Fostex FD-4 with a Drum Machine?

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samedifference

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i just got my FD-4 and connected my akai MPC1000 to it through the MPC's stereo outs (left and right) to track 1 input on the FD-4. i could hear the MPC's signal in the FD-4, but when i tried to record the track the level meter on track 1 wasn't reading the MPC's signal. i followed the manual, but it doesn't read the MPC's signal on the level meter of any of the FD-4's 4 tracks.
I used a <Hosa 3.55mm stereo to two 1/4" phone> ("Y" cable) and a 1/4" adapter for the 3.55mm side which went into track 1 on the FD-4.
Does anyone know a better way to connect the two, or a better cable (considering that my connection is wrong, and it's causing the level meters to not read the MPC) to use.
Does anyone know why im not getting a reading in the level meters from the MPC? i followed the instruction.
thank you
 
...

Take a single cable from the (L) MPC and cable it to Input 1 on the FD4.
Take a single cable from the (R) MPC and cable it to Input 2 on the FD4.
Pan Channels 1 and 2 to Center.
Arm any single track to record.
All tracks should respond to the same mono signal.
You may record the input feed to any track.

Or,...
Pan Channels 1 & 2 to hard-L/hard-R and record in stereo to any L/R pair of tracks.
;)
 
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thanx, so what you mean is to record the MPC (with 1/4" cable) to tracks 1 and 2 and then move both into one track (kinda like pingpong)?
imma go get a pair of single 1/4" inch cables.
 
No.

You may plug two individual cables from the (L/R) MPC outputs into two individual input channels (1/2) on the FD4. Then, with the PAN controls centered on channels 1/2, you essentially blend the MPC-L/R stereo signal to a single MONO signal within the FD4's mixer. Once the MPC signal is summed or mixed to mono internally on the FD4's mixer, then all FD4 tracks are presented with the same mono signal, which you then record (presumably) to one track.

No bouncing.

;)
 
ok i get exactly wat ur saying... i tried this and it worked. but do you know why the eq isn't working on my tracks. now that i got the tracks recording, i want to eq, but when i try, i can't get any difference in the sounds.
 
You have to turn the Monitor knobs to the "Input" side for those live-input feeds,...

and to "Track" for the cue tracks you wish to listen back to. The "Input" side of the Monitor has the channel EQ inline, and the "Track" side of the Monitor does not. Center position on the Monitor knob is "Off".

You should be using the Monitor section of the FD4 for cue when recording and overdubbing, while Main mixer channels should be used for mic/line sources or swicthed "Off".

For remix, switch the Main mix section to "Track", and turn the monitor "Off". ;)
 
thanks man, i really appreciate all your help. it all worked. i got the eq to work, but it's really faint. i could berely notice any differnce, except when viewing the level meter (that thing changed alot when eq-ing, but not the sound). it seems like the eq on this fd-4 sucks, so im thinking of getting a seperate mixer to use with it (you think that'll work?). or maybe imm gonna get a different a different multitrack mixer (probably with a tape recorder for that warm sound) ;)
imma put a new post up on here in a day or two about it to see if i can get some incite on this.
 
I never had a problem with the FD4's EQ.

It's probably an issue with the monitor settings on the FD4.
 
i don't know... is it supposed to be a big change when eq-ing because i only slightly notice a difference.
i got the master section done right i think: switch is on mon(not l/r or l/r+mon) and the fader at about 8
on track one i got it: pan left, monitor section on input and between monL and monR, and the switch on input
isn't that right?
 
For listening to the primary inputs by themselves, switch the monitor select to L/R.

................;)

For purposes of overdubbing, switch the monitor section to L/R+Mon, but to hear the inputs by themselves, switch the monitor select to L/R. (To hear the cue monitor mix by itself, switch monitor select to the Mon position).

Y'gotta become familiar with the L/R buss mix and Monitor mix, and how to navigate the FD4's mixer section. Just a few turns of the knobs, and you should be able to set up any sort of mix.;)
 
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ooohhhh yea!!! it works good. not the best but good eq for my budget. im satisfied. hey man, thanks alot.
 
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