Alesis ADAT-XT manual Meters, Recording a Benchmark T APE, Peak Mode Button, Peak Clear Button

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Chapter 4: Basic Operations

METERS

The XT provides two buttons for meter display options: [PEAK MODE] and [PEAK CLEAR].

PEAK MODE BUTTON

The [PEAK MODE] button selects the peak hold mode of the eight level meters. Each time the [PEAK MODE] button is pressed, the peak meters switch between three possible Peak Hold modes: Continuous, Momentary and Off. The currently selected mode may be determined by observing the peak meters themselves.

Continuous: Each track’s peak LED indicator will remain lit, until the [PEAK CLEAR] button is pressed, or the Peak Mode is changed.

Momentary: Each track’s peak LED indicator will remain lit for about two seconds.

Off: No peak indicators will be held on any tracks.

PEAK CLEAR BUTTON

The [PEAK CLEAR] button is used to remove any track peak LED indicators which remain lit while either Continuous or Momentary Peak Mode is selected (see above). This button will have no effect if the Peak Mode is turned Off.

FINE METER MODE

The XT provides a special mode which rescales the peak meters for more specific readings. This is necessary when making very fine level adjustments, such as when recording test tones. When Fine Meter mode is enabled, the meters are rescaled around a center point of -15 dB (middle point of the meters) and goes plus and minus from there in .5 dB increments. This means the -15 dB icon will be the only level marking that is correct in this mode. The meters’ actual range will be from -18.0 dB to -12.5 dB. However, the MAX icon at the top of each meter will still indicate clipping.

To activate Fine Meter mode:

¿Simultaneously press both [PEAK MODE] and [PEAK CLEAR] buttons. The TIME counter will momentarily display “FinE db” and the dB stepped markings will appear on the left side of the meters.

¡To exit Fine Meter mode, press either [PEAK MODE] or [PEAK CLEAR]. The dB stepped markings will turn off.

Note: The Peak Hold function is disabled (off) when Fine Meter mode is enabled.

RECORDING A “BENCHMARK” T APE

We recommend that you format and record a new tape with any signal, such as a test tone, in a single pass with no overdubs during the first week of operation. Store this tape in a safe, dry location and don’t use it for any other purpose. Such a “benchmark” tape is useful to determine if the error correction rate is increasing over time because the heads need to be cleaned, or if a tape is defective (see page 75).

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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 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 ALL Input Monitor Input MonitorAuto 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 rateTo set the Crossfade Time FA dE 2Displaying Frames VS THS/SECONDS 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 mSLocate Autolocation ControlsAbsolute ABS Time VS . Relative Time 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 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 Master /SLAVE Interaction Achieving LockIndependent Slave Mode Master Format ENABLED, Complete FormatMaster Format ENABLED, Format Extend Formatting Multiple TapesBefore punching into format record Master Format DisabledMaster Format DISABLED, Format Extend 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 MonitoringConnections Here are some possible solutionsPolarity Differences 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 Appendix D SpecificationsSteps to Take Before Calling for Help Audio Digital Inputs/Outputs Glossary Or Analog-to-Digital ConverterBus DATMidi MMCOutput SMPTE/LTCVHS VitcIndex Index Adat XT Reference Manual