Owner’s Manual Model 8 TRACK RECORDER/REPRODUCERCN RISK OF ELECT SHOCK 1B NOT OPEN CAUTION: TO REDUGE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COYERIOR BACK). NO USER-SERVIGEABLE PAHTS INSIDE, REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL, The ighting Hach with sirouneae sym vwihin an equlateral trangle, & ntended {0 alert re use" To the presence of wrinsuites angorove voltage’ witur the product's er logue Ita may be of sufficient rragmtuce to [censitue a ns of electric shel to persone, “WARNING” TO REDUCE THE AIK OF ARE OR ELECTRIC SHOCK, D0 NOT EXPOSE THIS APPLIANCE TO Ral OR MCIS TURE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS |. Rese lnstuctens — Ai the safey and eneratrg instr ions should be read botne the opie s operas 2. Roan nehuctone. The saley and opomirgirsructione seul be rolanes for lure relerence, 3. Heed Waring: ~Al warnings. he apolanceandin the ‘oparaing mistuctons sould be adhered i. 4. Foluw instuctons ~ Al operatng ana use wsiructons Pheuld be fallow, 5. Wa@r anc Mastine ~ The arplance shout net be sat eat waler~ foc example, nee a bath, wasibow, hi {hen Sk aur yn a wet asemert, neat ase appliarce should be used only tna cat or stand hal recommended by he man Tacturer ‘An appliance and cen combination stoud be moved ‘wih care. Quick steps, excessive force, arc uneven Sufaces maycause he appiance andcart combraton to overturn 7. Wat or Gating Mounirg The aodiance shaves De mau tae 8. \ertlaion — The appiance should be stuted o thats Tcaiov or postion does "ot noere wits proper ven lion. For example, the appliance showed not be saa fon bad, co 9. er smi rte tal may beck he \ertlaton opening; of, placed in a bully ntaabon, Such 35a bookcase &cabmnel ral ay mpedetnetiow of Br tvcugh te venblaion opennige. tangle inlendac to alert the user To the eezence of npertart oparatng an mate roe perreng) wanders me ere teal — The apptance shoe to stuled ancy a net nplances incladirg amie) fat produce heat. Fwer Scuces ~The epee shouldbeconnededioa paw! sui or el te ype desentes the opraing Moncitns a marked on he apmaree Grounding ec Polreston ~ Ta pracaitorethal should be akenso at he grourdeg or ouraton moan an agplanor fot debated Rover Cos Proecton — Power suppy cords shous be ‘outed 9 tal ey ae ro ely wo be weed on ‘Bnekad by ters paced upon agar! ther. png Dteulerateton io carat ge eomenence ree tees, and te po were Bey eet tom Pe seplence Gang ~ The agpience should be Geared onl 3s ‘eeommended by ho manulacts None Perle — The powarcordal he appliance nou be unplugged fem the outlet when lat unused Tor along period oF ine (Objet and Liquid Entry ~ Cave shoud te tken so het objects co not alana iquis are nt spl nie onc Tosure through opanings Damage Requieng Sonice ~ The agplionce ehoutd be serviced by qualia servoe persoarel whan A. The power supph cod othe plug tas been demanec: 18. Objecs have tale, or tule has been sped tothe pounce: or C-The agphance has been exposed to tain: or The applance does not appar o operte normally exnbts & marked Charge in perlormance, & E, The applance tus deen copped, or ne enclosure omayed. ‘appliance beyond that cescnibed in he aperabng net tens, Al oer sivong shoul be telerted i qualtis Seve person 189 Se.@ oo 38 a0 a) ee ae 8 18 $INTRODUCTION ‘Congratulations on your purchase of the Fostex RA. Even lighter and more compact than its predecessors, the RE has many advanoad features that make high-quality mutierack recording easier than ever ‘The conirol pane! is detachable and, shen combined with the optional extension cable Model 8544, it functions as @ practical romoto control unit with builtin peak level meter ‘The microprocessor controled RE hes a host of new fea- tures made possible by a sophisticated new 4-bit serial CPU: auto ocate of upto 10 different memory points, aslo return, shustte play, zone limit and other helpful features. ‘The numeric key cad—a fist among multi-track recorders — makes programming very easy andthe two 6-cigh LED. cisplays always tel you wrat’s going on ‘The transpot assembly aso offers substantial improve: ments such 9s a cam dive, syperior mechanical precision nti now avalable only on the most eepensive open reel recorders. We wish you many years of creative enjoyment with your ew FOSTEX FB. ABOUT THIS MANUAL This manual has been writion with both newcomers 10 multitrack recording as well as experienced users in mind. If you already have experience with MTRS, you can. skp. those sedions ccntaining information you are already famliar with, such as SETUP or ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. Consde;, though, thet the RB is a very sophisiceted mactine with a host of new, computer-contolled features: ‘Tobe able 1 make the most of he Fé, we recommend tha you read the ertire manual while actually operating the reoodes “The first section, SETUR, explains how to install your new Ra, what cabloe and tapes fo use and how to load tape {Ralso gives you important inforrraton on sound signal and syne connections Once you have thus set up the RB, read section I, the FEATURE AND FUNCTION OVERVIEW. This secion ‘shows you how to detach the remete control panel from the ‘main unit end then explains the basic tape trenspor func- tions. The advanced micropiocessor-controled features ct the RE are also shorly introduced here. Section ll, RECORDING AND PLAYBACK, tells you all about the recording process, explaining the major multi track techniques such as overdubbing, punch infout and ping-pong recording. The EDITING section then goes ‘on to show you how to use a razor blade and spicing block fo create your final track tape. ADVANCED FEATURES gives you all the information necessary to operaie the sopnisiceted computer-con- tvolled functions of the FB, such as locale auto return and zone limit ‘The LIST OF FEATURES jo mainly irtended as a quick rolororce guide to all R8 features and ‘unctions bot it also contains adeitional details such as the working of some LEDs You might want 19 skim through this section first 10 det to know the R8 and is many possibiites. To under- stand most operations, however, you wil have 10 read the \arious precedng sections. Finaly, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE shows you how to keep your F8 in top opereting coraition,CONTENTS SECTION 1, SETUP «7 -7--reernonne : 5 Placement |) CONNECTIONS. Cables ‘Signal Levels and Impedance Wier Comections Syne Connection Foot Switch Comections [AC Connection B) LOADING TAPE Recommended Tapes Loading Tape Switching On the FS SECTION 2, FEATURE AND FUNCTION OVERVIEW « The Detachable Control Pane! Detaching the Contrel Panel Connecting the Extension Cable Basic Tape Tansport Functions PowindiFast Forward Play Stop Medes. Advanced Computer-Controled Functions, SECTION 3. RECORDING AND PLAYBACK ‘ The Recording Process Tape Identification and Reference To Recording the Syne Track Recording Basle Teck ‘Additonal SAFEJRDY functions Playback Overdubbing Practicing Overdube vertu Potual Punch in/out Ping-Pong Recording cuhg Mixdown Using a Synchrenizor Create use of the Pitch Control SECTION 4, EDITING --s10-0essesnneeanenioseannnen I SECTION 5, ADVANCED FEATURES -... 8 Prerall Preroll Setting Checking the Preroll Time ‘Tho Locate Function Setting Memory Points Checking Momory Points Clearing Memory Points Using LOCATE AUTO PLAY. ‘The Aulo Return Function Setting the Auto Return Points Using AUTO RTN Checking the Aute Retum Points ‘The Zone Limit Funstion ‘Setting the Zone Limt Poin's Using ZONE LIMIT (Checking the Zone Limit Points Displaying the Zone Limit Time ‘The Tape Ree! Zone Function CCaleulating the Tape Reel Zone Displaying the Remaining Tape Tine Memory Sort Memory Sort Data and Functions Data Value Entry Error Massages SECTION 6, LIST OF FEATURES~~~ vee ‘SECTION 7, ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ~ 2 SECTION 8. SPECIFICATIONS ~---------- een 22a section 1. SETUP Placement ‘The R8 can be used in either the upright or honzontal post ficn. Since the control pane is detachable, you will be able jo easily operate the controls and waich the peak level meter regardless of how you install the R&. Place the unt in a dry, well ventloted, stable locaton avay ‘rom diec! sunlight or ofner sources of heat. f you use the optienal contol pene extension cable (Model 8544), you Gan operale te Fe up to 5 meters away. Onlyone extension cable may be used A) CONNECTIONS Cables Te obtain optmum sound quaity it important to use only high quality ucio cables with tichtly braided shields, mult stand certer conductors and low internal capacitance, such a Fostex Mcde's 8044 to 8049, Use cables of the shoriest acical length and never use cables more than 3 meters, (10 feet) ong, to avoid sgral deteroration (high frequency losses) and hum, Keep the input end output cables apart by a few inches and as fer a5 possible awey from AC power cords. I you cannot ‘x0'd intersections between power and signal cabies, try to have tham cross at right angles. The inputs and outputs of the R8 have RCA-ype pin jacks— use cables with the corresponding oluas. Signal Levels and Impedance When hocking up the RB, t is necessary to have a look al the output levels (measured in JEV or dBM) and impedance values (measured in Ons) of the equipment you want to Connect to make sure that they maich the specifications of the RB. Level or impedance mismatches can lead to sound signal distortion and even equipment damage The eight RE INPUTS @ are unbalanced, high impedance jacks which accep! nominal ~10 dBV (03 V) line level sig nals from low 0: high impedance sources. Many electronic, ‘muscal instruments such as synthesizes or drum machines, can be cennacted direclly to these inputs; however, micro- phones, quiters and other low level sgnal sources cannot be patoned to the FB unless you use a microphone preampltier ot mixer, NOTE: Never connect outputs indicated in watts (W) such as those of a power empifiar to the R8 INPUT jacks uniess assuitable dreot box & used to attenuate the signal level to around 10 dBV, Ctherwise, you may severely damage your nev tape recorder Mixer Connections Though a vatety of signal sources can be hooked up to the RB INPUTs directly, they are generally used for connection cf a mxing consoe’s outputs. ‘The jacks of input channels 5 to 8 are connected in parallel to the jects for channels 1 thru 4 respectively, Thus a mixer with four buss outputs can feed all eight tracks o your RB without repaching, NOTE: Signals connected to INPUT jacks 5 thru 8 aie NOT internaly routed to channels 1 thru 4 The OUTPUT jacks @ provide either the payback signals from the tape or the input monitor signals (input sgnal folc- bacis). They are usually connected to a mixers tape input jacks Bpending on he console yu are using, fee ate mary Lifferent hook-up possibile. The folowing lustraton shows 2 typical example for connection of the FB to an eigh’- channel recording mixer and a twotrack master recorder. Syne Connection Today, a lot o! recarding werk is done with sequencers andor drum machines. which generally ofer a tape sync feature. It allows you to put a sync pulse on one tape track, which can then be used to synchronize your MIDI controlled ‘equipment with the seven remaining laps tracks. if your drum machine or sequencer is not equipped wih tape syne, you can use an optional syne: unit such as the FOSTEX TS:15, “The sync pulse is usualy recorded on an eige twack—1 or 8—which keape possible leakage of the non-musical sync signal toa minirum. Connect the “apo sync output” (or equivalent) jack oF your sequencer or drum machine to IN- PUT 1 or 8 of the RB and the corresponding R8 OUTPUT to the “tape sync input" of the equipment you want to syn- chronize. After the pulse is recorded, the output of its sync track will go to the drum machine/sequencer when the tape 's played back, thus enabling control via the RS.Foot Switch Connections Optional Model 8051 foot switches can be connactad to the PUNCH IN/OUT @) and PLAYILOCATE @ jacks on the right ‘ido of the contol panel. When making your own ioot ewitches, use a 1/4 inch phone ppiug and ‘ollow the illustration below. AC Connection Connect the power cord of the RBto any convenient wall out- Ie. Keep this cord 2s far ancy from signal cables as possible. B) LOADING TAPE Recommended Tapes The 9 is designed for exclusive use with 7, inch or § inch reels Snoz a 7" tee! of 1 mil (Bum) tape is 550 meters (2bout 1800 feet, the maximum recording/playing tme is ap- roxmetely 22 minutes, which is usually more than sulfcient, to record even very long takes We defnitely do net recam- mend tape thinner than 1 mil because hey wil key stich and break Tho bies and equalization of the AB have been factory aigned for use wih Ampex 457 or equielent high quelty tapes (auch 2s Scotch 297) For specifed resuls, use only these tape formulas; otherwise, t wil be necessary to have your dealer realign the electronics Loading Tape 1. First, unscrew the holders from the drive shafts and re- move ther section 2. FEATURE AND The Detachable Control Panel (One of the many pracical features cf the RB Is ts detacha- ble control panel, which can be used for remote control of the F from eny convenient location. The supplied connec tion cable ie 30 om long, and an optional extension cable (Model 8544) is available so you can control all functions of the RB from a distance of up to 5 meters. (Only ore extension able may be connecied) Detaching the Control Panel ‘The control panel is attached to the main unit wilh hooke onthe let and Tight Goes ofthe panel thal ino a {of of ur openings as shown inthe ‘ight illustration. Ploaso pull off the black stopper (plato of botiom of the main unt Be‘ore operating Consol panel = 2, Inaert an empty take-up reel onto the right dive shat, Pushing it all tho wey in while rotating it to make sure the Hack stabilizer pin (on the turntable) fis into one of the oor responding holes on the ree Screw the holder back on to secure the take-up rec Tighten it while holding the reel. ‘ Allach the supply reel onto the lett chive shatt in the same anne 4 Thread the tape from the supply reel to the take-up reel 2s shown below. ‘Tepe pah Insert the end cf the leader tape into one of the hus sits of {he take-up reel and sowly lun that reel by hand until the sit is covered by tape (atleast one full tur). You can now move the tape forward by pressing PLAY @) or F FWD @). Switching On the R& ‘Jo tun on the R8, press the POWER switch @) ‘The MEMORY display @ wil show only zeraes ©, and the message "FOSTEX" will scroll over the LED meter Depensing cn the position of he tension atm guides, the TAPE TIME display @ shows zeroes (when the capstan @ is rotating) or an enor message (when the Capstan Is slenc ing ail ‘The groon STOP indisator blinks, Prass POWER again io turn off the AB, Note that thie cloare al memorized data such as the locate points cr zone lent FUNCTION OVERVIEW “To removeit, grasp the contol panel rom below and carefut ly lit it upward unti the hooks come out oftheir sot inthe main unt, thon pul it toward you ‘The attachment nooks are collapsible and you can fold them inward to make the bio of the remote central unit com Belay flat, 7p attach the contol unt, simoly reverse the above orece- cure. Male sure thatthe conrecion cable propery fis into the provided recess, unfold the hooks and fully inser them into the four opanings on the main unt, then genlly press <@awn on he control unit until it snaps into place. Connecting the Extension Cable Carefully disconnect the control panel cable from the RE: MOTE connector @ by puling it forward. Inset the extension cable instead, then connect the other end of the extension cable to the control panel cable.Basic Tape Transport Functions Before actualy recorcing wih your new Fé, tis a good idea to get acquainted with the basic tape transport functions frst. ‘The RO records and plays back at 98 cm/s (15 inches per ‘se00n¢). This high speed eneures very low wow and flute, 4nd a high signal-o-noise ratio. Variable control ofthe tape ‘speed is possible with the PITCH contral knob @, which lows you to increase or reduce the speed by 10% the cenier deterted positon is OFF). Rewind/Fast Forward/Play ‘The two transport butions on the extreme right move the tape at high speed—F. FWD @ in the direction of the take-up reel (ovard the sigh, and REWIND @ in the direction of the supply reel (tovard the lel). Continuing to prose either of those ‘auttons doe down the wind spood. PLAY @ transports the tape at the standerd speed (15 IPS) from let © right ‘The green LEDs above these buttons light upto show which transport mode is currently engaged. Stop Modes Pressing STOP © immediately sops any tape motion and, the transport erters the standby mode, In this mods, indicat ed by the STOP LED © on conetanty, the pinch roior @ is ppostionod immediately noxtto the rotating capstan @ so that the RB can stat tb play right away as soon as the PLAY button is pressed, {F you hold down STOP for longer than hall a seoord, the transport mechanism is released, making it easier 10 ecit tape, et. This Release Mode & indicated by the STOP LED bining. YoU can relun to Standoy Made by shorty pressing STOP gain (LED changes from blinking to on) itis possibe to enter eny transport mode from einer Standby cor Roloase STOP mods. However, ericring playback from the release mode takes longer since the pinch roleris urter ftom the capstan \When you do rot intend to play or record for a wile, its @ gocd idea to let the tension arm guides @) drop to their lowest poston oy rotating either reel by hand to siacken the tape. This action stops the capstan motor, thus reduoing wear ‘on the capstan bearing for longer service lie. Before using the tape transport controls, again apply tension to the tape to resart the capstan motor |Whon lating the tension arm guide drop in thie mannor dur ing Stanciay Mode, ths mode i automatically exted and the ‘STOP LED sar to bink indicating Release Mode. An error message appears on the TAPE TIME disolay. Advanced Computer-Controlled Functions ‘The R8 offers a number of helpful computer-coniroled trans- ort festures They are introduced here to ave you an idea ‘of how you can make the recording and playback process described below even easier. It you want 10 use some of these functions right away, you can of course read about ADVANCED FEATURES (pege13) balore going on the next section, (Cnly the operaion of locate 0 is cesoribed hero), a) Preroll Alows youto stat the tape automatically several eeconds be- fore the zero position or @ memory pain. This feature is very racial for overdubbng, because you can hear a few sec- fonds of music before your cue point, making it easier to ‘come in with the correct timing b) Locate 0 ‘This function automaticaly returns the tape to the Zero post tion on the TAPE TIME countec ‘Simply press the LOCATE 0 button €)—the R8 wil rewind 0 fast forward as necessary, with the green LOCATE 0 @ indicator It. When the 2010 positon is reached, the tape sos and this indicator goes out NOTE: Locate 0 wil nat work wher zorm lent is set and Hie 2/0 TAPE TIME position is outsice of the designated zone. ©) Locate ‘The RB lels you set up to 10 diferent memory points, which can be automatcaly located with this ‘unction ) Auto Play Used in combination with locale, locate 0 or auto retum, tis funciion automaically starts playback of the tape whenever ‘a memory point or the 2ef0 posiion is reached When combined wth auto retur, the R8 vill repeatedly play the designated section of the tape until stopped (“shuttle playback’. e) Auto Retum ‘This feature aulomatically retumns the tape to an adjustable “stating point” whenever 2 designated “ending pont” is reached, 4) Zone Limit Lats you specify @ desired section ["zone’) of the tape, to which all transport functions such as play or rewind will be limitec—the tape will automatically stop when the beginning oF the end oF the zone is reached This feature is useful when working on a specific section of a tape @) Tape Reel Zone Limit Smit to the preceding tunction, here the entire tape is the "zone" The AB can be programmed to stop autotically \when the end or Beginning of a tape ie approached during rewind or fast forward. Ths feature prevents the tape trem ac- cdentaly coming of the reels.section 3 RECORDING AND PLAYBACK The Recording Process ‘Tho fist thing to do is to identify your tape with labels and ice identifications, then record reference tones for future alignment Afer these preliminaries. you can get down to your actual recording work. II you are using a sequencer or drum machine, the sync track wit be the fis: one to reoord since itis the One that Keeps your sequencercrum machine and MIDI instruments synchronized. Next come the "basic tracks’ —usually the crums bass and «ther rhythm parts. They are called basic’ because they are the onee you will bo usirg 96 reference fo the ‘overdube" — the recordings of all eamaining tracks. i'you are not satisied with a base track or en overdub, you can, of course, record the whole thing over again, hus eras ing the previous teke. Sometimes, though, only a small sec- tion of a track will need re-coing, in such a case, the “punch in’ flue alows you to selectively conect such parts. After “punch out’, the RB goes on to feprocuce all tacks $0 you can check whether your correction fs in smooth. Since the FB is an eight-tack records, you can normally record a maximum of eight paris # you use one track for cach part. Howver itis possible to make use of the so-called “ping:pong' technique to make more tracks available for recording additional parts. 70 do so, you mix the reoreduced sounds from two of more recorded traoks with a mixer and record the combination (aub-mrix) on a separate (open) traok. ‘The orginal tracks containing the sounds used for the ping pong mixccan now be recorded ever for additional overduDs. “Thelest step in the recording process is mixcown. When you ate saistied with all racks, you can finaly combine thes al to cede @ stereo master tape. Remember that many of the advanced features introduced in the preceding eection are very helpul for recording, so be sure to rake use of them. When repeatedly working on a certain section of the tape, whether for rehearsal or record- ing, use auto retum. The tape wil then automatically rewind to the desired location, such as the beginning of a ‘ake. Tape Identification and Reference Tones Before actually recording your music, you should @) label your tae b) create a tape track sheet ¢) record a voice identification d) record relerence tones. ‘These Simple cperaiions make it much easer to identiy a tape later on aiid reproduce it propery. 2) Wile label and stick ton the ree this wil identity the ‘aoe and distinguish t from blank tap, hslpng to avoid ac cidontal craeure. ) Blank lape track shests are avalatie on the market, but youcen easly make your own. Write the tile. artst, recording date, use of noise reduction, contents (nstument, voice, etc) ‘of each track and all other important informaton on this sheet to keep i in the tape box. Such sheets are very useful for late’ reference as well as during mixdiown, overdubbing and editing ©) Is ako often helpful to record the above information directly onto the beginning of the tape with your own voice for each tack, You then have a permanent aural identification of the tape that cannot get lost (ike the track sheet can) “0 record the voice icentitication and the test tones, proceed as described below under “Recording Base Tracks: ) Finally, record standard level reference tones on all tracks, This procedure will enable precise alignment of your RB tapes on any cher 14" B:track to obtan the same frequency response and tracktb.track lavas. Use @ tes tone ostilator such as the FOSTEX TT-15. Youcan Thule i through ore of the mixes inous for easy assionment tb each track. Record about 20 seconds of each of the following tones at & level of © 3: 1 Hz sssennnneu 10 Gheck the reproduce amp level 10 KHz oF 15 Hz. to check the high frequency EQ 400 Hz oF 60 Hz to check the low frequency EQ Recording the Syne Track NOTE: MID} signais are not able t0 be recorded directly on magnetic tape. For this reason, you need device which transtetes MIDI deta into audio signals which can be “read” by the tape recorder. Its called FSK which stands for Fre- quency Shit Keying, Many sequencers and drum machines have FSK outputs bultin: there are also stand-alone units tke the FOSTEX Model TS-18. We assume that you have already chosen an edge track INPUT jack (1 or 8) for syne connection. To rocord the syne track, proceed as exolaned below under "Recording Basic “Tacks, but be sure 10 set a lower input level than indicated for the music tracks—usualy around ~7 0 ~3 on the peak metet Under ro circurstancas should the red peak meter LEDs light. Once you have the syne track on tape, playing beok the PB ‘will automatcaly stat tre drum mactinelsequencer a the same point each tme. Note that itis not necessary to reoo1d, the drum machine at all In faci, NOT recording the drum ppatt on tape gives you the most ilexitily, because you can change the dru irack without having to terecord tin ac- tion, you are net using up any RB tape track(s for the drums, leaving room on the tape for more overdubs. ‘ou only have to finaly cet your drum sounds on tape during mixdown, recording them directly on the stereo raster tape {or “first generation” quality Recording Basic Tracks Aer you neve out your sync track on tape, itis ime to record the basic tracks)—those tracks thet wil form your reference for the Gverdubs. Accompaniment pats of the music such {8 bass or thyihm guitar are gcod examples for such basic traoks, since they are good fmming references. Once you have decided on the instuments to use, determine the tracks to record them on and write ths information down, (on your track sheet 1. To select the track(s) for revotding, first press the SAFEIROY button @. ‘A *t" for “track” will appear on the MEMORY display @. 2, Ned, press the numerc key (8 that corresponds to the track you want to record, ‘The number of the selected tack (1 thru 8) will appear on the (Second column of the MEMORY display.& [Fre wack nuriter © aspiyed here ] At the same time, the SAFEIRDY LED @ of the selected track ‘il alerrately flash green and rec, indicating that the cor responding track is ready to record. OF course, you can select several tracks for simultaneous tecorving by simply pressing the dested numeric keys one after the othec 8. Now adjust the input levee) of the ealocted channel). Press the REC button @, The INPUT MON LED beginsto blink and the input signal of the selected channel(s) can be mantored at he RB out pout and on the peak level meter Make the necessary level adjustments on the instruments and or your mixer controls so thai the RB meter peaks Coniy occasionally at +3 dB to +8 dB (red LEDs ight up) during the loudest passages, This seting cives te best SIN ratio and least tape hiss 4. Press RESET @ before starting the recording 30 that the TAPE TIME courter @) ie reset to the 0 position at the beginning cf the take. This wil make it e2sy to later return to the precise starting point of your recording, 5. To stat recording on the selected track(s), smultaneousy press REC and PLAY @). ‘The corresponding SAFEIRDY indicatores) wil light con- stanily in Ted, showing that the R8_6 ‘ecorcing on thistthese track(s). The red REC LED @ is also st. © To avoid “late stants’ depress the REC buton fist, then press PLAY while sil holding down REC. If you do it the ‘ther way round, you may have a chor gap atthe begin ning of your recording 8. To stop the recording, press STOP @ You can also stop the recording and automatically rewind Pata ore cecerin i tee oe LCOATE Additional SAFE/RDY functions ‘) When you want to select several adjacent tracks for ‘ecorcing, press SAFERDY to call up the track symbal onthe MEMORY display, input the first track, then a hyphen minus key), and finally the last track. For example, say you want to sel racks 1 though § to ready ‘condition. Input [1 }[ Sor 5 i= ) to obtain tne folowing cisplay. é i The five SAFEIRDY LEDs of these tracks will blink red and) ‘grean, showing that they are now ready for recording B) 7o reset selected tracks (green indicators lif) vou have two options: 2) Use the same procedure as desoibed above for track selecton—it necessary, press SAFE/RDY to display the “t', then press the numeric key(s) Corresponding to the track(g) you went to reset 'b) To reset al solected iracks to sale condition, at once simply press the clear button CLR @ while tha "t” is cispleyed. NOTE: Use method B when working wih one or two tacks only. Method A is for use with multiples of throo or moro. Playback Now thet you hae recorded your fist teekie), you can listen toit (hem) to check wiehhe’ the recording was satisfactory 1. Rewind the tape to the beginning of the take by pressing LOCATE 0 @9. 2, To avoid accidertal erasure of a recorded track, set all tracks to the sale condition oy pressing the cleer button CLR @. A ihe same time, this operation enables youto montor ne revored track by sencing is signal tothe corresgonding OUTPUT jack @ and the peak level mete: 8. Press the PLAY button @ to eart payback of your recording If you are happy wih your base track(s) you can continue your session with the ove‘dubs If you want to redo @ basic track, smply re-record it on the same track as explained above. This procedure wil autcmnatcally erase the previous take, Overdubbing “Qverdubbing’ refers fo he recording of new sounds onto separate tracks whle listening to the previously recorded basic track(s). Ths is one of the most important techniques in multitrack recording. It allows you to “layer” tracks one after the other You may want to practice your ove'dubs tst wihoUt record ing. For fepeatedretearsd, use tie auto return function (see page 14) fo automatically revind the tape fo the beginning when the end of the take is reached, 1. To avoid accidental erasure of the basic track ard to be able to listen tit during ranearsal, st to safe—by press ing SAFE/RDY and either re-selecting that track wih is umeric key or pressing CLR @) 2, Sele! the track(s) to be overdubbed by entering ts num bers) with the numeric keys. 3, Press the REC bution ©. This routes the input signa ofthe selected (ready) tacks) to the corresponding CUTPUT ks and thus allows you to heer the sound of he tracks) whle Istening o playback. of tho baste track). The INPUT MON LED binie. 4. To stan playback of the basic track. press PLAY @), You can now practice by pleyirg along with tis track Repeat your rehearsal unt! you are salised, then record the overdub tracks Overdubs To actually overdub, 1. Rewind the tage to the zero postion (f necessary) by pressing the LOCATE 0 button @. 2. In order to be able to hear the basic track during over dubbing and to protect from being erased in the course of recorcing, set thet track to safe condition by pressingSAFEIRDY end then the corresponding numeric key. 9, Input the numbers of the tracks you want to overdlub with the numeric keys 4, Prose REC to monitor the input signal on the peak level meter, and adjust the instrument or mixer level so that the RB meter peaks only occasionally & 43 dB to +8 dB for the track(s) be recorded. ‘The INPUT MON LED olinks, 5, When you ae ready to begin recording, press the REC end PLAY buttons simutanecusly. Play along with the sound of the basic track, NOTE: If yu are cvercubbing via a lve microphone, you wil ‘need io moniter the basic track(s) via headphones. 6 I you are using the auto return function (p.14), the tape will stop auiomaticaly at the end of the ‘ake and be rewound. Otherwise, end the recording by pressing the STOP button 6) You can now repeat tis process as alten as necessary fo ‘werdu all your vaoss. If you ate recording a total of more ‘nan eight paris, you wil have to “open up" uecks by using the ping-pong Turction explaned below. Punch In/Out Occasionally a recording Is amost erect except fora miss lake OF two. Instead Of revecowing the entie track, the purch inbul procedure lets you selectively correct such un- talifactory migialos without having to redo everything oleo 4s wel '§ port to note, however. thal timing is critical here. You punchrin too early or punchout too late, you could \wreck the very thing you'r trying to fix. For this reason, its bes tofird a phrese or a section that surrounds the mistake and punch-inout at iogica points ike downbests Purch in/out cen be performed by hand, Dut its more prac {cato.use the optonal foot switch connected to the PUNCH IN/OUT jack @. ff you are both performer and recording engineer Rehearsal Mode You can practice punch in and out using @ connected foot switch, in order to get used to the timing ard ensure a per fet punch Ft \Whie nolding down the record outon REC, step on the foot slch ‘The orange REC incicator @ wil stat to biink, showing that renearsal mode has been entered 2. Select the track(@) you wich to punch infout on with SAFE/ROY anc the numerc keys. The SAFE/RDY indicators cf these tracks wil link red ard green. 8, Rewind to a location prior to the punetvin point, then press PLAY to start playack 4, When you reach the purch in point, step on the foot switch “This obetation switches the monitor (rom tape mode to input mode, meaning you will hear the sound from the recorded treckis) you want to correct untl the foot switch is preseed, and thon the signal prosont at tho eolected: INPUT track(s) (1. the sound you are playing live). 5. Step cn the foct suiich again when you reach the end of the passage to be re-recorded, in order to punch out This operation ewitches the monitor back to tape mode 60 you ‘can once again hear tho previous recording, In other woris, repeatedly pressing the foot switch allows you to toggle between tape moritor and ingut menitor on the selected trachs) There are two important reasons for his rehearsal. Fis you must match the recording levels o the trak (pre: fecorded) and the “ive” part (fo be recorded). Second, yOu musi rraich the fee! end phrasing s9 that when you punctvout, it sounds like @ single performance. 6. To cance! the rehearsal mode, press the REC duton and at the same time step on the foot switch, Actual Punch In/Out 1. Rewind the tape to @ locaton prior to the punch-in point 2. Select the track(s) you wish to punch in/out on wth SAFEIROY and the numeric keys The SAFE/RDY indicators ofthese tracks willflash red and ‘green 3 Press the PLAY button to start playback 4, Wren you reach the punch in point, press PLAY and REC at the seme time it YOU ate Using a foot switch connected to the PUNCH IN/OUT ack, you can step on the foot swtch instead. You can now record your new part over the previous rris- take, thereby comectng it. 6. To punch-out, hold down the PLAY button and simuitane- ously tap STOR If you are using a foot switch, step on it instead Either procedure ends the punch-out recording wthout stooping playback of the tape on all tracks, so that you immediately know whether your punch-out was smooh OF course, you can also end the punch-out by smply pressing the STOP bution to stop the tape. If you press the STOP button for more than haf a second while holding down PLAY, the tape will also stop. Ping-Pong Recording ‘Also referred to 2s “bouncing tracks’, ping-oonging is another important mutitack technique Dung the ping peng procedure, several isting tracks are played back, rived inio one track and at the sare fime re-recorded on an open track, which makes the original tracks avalable for subsequent overdubs. The ping-oong procedure may be repeated indefintely in thecry; but in prectice, more than twee is usualy not sonically pleasing ‘Another version of the ping-pong technique lels you mix one or more live sources wih Several exising tracks, atthe same time recording the mix on en avaliable track. To combine the playback (and Ive) sounds for the ping: pong, a mixer is necessary, See the manuel cf your console for detals on mixing for ping-pong recording. NOTE: Notall racks are equally suitable for bouncing, if you ‘record on a tack adjacent 1o the one you are mixing from (for example, track 2 = 3 ~ 4), leakage in the record/play head could cause feedback. Thereiore, ty to avoid ping- pong recerdngs between neighboring tracks whenever possible If ping-pong to an aolacent track is absolutely necessary. you may have to lower the levels. 4. Make sure the tracks you want to transier wit the ping- 10" pong are set to Safe concition (GAFE/RDY indicators ‘groan. The track you want to bounce (the destination track) must bbe Ready for ecorcing (SAFE/RDY LED flashes ted and green). 2. To adsl the mixed level ol the ping-pong tacks on your iver, make a preliminary recording while wetching the peak meter for the destination track, 3, Rewind to the beginning vith LOCATE 0 and recor win the appropriate level settings Bear in mind that once you complete ping-pong proce- dura, that sub-mix wil be treated asa snele elementin the final maxdown Cuing ‘This practical feature lets you search for the enc or beginning ‘of a recording at high speed, in either fast forward or rewind: mode. The RB has a lifter mechanism which normally lits the tape away from the head in these modes 1n ord2r 10 prevent @ cessive head wear This mechanism can be defeated wih the oue function, thus allowing you to laten to the tape at Ih speod io detect a cw pon 1. Holding down the fast forward bution F FWD @ or the REWIND @) button and tap the PLAY button (3) orce. As soon as you release F FWD or REWIND, the cuing mode is entered and the sound can be montored from the outputs and on the peak level meter Once in the cuing mode, you can swich the direction of the tape (while sil monitoring 1) ty pressing F FWD or REWIND, ‘You can also lower the tape speed by noding these but- tons, making i easier to detect the desiced locaton 2. To oxi from thio mode, prose STOP cr PLAY. itis leo possible lo stop cuing by smultaneousy pressing F FWD or REWIND and the PLAY button Mixdown This is the process whereby the sgrals from the tracks of your R8 are remixed on your mixer to make a stereo master ape. You wil need @ mixing console and a two-track master recorder to make a mixcown recording. As far as the R8 is Concerned, mixdown is besically just roxmal playback—all important operations will be carried out, €on your mixer. 1. Mae sure that all tracks o! the Rare in sale concition— all SAFEIRDY indcators @ must te grean. The master tecord should be reacy record 2, Start recording wit the mester recorder, andi press the RB PLAY button to reproduce all tracks, Using a Synchronizer A synchronizer such asthe Fostex Model 4080 can be con nected tothe SYNCHRONZER terminal #9 for conto of the 38 SNPTE ime code is normaly recorded on an edge track, “suall tack 1 1 & Keep the recording level to about 7 ton the RA peak moter SNIPTE ime code must alway {0 recorded in one continuous pass. Creative Use of the Pitch Control The PITCH contol can be used during recording or pley- bark Normally, these operations shoud be done with PITCH centered for two reasons. (a) lapes are made al calibrated speeds, and (b) the record/play equalization and the Dolby Grouity are properly aligned only at the normal running speed. There zreingarces uhen ciferert speeds are useful Retiming IF 2 recording has been made, say for a 60-second advertse- ment, and the overall program is a few seconds too short or too long, the PITCH control can be used during remixing to adjust the overall play ima. The shift up or down in the fre- ‘quenoy of the program should not be disturbing so long as. 2 relatively smal Correction is used, say less than 596 (ess than hat fe maximum speed deviaion). A 6% soeed change on a 60 second tape wil add or subract 3 seconds. In a longer program, say @ 20 minute segment 2 5% change in ength wil emourt to a ful minute. Retuning ‘Suppose the initial track is recorded with the performer out ‘oftune, During subsequent overdubs, it may be impractical fr impossible to reture the instrumants to. match the d= tuned orginal rack. In this case adjust the PITCH control up ‘or down so thet the playback pich ecuals the pitch ofthe in- strument which cannot be retuned. Then make the overdub af that speed. Subsequent overdubs andlor the mixdown can be done ether at standard speed or the modified speed, as desred Speeding up a Performance without Changing the Pitch When a performer wishes to piay a complex passage at a ‘empo that would normally be dificult, it not beyond! nis abil ty, the FITCH contral can be put io good use ‘The techniqueis bes used during an overdub, where atleast cone recorded track is available for a frequency reference. When making the overdub, eot the PITCH contro} co it lowe down the tape (folate CCW). The performer then plays in tempo withthe sted dawn tare. During this operation, be sure ‘he instrument is tuned to the lover piich heard in the monitors For playback, return the PITCH control to the nor setting (Centered) The overdub will now be heard in-tune, at normal pitch, and! at a fester tempo than t was actualy performed.SECTION 4. Once a tape has been recorded, & may be necessary to rearange the order of some takes, splice two cifferent reels, f tape togetner, 0; te add leader tape between takes on 3. given tape. Al these operations are considered to be exiting. edit a tape. one should have the following meterals, araiabe: 1. splicing block. Such as Fostex Model 9990. This is Usually made of aluminum, with a groove to hold the tae, and ore oF more grooves cut across the length of the 'Book to guide the cutter 2. sharp, nonmagnet single-edged razor blade. To be sure the lace hes no residual magnetism, it can be domagnetzed in much the same way thet the head as- sembly 's demeanetized. Be sure to hold the blade se- carey, honever, since @ demegnetizer may pull stonaly ‘on the biede. NOTE: A magnetzed razor blade will cause an aucliale ‘Dick” oF ‘pop’ at the point of the splice Do not use scissors, EDITING ‘3. A sharp white or yellow grease pencil to mark the inten ‘ed salice point on the back of the tape. 4, Aral of 122" wide (1.3 om) splcing tape. Splicing tepe is ‘specially manufactured for jining magnetic tapes itis tin, and has an adhesive that wil adhere tothe tape backing, Yet not seep out ofthe slice uncer the typical pressures ‘and temperatures encountered CAUTION: Never uso conventional colophare tapo or packaging tapes for spicing. Some of the adhesive cn such tapes may uilirately contaminate the recording tape, and say leeve deposits on the ‘ape heads and guides 5.A supdly of plasie or paper leader tape: plastic is stronger but paper is easier to write upon wih a pen or Penail, and is thus handy for making notes, 22 section ss ADVANCED FEATURES Please nete that allocate, auto return and zone imit memory points etc. are automatically canceled when power to the RB ie tured off Preroll ‘When you use the [locale zero] or the [locate] function, the tape will stop precisely at 0 or the selected memory point For rehearsal or rocording, though, it is often desirable to hear a few seconds of music prior to an actual entry, making it easier to keep time and come in correctly. These few sec- Conds o tape belore the entry are callec the “preroll and the RB allows you to cet an automatic prevol that vil work with the locate zero and locete functions. Whenever these func- tions are used, the tape will hen stop several secords belore oF the normal memory point. ‘The preroll tme is adjustable beween 0 and 9 seconds. i you attempt :o sel a prevoll time of 70 seconds or longer an error message "Err 4” will appear cn the MEMORY display. ‘The [allowing lustration shows how the prerall function works: sup Revie Sov tes polars "Play Grection Preval point Mamory pala! You can always tal whether or not a prerell has been set by Joking al the TAPE TIME display while the fape is being re- woundflast forwarded with localeocete 0. If a prerall has been programmed, the lett most digt cf the display wil bink, alternately showing “P” (for “prerol’) and "0" Preroll Setting +. First, press the clear bution CLA io clear the MEMORY display @. 2, Input the desired lencth af the prerol with the correspond: ing numeric key ®. For example f you want a prevail of five seconds, press 5. . Ths number will appear on the MEMORY: e 7 a @ It you make a mistake during data entry, press CLR, then Press the store button STO ®. ‘The red STO LED @ lights up. and the MEMORY display mit m ay a wu ‘The STO LED will go out, incicaling that the preroll ime has been memorized. It you have forgotten the length of your prerll tme, you can call it up on the MEMORY diay by simply pressing the fenier the corect number wil change 28 folows: 4, Finally, piess the minus key (= Checking the Preroll Time ‘call button RCL @® and then the minus key = The Locate Function The R8 can store up to 10 different memory points, each wit ‘is own number, which can be automatically |ocated with the locate function, This function allows you to find certain posi- tions on the tape easily by specifying the number of the memory point and usng the LOCATE button @9 as explained below, . a Setting Memory Points There are two basic ways to set memory points: ) You can enter the ime location of a memory point directy wth the numeric keys. 1) You can input the positon currently shown on the TAPE. TIME display as a memory point by using he HOLD button 2) Using the Numeric Keys Fist, press the clear bution GLA @)to clear the MEMORY display @. 2, Inpul the location of the desred memory point wih the numeric keys ©. For example, it you want to memorize the locaton “15, minutes 30 seconds’, input the numbers by prossing the numeric keys in the order ((_ 1-5 1-3-0.) These numbers will anoear on the MEMORY display: ‘ 5 )3|0 © tis also possible 1 input negative time values tmemory points located below the zero poind by pressing the minus key |= BEFORE entering the number(s). # I you make a mistake during data oniry, proes CLR and start egain. 8. Ned, press the store button STO @. The ted STO LED@)lchts un. and the MEMORY display wil change as folows: am ¢ 5 7 mW ules u 4. You can now enter the desired number forthe displayed memory point by pressing the corresponding mummers koy @, Numbers avaiisble are irom 0 to & For example, if you wart to store the localion "!S minutes 30 secords’asmemory pcintO, press. The STO LED {J0es out to indicate that the desired position hes been memorized, 8. You can repeat the procedure from step 7. to 4. 0 input up to 10 memory poins © Entering @ diferent tme location under an existing memory pont number wil erase the previous deta. b) Using the HOLD button To input the present tape postion shown on the TAPE TIME display @ |. Press the HOLD button ®. The present TAFE TIME is now abo shown on the MEMORY cisplay G2. 2. Press the etore button STO @. The red STO LED @ ligh’s up. 8 Enler the rumber of the memory point with the cor responding numeric key.Checking Memory Points You can easly check ary currenily sored memory point lo- cation. To do so, simply press the recall bution FCL @, then input the number of the point you want fo check with the cor responding numeric kay The location time of the desired memory point wil appear on the MEMORY display, and the LOCATE LED @) starts to bling. (¥ you do not want to use the locate function, press CLR @ to turn off ths LED) Clearing Memory Points Individual memory poiris are automaticaly cleared when 3oU input a new location time. ‘You can also erase memory points by pressing CLA Gi, then ‘STO @ and finally entering the number of the point to be cleared, ‘'b clear all currently stored memory points at once, hold ‘down the numeric keys O and $ and simultaneously press the CLR button @). @ All memory points are also automatically cleared when tho power to the RB turned of. Using LOCATE Once @ memory point has been set, you can nave He RE automaticaly locate i by caling t up on the MEMORY cis: play and using the LOCATE ketton 4. Brace the recall button RCL @. ts LED @ wil ight 2. Inpt the number of the dasited memory point wth the corresponding numieic Ke ‘The red RCL LED goes out, and the green LOCATE LED. ® begns'o lash stead. The time postion ofthe select ed memory point is shown on the MEMORY dsplay. 3 To automatically fast forward/rewind the tape to the select ec memoly pol, press he LOCATE buton @ a tong as is LED is feshing, “This can be done in any transport mode—ston, play, re wind, oto ‘The LOCATE LED remains lit during the search proce dre As soon 2s tha saiscsd mamory peint is reached! the tape will stop automatically The LOCATE LED goes ut. Instead of having the tape stop atthe memory pint, you can aso cause the RB to aulomaticaly start piayoack when the selected porn is reached by usng the AUTO PLAY function (G2 below) of by pressing the PLAY bution while the tape is oving rewound or fast forwarded. (The PLAY LED wil sart to bind, NOTE: The focate function will not always stop the tape [procisdy at the memory point-occasionelly, there may be a difference up to one second. This doviation i not a ‘mailunction, AUTO PLAY I. you always went playback to start autcmatically when using the locate functon, press the AUTO PLAY button @ fo ight i green LED @ As fang as thie LED isi, the RB wil enter PLAY mode whenever = memory poit is located. “b cancel AUTO PLAY, sinply press this bution again, noing that its LED goes out ‘AUTO PLAY can also be used in combinetion with LOCATE. © and AUTO RETURN. The Auto Return Function This function alows you to let the R8 automatically rewind to any desired point—the “start point”—as soon as it reaches «certain other definable location an the tepe called the “end point.” ‘The start point and end point of the auto return zone can be chosen from emong any of the currently stored memory points. Thus. at least two memory locations, namely a start Point and an end point, must be stored in crdar to be able {0 use the auto return function. (See “Setting Memary Points" above on how to enter such memory pcints) The auto return function can also be used in comination with auto play. The R8 will then automaiicaly stert io play ‘after rewinding to the start point, repeating this operation continuously Until you siop it Setting the Auto Return Points 4. Press CLR @ to clear the MEMORY display. 2, Enter the number ofthe stert point, ‘llowed by a hyphen (the minus key) and than the number of the end point. (i is ako possible to input these points in the reverse order, entering the end point frst) For example say you have progremmed five memory points and vant the RB to automatcaly tewind to point umber 1 (our start point, eg. atthe 10 sacond location) ‘as soon as reaches your end pont number § al 1 minute 30 seconds: Press the numeric keys!" = 5) cispiay wil show, i CLUE Next, press the store button STO @ The STO LED will ight, and the MEMORY display wil change to show the memory pont wih the laiger time value trst (in our case point 5) 4 TU site thase auto return points in the memory, press the AUTO RTN tution @. ‘The STO LED will go out, indicating completion of the auto return point eating, NOTE: If you made a mistake and spectied the same ‘memory point number as both the start and the end point (6 it the specifed memory point numbers contain the ‘same tine deta) the AUTO ATN LED @ wll tart to blink, indicating an errox Auto retum medo cannot then bo entered When this happens, contect the startlend paint setings Using AUTO RTN (Once the two auto return points have been set, you can enter auto return mode by pressing the AUTO RIN button ©, thus lighting the green AUTO FTN LED @, 3 long es nis LED is it, the R3 vil automaticaly rewind to the start poirt of the auto return zone whenever the end poirt is reached during playback. While the tape is beng rewound, the LOCATE LED @ will ight You can combine auto return with the auto play function to auternatically start playback at the star point. Simply press AUTO PLAY {9 so that both the AUTO ATN LED @ and the AUTO PLAY LED @ are fz. The R8 will now continuously “4 ‘The MEMORY1» ‘repeat playback of the auto return zone (‘shutte play"), re- ‘winding to the start point whenever the end poirt is reached, ntl you press AUTO PLAY again to extinguish its LED. ‘Auto retuen zone The LOCATE @ button can also be used any tire in auto return mode to rewindfast forward to the start point Checking the Auto Return Points ‘To call up the siart and end point numbers on the MEMORY display, smply press RCL @, then the AUTO ATN bution, The Zone Limit Function ‘The RB lets you spediy a certain zone on the tepe to which all vansport movements wil be limited. In other words, play: back, recording, fast forward, revind and locate wil aniy be possible within this zore—the tape wil auiomatically stop when the beginning or the end of the zone is reached. This function is very useful when you are working on a specific sociion of the tape Setting the Zone Limit Points 1. Press recall RCL ®, then the ZONE LIMIT button ®. Both the MEMORY and the TAPE TIME display wil show ‘only zeroes, withthe la-most dios blinking and alternate: Vy displaying “L’ and “0 SL ge Se oe mee Ue Ze Fy 2, Nex, press the clear button CLA @) to clear the two dis: playe, which wil now show only the flashing “L" symbol end a period alter the last digit. The petiod on the MEMORY deplay will Bink Ila zone has aready been set befor, ils start point wl pear on the TAPE TIME display. 4. Use the nurreric keys (8 to input the zone lit end paint ‘The time value of this point is shown on the MEMORY cisplay It you mate a mistake during data enty, press CLR and input the correct cate, 47D finalize input of the zone limit end point, press the period key =) ‘The period cn the TAPE TIME displ will stat to bink in ead of the MEMORY display period, showing that you can naw enter the zane lint start port. & Input the zone limit stat point with the numeric keys, which display the ime value on the TAPE TIME counter ¢ Ifthe previows sart point is cisplayed, you must frst clear this value by pressing OLR. ‘Agan, mistakes con be conected wth CLA. 6 Fress the store buton STO @, then the ZONE UMIT but ton € to memorize the zone, Using ZONE LIMIT activate the zone limit function, press ZONE LIMIT. Depending on the current tape position, the ZONE LIMIT indicator will either blink or stay it The blinking LED shows the current position is outside the zone. As long as the current tape ‘ime value is within the zone, the indicator will remain lit. © the ZONE LIMIT button is pressed while the tape is bo- ing transported oulside of the limit zone, tape motion will sop immediately. The ZONE LIMIT LED will blink ‘To cancel the zone limit function, press ZONE LIMIT again, ‘noting that its LED goes out, Checking the Zone Limit Points ‘To call up the zone limit start and end poirts on the displays, ‘smply press RCL @, then the ZONE LIMIT button @). Both displays will have a flashing 0"-"L symbol as their let- ‘moet dat indicating zone limit mode. The MEMORY cisplay ‘snows the zene limit end point (the higher tire value), while the TAPE TIME display indicates the start point. Displaying the Zone Limit Time To find out haw long your zones 12 the tme diference be- tween the start point and end aoint), press the recall bution FCL @, then HOLD G2. ‘The length cf the zone s now indicated on the MEMORY ‘spay. The Tape Reel Zone Function ‘When rewinding or fast forwarding 2 tave, you could forget, to siop it on time so that the tape runs off the reel and ras, to be threaded again. To avoid this sort of accident, the AB, features the abilty to automatically calculéte and set a tape feel zone. Once the zone ie eet, the tape wil automatically slop when the tape reaches the border of the zone. (With a slandard 22 minute tape the tape reel 2028 function stops the tape at a dictarce of about two minutes from the end or beginning) When @ tape reel zone nas been set, the regular zone limit function cannot be used, Calculating the Tape Reel Zone The length of the tape reel zone difers depending on the ze of the reals and whether or not the tape is back-coatod (thickness). It is therelore necessary to inout the reel sizes and the type of tape so thal the F8 can automalcally calou- late the zone length. ‘When powers turred on, the R8 is adjusted for AMPEX 457 or equivalent tape on the supply reel and the supplied 7 inch emply reel on the take-up side. It you are using this standard Set-Up, you Co not have to input the reel sizes as explained in step 7., but can start right away with step 2. 41 There are cight reel size and tape type combinations to cchoess from. To cal them up on the MEMORY display press the recall button RCL G®., then the'period key. | ‘The firs: combination displayed is (57-7) “ris short for “reel, anc the two numbers on the ngtt indicate the size ‘of the reels—the left number showing the supply reel, the right number the take-up reel. The letter “b* means that the tape used is beck coated. In other words, "r b7-7" in dlcales thet two 7 inch reels wih back-coaled tape will besed as the lass for the calculaton, To call Up the next possible combination, press the period key + ‘again, and so on until the desred combination is displayed. aa [FS=5] sted ertnckooed wpe 7 or Semel son [F7 =] {0555-3 —fr0 55} The let number indicates the supply reel, the right rum: ker the take-up real 2, Next, Sart playback of the tape, then press the PLAY but ton and the ZONE LIMIT bution at the same time The leftmost digit of the TAPE TIME cisplay alternaiely shows ‘o" and °0", indicating that tho RB is currently cal culating the tape reel zone, 3, When the R& has completed calculation, the O10” display will stoo flashing and the ZONE LIMIT LED @ lights uo to show that the tape reel zore has been set Displaying the Remaining Tape Time ‘Onve the tape reel zone has been sel, you can check the ‘emaining time within tne one by pressing th recall butor (GL) @ ane then the AUTO PLAY duton (9. The tire unt fhe end of ne zone wil be shown on the MEMORY spy NoTES: 1) Since the regular zone limit function cannot be used ‘simultaneously with the tape reel zone, entering @ tepe reel zone cancels any zone limit setings and vie versa. 2) Catcufaion cf the tape ree! zane f based on 2 tape thick ‘hess Of qin, 1 SGum tapes OF tapes that nave been edi ed with spicng tape are used, it may not be possible 10. coreoty calculate a lape zone Memory Sort ‘The memory sort function is a practical means for checking various data concerning the merrory poinis—how many points have boan sai, their order eccarding to te vali location, etc. ‘o enter memory sort mode, press the recall button RCL ®, then the clear buton CLR @). Memory Sort Data and Functions 2) The cigplay shows the numbers of the memory points in the order of their time values: the one with the largest. value is cisplayed furthest on the let (on the MEMORY display), while the memory poirt with the smallest tme value shown furthest on the rghi (on the TAPE TIME counter). TAPE TIME (Ollie (sla) 76]54) [3]2 Inthe above tusration, the Sma values of the memory points increase with larger memory point numbers. Thus memory point rumber @ has the highest time value and memory poirt 0 has the smallest © On the display, "C” indicates the current counter positon in relaton to the memory points. It you play the tape or use last ferwardirenind during memory sort, you can see how this "C" moves between the numbers on the display. On the above deplay all memory points have larger time values than the present countor position ‘© “U"indicales the previously located or currently selected locate point. ‘© 2 paricd between two numbers shows that these memory Roirts hae the same time values. In the above example, Memory ports 8 and 7 are identical, as are points 4 and A pericd between the "L’ synbol and a number indicates: that this memory point is currently selected for locate 'b) You can now call up the time value of each memory point con the displays by pressing the cowesponding numeric fey. As an exemple if you press eppear: the folowing display wil 1EMORY. aoo|e ie oO veiaecniram—t | 0-00 Sec, 2505 Sea, TAPE TIME 1025 Soe 73 Sec. ‘Shove memory numer — ‘Thus memory point 1 hes a time value of 12.00 seconds. ‘Querter second values other than O are possible only dur- ing display cf the ourrent counter value (see next item). For example, fa number 3 was displayed on the TAPE ‘TIME counter instead of the 0 in the above example, & lime value of 12.75 (12 and three quarter) seconds would be indicated ‘© Pressing the period hey= |cisplays the current counter \alua, indicated by aC” on the TAPE TIME ply. ‘¢ Pressing the minus key! — |shows the time value of the curranty selected locate point (ie the memory pant the LOCATE buton @ will rewindlfast forward to). An “L" eppears on the TAPE TIME dspley. Youcan ‘freeze’ the data on the disolays by pressing the HOLD button @ while holdng down the desired numeric fey. (The numeric key must be pressed fist for this tune: ton to work} “b cancel ths function, press HOLD again 4) H you press the store Key STO @ to make its LED blink, you can then directly rowinc/fast forward to any dosived Memory point by simply pressing its rurreric kay. D rewindlfast forward to the previous locate point (memery point or other counter postion), press! = Pressing| + | locates the last point whete playback or recording was started. ‘b cancel thi cirest locate mode, press the store button STO again 16Data Value Entry In the preceding chapters, you nave already learned how to input various knds ct dala such as locate memory points The folowing expairs a sighily diferent method of value entry which is partculary useful when you want to cores: oF alto’ exictng data 70 be abla to uso this mathod, a poriod muet be blinking on the MEMORY cispray@® The period key| is then used to 4) Altering a Memory Point Setting Input Display ‘e/a)5) 3/4 Helse fziy. +] felt f4| 34 =H tele f4 [3/4 =H fel i439] 4] fe) ef 4 [314] Cel elt iyi aly TH fel él4ialy ile] [4]3]y Display 4l-[9 C+] il-|2 ~] ij-|2 2 i/-|2 oro ii=-l2 ae il-l2 LC il-lé move the lashing period on the cisplay. The two digits to the Fait of the blitking period are "teady to be edited oF changed’ for input—you can enter eny desired numbers with the numeric keys. Ih the four soting examples beiow, “." indicates that the period is It, “0” chowe a blinking petiod, and no period ing cation means that the period is not lt. In this example a merrory point has been called up on the display with the BCL button @® and the corresponding rurber key, than the binkna perod wes moved ¥o the lett with_+ | @ The mints key =] erters end clears the minus sign regerdless ofthe postion cf the blinking period ‘© Fressing the store button STO ®) causes the period at the seccnds column to dsappear ard tne other two per- ds at te Hour and Minutes to ligt continuously. The STO indicator is It, and you can now input tie cue memory numbec «Ifyou want to make furthor atorations ator storing, simply press [+ again In the next example, te data value was called up by press- ing ROL and AUTO RETURN @, then the blinking petiod was moved to the lot. Pressing AUTO RETURN at the end tho procedure stores the deplayed value,) Entering a New Memory or Auto Return Point Error Messages The 8 is programmed to dsplay cartain “error messages’ fon the TAPE TIME counter to show you wner tne transpor isa operate (‘shutoff error) and fo wam you of mistaken operation during data memorizaton ("slore mode errors") A) Shut-Off Error Wher the tersicn arm guides have dropped to their lowest positon, thus shutting of the tape trengpor, the ‘allowing er- for message (‘eor t") appears on the TAPE TIME dspiay Elrir| 1 |e’ To be ableto use the tape transport again, remove tape slack by rotating ether or both reels by hand. B) Store Mode Errors AAl.G| these erro: messages show that you canrot store the current input dala. Check the dala and repeat ently 1 cor fect it. @ lElelr i Indicates that the input dala is not suitable as an auto return point and therefore cannot be stored, Error 1) input Display input Display r- | - 1 | rani 1 Lt! Peo j= i}- 1 0 -|18 il-l2 Vinal ee Fa 1 d| a e 7 -| 1/4) 2 ‘auo | ‘ a 5 elie 5 Be tl c rilrel el eli a) i (aie 5 ohelol sales! = For your reference these ilustations show the regular input WEG Og 2S melted areedy explained under “Seting Memory Ponts Turther above. ® [Elric é ‘Appears when the dala on the MEMORY display you heve alismpted to memoize contains symbols other than El-l-] | [3 Appears when the data on the TAPE TINIE counter you have: atiompted io store contains symbols othor than numbors. @ |Elrir 4 fidices es fein ask ek aaa nd oe Hepat ek haga ico ae (Error 2) (Enor 3) (Eror 4) 8section 6. LIST OF FEATURES FRONT PANEL @ Reel Holders ‘These secure the reels on the teal tumtabe. (See page 6). @ POWER switch ‘Tuine power to the RB on (press) and ctf release. @ PLAY button I the capstan is turning (both Tension Arms are up), pressing, this button eniers play mode You can also use PLAY to automaically start playback after 2 locate procedure (see "PLAY LED” bela) Besides. pressing this button together with STOP punches Ou: during a recording (see pege10). Pressing this button together F FWD or REWIND wil inital Fast Search mode. @ PLAY LED ‘This indicaior ights up when play made is entered and goes out when you exit this mode It you press plzy button during Locate rrods, the LED biirks tilt teaches to the locate point, and erters into pley mode automatoaly. © STOP button ress this button momenta to step the transpot in the Standby Mode. Hod t down for longer than 05 seconds to stop transpon in the Release Mode. ‘See page 7 for ‘exolanations of Standby and Release Modes) STOP js also used in combinaton wth the PLAY button @ to punch cut during a recording. (Gee page 10) @ STOP LED Lights constantly in the Standby Mode anc binis in ne Release Mode. @ F FWD (FAST FORWARD) button Winds the tape at high speed from let to right orto the take- Up reel Pressing this button win PLAY bution vil inate Fast Search mode Pressing this button while the tape is being fast forwarded lowers tape epeed. @ F FWD LED Lights up when the F FWD button is pressed @ REWIND button \Winds the tape at high speed from right to lef onto the sup- reel Pbssng ns buton wir PLAY buton wil Aae Rew ‘Search mode. Prassing this butlon while the tape is being rewound lowers the tape speed. (@ REWIND LED Lights up when the REWIND bution is pressed (@) REC (RECORD) button This button serves two purposes. First, itis used to monitor the input signal of the selecied charne(s) al the FB output and on the peek level meter. (The INPUT MON LED @) blinks when this condion exist). ‘The other function of the REC button is to stat recording on the solectes tracks fee page 9) by pressing it together with the PLAY button @). This operation can be done from siop mode or while tape is roling during playback (‘punch in?) @ REC LeDs “Tho RB has two record LEDs—an orange one and a red ane. The orange REC LED lights up to indicate the “record ready" condition. This condition is entered when no track has been selactad for recording, and the PLAY button @) and the REC butlon (ate pressed simultanecusty. The red REC LED indicates the actual recording mode, whic i entered when tracks) has (have) been selected, anc the PLAY button @) and the REC button @ are pressed at the same time. “The orange REG LED wil bink when an optionel foot switch (Model 8051) has boon used to enter rohoareal modo (200 page 10), @ PEAK METER mode switch This switch alions you to select between three tyses of peak eter dsiay modes—PERM (permanent), NORMIRST (nor rraltesal) and TENP (temporary). PERM: In this permanert PEAK HOLD mode, the indicator segment showing the highest peak of each channel 's hed continuously on the display until an even higher peak levels encountered, or unti you set the ‘mode Switch to NORM/AST to reset the cisplay NORMIRST: Wren set to this postion, the oisplay functions as a normel peak level meter This pasion also resets the PERM mode peak hold function. TEMP: In this 1 second PEAK HOLD mode, the levels of the highest peaks are held for about one second on the dleplay. To select the desired display mode, simple move this switch to the corresponding position. @ SAFE/RDY (READY) LEDs When these record track indicators are green, the cor- responding tracks are “sale’—ie no recording is possible. When these LEDs alternately blins red and green, they ind cate which tracks are “ready” for recording, Whit tracks are actually being recorded, the corespoxd ing SAFEIRDY indesiors are constantly it red ® Numeric key pac ‘This key pad incudesten number keys from 0 to 8, period key and aminuskey (hyphen). They ate used for data inout and various command cortrds. @ PITCH contro! The pitch contol knob adjusts the tape speed over a ++/—10% range. Rotating itclackwise (1 the direction of the "4" symbo)) increases ‘he speed, while rotating it in the tho drostion decreases it The canter postion, where the knob cicks into place, corresponds to the siandard speed of 98 cis (15 ins). @ AUTO PLAY buttonProssing this bution to ight itp LED @ enters AUTO PLAY mode, ic the RS wil sart playback whenever a memory point is located. (See page 14) @ auto PLAY LED When the AUTO PLAY LE sat (@ AUTO RTN (RETURN) button ‘When this button has been pressed to ight its LED indicator the tape wit automaticaly raum to a preset “slant point once the spectied “end point” is reached (see page 14) Nornaly, the tepe wil stop there, but if ueed in combination with AUTO PLAY, playback wil automatically begin from the start point, thuscreating an endless play loop (“shutla play") 1p cancal auto return mode. simply press ths futon again @ AUTO TRN LED This LED lights up te inclcate auto return mode. IF a mistake has been made when speciying the auto return zone (Gee page 14), this LED will ink insiead, showing that auto retum mode cannot be entered @ LOCATE 0 button Proes thie button to automaticaly rewind/ast fonward the tape te the "OCHOOMOCS" position an th TAPE TIME display @® Af you heve set a pre-roll the tape wil siop at the prerol postion instead. S2e page 13} ® LOCATE 0 LED ‘hie LED lights up whon the LOCATE 0 button is pressed, 4s soon as the "ODHOOMODS™ poston is located, this LEO ‘oes cut ® LOCATE button Used to rewincitas foward the tape to the currently selocted memory position. Seo page 13). @ LOCATE LED LUghts up when LOCATE @ is pressed and the H8 is soarch ing for the selectes iovate point. F goes Out 2s soon as tape leaches to the destination, When the RCL button @) is used in combination with & ‘tumeriz key to recall a certain memory por, this LED starts to blink ® ZONE LIMIT bution Pressing this button lirits tape travel within the specified zone (caa page 15). The tape wil automaticaly top as soon 28 i goes out of the pre-programmed zone ‘To canvel the zone limt (or tape reel zone) function, press this bution acain. @ ZONE LIMIT LED Pressing the ZONE LIMIT button @ causes his LED to cither light up or blink. |i ZONE LIMIT is proccod cuttice of the epecified zone, this LED wil Bink It also starts to flash when the end or the be. inning othe zona is reached in zone limit made ‘The ZONE LIMIT LED Ights up continuously when ZONE LIMIT is pressed within the limited zone, or as soon as the zone is enle'ed in any of the transport modes, @ RESET bution This button resets the TAPE TIME counter to 0; all currently displayed numbers are canceled and a 0 appeers for all igi. The present tape location now becomes the cue point {oF the locate zero function, is it, auto play mode is currently When the RESET button is used, all locate function memory points are autematically readjusted (recaloulatad) to cor. respond to the new zero locaton, Thus memory pois will sill have the same position on the tape even afer pressing RESET. Memory Memory pont? porn 2 80seconds 1 minuto 1 min 30 sec Curretiape poston Pross RESET, Y Y ! Y ~B0secand «0S seconds 1 minule ‘Memery Memory point 1 point 2 @ INPUT NON (MONITOR) button Pressing this button allows you to moritor the input signals dal channes. These signats ae also dspiayad on the poak level metec. Gee page ©) @ INPUT NON LED This indicator igh's up when the INPUT MON buton is pressed, showing that you can monitor al input sgnals. Wihen the record button REC (is pressed alone, the INFUT MON LED aris io blink. Then, only the input signals of thoso tracks solected for recording (whose SAFE/RDY LEDs @ are flashing red end green) will be prosant at the cor responding OUTPUT jacks and visible on the peak level mele. @ SAFE/RDY (READY) button Pressing SAFE/RDY allows you to sdloc. tracte for recording With the corresponding numoric koye ®. (For details, coe page 8) © CLR (CLEAR) button This button has two mein functions. One is to completely clear the MEMORY display @ in order to nput varous data such as memory points itis also used to set all racks selected jor recording (whose SAFE/DY LEDs (1 are blinking red and green) back to safe, ‘causing their LEDs to light green @ RCL (RECALL) button This button is used in cembination with other keys to racall various memory setings on the dsplays. (See the section on "Advanced Features @ RCL LED LUghis up when the recal buon RCL is reseed end goes allt when the desivad data shown on the display or RCL is pressed again. @ HOLD button Press this button to copy the data appearing on the TAPE TIME counter @8 to the MEMORY cisplay G8, for instance ‘when you want to Use it es @ memory poirt. Other functions df ths buiton are explained in the "Advanced Features” section, @ STORE button This button is used to store various kinds of data in the inter. nal memory. 20@ STORE LED This LED lights up when the STORE buton is pressed. It au- tomatically goes out when the respective dala, such as a memory paint numbocy, is entered. It also goes aut when ‘store mode is canceled by pressing STORE again. @ NR (NOISE REDUCTION) OFF LED Wher this LED is it, this snows thatthe bultin Dolby C noise reduction is currenty turned olf, This indicator is also It Curing the intial “FOSTEX’ dsplay when the power is tumed on. ® MEWORY display Various kinds of daa, such as memory points or tacks for recoring, apaeer on this LED display @ TAPE TIME display ‘This 8 @ counter that usually shows the current tape position in hours, seconds and rrinutes @ PUNCH IN/OUT jack ‘This jack is for connection of an optional foot switch (Model 8051) used for punch in and punch out (see page 10) and to set punch infout reheersal mode (page 10) @ PLAYILOCATE jack By conreciing an optional foot switch to this jack, you can control the locate and playback functions by foot. The first time you press the foot swtch, the RB will automaticaly locate the selected memory poirt. Pressing i again siarts tape play- back, and so on. UPPER PANEL @ INPUT jacks Used for connection of signal sources—usually @ mixer's buss outputs. ‘The jacks of channe's $ 10.8 are normaled to channels 1 thru 4 respectively. Thus signalls present at INPUT jacks 1104 are automaticaly routed to channels 5 to 6 as well, but il you ‘connect input &—8, it will break the conneation to 1—4. @ OUTPUT jacks Output jacks ‘or each treck are normally connected to the mixers lape input jacks. @ DOLBY NR (NOISE REDUCTION) switch This swich allows you to turn the internal Dolby C noise reduction on oF of ‘The NR OFF LED @) lights up when this switch is set to OFF (normally for calibration and alignment) @ SYNCHRONIZER connector For connection of an optional synchronizer (Model 4030), which alows SMPTE synchrorization with ciher eudo or Vioeo tape recorders @ SERIAL PORT/MODEL MTC-1 connector Inthe near future, a MIDI tme code controller (Mode! MTC-1) wil be available for MID. conirol of the RB, The SERIAL, PORT is for connection of this unt. MAIN UNIT CONTROLS. The follewing controls are located behind the detachable control pane! and beccme visible when the panel is removed. @ METER NORM/FINE switch Wnen adjusting he ampltier section of he RS, the meter fine mode allows you to "magnify" the vieinty of 0 dB, thus mak: ing more presse settings possible InFINE mode, the — 5 dB seoment lights up even when aut put level is less than —§ dB from a réerence level Sel the switch to FINE by pressing itn when making calibra lion, Press again fo reset the meter to normal mode @ REMOTE control panel connector This i used to connec the control pane! cable or an optional extension cable Medel 8544, Gee page 6) @ Tape transport buttons The four basic tape transport functions stop w, play m, ro- wind 4 and fast forward m& can be coniraled with these ‘buttons, whose functions corresniond to those of the eauiva- lent contro: panel keys. @ POWER-RECORD-READY LEDs POWER: Indicates thet power is on. RECORD/READY: These LEDs have the same furction as the REC LEDs (@. The red RECORD indicator lights up when a recording is actualy beng made, whie the orange READY LED incicales “ieoord ready” condition—ie. no track has been select ed for recoding, and tne PLAY button © and the REC button @ have been pressed at the seme time asecrion7. ROUTINE MAINTENANCE Clearing and demagnetizing the tape palh should be done rogulctly to keep your RB in top operatng condition. Though itis possible to adjust bias, level and equalization yoursel, We deiintaly recommend leaving such elactionc alignments tb qualified service personne, A) Cleaning In the course of recording and playback al magneic tape leaves a residue of oxide partides from its coating on the head assembiy, capstan shat and tape guides. A buld-uo ff such residue in combination wit dus. etc. will gradually Gegrade the performance, especialy at high frequencies, It Is therelore necessary to deen the entre tape path as often ‘28 possible—ideally belore each work session Use a common cotton swab moistened with head cleaning flud or pure absohol to clean the heacs, tension arm guides, tape guides, capstan shalt and pinch rolet Never use organ- ic soberts, Repeat this process unl the coton swab cornes off perfectly clean, Allow all parts to cry completely before loading tape ‘oclean the exterior ofthe R8, wipe i win a soft moistened cloth B) Demagnetizing Fesidual magnetism, which degrades pertornence and can Patialy erase valuable tapes, gradually builds up in the metal perts of the heed assembly, etc.. This phenomena is duo ‘0 the strong magnet fickd gonoratod by tho recordfplayback head and is en unavodable fact of tape recording To get rid ofthis residual magnetism, demagnetize the head area, capstan and quides ater about every 8 hours of use wine demagnetizer such as the Fostex Model HD-10, oare- fully following its operation instructions. (IF net carned out ppfoperly, demagnetization can do more harm than gooc!) ‘Meke ABSOLUTELY sure that the Fi is tuned OFF wnen demagnetizing, and that no tapes are within 2 feet (08 ‘meter). Do not turn on or even plug in a demagnetizer un- loss i is at least three fest (1 meter} axay ftom the tape recorder Approach the haad area slowly with the demag- neizer turned on, and also remove it again slowly before tuming # off at a distance of at least 3 feet section s. SPECIFICATIONS APE, “U4 och ape wiath, + il base FORMAT Brack, 8 eharme! (ch. record, 8 ch reproduce) REEL SIZE Tinch ‘TAPE SPEED Sips, 405% PITCH CONTROL. 109% LINE INPUT. “10 dBv (03 Vi, Frpedanco: 30:0, unbalamces uve ourPuT “0 2B (3 ¥, load impedance’ 100, or higher unbalanced Od relerenced to 320 rion tape fe EQUALIZATION 1D. WOW & FLUTTER ‘400886 peck (ECANS), weighted (e 1 pe measured van turer teat pe RECORD LEVEL CALIBRATION ‘STARTING TIME Less than 06 se PAST WIND TIME 120 seomnd for 1600 8. of tape. FREQUENCY RESPONSE © 40 Hz~'B Wz for 19 Ips 2 dB SIGNAL TO NOISERATIO 78 dE yeigited, 00 dB urweighied for 15 iperaterancad to.305 THD. lovet (10 9 above 0 o8) at 1 KH THD, Less Than 19 a1 KH OdB ERASURE; Betis thar 70 0B ot 1 KH PowER 320 AG, 6D He. 85 W (USA/Canada mode's) 200-V AG, 5) He, 65 W {Europeen model) BAO AG. 5D He, £5 W (Uciiustalian modes) 1212") x1216"(H)XO-56" (D) 22 fon (0 ba) DIMENSIONS, overall WEIGHT *Doloy noise redustion menulactured under license frem Doloy Lavoratoties Licensing Corgoratton. Dolby” anc the Uouble-D syribel ave trademarks ‘of Dolby Laboratories Licensing CorporationFOSTEX FOSTEX CORPORATION 5:25 Misashine, Alisha, Toyo, Japan o~ FOSTEX CORPORATION OF AMERICA 15131 Blickturr Avs, Norwalk CA 90650 USA. ‘PRUTEDINAPAN AY 00 BreEORNDTS