I was recently given this same machine by a client of mine trying to clear out some closet space. The "track bleed" from track 1 to 5 is actually a peculiar feature of this particular machine, where the first four tracks of this machine are sent to the last four channels as a back up (track 1 is sent to track 5, track 2 is sent to track 6, ect.). This is not true of the reverse (track 5 is not sent to track 1). This copy of the sound will only record onto tracks 5-8 if you record enable them, although you will hear them if you have selected input monitoring. That's the extend of my knowledge, as this machine is too small for my normal professional requirements (but it was fun to mess around with for a few hours).Also if you are dedicated to working in the analog domain you really should learn to properly calibrate and align tape machines.

I had the cheaper Fostex that would only record on 4 tracks at a time. It looks like the R8 has something similar. It could be some kind of switching issue.