Alesis ADAT-XT manual To set the tape length, European equivalents and approximate recording times

Chapter 4: Basic Operations

automatically recognizes the shorter length of the ST-60 because the hubs used in the cassette are larger. However, there is no way for the XT to tell apart a ST-120, ST-160 or ST-180 tape, since these all use the same, smaller size hubs. In this situation, the XT assumes the tape length to be that of a ST-120 tape. Therefore, when using either ST-160 or ST-180 length tape, you should set the tape length on the XT.

To set the tape length:

¿Hold the [SET LOCATE] button and press the [FORMAT] button; This display will briefly read “St-60 ”.

¡Repeat step ¿ to advance through the available tape length choices. The display will cycle through the following choices:

“St-120 ”, “St-60 ”, “St-160 ” and “St-180 ”.

•The tape length setting is not reset when a tape is ejected. However, if you power down and up again, the tape length setting will revert to T-120.

•If connected to a BRC, and you set the tape length from the BRC, the XT “remembers” the tape length setting, even after power down.

•If you insert a tape while the Tape Length setting is set to something other than “St-120”, the display will briefly flash the selected Tape Length setting. This is to remind you that you are using a non-standard setting.

•If using more than one XT/ADAT, you must make sure all connected XTs/ADATs are loaded with tapes of the same length.

J	It is important that the Tape Length setting and the actual tape’s length are the same.
	Never use a shorter tape length than what you have indicated on the XT.
	Below is a list of the four S-VHS tapes which can be used with the XT, with their
	European equivalents and approximate recording times:

Type	Euro	Rec. Time
ST-60	n/a	22 min.
ST-120 SE-180		40 min.
ST-160	SE-240	54 min.
ST-180	SE-260	62 min.

	Note: European tapes are actually slightly longer than their US equivalents.
	Therefore, you may get a few more minutes of recording time if using European tape.
J	If using tapes longer than the standard ST-120, when locating for the first time past
	the 39 minute position, the transport will slow down (but not stop) and then speed up
	again. Each time thereafter that you locate beyond this point, the transport will not
	slow down. This safeguard is suited for the unlikely event that a longer tape length is
	erroneously selected, to avoid damage to the tape.
J	If the XT is connected to a BRC, and the tape length is set from the BRC, the
	individual XT slaves will retain their tape length setting after power down.

52 ADAT XT Reference Manual