Alesis ADAT-XT20 User Manual download pdf (Page 18)

Your First Session With The ADAT XT20: Chapter 2

ADAT XT20 Reference Manual 17

FORMATTING A TAPE – A MUST!

Formatting prepares a tape for 8 channels of audio, and adds a master timecode

reference, word length, and sample rate information to the data on tape.

Similar to formatting a floppy disk to use on a computer or sampler, formatting

an XT20 tape time-stamps the tape to single-sample accuracy so that audio is

referenced to an accurate time base. This makes the synchronization process

between XT20 and ADAT compatible machines possible and provides both

accurate tape counter readings and intelligent autolocation functions. For more

information, see Tape Formatting in Chapter 4. After completing the following

exercise, we recommend you perform a complete format.

✪

Formatting a tape erases audio on all eight tracks. Be sure to check that the

tape is either blank or contains unwanted material before formatting. We

recommend that you format your tapes completely from beginning to end.

WORD LENGTH (16/20 BIT) SELECTION

Before formatting, select the word length you will be using (either 16-

bit or 20-bit) by pressing the FORMAT button until the length you want

is shown in the display. 20-bit offers the greatest audio quality; 16-bit

should be used if the master tape must be played in an older, Type-I-

only ADAT or ADAT-XT. (You can always make a 16-bit copy of a 20-

bit master if needed for this purpose.)

SAMPLE RATE SELECTION

Before formatting, select the sample rate you will be using (either 48

kHz or 44.1 kHz). This is done by pressing the [CLOCK SELECT]

button. Each time [CLOCK SELECT] is pressed, the XT20 will cycle

between INT 48K, INT 44.1K and DIG (the section on the right side

of the display labeled CLOCK will indicate the currently selected

sample rate). Note: For more information about the DIG option

(Digital Audio Clock), see page 59.

FORMATTING A NEW TAPE

To Format a new tape:

❿ Insert a fresh, blank tape.

The XT20 will acknowledge that this is an unformatted tape; the

FORMAT icon will flash in the display while the counter display

reads “noFO.”

❡ Press the [FORMAT] button.

The display will briefly read “20 bit” or “16 bit” The word [FORMAT]

in the display will stop flashing and remain lit. The [RECORD] LEDs

for tracks 1 through 8 will now be flashing.

① Hold [RECORD], and then press [PLAY].

If the tape was not completely rewound, the XT20 will automatically

rewind it to the beginning. The XT20 then performs a complete format

by recording 15 seconds of leader (the LED display will read “LEAd”),

followed by two minutes of data (the display will read “dAtA”), then

timecode starting at 0:00:00.00 and continuing to the end of the tape.

1 2 ... 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 ... 139 140

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Alesis ADAT-XT20 User Manual Page 18

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