Alesis ADAT-XT manual About Audio Cables, Line Conditioners and Protectors

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Setting Up: Chapter 1

LINE CONDITIONERS AND PROTECTORS

Although the XT is designed to tolerate typical voltage variations, in today’s world the voltage coming from the AC line may contain spikes or transients that can possibly stress your gear and, over time, cause a failure. There are three main ways to protect against this, listed in ascending order of cost and complexity:

•Line spike/surge protectors. Relatively inexpensive, these are designed to protect against strong surges and spikes, acting somewhat like fuses in that they need to be replaced if they’ve been hit by an extremely strong spike.

•Line filters. These generally combine spike/surge protection with filters that remove some line noise (dimmer hash, transients from other appliances, etc.).

•Uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This is the most sophisticated option. A UPS provides power even if the AC power line fails completely. Intended for computer applications, a UPS allows you to complete an orderly shutdown of a computer system in the event of a power outage, and the isolation it provides from the power line minimizes all forms of interference—spikes, noise, etc.

ABOUT AUDIO CABLES

The connections between the XT and your studio are your music’s lifeline, so use only high quality cables. These should be low-capacitance shielded cables with a stranded (not solid) internal conductor and a low-resistance shield. Although quality cables cost more, they do make a difference. Route cables to the XT correctly by observing the following precautions:

•Do not bundle audio cables with AC power cords.

•Avoid running audio cables near sources of electromagnetic interference such as transformers, monitors, computers, etc.

•Do not place cables where they can be stepped on. Stepping on a cable may not cause immediate damage, but it can compress the insulation between the center conductor and shield (degrading performance) or reduce the cable’s reliability.

•Avoid twisting the cable or having it make sharp, right angle turns.

•Never unplug a cable by pulling on the wire itself. Always unplug by firmly grasping the body of the plug and pulling directly outward.

•Although Alesis does not endorse any specific product, chemicals such as Tweek and Cramolin, when applied to electrical connectors, are claimed to improve the electrical contact between connectors.

ADAT XT Reference Manual

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Contents Alesis ADAT-XT Introduction Adat XT Reference Manual Conventions Adat XT Reference Manual Contents Basic Operations Analog Recording Basics Digital Recording Basics Why S-VHS? Index Maintenance/Service Cleaning Obtaining Repair Service Setting UP AC Power HookupUnpacking and Inspection ChapterSetting Up About Audio Cables Line Conditioners and ProtectorsBasic Audio Hookup Input NormalingThreaded VS. Unthreaded Word on ADAT’S S-VHS Cassette TapeOperating Environment Thermal Considerations in Rack MountingMounting on a Shelf or NON-RACK Enclosure Avoiding Electromagnetic InterferencePOWER-UP,AND Tape Insertion Your First SessionABS 0H 15M 48S ABS n0 F0Formatting a Tape a Must Sample Rate SelectionFormatting a NEW Tape Recording While FormattingTrack Selection and Setting Levels To record-enable a trackREL 0H 01M 29S Making a RecordingTransport Buttons RecordingTo make a recording Record LED turns off, while the Play LED remains litTo engage Review mode To engage Cue modePlayback Reviewing and CueingREL 0H 00M 00S LocatingPage Creating a Loop To loop a section of tapeAutomated Recording RehearsingTo automatically punch in and out Measure twice or more, and cut only onceTrack Delay ABS 00 % 00 C70 mS Pitch ControlTo adjust the display brightness Track CopyDisplay Brightness To bounce audio from one track to anotherInput Jack Characteristics ConnectionsAnalog Audio Unbalanced Inputs Analog Audio Unbalanced OutputsAnalog Audio Balanced Inputs and Outputs Additional groundsAnalog Audio Input Mode Input ModeSync IN/OUT To synchronize multiple XTs and/or ADATsDigital Audio IN/OUT To connect the digital optical networkFootswitches Rehearse and Auto Record featuresXT Remote VersaBasic Operations Tape FormattingFormatting Considerations Complete FormatFormat Extend Be sure the tape is completely rewoundABS Pr 0t 0 FF ABS Pr 0t 0 nWrite Protect Override To extend the format on a partially formatted tapeReading the Display Display Icons Basic Operations 01M 29S Time Counter & ABS/REL ButtonLocate SelectedBasic Editing Edit Value ButtonEntering Numeric Values Editing Individual DigitsInput Select Analog InputDigital Input Track CopyBasic Operations Input Monitor Auto Input MonitorALL Input Monitor Peak Mode Button Fine Meter ModeMeters Recording a Benchmark T APERecord Enable Setting LevelsTransport Controls EjectRewind /REVIEW Fast Forward /CUERECORD/PUNCH in or OUT StopWhether the tape being played is formatted or not To start recordingSample Rate Clock Record Crossfade TimePositions as before To select the sample rateFA dE 2 Displaying Frames VS THS/SECONDSTo set the Crossfade Time About Pitch Changing To turn Track Delay on and off To set the Track Delay amountTo set multiple tracks to the same Track Delay value 10 mSAutolocation Controls Absolute ABS Time VS . Relative TimeLocate Setting Locate Points LocatingTo store a Locate Point memory on the fly To edit a Locate Point memoryAuto Looping Auto ReturnAuto Play Loop LimitAuto Record Tape LengthLooped Recording RehearsalTo set the tape length European equivalents and approximate recording timesErroneously selected, to avoid damage to the tape Footswitch Controls Footswitch Controlled PunchingFootswitch Controlled Autolocating Using the XT Remote Operation OverviewSynchronizing Machines Master /SLAVE Interaction Achieving LockIndependent Slave Mode Master Format ENABLED, Complete FormatMaster Format ENABLED, Format Extend Formatting Multiple TapesMaster Format Disabled Master Format DISABLED, Format ExtendBefore punching into format record Making Digital Backups Recording Digital AudioBouncing Tracks Between Adats Reassigning Channels to Different TracksTo make a backup tape Recording Digital Audio from Other SourcesTape Offset Digital Clock ConsiderationsSetting the Machine Offset ABS 0H 00M 00SCombining XTS and Adats XT Transport SpeedSample Rate VS. Pitch Control Input MonitoringHere are some possible solutions Polarity DifferencesConnections Multiple ADAT-XT Operation Chapter Multiple ADAT-XT Operation Adat XT Reference Manual Applications Combined MULTITRACK/MASTERING DeckLIVE/LONG-TERM Recording Midi Machine Control Virtual Remote Control Locking to Video Code only MasterComputer Control Midi Systems Virtual TrackingLibraries and Archives Modular RecordingUsing Track Copy AS a Digital Router Calculating Tape Offset Using the LocatesPress Edit VALUE, then press Locate Digital Recording Concepts Analog Recording BasicsDigital Recording Basics Appendix aWHY S-VHS? Troubleshooting TROUBLE-SHOOTING IndexRE-INITIALIZING Appendix BError Rate Display About Error Rate ReadingsABS d1 SP E rr ABS d1 SP r E9Adat Head Maintenance Tape Maintenance Safe Tape MAINTENANCE/SERVICECleaning Drum Time DisplayMaintenance Obtaining Repair ServiceRefer ALL Servicing to Alesis Customers in the USAAppendix B Troubleshooting Error Codes Appendix CAutomatic Brake Calibration Procedure Specifications Steps to Take Before Calling for HelpAppendix D Audio Digital Inputs/Outputs Glossary Or Analog-to-Digital ConverterBus DATMidi MMCOutput SMPTE/LTCVHS VitcIndex Index Adat XT Reference Manual
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