Alesis ADAT-XT manual REL 0H 01M 29S, Making a Recording, Track Selection and Setting Levels

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Your First Session With The ADAT XT: Chapter 2

MAKING A RECORDING

Recording on the XT is very similar to most multitrack tape machines. The process involves formatting a tape (see previous tutorial), putting one or more tracks into record-ready, adjusting record levels on your mixer, setting the input monitor mode, locating to the start tape address and engaging record. In this tutorial, we will be recording from the analog audio inputs at the start of the audio portion of the tape (0:00:00.00). For more information on this and recording from the digital bus, see pages 37 through 41 of chapter 4.

TRACK SELECTION AND SETTING LEVELS

You’ll find the RECORD ENABLE buttons ([1]–[8]) for all eight tracks on the left side of the front panel, beneath the display. A track is considered “safe” when its [REC] LED is off, in “record-ready” when its [REC] LED is flashing, and in record when its [REC] LED is lit solid.

To record-enable a track:

¿Choose a track to record on, and press the track’s associated RECORD ENABLE button [1]–[8]. The selected track’s [REC] LED will flash to indicate it is in record- ready.

¡Send an audio signal to the track(s) you have placed into record-ready. Adjust the levels on your mixer so that the “average” level is at -15 dB on the peak meters of the XT and the loudest section never goes beyond 0 dB. Digital audio recording is different from analog recording, and therefore requires a different method when setting levels. For more information, see Setting Levels on page 41 of chapter 4.

¬To take a track out of record-ready (safe), press its associated RECORD ENABLE button again. The selected track’s [REC] LED will turn off to indicate it is safe.

TIME COUNTER

Before recording, you should familiarize yourself with the transport buttons, and the 7-segment TIME counter in the top left corner of the display. Ordinarily, the TIME counter will show Absolute (ABS) time, which is the exact time reference being read directly off of the formatted tape. The tape position is displayed as hours:minutes: seconds.hundredths-of-a-second. (This counter may be changed to show 30 frames per second, see page 45 for more information.)

ABS 0H 15M 48S 21

Pressing the [ABS/REL] button will toggle the display between ABS Time and Relative Time. The display will either indicate ABS or REL to the left of the TIME counter.

REL 0H 01M 29S 03

 

Relative Time reflects the current tape position relative to where you set the Relative

 

0:00:00.00 position. This is similar to resetting the tape counter on a cassette deck.

 

However, the XT gives you the option of reading the actual tape position (ABS Time)

 

or the tape position relative to the location you marked as 0:00:00.00 (Relative Time).

J

Before you start recording, for the first time be sure the TIME counter is set to ABS

Time to avoid confusion. For more information, see page 35.

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 Unpacking and Inspection Setting UPAC Power Hookup ChapterSetting Up About Audio Cables Line Conditioners and ProtectorsBasic Audio Hookup Input NormalingThreaded VS. Unthreaded Word on ADAT’S S-VHS Cassette TapeMounting on a Shelf or NON-RACK Enclosure Operating EnvironmentThermal Considerations in Rack Mounting Avoiding Electromagnetic InterferenceABS 0H 15M 48S POWER-UP,AND Tape InsertionYour First Session ABS n0 F0Formatting a NEW Tape Formatting a Tape a MustSample Rate Selection Recording While FormattingREL 0H 01M 29S Track Selection and Setting LevelsTo record-enable a track Making a RecordingTo make a recording Transport ButtonsRecording Record LED turns off, while the Play LED remains litPlayback To engage Review modeTo engage Cue mode Reviewing and CueingREL 0H 00M 00S LocatingPage Creating a Loop To loop a section of tapeTo automatically punch in and out Automated RecordingRehearsing Measure twice or more, and cut only once70 mS Track DelayABS 00 % 00 C Pitch ControlDisplay Brightness To adjust the display brightnessTrack Copy To bounce audio from one track to anotherAnalog Audio Unbalanced Inputs Input Jack CharacteristicsConnections 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 networkXT Remote FootswitchesRehearse and Auto Record features VersaFormatting Considerations Basic OperationsTape Formatting Complete FormatFormat Extend Be sure the tape is completely rewoundWrite Protect Override ABS Pr 0t 0 FFABS Pr 0t 0 n To extend the format on a partially formatted tapeReading the Display Display Icons Basic Operations Locate 01M 29STime Counter & ABS/REL Button SelectedEntering Numeric Values Basic EditingEdit Value Button Editing Individual DigitsDigital Input Input SelectAnalog Input Track CopyBasic Operations Input Monitor Auto Input MonitorALL Input Monitor Meters Peak Mode ButtonFine Meter Mode Recording a Benchmark T APERecord Enable Setting LevelsRewind /REVIEW Transport ControlsEject Fast Forward /CUEWhether the tape being played is formatted or not RECORD/PUNCH in or OUTStop To start recordingPositions as before Sample Rate ClockRecord Crossfade Time To select the sample rateFA dE 2 Displaying Frames VS THS/SECONDSTo set the Crossfade Time About Pitch Changing To set multiple tracks to the same Track Delay value To turn Track Delay on and offTo set the Track Delay amount 10 mSAutolocation Controls Absolute ABS Time VS . Relative TimeLocate To store a Locate Point memory on the fly Setting Locate PointsLocating To edit a Locate Point memoryAuto Play Auto LoopingAuto Return Loop LimitLooped Recording Auto RecordTape Length 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 LockMaster Format ENABLED, Format Extend Independent Slave ModeMaster Format ENABLED, Complete Format Formatting Multiple TapesMaster Format Disabled Master Format DISABLED, Format ExtendBefore punching into format record Bouncing Tracks Between Adats Making Digital BackupsRecording Digital Audio 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 00SSample Rate VS. Pitch Control Combining XTS and AdatsXT Transport Speed 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 Computer Control Midi Machine Control Virtual Remote ControlLocking to Video Code only Master 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 Basics Digital Recording ConceptsAnalog Recording Basics Appendix aWHY S-VHS? RE-INITIALIZING TroubleshootingTROUBLE-SHOOTING Index Appendix BABS d1 SP E rr Error Rate DisplayAbout Error Rate Readings ABS d1 SP r E9Adat Head Maintenance Cleaning Tape Maintenance Safe TapeMAINTENANCE/SERVICE Drum Time DisplayRefer ALL Servicing to Alesis MaintenanceObtaining Repair Service 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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