget($50–250)
Fostex 160 Multitracker
Collectors and historians wanting the actual machine that launched the affordable cassette-multitracker category.
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Calculate pitch & speed changes for the Fostex 160 Multitracker
Free tool — see the exact pitch shift and BPM change using this deck's real supported speeds.
Strengths
- Widely credited as the machine that started the entire affordable cassette-multitracker category, predating even the earliest Tascam Portastudios
- Extremely simple 4-channel layout with none of the menu complexity later models added
- Genuinely historic — a real piece of home-recording history at a still-modest price
Trade-offs
- No effects loop or dual-speed option, reflecting just how early in the format's life it was designed
- Considerably lower headroom and fidelity than the Portastudios that followed and refined the format
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Fostex |
| Model | 160 Multitracker |
| Era | 1982 (defined the format through the 80s-90s) |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Tape Speed | 3.75 IPS |
| Dual Speed | No |
| Noise Reduction | |
| EQ Type | |
| Simultaneous Record Tracks | 4 |
| Mixer Inputs | undefined |
| Aux Sends | undefined |
| Tape Type Required | |
| Pitch / Varispeed Range | None |
| XLR Mic Inputs | No |
A relative used-market guide, not a live quote — real prices vary by condition, region, and timing. Check the Reverb/eBay links on any item for current listings.
Similar 4-Track Portastudio
Match Score Explorer
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This deckFostex 160 Multitracker
Match46
Audio Fidelity38
Flexibility30
Portability62
Ease of Maintenance52
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Maintenance & Supplies
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