Fostex X-34 - Manual (Page 28)

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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. Cleaning the head, roller and capstan
* Record/playback head
As the X-34 is used, the record/playback head will become coated with oxide residue from tapes. If this residue is
allowed to build up, recordings will contain more noise, and dropouts may occur during playback. To prevent this,
regular cleaning is important. Use a commercial cleaning kit to clean the head. If cleaning the head does not
restore the sound quality, it is possible that the head is worn. Contact an authorized service station for repair.
* Capstan and pinch roller
The capstan and pinch roller are important components that hold the tape and move it along at the correct speed. As
with the head, these parts can also become dirty with oxide residue and dust, which will cause increased wow or
flutter, or even damage the tape by pulling it out of the cassette. Since cassette tape is very thin, it is especially
dangerous to use a cassette deck with dirty pinch rollers. As with the head, it is important to always keep these parts
clean. Clean them using a cotton swab or gauze soaked in cleaning solution or isopropyl alcohol. Never use organic
solvents such as lacquer thinner, since this will severely damage the pinch rollers.
3. Demagnetizing the head
After long periods of use, the head begins to develop a magnetic field in addition to the oxide residue described
above. This can also occur if a magnet or a magnetized object (scissors, etc.) is allowed to come near the head or
touch it. If the head or capstans become magnetized, frequency response will be degraded and noise will increase.
In extreme cases, noise can be generated when you play previously-recorded tapes, rendering them useless.
Once a month or so, you should use a demagnetizer (head eraser) to demagnetize the head. Carefully read and
follow the instructions included with your demagnetizer, and do not allow it to came near recorded tapes.
Block Diagram
INPUT1
INPUT2
INPUT3
INPUT4
INPUT1
TAPE1
AUTO BOUNCE
INPUT2
TAPE2
INPUT/PLAYBACK
FADER
AUTO BOUNCE
INPUT/PLAYBACK
FADER 2BAND EQ
LOW HI
CH MIX
T1 T2 T4 T3
A
A CH MIX
2BAND EQ
LOW HI
RECORDER
TRK1
RECORDER
RECORDER
RECORDER
TRK2
TRK4
TRK3
AUX/MONMIX LEVEL
PAN
PAN
AUX/MONMIX LEVEL
MONITOR
A
L R CUE/AUX
MASTER
FADER
L
R
LINE OUT
PHONES OUT
L MONITOR OUT
R
AUX SEND
INPUT/PLAYBACK
FADER
INPUT3
TAPE3
AUTO BOUNCE
2BAND EQ
LOW HI
CH MIX A
A
CH MIX
AUX/MONMIX LEVEL
AUX/MONMIX LEVEL
PAN
5DOT BARGRAPH
L
R
TAPE1
TAPE2
TAPE3
TAPE4
1
2
3
4
TAPE OUT
B
INPUT/PLAYBACK
INPUT4
AUTO BOUNCE
MIC/LINE
INPUT
1/3
2/4
STEREO
RETURN
L(MONO)
R
RTN LEVEL
LOW HI
FADER
TAPE4
PAN
2BAND EQ