Fostex X-28 - Before Using Your X-28 Multitracker; What Is Multitrack Recording

BEFORE USING YOUR X-28 MULTITRACKER
Undoubtedly, you are eager to start recording with your
X-28 Multitracker. However unless you’ve had some
experience with muititrack recording, we recommend
you take some time to read this section and familiarize
yourself with multitrack recording basics.
WHAT IS MULTITRACK RECORDING?
Multitrack recording is the process of recording indi¬
vidual parts of a performance separately on indepen¬
dent tracks and then mixing them together to create a
final recording. There are several advantages to this
process. You can record each musician separately,
without having to assemble them all together at the
same place and time; you are able to concentrate on
the individual elements so that each part is the best it
can be; you can also try several different mixes of the
recorded material until you are satisfied with the final
production. Best of all, if you wish, you can do every¬
thing yourself. There is nothing wrong with recording a
good, tight band with two well-placed microphones, but
with the sophisticated technology available today, in¬
cluding MIDI, muititrack recording allows you to make
highly professional recordings on your own.
Tracks and Channels
The X-28 Multitracker combines sophisticated record¬
ing and mixing functions in the same unit. Hence, the
need forthe terms “track” and "channel” when referring
to its operation. “Track” refers to the actual recorded
portion on the cassette tape; the X-28 records on tour
tracks. “Channel" refers to a signal pathway through
the mixer; the X-28 has eight channels to accommo¬
date up to eight inputs. The difference between the two
terms is shown in the diagram below.
Channel Track 1 — 4 *o
1 —8 ,1
Overdubbing
Overdubbing is the heart of the multitrack recording
process. It is the process of recording a track in
synchronization to previously recorded tracks. Over¬
dubbing was invented by Les Paul in collaboration with
Ampex audio engineers in the 1950’s, and has had a
greater effect on music than the guitar which bears his
name.
Used with the four independent tracks of the X-28,
overdubbing allows one musician to record a variety of
parts on the same tape. In this way, you can build your
songs piece by piece, track by track It also lets you “fix”
any parts that are not satisfactory, as well as indepen¬
dently apply special effects with signal processing
equipment.
Mixdown
Mixdown is the final operation in multitrack recording.
This is where you combine all of the parts you have
recorded on the four tracks, adjust their relative levels
and make other settings to prepare the final master
recording.
Four-track Cassette Format
The X-28 uses standard cassette tape for recording. In
a standard cassette deck, the tape has two sides, each
side with a pair of stereo tracks. As shown in the
illustration below, the two tracks on side A of the tape
are recorded in one direction, and the tracks on side B
in the opposite direction. However, the four-track
cassette format records all four tracks in the same
direction. Because of this, there is only one side to the
four-track cassette tape; if you turn it over and play it,
all you’ll hear is a recording played in reverse. Because
it is recorded on just one side, a 90 minute cassette
tape will hold 45 minutes of fou r-track audio. Remember
to remove the tabs tor both side A and side B to protect
against inadvertent recording.
Standard Cassette Deck X-2B deck
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