Real basic question: I will be recording w/ a Fostex FD-8 and a Shure sm58 and an sm57. But I don't have mic cords yet! Is there a technicaly specific kind of cord I need to get?
You need an XLR Male to XLR Female cable. Get a good one with switchcraft or neutrik connnectors, and heavy gauge wire. A few good cables ones that use wire from Canare, Monster. Whirlwind are half decent as well.
I'm assuming that the Fostex has XLR inputs, 3 pin connector?