FostexLate 1980s to early 1990s2-trk2-Track$Budget($50–250)
Fostex X-28
Solo songwriters sketching ideas one or two overdubs at a time.
Find on ReverbUsed-gear listings, graded conditionCheck prices on eBayBroader inventory, live auctions
Calculate pitch & speed changes for the Fostex X-28
Free tool — see the exact pitch shift and BPM change using this deck's real supported speeds.
Strengths
- Dolby C noise reduction gives a distinct, slightly different tonal character than dbx-equipped rivals
- Compact, lightweight chassis suits desk or lap use
- Dual-speed transport offers a fidelity/runtime tradeoff option
Trade-offs
- Only 2 simultaneous record tracks limits capturing a full live band in one pass
- Dolby C can audibly pump/breathe on percussive transients
Full Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand | Fostex |
| Model | X-28 |
| Era | Late 1980s to early 1990s |
| Typical Price Tier | Budget ($50–250) |
| Tape Speed | 3.75 IPS |
| Dual Speed | Yes |
| Noise Reduction | Dolby C |
| EQ Type | 2-Band Shelving (High, Low) |
| Simultaneous Record Tracks | 2 |
| Mixer Inputs | 4 |
| Aux Sends | 1 |
| Tape Type Required | Type II High-Bias CrO2 |
| Pitch / Varispeed Range | ±10% |
| 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.
Match Score Explorer
Weight what matters to your workflow. Every deck is re-scored live against your priorities, benchmarked against the Fostex X-28.
50
50
50
50
This deckFostex X-28
Match62
Audio Fidelity65
Flexibility55
Portability68
Ease of Maintenance58
Ranked against 36 other decks
- TASCAM Portastudio 424 MKIIMatch69Audio Fidelity78Flexibility82Portability55Ease of Maintenance60
- Yamaha MT120Match69Audio Fidelity75Flexibility70Portability72Ease of Maintenance60
- Yamaha MT8XMatch66Audio Fidelity80Flexibility78Portability50Ease of Maintenance55
- Yamaha MT4XMatch65Audio Fidelity74Flexibility65Portability58Ease of Maintenance64
- Marantz PMD740Match65Audio Fidelity85Flexibility88Portability40Ease of Maintenance45
- TASCAM Portastudio 414 MKIIMatch64Audio Fidelity72Flexibility68Portability55Ease of Maintenance62
- TASCAM Porta OneMatch61Audio Fidelity58Flexibility50Portability70Ease of Maintenance65
- TASCAM Porta 02 MKIIMatch61Audio Fidelity58Flexibility52Portability70Ease of Maintenance62
- Fostex X-15Match61Audio Fidelity62Flexibility50Portability75Ease of Maintenance58
- TASCAM Portastudio 244Match59Audio Fidelity55Flexibility45Portability68Ease of Maintenance68
- Sansui WS-X1Match59Audio Fidelity76Flexibility85Portability45Ease of Maintenance30
- Audio Fidelity65Flexibility20Portability92Ease of Maintenance55
- Fostex 250 MultitrackerMatch56Audio Fidelity60Flexibility48Portability62Ease of Maintenance55
- Tascam 464 PortastudioMatch55Audio Fidelity52Flexibility58Portability55Ease of Maintenance55
- TASCAM Portastudio 144Match54Audio Fidelity45Flexibility38Portability65Ease of Maintenance68
- Fostex 280 MultitrackerMatch54Audio Fidelity58Flexibility62Portability48Ease of Maintenance48
- Tascam 246 PortastudioMatch52Audio Fidelity45Flexibility52Portability55Ease of Maintenance55
- Fostex 380SMatch52Audio Fidelity52Flexibility72Portability40Ease of Maintenance42
- Marantz PMD222Match52Audio Fidelity35Flexibility10Portability95Ease of Maintenance68
- TASCAM MF-P01Match51Audio Fidelity30Flexibility20Portability80Ease of Maintenance75
- Yamaha MT50Match51Audio Fidelity42Flexibility35Portability68Ease of Maintenance60
- Vestax MR-44Match49Audio Fidelity48Flexibility45Portability62Ease of Maintenance42
- Tascam 234 SYNCASETMatch48Audio Fidelity52Flexibility48Portability42Ease of Maintenance50
- Fostex X-26Match48Audio Fidelity42Flexibility32Portability62Ease of Maintenance55
- Yamaha MT2XMatch48Audio Fidelity35Flexibility18Portability75Ease of Maintenance62
- Yamaha MT100 MkIIMatch47Audio Fidelity35Flexibility28Portability65Ease of Maintenance58
- Fostex 160 MultitrackerMatch46Audio Fidelity38Flexibility30Portability62Ease of Maintenance52
- Technics RS-B665Match46Audio Fidelity68Flexibility20Portability46Ease of Maintenance48
- Nakamichi 682Match45Audio Fidelity85Flexibility20Portability45Ease of Maintenance30
- Tascam 122 MkIIIMatch45Audio Fidelity58Flexibility25Portability40Ease of Maintenance58
- Sony TC-K611SMatch45Audio Fidelity68Flexibility20Portability48Ease of Maintenance45
- Onkyo TA-2075Match44Audio Fidelity58Flexibility18Portability50Ease of Maintenance48
- Tandberg TCD 3014Match44Audio Fidelity82Flexibility20Portability42Ease of Maintenance30
- Tascam 133Match43Audio Fidelity48Flexibility25Portability45Ease of Maintenance55
- Aiwa AD-3800Match43Audio Fidelity65Flexibility20Portability48Ease of Maintenance40
- Tascam MF-P24Match42Audio Fidelity28Flexibility15Portability70Ease of Maintenance55
Maintenance & Supplies
As an Amazon Associate, Analog Specs earns from qualifying purchases.