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

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.

J	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:
	¿	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.”
	¡	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.
	¬	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.

14 ADAT XT Reference Manual