Important Safety Instructions and Compliance

IMPORTANT SAFETY

INSTRUCTIONS AND COMPLIANCE

NOTICES

SAFETY SYMBOLS USED IN THIS PRODUCT

This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit.

This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING THIS

PRODUCT:

1. Read these instructions.

2.Keep these instructions.

3.Heed all warnings.

4.Follow all instructions.

5.Do not use this apparatus near water.

6.Clean only with a damp cloth.

Do not spray any liquid cleaner onto the faceplate, as this may damage the front panel controls or cause a dangerous condition.

7.Do not block any of the ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

8.Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.

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ALESIS M20 REFERENCE MANUAL 1.06

vii

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Alesis ALESIS M20 owner manual Important Safety Instructions and Compliance, Safety Symbols Used in this Product

Contents

Alesis M20 Professional 20-BIT Digital Recorder Alesis M20 Reference Manual Table of Contents Tape Formatting Table of ContentsTrack Record Enabling and Monitoring Digital/Analog Input Selection and Routing Varispeed SMPTE, Sync, and Offset Functions AutolocationMidi Functions Utility Menu M20 Smpte Synchronization Overview LRC Remote Control Tutorials and Applications Using The M20 Data Section Of Tape Maintenance and TroubleshootingTime Code Tutorial M20 Hidden Functions Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions and Compliance Safety Symbols Used in this ProductPlease Follow These Precautions When Using this Product Viii Symboles Utilisés Dans CE Produit Safety NoticesInstructions DE Sécurité Importantes Safety Notices ICES-003 Issue CE Declaration of Conformity OVERVIEW, SETUP, and Basics ChapterM20 Highlights AC Power Hookup Overview, Setup and Basics, ChapterUnpacking and Inspection About Audio Cables Line Conditioners and Protectors Basic Audio Hookup BackupUSE the Right Tape Preparing the Tape Prior to USE Overview, Setup and Basics Operating EnvironmentAvoid Electromagnetic Interference M20 Front Panel About the Front Panel Control and Connector Basics M20 Rear Panel with optional EC-1 AES/EBU Card Control and Connector Basics, Chapter About the Rear Panel 2I Midi in and OUT 2L Power2G Video in and Thru 2H Adat Sync in and OUT Keypad Editing M20 Operating Parameters To customize the default set of names 1F ENTER/NAMEEditing M20 Parameters, Chapter 1H Selecting page Parameters 1G Selecting Pages1I Entering Parameter Values Editing M20 Parameters Editing Conventions Edit Button Tape Formatting Formatting Tape, Chapter Sample Rate Selection Word Length Selection 1A PULL-UP and PULL-DOWN Sample Rate SelectionFormatting Tape Record Tracks While Formatting Format a NEW Tape END Formatting Extend a PARTIALLY-FORMATTED TapeCertify Tape Format Reformatting Caution Lock OUT Formatting Safe Mode Bulk ErasingRecording a Benchmark Tape Track Basics Track Record Enabling and Monitoring Auto Input Switch Track Input EnablesRecord Enable Track Record Enabling and Monitoring, Chapter Monitor Inputs ALL Input Safety Mode ALL Safe Track Record Enabling and Monitoring, Chapter DIGITAL/ANALOG Input Selection and Routing Digital SourceInput Select Input Signal Routing Analog and Digital Track Output SelectionInput Selection and Routing, Chapter Input Selection and Routing 4A Analog Input Routing If digital source = Adat Optical 4B Digital Input RoutingIf digital source = I/O Card AES/EBU If digital source = Track Copy 4C RECORD-ENABLING the Destination Tracks AUX Routing Input and Output Meter Mode Selection Metering1A Clearing Peaks Metering, Chapter Meter Setup About the Tape Counter Transport Controls and Basic Recording JOG/SHUTTLE Wheel and Search 4A JOG Mode3A Play Button and Sync Status Transport Controls and Basic Recording, Chapter 4C Search Button 4B Shuttle Mode 4D Search Master You press… If tape is If tape is moving You see… Stopped Other Transport Buttons Record 6A Punching Into Record6B Punching OUT of Record 6D Recording with a Footswitch Rehearse ModeHow to Override Write-Protection 6C Record WRITE-PROTECTION Auto Record 8A Setting Auto Record Punch Points 8C SET Auto Punch Points on the FLY 8B Enable Auto Record Transport Controls and Basic Recording, Chapter ENTERING, SELECTING, and Editing Location Points Autolocation1A SET Locate 1B Copy Tape Location To select and edit location points Autolocation, Chapter Deferred Play and Record PLAY-AFTER-LOCATE Auto PlayLoop Between Start and END Locate Points Auto Return SET PRE-ROLL 4A Setting Loop Start and END Points SET POST-ROLL FOOTSWITCH-CONTROLLED Location 10-1 Varispeed Varispeed, Chapter 10-2 SMPTE, SYNC, and Offset Functions Clock Source11-1 Time Code Source Smpte Rate11.3A Internal SMPTE, Sync, and Offset, Chapter Chase Reference SMPTE, Sync and Offset11-3 Reference Counter Smpte Chase11.6A SET Smpte Offset Value 11-4 11.6C SET Flywheel Duration 11.6B SET Smpte Chase Mode11.6D Park Ahead 11-5 11.7A Generator Mode Internal Generator11-6 11.7B Time Code Start Reference 11.7C ABS/START Offset11-7 11-8 Tape Offset 11-9 Hmsfsf 11-10 Track Delay 11-11 To change delay for several tracks at once SMPTE, Sync, and Offset, Chapter 11-12 Midi Device Midi FunctionsMMC Output MTC Follow GEN Send SOFTWARE? Receive Sysex DUMP?Load SOFTWARE? Approximately 12 minutes 12-3 Midi Functions, Chapter 12-4 Digital OUT Utility MenuOnline Source 13.2A Online Button Online Control 13.2B Independent Slave ModeONE-BUTTON Record Input Monitor Crossfade Time Unthread TimeoutTime Code Output Level REWIND/FAST Forward TC Output Locate Before Play Search EnableMute Until Lock Dynamic Punch 13-5 Load Data from TAPE? Front Panel Software Version Software Version13-6 14-1 LRC Remote Control LRC Remote Control, Chapter 14-2 Tutorial 1 Multiple M20 Operation Tutorials and ApplicationsOverview Synchronizing Machines MASTER/SLAVE Interaction Independent Slave ModeAchieving Lock Tutorials and Applications, Chapter Master Format ENABLED, Format Extend Master Format ENABLED, Complete FormatFormatting Multiple Tapes 15-3 Master Format Disabled Master Format DISABLED, Format Extend15-4 15-5 Tutorial 2 Making Digital Backups Dealing with Damaged Tape Making a 16-BIT Copy from a 20-BIT Master15-6 Tutorial 3 Recording Digital Audio from Other Sources Digital Clock Considerations15-7 M20 Transport Speed Tutorial 4 Combining M20S and AdatsSample Rate VS. Pitch Control Input Monitoring 15-9 Polarity Differences 15-10 Tutorial 5 Setting UP Inputs 15-11 Tutorial 6 Updating M20 Software 15-12 Tutorial 7 Using the M20 with Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs Synchronization Basics Synchronization OverviewChapter Master or SLAVE? 16.2A House Sync ONE Clock Principle16.2B Genlocked Time Code Smpte Synchronization Overview, Chapter 16.3A Location Reference Reference Counters VS. Clock Sources16.3B Reference Clock Smpte Synchronization Overview 16-4 Offsets in the M20 16.3A Smpte Chase Offset16-5 16.3B Internal Generator ABS Offset 16.3C Tape Offset16-6 16.4A Drop Frame Smpte Time Code Rates and Types16.4B AUTO-DETECTION of Smpte Rates 16-7 16.4D MTC Midi Time Code 16.4C Vitc Vertical Interval Time Code16-8 Generating Time Code Onto a VCR Time Code TutorialPress Edit to leave edit mode. The blue light will turn off 17-1 Time Code Tutorial, Chapter Synchronizing Without a T/C TrackPress INT GEN or TC Input to stop the time code generator 17-2 17.3A Recording Smpte from ABS Time Recording a Time Code TrackLeave Edit mode, turn on INT GEN, and arm the TC track 17-3 Press Play and Record Maintenance Troubleshooting Adat Head Cleaning18-5 18.1A Head Cleaning Cassettes Optional 18.1B Manual Head and Tape Path CleaningMaintenance and Troubleshooting, Chapter Adat Head Life 18.2A Head Alignment18-7 18.3A Tape Wear Tape Maintenance Safe Tape18.3B Care of Adat Tapes 18-8 18.4A Exterior Cleaning MAINTENANCE/SERVICE18.4B Maintenance 18.4C Refer ALL Servicing to Alesis 18.4D Obtaining Repair Service Customers in the USA18-10 M20 Hidden Functions POWER-ON Button CombinationsMiscellaneous Button Combinations Appendix Appendix 1, M20 Hidden Functions A1-2 Advanced Functions M20 Software VersionMA-3 Page BRC ⇔ M20 Song Start / Smpte Start Offset Using the M20 Data Section of TapeGeneral Data Section Convention on the M20 M20 Locate Points and Smpte Offsets Appendix 2, Using The M20 Data Section Of Tape BRC ⇔ M20 Parameter MAPA2-2 A2-3 Appendix 2, Using The M20 Data Section Tape Appendix 2, Using The M20 Data Section Of Tape A2-4 A3-1 M20 Transport System Error Messages A3-2 Appendix 3, M20 Transport & System Error Messages A3-3 Capstan State Transition Errors A3-4 Deck State Transition Errors A3-5 Other Errors Messages Appendix 3, M20 Transport & System Error Messages A3-6 RS-422 Sony 9-PINSLAVE Operation M20 Major Feature Update VersionRS-422 Track ARM ON/OFF RS-422 Mapping 1-2, ODDEVN, Local ID 1 Offline with the Cadi Remote Storing Locate Points When ID 1 is OfflineM20 master and two slaves ID 1 à ID 2 à ID Cadi with M20 master and two slaves Cadi à ID 1 à ID 2 à ID Tape TC Detection in Fast Wind Modes Special notes when operating a Cadi with ID 1 offline Fixed Mode Time Code Generation TC Start REF Tape TC in the Tape CounterMA-4 Card AS the Digital Source Tape TC Updating When in Input ModeSmpte Chase with the Stop Button VARI-SPEED and PULL-UP/DOWN NEW Utility page Order Midi ThruCadi Display Changes Cassette AUTO-INJECT NEW RS-422 Device ID