Fostex r8 help

[antispatula]

So I got one off ebay, then got an mx5050, then thought since I got that that I'd just sell the fostex, since I am always thin with cash But since my otari has a couple of problems, I can't use it quite yet, and I'm really anxious to get more familiar with reel to reels, so I got out my r8 and really looked at it and tried to figure it out for the first time. Since I'm new to reel machines, and to this machine, I don't understand how to make it work at all, it might as well be a plastic kangaroo earing, at least I'd be able to wear that.

So I know there are plenty on here that have one, it seems to be quite popular, and one of the newer 8 tracks, or reel machines in general. But mine didn't come with a manual. So I need help. I have no snake, but have one plug that I can use to test each track seperately.

To sum it all up, How do I make it record?!

What buttons do I press. So far I've been able to turn it on, assign tracks to READY or SAFE or something......And when I press play, I press record, but the little light for the record button doesn't turn on or flash or anything. What do I do? Thanks a bunch! What do all the buttons mean too, like INPUT MON and stuff?

 

[A Reel Person]

Hello!

When in Stop mode, you have to press and hold Record first, and then press Play. If you've put tracks in the rec-ready state, it should kick into record mode.

Or, if you want to hit Play first and get the tape rolling, you should then HOLD the Play button down and press Record. That's known as drop-in or punch-in recording, the manual method. The punch-in function may also be activated with a foot pedal.

The Input/Mon button:
- "Input" setting routes the input signals coming in on the (8) R8 Inputs directly to the R8's Outputs.
- "Mon" setting routes either:
.........The tape track to the output when track is set on "Safe", or......
.........The input-signal to the output when track is set on "Ready".

In general, you'd want to leave the Input/Mon setting on "Mon".
I can't remember exactly what the "Input" setting is used for, but you can monitor the inputs directly this way,... and it's also handy for 8-track-simul recording.

The R8 should be a fine deck to start on, or even master your work on!