Fostex 280 - Controls and Connections Overview; Input and Channel Controls; Auxiliary Send and Return Functions

section a THE CONTROLS AND CONNECTIONS:
WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW THEY WORK.
(The names and numbers in parentheses are as they will be
referenced throughout this manual.)
1. INPUT SELECTOR (INPUT SELECTOR (1))
This button selects the signal source to be "fed" to chan¬
nels 1 ~4.
INPUT: Whatever signal source is connected to the
respective INPUT jack (27)—microphone, musi¬
cal instrument, etc.—will be active
TAPE: Track outputs from the recorder are wired to suc¬
cessive channel inputs. Thus Track 1 to Channel
1, Track 2 to Channel 2, etc.
2. INPUT FADER (INPUT FADER (2»
This slide control adjusts the overall gain of the selected
signal source (1).
3. INPUT TRIM (TRIM (3))
This smaller slide control allows you to “fine tune" the
gain for the selected signal source on inputs 1 -4. The
higher settings (-60) are for low level sources such as
microphones; the lower settings (-10) are for line level
sources such as a drum machine electronic keyboard,
etc.
NOTE: When the INPUT selector (1) is set to TAPE, this
control is not in the circuit.
4. MUTE CONTROL (MUTE (4))
When this button is pressed, the active signal source for
that channel is muted (no sound). This control is helpful
for concentrating on one or more signal sources without
disrupting fader (2) and trim (3) settings for the chan¬
nels) you wish not to hear Press again to release the
mute function.
5. CHANNEL PAN CONTROL (PAN (5))
This rotary control positions the left/center/right image of
that signal source as applied to the stereo bus (see “The
Stereo Bus” on page 17
NOTE: If the MIX/TRK selector (6) on channels 1 ~4 has
been set to TRK, this control is not in the circuit. On
channels 5-8, it is always active.
6. MIX/TRACK SELECTOR (MIX/TRK SELECTOR (6))
This button determines the routing path of the signal
source.
MIX: signal sources of channels 1-4 are sent to the
stereo bus in accordance with the setting(s) of the
PAN control(s) (5).
TRK: signal sources of channels 1-4 are sent to
directly to the corresponding tracks 1 -4 of the
recorder
NOTE: If the INPUT selector (1) is set to TAPE, only the
MIX position of this control is operative—thus avoiding
the potential for a feedback loop.
7. EQUALIZER (EQ (7))
Three bands of equalization (tone control) are provided
for channels 1 -4.
The HI EQ control is fixed at 10kHz.
The MID EQ control (SHIFT) is sweepable from 200Hz
—5kHz.
The LO EQ control is fixed at 100Hz.
All three gain controls are continuously variable ±15dB;
full counterclockwise is maximum cut; full clockwise is
maximum boost. The center position is flat.
8. AUX 2 SEND CONTROL (AUX 2 (8))
This rotary control adjusts the amount of post-fader gain
for the corresponding active input signal to be sent to a
signal processor. This is an independent mono bus for
all input channels (1 -8) with a master send level control
(13).
9. AUX 1 SELECTOR (AUX 1 SELECTOR (9))
This button selects the status of the AUX 1 send signal.
POST: The post-fader signal of the corresponding ac¬
tive input.
TAPE: The playback signals of tracks 1 -4 are wired to
channels 1 -4.
10. AUX 1 SEND CONTROL (AUX 1 (10))
This rotary control adjusts the amount of gain for the
selected signal to be sent to a signal processor This is
an independent mono bus for inputs 1 -4 with a master
send level control (12).
11. AUX 2 SEND CONTROL (AUX 2 (11))
Same function as (8) above, for channels 5-8.
12. AUX 1 SEND MASTER (AUX 1 MASTER (12))
Adjusts overall gain for the AUX 1 bus—channels 1 -4
—a mono mix which is present at the AUX SEND 1
output jack (33).
13. AUX 2 SEND MASTER (AUX 2 MASTER (13))
Adjusts overall gain for the AUX 2 bus—channels 1 -8
—a mono mix which is present at the AUX SEND 2
output jack (33).
14. AUX RETURN CONTROLS (AUX RTN (14))
These controls adjust the status of the return signal(s)
from the signal processing unit(s) to the stereo bus.
GAIN: Adjusts the overall gain of the return signals).
PAN: This control has a dual function, depending on
how the effects return signal® are patched to the
input jacks (34).
•When a mono return signal is patched to either L or R,
this control functions as a normal pan pot, allowing you
to position the return signal from left to center to right
onto the stereo bus.
•When either a stereo signal or two mono signals are
patched to both L and R, this control adjusts the relative
balance between them onto the stereo bus. Additional
adjustments on the signal processor's output controls
may be necessary to achieve the desired effect.
I