Fostex FD-4 owner manual Basic Multitrack Recording, Recording a drum machine to track

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Basic Application (Basic Multitrack Recording)

Basic Multitrack Recording

You learned how to record one sound source to one track in the “Basic Recording and Playback” chapter.

This chapter explains how to perform multitrack record- ing, which is, of course, the primary application of a multitracker.

Multitrack recording is the term for a series of processes in which you record various sound sources to different tracks and combine them into two mixes (L and R).

This recording involves one important process called “over- dubbing,” in which you record an additional sound source to a different track while monitoring the input sound and listening to the already-recorded sound play back.

As an example of the steps involved in overdubbing, we record the following instruments to tracks 1–4.

1.Record a drum machine to track 1.

2.Record an electric bass to track 2 while listening to track 1 playback.

3.Record an electric guitar to track 3 while listening to tracks 1 and 2 playback.

4.Record the vocal to track 4 while listening to tracks 1–3 playback.

Track 1 -> Drum machine

Track 2 ->Electric Bass

Track 1 ->Drum machine

Track 3 ->Electric Guitar

Track 2 ->Electric Bass

Track 1 ->Drum machine

Track 4 ->Vocal

Track 3 ->Electric Guitar

Track 2 ->Electric Bass

Track 1 ->Drum machine

Recording a drum machine to track 1

Record the drum machine sound to track 1 as per to the “Basic Recording and Playback” chapter.

Overdubbing the bass to track 2

This step assumes that only one Program has been set up. If multiple Programs have already been set up, first select the desired Program. Do not select another Program until you finish a series of overdub operations.

Refer to “Using the Program Change function” on page 37 for more information on changing the Programs.

* Initialize the FD-4.

Connecting a sound source

1

2

3

4

1.Connect the electric bass to input jack 1.

You may connect the bass to any input jack.

If you connect it to input jack 3 or 4, set the LEVEL switch to [H].

Setting the switch and knob

8

8

3

EQ

EQ

 

10

 

13

2

 

11

 

 

7

 

 

 

 

9

1

4

6

 

5

12

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Contents Model Safety Instructions Introduction Main features Recording PreparationMixer section Recorder sectionConnecting a Scsi drive Recording PreparationAbout damages About copyrightsRecording mode Formatting a new diskInsert a disk into the Scsi drive Press the EXECUTE/YES keyTurn the JOG dial to select a recording mode When you format a disk, a Program is named temporary titleRemoving a disk from the Scsi drive Press the Stop button or the EXIT/NO keyPress the Setup key Use the JOG dial to select a recording modeFormatting the disk again Press the EXECUTE/YES key againNames and Functions Rear panelControl panel Front panelInput select switches Input SEL INPUT/OFF/TRK Input fadersPanpot knobs PAN L/R Monitor panpot knobs PAN MON L/MON RInput level switches Level H/M/L Monitor level control knob MON INPUT/TRKEqualizer control knobs EQ HIGH/MID/LOW AUX send knobs AUX AUX 1/AUXContrast adjustment knob LCDSetup key Setup Access LED AccessDisplay indication select key Time Base select keyPlay button Play Stop button StopRecord button RECORD/ Auto Punch Shift key ShiftAuto Return/Auto Play mode on/off key Vari Pitch key Vari PITCH/ P.EDITLocate key LOCATE/ LOC MEM Hold/ key HoldStore key Store Undo/Redo key UNDO/REDOEdit key Edit Auto Return Start keyAuto Return End key Auto RTN END/ Preview Auto Punch In key Auto Punch IN/ PreviewAuto Punch Out key Clipboard In key Clipboard IN/ PreviewInput jacks 1, 2, 3, 4 Connector phone Monitor Out jacks MON OUT L, R Connector RCA pinStereo Out jacks ST. OUT L, R Connector RCA pin Headphone jack Phones Connector stereo TRS phoneBalanced input connectors 3, 4 Input 3 Midi OUT jack Midi OUT Connector DIN 5-pinMidi in jack Midi in Connector DIN 5-pin AUX Send jacks 1, 2 AUX Send 1Data output jack Data OUT Connector Optical Data input jack Data in Connector OpticalPower cable Power switch PowerTime Base is MTC Time Base is ABSTime Base is BAR/BEAT/CLK Time Base is MTC Time Base is ABSTime Base is BAR/BEAT/CLK Disk recordable remaining Time is displayedVoid Data message Action to takeVoid Out message Track unselected messageBefore Starting Time BaseArea actually used on the disk Remain indicatorRecording method Playback monitoring Real track and Additional trackInput monitoring REC SEL switch PAN knobs and stereo busFD-4 initial settings Setting the diskConnecting the guitar and the monitoring head- phones Initial settingsSetting the switch and knob Adjusting the recording levelMonitoring the recording signal Starting recordingUndo/Redo recording Recording onto the additional trackChecking the recording sound Playing trackPlayback of the additional track sound Undo/redo subsequent to exchangeConnecting a sound source Basic Multitrack RecordingRecording a drum machine to track Overdubbing the bass to trackListening to the overdubbed sound Undo/redo overdubbingSettings for overdubbing the electric guitar to track Settings for overdubbing the vocal to trackMixdown AUX SEND2 and AUX RTN2 of the FD-4 respectivelySetting the switch and knob on the FD-4 Setting the output level and the master recorderSettings for the effect units MixdownTo enter a title Handling ProgramsCreating a new Program Using the Program Change function Press the Setup key while the FD-4 is stopped Deleting a ProgramEditing a Program title After you enter the title, press the EXECUTE/YES keyAfter you set the pitch data, press the EXIT/NO key Playback in Vari Pitch ModeSet the desired pitch data using the JOG dial Connecting a sound source and a effect unit Recording to a Metronome SoundCreating a Tempo Map Turning the Metronome function onChecking the metronome sound Quitting recordingChecking the recorded sound Press the Stop button to stop the recorderWhat is Punch In/Out recording? Punch In/Out RecordingAuto Punch In/Out Storing the edit pointsConnecting the instrument Setting the mixer sectionPreparation Tips for rehearsalControl panel settings are the same as those for rehearsal Auto Punch In/Out TakeHint Quick and easy operation for repeated rehearsal Press the Record Track select key 3/L to set track 3 toConnecting the instrument and a foot switch Manual Punch In/OutCancelling Rehearsal mode Rehearsing Punch In/Out recordingManual Punch In/Out take HintUndo/Redo Manual Punch In/Out recording Ping-Pong Recording Connecting effect unitsAdjusting the recording level/rehearsal Undo/Redo ping-pong recording Performing ping-pong recordingQuitting ping-pong recording Checking the ping-pong recording resultsConnect effect units to Aux sends/returns Set the channel 1-4 Input SEL switches to TRKChecking the result of ping-pong recording Setting a recording track Connecting an external digital deviceDigital Recording Selecting a Program to recordSetting a digital output track You cannot assign the same track to L and RDigital mixdown Assigning output tracksHow to use the Recorder in jack Editing Tracks Copy & Paste and Move & PasteEdit functions Copy & PasteChecking and adjusting the edit points Checking the clipboard dataExecuting Copy or Move Executing PasteErase Undo/Redo PastePress the Stop button or the EXIT/NO key Erasing a specified part of the data between ABS 0Executing Erase Point is passed in the Play or Record mode Track ExchangeUndo/Redo Erase Swapping data between Real tracks mono track dataExecuting Track Exchange Swapping mono track dataSelecting Additional tracks L-R and Real tracks Select the tracks to swap dataCue & Review Function Cue & Review function using the Rewind and F FWD buttonsDigital scrubbing using the JOG dial Storing a Locate Point Edit Point Storing in real-timePress the Store key Press the desired memory keyEditing and storing locate data Editing and storing dataPress the HOLD/ key while the FD-4 is stopped Press the memory key that you pressed in againEditing the data stored in the Locate key Locate Function Direct LocateAuto Play Executing the Auto Play functionAuto Return Executing the Auto Return functionPress the Locate key Store the Auto RTN Start and Auto RTN END pointsAuto Repeat Executing the Auto Repeat functionAuto Repeat operation Start playback a little before the Auto RTN Start pointPreviewing the fall of the sound fade out Preview FunctionPreviewing the rise of the sound fade CLK BAR Trim the position at the selected unit digitTime Base Midi Synchronization Midi clock sync systemConnecting an external device Refer to page 86 for more information on Setup modeMTC sync/Machine Control system See page 92 for more informationSetting MTC Offset Setting a frame rateSetting the device ID number Checking synchronization and Machine ControlSync system in Slave mode Setting up the external deviceSetting the FD-4 Checking the chase and lock operationRecording Connecting a DAT machine Saving and Loading Song DataOutline of the save/load operation Saving from FD-4 to DAT Loading from DAT to FD-4Remember this Saving song dataPreparing a DAT machine Operation on the FD-4Use the JOG dial to select the desired Program Select the tracks to save using the JOG dialUse the JOG dial to display Save PGM ? Loading song data Press the Setup key when the FD-4 is stoppedSelect tracks to load using the JOG dial You can monitor the data using the following methods Start playing the DAT machineExecution menu Selecting Setup modeChanging the initial settings menus Setting a time signature Storing a time signatureModifying or deleting stored time signatures Select a Program for which to set a time signatureSetting a tempo Clearing all time signature and tempo settingsChecking the stored tempo setting Storing a tempo valueModifying or deleting stored tempo settings Repeat steps 3-5 to store necessary tempo dataSetting the Metronome function Setting a preroll valueSetting the Metronome function Setting a preroll timeSetting Midi sync output signal Setting Midi sync signalTurn the JOG dial to select the desired Midi sync signal Initial setting CLK clock & Song Position PointerSetting an MTC frame rate Setting an MTC offset valueSetting an MTC frame rate Setting an MTC offsetSetting Offset mode Setting the Slave modeSetting MTC Offset mode Use the JOG dial to select the desired Offset modeSetting the Slave type Turning Slave mode on and offSetting the Slave type external sync signal Use the JOG dial to turn Slave mode on and offUse the JOG dial to enable or disable recording Setting the Record Protect functionRecording enabled/disabled Setting digital input tracks Setting digital input tracksSetting digital output tracks Setting BAR/BEAT resolution modeSetting digital output tracks Setting BAR/BEAT resolution modeSetting the Midi device number Setting the Midi device IDUse the JOG dial to turn the mode on or off Use the JOG dial to set the desired Midi device ID numberMidi Implementation Chart Date Version FunctionMMC Command List Refer to MMC Response/Information Field ListCleaning the exterior MaintenanceSpecifications Block Diagram Declaration of EC Directive Index Fostex Corporation

FD-4 specifications

The Fostex FD-4 is a cutting-edge digital multi-track recorder that combines innovative technology with user-friendly features, making it a preferred choice for musicians, audio engineers, and content creators. This portable device brings studio-quality recording capabilities in a compact format, ensuring versatility and ease of use.

One of the standout features of the FD-4 is its ability to record up to eight tracks simultaneously, allowing for complex layering and arrangements. The device supports a variety of audio formats including WAV and MP3, making it suitable for both high-fidelity recordings and efficient file storage. The high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz recording capabilities ensure that the depth and clarity of sound are preserved, regardless of the genre or style being recorded.

The FD-4 is equipped with a user-friendly interface, featuring a large, bright LCD display that provides an overview of tracks, levels, and settings. The intuitive navigation simplifies the process of creating, editing, and mixing audio. Users can easily maneuver through menus, making adjustments on-the-fly without disrupting the creative flow.

Additionally, the FD-4 utilizes advanced digital signal processing (DSP) to enhance audio quality. Built-in effects such as reverb, compression, and EQ provide users with an array of tools to shape their sound before mixing. The flexibility offered by these effects, coupled with the device's capability to handle external effects processors, further expands its creative possibilities.

The FD-4 also features an extensive connectivity range, including multiple microphone inputs that support both XLR and TRS jacks, allowing for versatile recording configurations. This lets users connect various types of microphones and instruments seamlessly. With USB connectivity, users can easily transfer their recorded tracks to a computer for further editing and mixing in digital audio workstations (DAWs).

Moreover, the FD-4 is designed for portability, making it ideal for on-the-go musicians and producers. Its robust construction ensures durability, while the lightweight design allows it to fit easily into a travel bag.

In conclusion, the Fostex FD-4 stands out as a powerful digital multi-track recorder packed with features that cater to both professional and aspiring audio creators. Its combination of high-quality recording, user-friendly interface, and extensive connectivity options positions it as an essential tool for anyone looking to capture high-quality audio in any setting. Whether in a studio or out in the field, the FD-4 delivers the reliability and sound fidelity that users demand.
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