Owner’s Manual Model Multitracker
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual CAUTION: CAUTION TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK, MATCH WIDE BLADE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT OPEN OF PLUG TO WIDE SLOT, FULLY INSERT. ATTENTION: POUR EVITER LES CHOCS ELECTRIQUES, CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, INTRODUIRE LA LAME LA PLUS LARGE DE LA FICHE DANS LA BORNE CORRESPONDANTE DE LA PRISE DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). ET POUSSER JUSQU' AU FOND. NO USER - SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Thank you for purchasing the Fostex Model X-34 multitracker. The X-34 is a four-track, four-channel cassette tape recorder that features four line inputs, plus two inputs that accept a range of inputs from line level to mic level. Each channel module is equipped with a two-band EQ for superior sound quality.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Cautions for Using the X-34 * If a monitor speaker with an internal amplifier is connected to the MONITOR OUT jacks, do not advance the monitor speaker volume control or the X-34 MON MIX/AUX knobs. Doing so could generate a loud noise from the speaker or headphone and damage your hearing. * When plugging external equipment into the X-34 input jack or headphone jack, always switch off the power to the X-34.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Names and Functions 11 10 1213 17 9 1/3 2/4 MIC IN TRIM 1/3 L/MONO R AUX RTN AUX SEND L R MONITOR OUT 21 L R LINE OUT TRIM 2/4 WIDE PITCH 6+ +6 8 EQ HI 0 0 0 3 AUX RTN 0 3 0 - EQ LO + - 0 + - 0 + - 0 + 0 10 5 - 10 R NR - 7 6 5 4 3 + - + - + - 0 + MON MIX/ AUX 10 0 R L 10 0 R L 10 0 R L 1 2 3 REC 10 4 POWER RESET AUX 0 000 MON MIX 10 + NORMAL FIX 10 L MONITOR 0 – 0 5 22 18, 19, 20 23 PAN
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual 10. AUX return knob [AUX RTN] This knob allows you to adjust the input level of processed signals from a connected external effect unit. The level of both signals input to AUX RTN L/MONO and R are adjusted equally. 11. Monitor master knob [MONITOR] This knob allows you to adjust the final level of monitoring signals, i.e., the headphone volume and the level of signals output from the MONITOR OUT L/R jacks. 12.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual The REC button will be ineffective if the “cassette erase prevention tab” is broken. Pause button [PAUSE] You press this button during playback or recording, the tape will stop (the PLAY and RECORD buttons will remain depressed). If you press this button again, stop mode will be canceled and playback or recording will resume. This button will not function during rewind or fast forward operations. 1 2 1.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual 5 4 PUNCH IN/OUT 3 DC IN 12V ON 2 STANDBY DOLBY NR ON OFF The XLR connector and 1/4" jack cannot be used simultaneously to record onto the same track. 2. AUX Send jack [AUX SEND] Connect this 1/4" jack to the input of an effects processor. This jack outputs the signals selected and adjusted by the MON MIX/AUX knobs. 3. AUX Return jacks [AUX RTN (L/MONO, R)] Connect these 1/4" jacks to the output of an effects processor.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Basic Operation: “Let’s Record!” Initial mode after the X-34 is powered on: When you connect the AC adapter and turn on the power to the X-34, it automatically engages “Track Down mode,” and the Track Down indicator lights up as shown below. Please refer to the following “Initial setup of the X-34” section to reset the X-34 before you proceed to the next session. * For information on Track Down mode, refer to page 18.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Remember the following before you start to record! The X-34 includes jacks (or connectors) for musical instrument and mic inputs on the front and rear panels. The functions of these input jacks (or connectors) are explained below: Front panel LINE IN/INSERT jack Normally, a line level sound source with a 1/4" type plug is connected here. (You cannot plug in a microphone here.).
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Keep the following information about the MIC IN and LINE IN/INSERT jacks in mind when recording sound sources using both types of input jacks. The front panel LINE IN/INSERT jack has priority.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Basic Recording - 1 (Recording from the front panel LINE IN/INSERT jack) First, let’s connect your musical instrument and try recording on a specific track. In the following example, a synthesizer will be recorded on track 1. This and other explanations assume an AC adapter is connected to the X-34 and the X-34 is powered on. * Before proceeding to the next step, set the X-34 to its “initial settings” as explained on page 9.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual When Track Down is “ON,” the REC TRK switches are disabled. Also, if the Auto Bounce button or Track Down button is switched on and off while any one REC TRK switch is set to REC READY state, the selected REC TRK switch will be canceled. In this case, reselect the recording track using with the REC TRK switch. 8. While playing the synthesizer, gradually raise the channel 1 input/playback level fader. As the fader is raised, the level meter 1 will start to blink.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Basic Recording - 2 (Recording with the rear panel MIC IN jack) This section describes how to record a vocal on track 1 by plugging a microphone into the rear panel MIC IN jack 1/3. * Before proceeding to the next step, remember to reset the X-34 to its “initial settings.” (See page 9.) Also, make sure that the Track Down indicator is turned off.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual 12. When you finish recording, press the STOP button to stop the tape transport and press the REC TRK switch 1 repeatedly to deselect the recording track. The MON MIX indicator turns off, and the AUX indicator lights up. If you connect a microphone to MIC IN jack 2/4, the signal is routed to channels 2 and 4 (although you can use the REC TRK switch to route the signal to any desired track). Basic Playback Procedure Let’s play back and listen to the recorded sound.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Multitrack Recording You should now have a good understanding of the basic recording and playback operation of the X-34. Now let’s try the X-34’s multitrack recording functions. The following sections explain overdubbing, which is a fundamental function in multitrack recording, and also the mixdown process, in which the sound recorded to four tracks is mixed and copied (dubbed) to a master recorder. Overdubbing Overdubbing is a process that enables you to “layer” recorded sounds.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual 1. Rewind tape to its starting position ([000]) for recording. 2. Plug the electric bass into front panel LINE IN/ INSERT jack 2. (You can use any available LINE IN/INSERT jack.) This is the simplest way to record a bass. You can also use an amplifier or a direct-input box to create different sounds. 3. Switch ON the Dolby B noise reduction switch.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Mixdown (Track Down mode) After all four tracks have been recorded, the next step is mixdown (Track Down mode). Mixdown is the process of adjusting the sound volume and stereo image of what you recorded on tracks 1 - 4, and as a final process, mixing them to two channels (stereo) and dubbing (copying) it to a master recorder. When you switch on the Track Down button, the X-34 enters Track Down mode. You can use Track Down mode to play back a demo tape or recorded tape.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Final Mixdown There are no fixed rules for determining the playback sound image position of each track using the PAN knob at mixdown. This is where your creativity comes in. Try for a sound that pleases you! 11. First place the master recorder in record mode, then press the PLAY button on the X-34. 12. When you finish the mixdown, stop both the X-34 and the master recorder. 9. You can adjust the headphone or monitor speaker volume using the MONITOR knob. 10.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual For example, part of the electric bass recorded on track 2 will be replaced during overdubbing. We assume that you have already loaded a prerecorded tape in the X-34 and rewound to the beginning of the recorded tracks.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Recording the Punch-in 15. Step on the foot switch again at the point you wish to punch out. The REC indicator again begins to flash fast. The recording mode will be canceled and all tracks will be in the playback mode. 12. Make sure that track 2 is in REC READY mode. (If not, press the REC TRK switch on channel 2 to select track 2). Record track indicator 2 on channel 2 lights up and the REC indicator flashes slowly. 16.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual When you ping-pong record between adjacent tracks (such as from track 2 to track 1 or 3), oscillation may result if the gain control is raised too high. If this happens, immediately stop recording. If you are monitoring with headphones or an external monitor while the sound is oscillating, it could cause damage your hearing.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual For monitoring, the PAN knob of the channel to which ping-pong is carried out is fully left (L) or right (R). The other channel PAN knobs are fully rotated in the opposite direction. Using these settings, you can separately monitor the sound of the ping-pong receiving channel (track 4 in this example) and the ping-pong source channels (tracks 1 - 3 in this example). When Track Down is “ON,” the Auto Bounce button is disabled.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Recording a sync signal 1. Connect the FSK output of the MIDI/FSK converter to the LINE IN/INSERT 4 jack of the X-34, and connect a MIDI sequencer to the MIDI/ FSK converter via MIDI. 4. Stop the sequencer. 5. Press the REC button on the X-34 to start recording on track 4. 6. Start playing the MIDI sequencer. The sync signal will be recorded on track 4. It is recommended that you record the sync signal for a duration that exceeds the song.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Applying Effects You may apply effects to the X-34 signals during mixdown by connecting an external effects processor in line between the AUX SEND and AUX RTN connectors on the rear panel. The MON MIX/AUX knobs are used to adjust the amount of signal sent to the effects processor. The processed signals are returned to the X-34 via the AUX RTN connectors and mixed with the dry (no effect) sound.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Applying a compressor/limiter to the mic input during overdubbing! Using the X-34 insert (LINE IN/INSERT) jack on the front panel, you can apply a compressor/limiter to the mic sound (vocal) input to the rear panel MIC IN jack (1/4”or XLR). The INSERT jack accepts a TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) 1/4" connector for bi-directional connection. The tip sends out the X-34 signal to the effects unit, and the ring inputs the processed signal from the effects unit to the X-34.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Troubleshooting Problem Others Recording trouble Sound trouble Wow, flutter, or dropouts Points to check Action Are the capstan and pinch roller dirty? Clean them. Is the tape damaged? Use a new high-quality tape. Is the head dirty? Clean the head.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Maintenance 1. Cleaning the exterior * For normal cleaning, use a soft dry cloth. For stubborn dirt, moisten a cloth in diluted detergent, wring it out firmly, and wipe off the dirt . Then wipe down the unit with a dry cloth. Never use solvents such as alcohol, thinner or benzene, since these will damage the printing and finish of the exterior. 2.
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Specifications MIC INPUT (x 2) Connector Input impedance Reference input level : XLR type connector (Balanced) : ø 6 PHONE jack (Unbalanced) : 10kΩ or higher : –50 ~ –10dBV LINE/INSERT (x 4) When using the LINE IN jack: Connector : ø 6 PHONE jack Input impedance : 10kΩ or higher Reference input level : –10dBV When using the INSERT jack: Connector : ø 6 STEREO PHONE jack (Tip :Return, Ring :Send) AUX RTN (L/MONO, R) Connector Input impedance Reference input level : ø 6 PHONE ja
Model X-34 Owner’s Manual Declaration of EC Directive This equipment is compatible with the EMC Directive (89/336/EEC) – Directive on approximation of member nation’s ordinance concerning the electromagnetic compatibility and with the Low Voltage Directive (73/23/EEC) – Directive on approximation of member nation’s ordinance concerning electric equipment designed to be used within the specified voltage range.
