Fostex X-34 owner manual Before Using, Using write-protection tabs, Rehearsal Mode

Model X-34 Owner’s Manual

Cautions for Using the X-34

*If a monitor speaker with an internal amplifier is connected to the MONITOR OUT jacks, do not advance the monitor speaker volume control or the X-34 MON MIX/AUX knobs. Doing so could generate a loud noise from the speaker or headphone and damage your hearing.

*When plugging external equipment into the X-34 input jack or headphone jack, always switch off the power to the X-34.

*When using an external mic, do not bring it close to the monitor speaker while the INPUT faders, MON MIX/AUX knobs, and MONITOR knob are raised and the track is selected for recording.

Doing so will generate feedback.

*Do not apply the LINE OUT jack signals to the mic input or line input jacks (e.g., directly connecting the LINE OUT jack to the input jack).

The resulting oscillation could hurt your ears if you are monitoring with headphones.

*Be sure to use the AC adapter included with the X- 34. Should an adapter with a different voltage or wrong plug polarity be used, it could cause a fire or severely damage the X-34.

Before Using the X-34

<The difference between multitracker recording and cassette deck recording>

A stereo cassette deck allows for stereo recording on sides A and B of a cassette tape.

As shown in the figure below, a cassette tape is divided into four tracks: two for side A, two for side B.

On the other hand, a multitracker, such as the X-34, records to all four tracks on the same side of the tape. If you record something on the multitracker and play the tape on a cassette deck, Tracks 1 and 2 will play normally, but when you try to play the other side of tape, Tracks 3 and 4 will play in reverse.

Stereo cassette deck. X-34

side B	ch L	Track 4
	ch R	Track 3	A side
R ch
	A side	Track 2
L ch		Track 1

<Handling cassette tapes>

Cassette tape suitable for recording:

The X-34 performs best with a high-position cassette tape (TYPE II, HIGH).

We recommend that you use these types or equivalent tapes for multitrack recording.

C-120 tapes (60 minutes each side) are thin and not suitable for repeated recording or playback.

Use C-90 or shorter tapes for good performance.

Using write-protection tabs:

On the edge of a cassette tape are write-protection tabs that are used to prevent recorded data from being accidentally erased. You may want to break off the tab for side A and side B of a cassette tape that you have already recorded, since the X-34 uses all four tracks at the same time. If you later wish to record data on a tape with broken tabs, apply a piece of scotch tape to cover the tab hole.

Write-protection tab

<Rehearsal Mode>

The Fostex X-34 contains a “rehearsal mode” which is convenient for Punch-in recording.

The rehearsal mode lets you practice the timing for punching in and out, and adjust the recording level by going through the punch in/out take operation without entering recording mode. Connecting an optional foot switch (Model 8051) to the PUNCH IN/ OUT jack, selecting a punch-in track, and pressing the PLAY button puts the X-34 in Rehearsal mode.

Using this function, you can practice any number of times before the actual take. For details, refer to “Punch in/out” on page 19.

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