Chapter 13, Utility Menu
ALESIS M20 REFERENCE MANUAL 1.06 13-3
13.6 CROSSFADE TIME (PAGE 6)
Sets the crossfade time when the M20 transitions from Play to Record, or Record to Play.
With a 48 kHz sample rate, the crossfade values range from 5.4 ms - 1.365 seconds. At 44.1
kHz, the crossfade values range from 5.8 ms - 1.486 seconds. Default is 10 ms.
Procedure: Use the Up/Down buttons to cycle through the 32 crossfade times.
When punching into the middle of a low-frequency tone, a crossfade time that is too
short may cause a click.
13.7 TIME CODE OUTPUT LEVEL (PAGE 7)
Adjusts the time code peak-to-peak output level from 0.1V to 3.0V in 0.1V increments.
Procedure: Use the Up/Down buttons to increment/decrement in 0.1V increments, or enter
the two-digit number directly with the keypad. Leading zeroes must be entered (e.g., for a
0.5V output, enter 0 then 5). Default is 1.0V.
13.8 REWIND/FAST FORWARD TC OUTPUT (PAGE 8)
The M20 can output SMPTE and MTC any time the tape is moving (fast forward, cue,
rewind, jog, shuttle, etc.) if this option is enabled. When off, time code is transmitted only in
Play mode. Default is off.
Procedure: Use the Up/Down buttons to turn Rewind/Fast Forward Time Code Out on or
off.
Turn this OFF if your system (mixer automation, computer sequencer etc.) acts strangely
when you fast wind the M20; it probably can’t understand the fast bursts of time
code and “gets lost”.
Turn this ON for faster locating of slave machines in code-only master systems.
13.9 UNTHREAD TIMEOUT (PAGE 9)
Sets how long the transport must be idle (from 1 to 20 minutes) before the tape is unthreaded
from the head drum. Shorter times trade off less head and tape wear for less convenience, as
it takes slightly longer to go into Play or Record mode from stop if the tape is unthreaded.
Default is 4 minutes.
Procedure: Use the Up/Down buttons to increment/decrement in 1-minute increments, or
enter the two-digit number directly with the keypad. Leading zeroes must be entered (e.g.,
for a 3 minute timeout, enter 0 then 3). If both numbers are not entered within 3 seconds, the
display reverts to the previous setting.