Fostex A-2 - Recording and Playback; Recording Additional Tracks

RECORDING AND PLAYBACK
WHAT KIND OF TAPE TO USE
A 7" reel of 1 mil tape, which is about 1800 feet long (550
meters), plays for 22 minutes at the standard 15 ips (38 cm/s)
speed of the Model A-2. Tapes thinner than 1 mil are not
recommended since they are more susceptible to wear,
stretching and breakage.
LOADING TAPE ON THE TRANSPORT
Thread a blank tape on the transport (refer to Figure 6). We
recommend using Ampex 357, Scotch 227, or an equivalent
tape formulation; the bias and EQ are factory aligned for
these premium quality tapes. If another tape is used, it will be
necessary to realign the electronics (See section 7).
SECTION 4
Figure 6. Tape threading path.
TAPE THREADING
TAPE IDENTIFICATION AND REFERENCE TONES
It is a good idea to use the first minute or two of recording
time to record an identifying label (ID), stating the title, date,
artist, noise reduction, and other pertinent information. Do
this on all tracks.
Whether or not a voice identification (ID) is recorded, many
engineers
like
to
record
standard
level
reference
tones
so
that
during
future
playback
of
the
tape,
the
recorder
(this
same unit or any other Model A-2, can be precisely aligned to
yield identical frequency response and track-to-track levels.
Follow the same steps outlined in the recording procedure
(next) but before beginning to record the actual program,
record the voice and/or tones. Use any suitable test oscillator
(it can be routed through one of the mixer's inputs for easy
assignment to all tracks) We suggest recording 20 seconds of
each of the following tones at O VU level:
1 KHz (for checking the reproduce amp
level)
10 KHz or 15 KHz (for checking the high frequency EQ)
100 Hz or 50 Hz (for checking the low frequency EQ)
RECORDING
1. Choose the specific track or tracks to be recorded by
depressing the appropriate RECORD MODE button(s).
The LED(s) in the left corner of that tracks’ VU meter(s)
will blink.
2.
On
the
same
track(s)
to
be
recorded,
depress
the
INPUT
selector
button
so the
VU
meters
and
recorder
output
are
monitoring
the
input
to the
track(s).
3. Press the RESET button to zero the counter so it will be
easy to return to the beginning of the recording.
4. Set levels with the input level control so that the meters
of those tracks to be recorded show peaks at —3 VU
to 0 VU. .
5. When ready to begin recording, simultaneously press the
PLAY and RECORD buttons. (Alternately, press the PLAY
button, then step on the REMOTE foot switch.)
6. To end the recording, press the STOP button.
NOTE: One generally listens to the tracks as they are be-
ing recorded. This can be accomplished by monitoring the
output from the mixer to the recorder, but a better ap-
proach is to set up the mixer so that it is monitoring both
outputs from the recorder. Then, set up the recorder so
that its outputs carry the signal(s) being recorded, as well
as any previously recorded tracks. The recorder settings
necessary are included in the following procedures.
CHECKING THE RECORD TRACKS
1. Press the ZERO АТМ button to rewind the tape.
2. Release the RECORD MODE button(s) to prevent ac-
cidental erasure of the track(s).
3. Release the SYNC or REPRO button so the meters and
output jack will pick up the playback signal, not the input.
4. Press the PLAY button and listen to the recording.
If the recording track must be redone, simply repeat the initial
recording procedure; re-recording on the same track will
erase the previous "take." It is not usually necessary to re-
record any identification or reference tones; just begin
recording after the ID and/or tones.
RECORDING ADDITIONAL TRACKS
(SYNC RECORDING)
1. Depress the SYNC button of a previously recorded track
so playback from this track will be monitored on the meter
and at the recorder output jack.
2. Select the track to be recorded using the RECORD MODE
selector buttons.
3. Set the level with the input control so that the meter of the
track to be recorded show peaks at — 3 VU to 0 VU.
4. When ready to begin recording, simultaneously press the
PLAY and RECORD buttons. (Alternatively, press the
PLAY button, then step on the REMOTE foot switch.)
5. To end the recording, press the STOP button.
PUNCH-INS
Punch-ins are overdubs that are begun somewhere in the
middle of a take, and on a track that already has been record-
ed. The purpose is to replace a portion of an otherwise
satisfactory track.
For greatest convenience, there are two basic ways to enter
record mode. Punch-in procedure “А” is used by a someone
whose hands are free to operate the recorder.
Procedure "B" is for a performer whose hands are
unavailable, hence a foot switch is used. In either case, a
monitor system will be required (e.g., mixer, amplifier, and
speakers or headphones).
: When the А-2 is in any mode except record mode, the out-
puts carry the tape playback (reproduce amp) signal. When
switched to record mode, the outputs of those channels ac-
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