Official Alesis ADAT XT Manual - Comprehensive Guide for Recording Equipment

Glossary

Bouncing means taking audio from one track and placing it on another. The term, sometimes called “bouncing down,” also describes the process of mixing several tracks onto one or two.

Bus

A bus generally refers to any common signal pathway. In a mixer, a bus is usually a wire that is or can be made common to the outputs of any or all channels in the mixer. Examples of buses include the main stereo mix, sub-mixes, monitor buses and aux sends.

C

Channel

In audio, a channel is an internal audio path maintained separately from other audio paths of identical function. Mixer input strips are examples of channels, but an audio snake also has channels.

Chase/Lock

Chase/Lock refers to a tape machine’s ability to read incoming timecode, locate its tape to the position indicated by the timecode, and synchronize playback to the incoming timecode.

Clip

In the analog world, clipping occurs when the input to a circuit exceeds the gain of the circuit. The circuit passes the signal at its maximum value. All input values exceeding the maximum value are “clipped.” The result is audio distortion. In digital audio, clipping occurs when the input to an A/D exceeds the voltage represented by the maximum number the A/D is capable of transmitting.

Crossfade

A crossfade is a gradual “dissolve” between two portions of audio; one segment of audio fades out while the other fades in. When punching in on the XT, the audio on tape is faded out while the new audio which is being recorded is faded in.

D

DAT

Digital Audio Tape. This term has come to mean specific digital audio tape recorders that use cartridges smaller than those of a standard cassette, and which record two tracks of digital audio (and sometimes timecode).

Digital I/O

Input and output connections where signals passed from one stage to another remain in the digital domain. The XT has digital I/O connectors that carry digital data for all eight tracks.

D/A or Digital-to-Analog Converter

The device that converts digital signals back into an analog format so that they can be heard.

ADAT XT Reference Manual

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Alesis ADAT-XT manual Bus, Dat

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 Chapter Setting UPAC Power Hookup Unpacking and Inspection Setting Up Line Conditioners and Protectors About Audio Cables Input Normaling Basic Audio Hookup Word on ADAT’S S-VHS Cassette Tape Threaded VS. Unthreaded Avoiding Electromagnetic Interference Operating EnvironmentThermal Considerations in Rack Mounting Mounting on a Shelf or NON-RACK Enclosure ABS n0 F0 POWER-UP,AND Tape InsertionYour First Session ABS 0H 15M 48S Recording While Formatting Formatting a Tape a MustSample Rate Selection Formatting a NEW Tape Making a Recording Track Selection and Setting LevelsTo record-enable a track REL 0H 01M 29S Record LED turns off, while the Play LED remains lit Transport ButtonsRecording To make a recording Reviewing and Cueing To engage Review modeTo engage Cue mode Playback Locating REL 0H 00M 00SPage To loop a section of tape Creating a Loop Measure twice or more, and cut only once Automated RecordingRehearsing To automatically punch in and out Pitch Control Track DelayABS 00 % 00 C 70 mS To bounce audio from one track to another To adjust the display brightnessTrack Copy Display Brightness Analog Audio Unbalanced Outputs Input Jack CharacteristicsConnections Analog Audio Unbalanced Inputs Additional grounds Analog Audio Balanced Inputs and Outputs Input Mode Analog Audio Input Mode To synchronize multiple XTs and/or ADATs Sync IN/OUT To connect the digital optical network Digital Audio IN/OUT Versa FootswitchesRehearse and Auto Record features XT Remote Complete Format Basic OperationsTape Formatting Formatting Considerations Be sure the tape is completely rewound Format Extend To extend the format on a partially formatted tape ABS Pr 0t 0 FFABS Pr 0t 0 n Write Protect Override Reading the Display Display Icons Basic Operations Selected 01M 29STime Counter & ABS/REL Button Locate Editing Individual Digits Basic EditingEdit Value Button Entering Numeric Values Track Copy Input SelectAnalog Input Digital Input Basic Operations Auto Input Monitor Input MonitorALL Input Monitor Recording a Benchmark T APE Peak Mode ButtonFine Meter Mode Meters Setting Levels Record Enable Fast Forward /CUE Transport ControlsEject Rewind /REVIEW To start recording RECORD/PUNCH in or OUTStop Whether the tape being played is formatted or not To select the sample rate Sample Rate ClockRecord Crossfade Time Positions as before Displaying Frames VS THS/SECONDS FA dE 2To set the Crossfade Time About Pitch Changing 10 mS To turn Track Delay on and offTo set the Track Delay amount To set multiple tracks to the same Track Delay value Absolute ABS Time VS . Relative Time Autolocation ControlsLocate To edit a Locate Point memory Setting Locate PointsLocating To store a Locate Point memory on the fly Loop Limit Auto LoopingAuto Return Auto Play Rehearsal Auto RecordTape Length Looped Recording European equivalents and approximate recording times To set the tape lengthErroneously selected, to avoid damage to the tape Footswitch Controlled Punching Footswitch ControlsFootswitch Controlled Autolocating Using the XT Remote Overview OperationSynchronizing Machines Achieving Lock Master /SLAVE Interaction Formatting Multiple Tapes Independent Slave ModeMaster Format ENABLED, Complete Format Master Format ENABLED, Format Extend Master Format DISABLED, Format Extend Master Format DisabledBefore punching into format record Reassigning Channels to Different Tracks Making Digital BackupsRecording Digital Audio Bouncing Tracks Between Adats Recording Digital Audio from Other Sources To make a backup tape Digital Clock Considerations Tape Offset ABS 0H 00M 00S Setting the Machine Offset Input Monitoring Combining XTS and AdatsXT Transport Speed Sample Rate VS. Pitch Control Polarity Differences Here are some possible solutionsConnections Multiple ADAT-XT Operation Chapter Multiple ADAT-XT Operation Adat XT Reference Manual Combined MULTITRACK/MASTERING Deck Applications LIVE/LONG-TERM Recording Midi Systems Virtual Tracking Midi Machine Control Virtual Remote ControlLocking to Video Code only Master Computer Control Modular Recording Libraries and Archives Calculating Tape Offset Using the Locates Using Track Copy AS a Digital Router Press Edit VALUE, then press Locate Appendix a Digital Recording ConceptsAnalog Recording Basics Digital Recording Basics WHY S-VHS? Appendix B TroubleshootingTROUBLE-SHOOTING Index RE-INITIALIZING ABS d1 SP r E9 Error Rate DisplayAbout Error Rate Readings ABS d1 SP E rr Adat Head Maintenance Drum Time Display Tape Maintenance Safe TapeMAINTENANCE/SERVICE Cleaning Customers in the USA MaintenanceObtaining Repair Service Refer ALL Servicing to Alesis Appendix B Troubleshooting Appendix C Error Codes Automatic Brake Calibration Procedure Steps to Take Before Calling for Help SpecificationsAppendix D Audio Digital Inputs/Outputs Or Analog-to-Digital Converter Glossary DAT Bus MMC Midi SMPTE/LTC Output Vitc VHS Index Index Adat XT Reference Manual