Fostex FD-4 owner manual Recording method, Remain indicator, Area actually used on the disk

Recording method and REMAIN indicator

Recording method

The FD-4 uses a SCSI removable disk (such as an MO disk or Zip disk) instead of a cassette tape. You can start recording sound sources from any point on a formatted disk as long as the point is within the range of 24 hours in ABS time. (Refer to the following diagram.)

			REC END	DISK END
ABS 0	03M 00S 00F	10M 00S 00F	12M 00S 00F	23H, 59M, 59S

recorded area (3 min.) unrecorded area recorded area (2 min.) unrecorded area

You can record at any point within 24 hours in ABS Time.

The area actually used on the disk

recorded area (5 min.) unrecorded area

Recordable disk area.

For example, if you record three minutes of data starting from ABS 0 (top of the disk) as shown in the diagram, then record two minutes starting at the 10-minute point in ABS time, the recording end point is 12 minutes in ABS time. However, this does not mean that the entire recording du- ration is 12 minutes. The disk space actually used for re- cording is five minutes (3 minutes + 2 minutes). That is, the area between three minutes and ten minutes in terms of ABS time is still unrecorded.

When you try to play or fast forward this unrecorded area, the time counter on the display will count, but the FD-4 will not access the disk. However, MTC will be output when you try to play this area.

On the FD-4, the top of the disk is called “ABS 0” and the recording end point is called “REC END.”

Before Starting

If you wish to know how much you can record on four tracks, you need to divide the current REMAIN value by four.

Managing songs by Program Change function

The FD-4 features Program Select function, which enables you to set up to 99 Programs on the disk.

When you format a disk, one Program will be automatically created on the disk. You may create more Programs, if nec- essary. You may also delete unnecessary Programs.

The FD-4 also features Program Change function that en- ables you to select one of the Programs set on the disk. Programs on the disk are something like independent con- tainers. You can record, play, and edit each container with- out affecting other containers.

You can also name Programs, which is useful for managing songs.

Program 1	Program 2	Program 3
Program 4	Program 5	Program 6
Program 7	Program 8	Program 9

You can set up to 99 Programs (independent containers).

Refer to page 36 for more information on the Program Select function.

REMAIN indicator

The REMAIN indicator displays available recording time ex- pressed in time value or bar/beat/clock value, depending on the currently selected Time Base. It also indicates the available disk space.

The REMAIN indicator displays the

amount of unrecorded area.

recorded area (5 min.) unrecorded area

recordable disk area

Right after you format the disk, the REMAIN indicator will show the maximum recordable time and space on the disk. The values will decrease as the actual recorded area ex- pands. The REMAIN value is calculated by deducting the time and space of all data on the Real tracks and Additional tracks from the original available recording time and space in mono-track base. That is, the value indicates available recording time and space if you record on one mono track.

<Note>

Total available recording time is always the maximum avail- able recording time on the disk, regardless of the number of Programs you set on the disk. That is, if you use up the maximum recording time for one Program, you will not be able to record any data in other Programs.

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