Alesis ADAT-XT manual Master /SLAVE Interaction, Achieving Lock

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Chapter 5: Multiple ADAT-XT Operation

 

Synchronization requires a dual male, 9 pin D connector cable for each slave to be

 

synchronized. Use only Alesis cables. Alesis Sync Cables are available in three

 

different lengths: 8", 30", and 30' from your dealer. Other types of cables may cause

 

incorrect commands to be received, and erratic sync performance. This connection

 

should be made while power is off, but the machines do not need to be turned on in

 

any particular order. For more about connections, refer to the section entitled Sync

 

In/Out in Chapter 3.

 

After you’ve connected multiple XTs and/or ADATS together and turned them on, the

 

master’s display will show “ID 1” (identifying itself as the number 1 machine in the

 

system). The second machine will display ID 2, the third ID 3, and so on. The ID

 

order is automatically assigned according to how the cables are hooked up. You can

 

re-check a machine’s ID at any time by holding [SET LOCATE] and pressing [PLAY].

J

If a slave does not display an ID number on power-up, then it does not see anything

connected to the [SYNC IN] jack. Check the cables and connections.

 

If needed, the machines will renumber their IDs if more XTs or ADATs are connected

 

later. Example: Suppose you have three XTs hooked up so that machine 1 is the

 

master, and machines 2 and 3 are slaves. If you turn on only machines 2 and 3,

 

machine 1 will not be active so machine 2 decides it’s the master (ID 1) and machine

 

three the only slave (ID 2). If you then turn on machine 1, the machines will renumber

 

themselves so that machine 1 becomes the master (ID 1), and machines 2 and 3

 

become the slaves (ID 2 and 3, respectively). Note that in this example, if machines 1

 

and 3 are turned on but machine 2 is turned off, machine 3 will not slave to machine 1

 

because machine 2 is turned off, so the sync signal cannot pass through it from 1 to 3.

 

All slave XTs will automatically be placed in External Clock mode (the EXT icon will

 

be lit in the CLOCK icon group). The [CLOCK SELECT] button will not function on the

 

slave XTs since External Clock is their only option. Simultaneously, each slave’s

 

CHASE icon will light whenever it is chasing the location of the master.

 

MASTER/SLAVE INTERACTION

 

Pressing any of the transport buttons ([PLAY], [STOP], etc.), or [AUTO REC],

 

[LOCATE 0] – [LOCATE 9], [ALL INPUT], [AUTO INPUT], PITCH [s] or [t] will

 

automatically trigger the same functions on the slave machine(s) as well. Alesis

 

recommends that you always initiate operations from the master, including all

 

transport control functions, to minimize confusion. When you press [PLAY] on the

 

master, the slave(s) will locate to the same timecode point and begin playing once

 

sync is achieved (indicated by the LOCKED icon being lit). Pressing [EJECT] on the

 

master ejects all slave’s tapes as well. To eject only the master’s tape, hold [SET

 

LOCATE] and press [EJECT] on the master.

 

When recording or punching in on the slaves, initiate recording on the master but do

 

not have any master tracks record-enabled (unless, of course, you need to record

 

tracks on the master). Any tracks that are record-enabled on the slaves will go into

 

record, while the master will simply play . This is why record enable is an independent

 

function for each slave. There are two other functions when the slave(s) act

 

independently. Formatting is initiated independently on each slave for a number of

 

reasons, as detailed in the next section; however, simultaneous formatting on all

 

slaves is possible. Digital Input can also be set independently for the slave(s) since

 

you may want to record via the analog inputs on some machines and via the digital

 

inputs on others.

 

ACHIEVING LOCK

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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 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