Fostex 280 - Basic Operating Procedures; Recording the Drum Track

SECTION 5. BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES
In this section, the most basic multitrack recording procedure
will be explained. A single musician will perform four different
parts, record each of those parts on four different tracks, and
then mix them down to stereo in the finished product.
Step 1: A drum machine is recorded on track 1. {Usually,
you record the rhythm part(s) first so that subse¬
quent parts will be performed in the correct tempo.)
DRUM MACHINE
Step 2: An electric bass is overdubbed on track 2 . (If there
are two musicians working together, the drum
machine (track 1) and bass (track 2} would proba¬
bly be recorded simultaneously.)
—
E-BASS
(i I IN RECORDING MODE FINISHEO RECORDING }
Of necessity, our examples throughout the rest of this manual
will be of a general nature. You will find that each recording
situation, each song or project, requires its own specific
procedure.
In outline form, here is an overview of our basic example:
Step 3: The lead guitar and lead vocal are then over¬
dubbed on tracks 3 & 4, respectively. (Usually the
lead parts are the last to be recorded so that these
performances benefit from a nearly complete
“soundtrack.")
EGUITAR
Step 4: These four parts are now blended (mixed) into the
final product which is recorded on a standard cas¬
sette deck (master recorder). We will use a reverb
unit to add depth to the final recording. (You can,
of course add reverb and other effects during the
original recording and/or overdubs.)
Now we present a detailed explanation of the above
operations:
<STEP 1: RECORDING THE DRUM TRACK>
1. First turn all controls on the 280 to their 0 or minimum set¬
tings, then plug the output of the drum machine to the IN¬
PUT 1 jack (27) and set the INPUT selector (1) to INPUT.
2. Set the MIX/TRK selector (6) to TRK, thereby sending the
drum machine directly to track 1.
3. Select track 1 of the RECORD TRACK (24)—the LED
inside will blink—then press the RECORD button (26)
once—the LED inside will blink green. Track 1 is now in
the input monitor mode
4. Set INPUT fader 1 (2) to the 0 position. Start the drum
machine and adjust the TRIM fader (3) so that the meter
indication of track 1 (19) averages 0.
NOTE: You are just setting levels at this stage, don’t worry
about content. If your level readings are constantly in the
-10 to -20 range, bring them up with increased fader
settings or you will have hiss problems If your level read¬
ings are constantly “peaking" in the +3 to +6 range,
bring them down with decreased fader settings or you will
have distortion problems. When recording instruments
with very sharp initial attacks such as bass/snare drums
and thumb “popping” basses, you find that you need to
set the levels in the -5 to -10dB range for less tape
saturation. A compressor such as the MN-50 will help
solve this problem.
I