Alesis ADAT-XT manual Format Extend, Be sure the tape is completely rewound

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Chapter 4: Basic Operations

Be sure the tape is completely rewound.

¡Press the [FORMAT] button.

If the tape was unformatted, the FORMAT icon will have been flashing prior to pressing it. Once pressed, the FORMAT icon will stop flashing and remain lit to indicate that formatting will begin if the XT enters record mode. Also, all eight REC LEDs will flash to indicate all eight tracks will be recorded. Pressing the eight RECORD ENABLE buttons ([1] [8] ) has no effect while the FORMAT icon is lit.

¬Hold [RECORD] and press [PLAY].

The XT briefly enters play mode to achieve proper speed and check if the tape is formatted. The XT performs a complete format by recording 15 seconds of leader (the LED display will read “LEAd”), followed by two minutes of data (the LED display will read “data”), then time reference starting at -0:00:05.00 and continuing to the end of the tape.

Lead

Data

Audio

 

-02:00:00

 

 

 

-02:15:00

00:00:00

40:00:00

J

If an unformatted tape is not at the very beginning, it will automatically be rewound to

the beginning. However, if any formatting is detected while rewinding, the transport

 

will stop rewinding and leave the tape at this position, ready for a format extension

(see next page).

 

 

If the tape has been previously formatted and is in the data portion (before 0:00:00.00), the tape will be automatically rewound to the beginning of the tape and the XT performs a complete format.

If the tape has been previously formatted and is in the audio portion of tape (past 0:00:00.00), the tape will be formatted from that point upon entering record mode (this is called Format Extend; see page 31).

RECORDING WHILE FORMATTING

Audio can be recorded while formatting a tape, just in case you need to record something immediately and have no formatted tapes available. To place a track into record-ready, press the RECORD ENABLE button(s) [1] – [8] for the track(s) to be recorded before turning on the Format function. When a RECORD ENABLE button is pressed, the INPUT LEDs for the selected track(s) will light and the REC LEDs will flash. Pressing RECORD ENABLE again takes the track(s) out of record-ready. While formatting, record-ready tracks will be recorded with audio from the inputs (analog or digital, depending on the Input Select setting; see page 37). However, audio will not be recorded until the audio portion of tape is reached (0:00:00.00). Tracks not in record-ready (safe) will be recorded with silence while formatting.

FORMAT EXTEND

It is possible to extend the formatting on a tape that has only been partially formatted. When performing a format extend, you must enter format mode before the end of the previously formatted section by “punching-in”. The XT begins “time-stamping” from

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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 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 Auto Input Monitor 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 rateDisplaying Frames VS THS/SECONDS FA dE 2To 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 mSAbsolute ABS Time VS . Relative Time Autolocation ControlsLocate 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 RehearsalEuropean equivalents and approximate recording times To set the tape lengthErroneously selected, to avoid damage to the tape Footswitch Controlled Punching Footswitch ControlsFootswitch Controlled Autolocating Using the XT Remote Overview OperationSynchronizing Machines Master /SLAVE Interaction Achieving LockMaster Format ENABLED, Format Extend Independent Slave ModeMaster Format ENABLED, Complete Format Formatting Multiple TapesMaster Format DISABLED, Format Extend Master Format DisabledBefore 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 MonitoringPolarity Differences Here are some possible solutionsConnections 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 Steps to Take Before Calling for Help SpecificationsAppendix D Audio Digital Inputs/Outputs Glossary Or Analog-to-Digital ConverterBus DATMidi MMCOutput SMPTE/LTCVHS VitcIndex Index Adat XT Reference Manual