Fostex X-28 - Setup and System Overview

The Proper Tape
The X-28 is designed to be used with High Bias 70 psec
EQtape. 002 and Type II designations are common,
but always look for the 70 psec EQ identification.
Maxell U D-XL11 and TDK S A are recommended, as are
other tapes of comparable quality. Metal tape should
not be used. Never use 120-minute cassettes; the
backing is too thin and will quickly stretch and may
break. Because of their strength, tapes of 60 minutes
are recommended for withstanding the physical strains
of recording.
The Right Connections
Please exercise caution when connecting cither equip¬
ment to the X-28. Never connect the output of an
amplifier to an X-28 input, for example, because you
could seriously damage the recorder. Less severe
problems caused by impedance mismatching can re¬
sult in a loss of volume and/or frequency response. In
general, microphones are low level signals and should
be used on inputs 1 through 4. Rhythm machines,
synthesizers and other electronic instruments are “line"
level devices andean be used on all of the X-28 inputs.
Electric guitars are so often customized electronically
and used with such a wide variety of effects boxes, that
it's impossible to state even a general rule. The best
advice is: always turn the controls on all equipment
down to the minimum, then gradually increase the level
controls to determine whether you’ve made the right
connections. The Specifications section lists the input
and output impedances of the unit. Never plug any¬
thing rated in watts (W) directly to an X-28 input.
Always use the best quality cable that you can afford.
This is one simple way to dramatically improve your
sound, both live and recorded. Inexpensive cables
often have poor shielding, unusual impedance and
poor signal-to-distortion characteristics.