Formatting Tape, Chapter 4

4-2 ALESIS M20 REFERENCE MANUAL 1.06

4.1 SAMPLE RATE SELECTION
Choose between 44.1 kHz (CD/consumer standard) or 48 kHz (DAT/professional standard).
Here are some general hints:
• If mixing the tape through a digital mixer for a CD master, use 44.1 kHz to avoid sample
rate conversion.
• If mixing the tape through an analog mixer, use 48 kHz for slightly better high frequency
response.
• If you plan to transfer M20 tracks over to a hard disk system for editing, note that audio
recorded at 48 kHz requires about 10% more storage capacity than the equivalent audio
recorded at 44.1 kHz.
The following sample rate selection procedure assumes that Clock Source is set to INTernal.
Operation You press… You see…
Select sample rate Sample Rate
button Sample Rate block toggles between 44.1
or 48 kHz (default) with each Sample
Rate button press
About changing sample rates: The sample rate chosen during the format process does
not have to be used during playback or recording of that particular tape; the ADAT
format always allows you to override the default sample rate from the tape. When
loading a formatted tape, the sample rate will automatically switch to the tape’s
original settings. You may change the sample rate setting to playback or record with
a different sample rate, but the sample rate indicator will flash to indicate that it is
not at the original setting. Changing the sample rate directly affects the pitch and
speed of any audio recorded.
When extending a format, the sample rate will automatically assume the existing
format’s values. There is no way to format a tape with a “44.1” marker on one
section and a “48” marker on another.