Chapter 4: Basic Operations
40 ADAT XT Reference Manual
METERS
The XT provides two buttons for meter display options: [PEAK MODE] and [PEAK
CLEAR].

PEAK MODE B UTTON

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 “B ENCHMARK” TAPE
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).