Fostex 250 - Combining Tracks (Ping-Pong); Combining Two Tracks into One

18. Press the Model 250 PLAY button, and observe the
record level meters on the stereo master recorder. If
necessary, adjust the record level on that unit so the
levels fall within the manufacturer’s specified optimum
range.
19. Check the sound quality at the stereo master recorder by
plugging in a set of headphones to that unit’s phones jack
(if it has none, skip this step). In rare cases, a level
mismatch may cause excess noise or distortion; usually
this can be remedied as follows:
a) If the sound is very distorted, the Model 250 output
level is probably too high; lower the MASTER 1-2
FADER, and raise the record level control on the stereo
master recorder.
b) If the sound is very noisy or hissy, the Model 250 output
level is probably too low; raise the MASTER 1-2
FADER, and, if necessary, lower the record level
control on the stereo master recorder.
20. Press ZERO RETURN to rewind the Model 250 multi-
track master cassette to the beginning of the program.
21. Place the stereo master recorder in record mode.
22. Press the Model 250 PLAY button. The mixdown is now
being accomplished; the result will be a stereo master
tape.
NOTE: If you plan to fade out at the end of the program, It
is best to do this with the record level controls on the
MASTER 1-2 FADER, rather than with the stereo master
recorder.
23. To monitor the stereo master tape, use headphones or
connect the line or play output of that recorder to the
monitor amp. If using a stereo preamp, integrated amp or
receiver, there is probably a separate input that can be
used without having to disconnect the Model 250 from
the amp (but be sure to switch the amp’s input selector).
section 6 COMBINING TRACKS (PING-PONG)
Track combination involves moving program material from
one or more tracks to another track (transfer and combi¬
nation) in order to "make room" for additional program
material. During the track combination (also known as
"ping-pong"), additional live sounds can be added,
NOTE: There are practical limits as to how many times a
track can be transferred since some background noise is
inevitably added during the process; we recommend no
more than two rounds of ping-pong for a given original
track.
HOW TO COMBINE TWO TRACKS INTO ONE
NOTE: The following steps are expressed in general form.
However, for clarity, we will use an example where pro¬
gram is being transferred from tracks 1 and 2 onto track
3, citing this example parenthetically.
1 . Set the INPUT selector switches to TAPE on the channels
numbered to correspond with the tracks from which the
transfer will be made, (e.g., when program is being
transferred from tracks 1 and 2 to track 3, set the channel
1 and 2 switches to TAPE position).
2 . On the same channels you just switched to TAPE mode,
set the 4 CHAN BUSS selector switches and PAN pots so
that signal is assigned to the track onto which the transfer
will be made. All other 4 CHAN BUSS selectors should
be in the center OFF position, e.g., since the transfer is
made onto track 3, the channel 1 and 2, 4 CHAN BUSS
switches should be in 3-4 position, and their PAN pots
should be fully CCW (to L).
3 . Set the METER switch to RECORDER position so you can
monitor the level being applied to the track on which
Figure 10. Steps for combining two tracks to one.
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