Alesis ADAT-XT manual Formatting a Tape a Must, Sample Rate Selection, Formatting a NEW Tape

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Chapter 2: Your First Session With The ADAT XT

FORMATTING A TAPE – A MUST!

Formatting prepares a tape for 8 channels of audio, and adds a master timecode reference and sample rate information to the data section. Similar to formatting a floppy disk to use on a computer or sampler, formatting an XT tape time-stamps the tape to single-sample accuracy so that audio is referenced to an accurate time base. This makes the synchronization process between XT and ADAT compatible machines possible and provides both accurate tape counter readings and intelligent autolocation functions. For more information, see Tape Formatting in Chapter 4. After completing the following exercise, we recommend you perform a complete format.

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Formatting a tape erases audio on all eight tracks. Be sure to check that the tape is

either blank or contains unwanted material before formatting. We recommend that

 

you format your tapes completely from beginning to end.

 

SAMPLE RATE SELECTION

 

Before formatting, select the sample rate you will be using (either 48 kHz or 44.1 kHz).

 

This is done by pressing the [CLOCK SELECT] button. Each time [CLOCK SELECT]

 

is pressed, the XT will cycle between INT 48K, INT 44.1K and DIG (the section on the

 

right side of the display labeled CLOCK will indicate the currently selected sample

 

rate). Note: For more information about the DIG option (Digital Audio Clock), see page

 

44.

 

 

FORMATTING A NEW TAPE

 

To Format a new tape:

 

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Insert a fresh, blank tape.

 

 

The XT will acknowledge that this is an unformatted tape; the FORMAT icon will

 

 

flash in the display while the counter display reads “noFO.”

 

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Press the [FORMAT] button.

 

 

The word [FORMAT] in the display will stop flashing and remain lit. The

 

 

[RECORD] LEDs for tracks 1 through 8 will now be flashing.

 

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Hold [RECORD], and then press [PLAY].

 

 

If the tape was not completely rewound, the XT will automatically rewind it to the

 

 

beginning. The XT then performs a complete format by recording 15 seconds of

 

 

leader (the LED display will read “LEAd”), followed by two minutes of data (the

 

 

display will read “dAtA”), then timecode starting at 0:00:00.00 and continuing to

 

 

the end of the tape.

RECORDING WHILE FORMATTING

You can record onto tape while formatting. Simply press any of the RECORD ENABLE buttons [1]–[8] for any track(s) you wish to record on before pressing the [FORMAT] button. Prepare your source material to start playback at 0:00:00.00 on the XT or later (do not begin recording before 0:00:00.00). See next section for more information on setting levels and recording.

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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 AC Power Hookup Setting UPUnpacking and Inspection ChapterSetting Up Line Conditioners and Protectors About Audio CablesInput Normaling Basic Audio HookupWord on ADAT’S S-VHS Cassette Tape Threaded VS. UnthreadedThermal Considerations in Rack Mounting Operating EnvironmentMounting on a Shelf or NON-RACK Enclosure Avoiding Electromagnetic InterferenceYour First Session POWER-UP,AND Tape InsertionABS 0H 15M 48S ABS n0 F0Sample Rate Selection Formatting a Tape a MustFormatting a NEW Tape Recording While FormattingTo record-enable a track Track Selection and Setting LevelsREL 0H 01M 29S Making a RecordingRecording Transport ButtonsTo make a recording Record LED turns off, while the Play LED remains litTo engage Cue mode To engage Review modePlayback Reviewing and CueingLocating REL 0H 00M 00SPage To loop a section of tape Creating a LoopRehearsing Automated RecordingTo automatically punch in and out Measure twice or more, and cut only onceABS 00 % 00 C Track Delay70 mS Pitch ControlTrack Copy To adjust the display brightnessDisplay Brightness To bounce audio from one track to anotherConnections Input Jack CharacteristicsAnalog Audio Unbalanced Inputs Analog Audio Unbalanced OutputsAdditional grounds Analog Audio Balanced Inputs and OutputsInput Mode Analog Audio Input ModeTo synchronize multiple XTs and/or ADATs Sync IN/OUTTo connect the digital optical network Digital Audio IN/OUTRehearse and Auto Record features FootswitchesXT Remote VersaTape Formatting Basic OperationsFormatting Considerations Complete FormatBe sure the tape is completely rewound Format ExtendABS Pr 0t 0 n ABS Pr 0t 0 FFWrite Protect Override To extend the format on a partially formatted tapeReading the Display Display Icons Basic Operations Time Counter & ABS/REL Button 01M 29SLocate SelectedEdit Value Button Basic EditingEntering Numeric Values Editing Individual DigitsAnalog Input Input SelectDigital Input Track CopyBasic Operations ALL Input Monitor Input MonitorAuto Input Monitor Fine Meter Mode Peak Mode ButtonMeters Recording a Benchmark T APESetting Levels Record EnableEject Transport ControlsRewind /REVIEW Fast Forward /CUEStop RECORD/PUNCH in or OUTWhether the tape being played is formatted or not To start recordingRecord Crossfade Time Sample Rate ClockPositions as before To select the sample rateTo set the Crossfade Time FA dE 2Displaying Frames VS THS/SECONDS About Pitch Changing To set the Track Delay amount To turn Track Delay on and offTo set multiple tracks to the same Track Delay value 10 mSLocate Autolocation ControlsAbsolute ABS Time VS . Relative Time Locating Setting Locate PointsTo store a Locate Point memory on the fly To edit a Locate Point memoryAuto Return Auto LoopingAuto Play Loop LimitTape Length Auto RecordLooped Recording RehearsalErroneously selected, to avoid damage to the tape To set the tape lengthEuropean equivalents and approximate recording times Footswitch Controlled Autolocating Footswitch ControlsFootswitch Controlled Punching Using the XT Remote Synchronizing Machines OperationOverview Achieving Lock Master /SLAVE InteractionMaster Format ENABLED, Complete Format Independent Slave ModeMaster Format ENABLED, Format Extend Formatting Multiple TapesBefore punching into format record Master Format DisabledMaster Format DISABLED, Format Extend Recording Digital Audio Making Digital BackupsBouncing Tracks Between Adats Reassigning Channels to Different TracksRecording Digital Audio from Other Sources To make a backup tapeDigital Clock Considerations Tape OffsetABS 0H 00M 00S Setting the Machine OffsetXT Transport Speed Combining XTS and AdatsSample Rate VS. Pitch Control Input MonitoringConnections Here are some possible solutionsPolarity Differences Multiple ADAT-XT Operation Chapter Multiple ADAT-XT Operation Adat XT Reference Manual Combined MULTITRACK/MASTERING Deck ApplicationsLIVE/LONG-TERM Recording Locking to Video Code only Master Midi Machine Control Virtual Remote ControlComputer Control Midi Systems Virtual TrackingModular Recording Libraries and ArchivesCalculating Tape Offset Using the Locates Using Track Copy AS a Digital RouterPress Edit VALUE, then press Locate Analog Recording Basics Digital Recording ConceptsDigital Recording Basics Appendix aWHY S-VHS? TROUBLE-SHOOTING Index TroubleshootingRE-INITIALIZING Appendix BAbout Error Rate Readings Error Rate DisplayABS d1 SP E rr ABS d1 SP r E9Adat Head Maintenance MAINTENANCE/SERVICE Tape Maintenance Safe TapeCleaning Drum Time DisplayObtaining Repair Service MaintenanceRefer ALL Servicing to Alesis Customers in the USAAppendix B Troubleshooting Appendix C Error CodesAutomatic Brake Calibration Procedure Appendix D SpecificationsSteps to Take Before Calling for Help Audio Digital Inputs/Outputs Or Analog-to-Digital Converter GlossaryDAT BusMMC MidiSMPTE/LTC OutputVitc VHSIndex Index Adat XT Reference Manual
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