Fostex FD-8 owner manual Introduction

Introduction/Main features/Precautions

Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Fostex FD-8. The FD-8 is a eight-track multitracker equipped with sixteen additional virtual tracks. It uses a SCSI removable disk, such as a Zip cartridge or an MO disk, or a fixed SCSI hard disk, optional 2.5 inch internal hard disk as a recording media to perform eight-track recording and eight-track playback.

Main features

Mixer section

The FD-8 is equipped with a eight-channel analog mixer that achieves the high tonal quality required by state- of-the-art digital recording.

•The mixer section features eight input channels. Inputs 1 to 6 supports line level input and Inputs 7 and 8 support a wide range of input sources, from line level to mic level.

•Inputs 7 and 8 are equipped with a microphone amplifier, a three-stage trim switch, and an insert jack, as well as a balanced XLR connector.

•All input channels have a three-point equalizer (two channels: shelving, one channel: parametric), that allow for a sharp and high-responsive tone adjustment.

•Two AUX sends and returns allows for flexible sound processing. You can connect two ambient-type signal processors with stereo outputs.

•The mixer section also features an “All Stereo Mix function” that facilitates producing a stereo masterpiece and allows you to master all sources in stereo, including synchronizing MIDI sound sources.

Recorder section

The FD-8’s recorder section uses a recording format called FDMS-3 (Fostex Disk Management System-3). It uses an external SCSI device (stationary disk or removable disk) as the recording media.

•The FD-8 features non-destructive audio editing (a great advantage of digital recording) such as Copy & Paste, Move

&Paste, Erase, etc. You can choose Time Base (ABS or MTC) or MIDI bar/beat/clock as the unit.

•Two recording modes: Normal mode, Mastering mode, to support various recording media.

•A “Preview function” allows for an intuitive fine-adjustment of an editing point (locate point).

•An “Undo/Redo function” enables you to easily correct recording and editing mistakes.

•A “Vari Pitch function” allows you to fine-tune the pitch.

•The FD-8 has a “digital input track setup” function that enables you to input S/P DIF or adat digital signals and record them on any two tracks or all eight tracks.

•The FD-8 has a “digital output track setup” function that enables you to output digital data as S/P DIF or adat digital signals and record them on an external digital device (DAT, MD, adat, etc.).

•You can also use the DATA IN/OUT jacks to mix down digital signals to an external DAT or adat, and to save and load song data (audio data and SETUP mode settings) to and from the DAT or adat.

•You can connect a backup SCSI drive to the unit for the save and load operation.

•A “Digital Remix function” allows for digital output of all twenty sources remixed in the mixer section.

•MIDI clock and Song Position Pointer can be transmitted according to the internal programmable Tempo Map.

You can set up a synchronization system with a sequencer or a rhythm machine without wasting a track.

•You can use the FD-8 as a sync slave machine by sending MTC from a connected device.

•The FD-8 supports MTC, MMC, and Fostex System Exclusive Message, which allows for advanced control and high- precision synchronization from external sequencing software. You can set the device number and MTC frame rate for MMC and Fostex System Exclusive Message. Also, “MTC Offset function” and “Offset Mode function” are useful for setting up a sync environment using an external sequencing software.

•Auto Punch In/Out and Manual Punch In/Out functions offer two modes: “Take” for a real recording, and “Rehearsal” for monitoring the part between the in and out points.

•The “Program Select function” enables you to select a song from up to 99 songs and name the songs.

•Recorder In jacks (L/R) are used to record audio directly to the recorder section, bypassing the mixer section.

•A “Bar/Beat Resolution function” is used to edit audio at the beginning of the beat (round up or round off to a beat).

•The “Metronome function” can be used as a rhythm guide for recording.

•Various edit functions using an edit point (locate point), such as Copy & Paste, Move & Paste, Erase, Auto Punch In/Out, Auto Locate, are available. You can also locate ABS 0 or REC END regardless of the edit point (locate point).

•You can set a preroll time of 0 to 10 seconds.

•A “Disk Remain Display function” offers a clear indication of available recording time and disk space (in mono track recording). You can choose the Time Base from ABS, MTC, and BAR/BEAT/CLK.

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