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How to Set Up a Fostex B16 for Recording

The mojo of magnetic tape refuses to die, even as digital recording becomes ubiquitous in home and pro studios. At the time of its release, the Fostex B16 multitrack recorder was state-of-the-art for the home recording studio, a breakthrough in both price and track count. The 1/2-inch tape, reel-to-reel format was less expensive to supply compared to the 2-inch tape used by professional 16- and 24-track recorders. Adding the B16 to a digital studio allows you to take advantage of the qualities of analog tape recording.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-inch magnetic recording tape, such as Ampex 456 or Scotch 226
  • Mixer
  • Headphones or speaker monitor system
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Instructions

    • 1

      Connect sound sources to the B16 by way of the 1/4-inch input jacks on the rear of the recorder. Use a mixer to convert microphones using XLR cables to line level signals for recorder input. Other sources using 1/4-inch unbalanced cables can be connected directly to the inputs, but routing inputs and outputs through a mixer will increase flexibility in terms of re-patching and re-routing sources for additional recordings.

    • 2

      Connect the outputs from the B16 to the channel strips of the mixer. The B16 has no capacity to monitor the combined signals from its tracks. Mixers equipped with channel inserts can supply the B16 with input and receive the signal from the B16 for monitoring. Check your mixer's instructions for patching options.

    • 3

      Load blank tape onto the B16 to an empty take-up reel. Switch the "Input Selector" to the "All" position and check the level of all channels receiving input. Alter levels at the sound source. The B16 has no capacity to adjust input signals.

    • 4

      Arm individual tracks to prepare for recording by pressing the corresponding "Record Track" button over each track's LED meter. The record indicator for each track will blink to indicate it is ready to record. Press "Record" and "Play" together to engage tape transport and begin recording.

    • 5

      Set the "Input Selector" switch to the "Individual" setting and disarm recorded tracks by pressing the respective "Record Track" buttons to turn off the record indicator. Rewind the tape to the start position and prepare additional tracks for overdubs by repeating the arming step for the new tracks.

Recording Music

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