Alesis 2 Specifications

ALESIS AI-2 Reference Manual

5The AI-2 has comprehensive reference select options, which havebeen structured to accommodate any possible combination ofreference source, time code

61.3 INPUT CONTROL MODESThe AI-2 can be controlled by one of four methods.1. The AI-2 and the attached ADATs are controlled by a videoeditor, or simi

71.5 "ENGAGED" VS. "DISENGAGED" TAPESAnalog audio recorders typically move tape past the heads between1-7/8 and 30 inches per sec

8CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATIONThe AI-2 is a 1 unit high 19" Rack mount device. We recommendthat you install the AI-2 in the same rack or close to the

92.2 REFERENCE CONNECTIONThe AI-2 reference connections are used to connect an externalspeed reference. Connectors are provided for time code, wordc

102.3 CONTROL CONNECTIONThe AI-2 control connections are used to connect an externalcontroller. Connectors are provided for a video editor or simila

112.3D MIDI OUTThe MIDI OUT connector is a 5-pin din socket. The MIDI output isused for MIDI Machine Control responses (MMC), AI-2 responsesand BRC

122.4E W/C OUTThe W/C OUT connector is a female BNC socket. The word clockoutput is a 5V TTL signal. Connect a BNC to BNC cable from thisoutput to

13AI2021AFRONT PANELREAR PANELLCD Display AI-2 Control and Setup KeysControl and Communication Status LEDsPower SwitchEight Position Configuration Sw

14CHAPTER 3: APPLICATIONS3.0 AI-2 INTERFACINGThe AI-2 is designed to quickly and effectively integrate the AlesisADAT digital audio tape recorders i

TABLE OF CONTENTSCHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1.0 ABOUT AI-2 ... 11.1 IMPORTANT

153.1 INTERFACING TO ONE OR MORE ADAT'SThe AI-2 is used to connect one or more ADATs to a controlsystem. The basic ADAT connection is shown her

163.2 INTERFACING TO THE BRCREMOTE CONTROLThe AI-2 can be used to control one or more ADATs through theBRC, this allows an "ADAT system" to

17Note, that the ADAT SYNC OUT connector on the AI-2 rear panel isunconnected for this mode of operation.When all connections have been made, and the

18If required, an external digital audio sample rate clock may also beconnected to the W/C IN connector in the reference section of theAI-2 rear panel

19An external digital audio word clock can be connected to thereference W/C IN connector. The same precautions apply as forthe video editor interface

203.5 TIME CODE CHASE INTERFACEThe AI-2 has a high resolution bi-directional time code reader thathas been specifically designed for time code chase

21On the AI-2 front panel, the LTC LED will illuminate when valid timecode is being received at the rear panel reader input. If the LEDdoes not light

22During operation the MMC LED on the AI-2 front panel illuminatesto indicate valid MIDI data is being received. If the LED does notlight (no communi

23AI2018ASync Out Sync InDIGITAL TRANSFER WITH THE AI-1Sync InWordClock InDigital I/ODigital I/OSync InSync OutMASTER ADATSLAVE ADATALESIS AI-2ALESIS

24CHAPTER 4: GETTING STARTED4.0 POWER ON PROCEDUREEach time the AI-2 is powered up it runs through a series of initial-ization tests and displays the

CHAPTER 4: GETTING STARTED4.0 POWER ON PROCEDURE ... 244.1 ADAT ID NUMBERS ...

25SONYT i m e C o d e T y p e Displays the selected frame rate and29 . 97Hz / DFtime code type.R E A D F R O M T A P E Prompts to read data from the t

26the DISPLAY key to cancel the read from tape operation. Todisable the automatic power up read from tape prompt, set readtape to off in the commands

27The AI-2 determines a sample rate ratio from the frame rate andsample rate options selected in the reference menu. The actualtime code position is

28Connect a time code source to the reader input, the time code sup-plied should be between zero and forty five minutes. Put a format-ted tape in the

294.6 TRIM AN OFFSETTo trim an offset press the DISPLAY key until the offset register isshown in the display. Press the SET/HOLD key, the frames dig

30The AI-2 can be used to save status information to the ADAT tapeheader at the end of a session. The AI-2 transfers project informa-tion, such as co

31CHAPTER 5: OPERATIONALFEATURES5.0 MODES OF OPERATIONThe AI-2 has four modes of operation, Normal, Set/Hold, Commandand Setup. These modes are desc

32C U E S t a r t T i m e Only displayed when Cue menu option,L 00:00:00:00.00Use Times is set to on. The time codedisplayed is for the current cue,

33P o s i t i o n E r r o r The ADAT transport position error. In playL0.00shows subframe error. In time code chaseshows, the difference between the t

345.2 SET/HOLD MODEThe SET/HOLD key can be used to "capture" any time code num-ber except the ADAT position error display register. Pressi

6.4A Normal Operation ... 476.4B Setup Operation ...

35code reader input and enters it in the Offset register. To use thecapture feature press and hold the STORE key and then pressSET/HOLD.5.3 COMMAND

365.3C Read TapeReads data from the first ADAT tape header. This command mustbe confirmed by pressing the STORE key as a loss of informationcould oc

37manual. In Setup mode, the function of the front panel keyschanges, as indicated by the gray italic legends to MENU, LAST,NEXT, DOWN and UP.The SET

385.5 SAVING TO TAPEThe AI-2 is equipped to save information to the ADAT tape dataheader. The AI-2 will transmit cue start times, tape start times,p

3929.97 Hz/30 and if on, to 25 Hz/25. This however automaticallyswitches if a different code type is detected at the reader input.The digital audio s

40AI2014ATIME CODEMIDITIME CODELONGITUDINALTIME CODEREFERENCEW/C INRDR IN VID INCONTROLLYNX-2 / MICRO LYNXMIDIOUTINBRCMIDIOUTIN THRU GEN OUTW/C OUT SY

41The AI-2 simultaneously generates serial time code for a videoeditor or synchronizer, LTC, MTC and sample clock, which is sentto the ADAT transport

425.11A External Word Clock ReferenceThe AI-2 sample rate and time code are derived from an externalword clock present at the W/C in connector and on

43The AI-2 sample rate and time code are derived from a variableinternal reference which is adjustable in one cent steps. The AI-2displays the pitch

44CHAPTER 6: FEATURES ANDCONTROLS6.0 FRONT PANELThe AI-2 front panel has a power switch, eight status LEDs, sixfunction keys and a two row, sixteen

CHAPTER 8: APPENDICES8.0 APPENDIX 1: SPECIFICATIONS... 678.0A Operating Codes ...

45When a new message is added to the AI-2 error stack, the NONSTD LED will flash. The messages can be viewed by pressingthe STORE key and each time t

466.3 DISPLAYThe AI-2 display is used to indicate status information such assample rate and time code information, and in SETUP mode toenter AI-2 ope

476.4 FRONT PANEL KEYSAI-2 function control is provided by a switch matrix with six keys.These keys are used to configure the AI-2 operational parame

48and any current session information such as offsets back to theADAT tape header. The save command requires confirmationwith the STORE key.• ONLINE.

49• DOWN. Moves down one submenu option or value.• UP. Moves up one submenu option or value.• CLEAR = DOWN + UP. Press the DOWN and UP keys simul-t

506.5 SETUP MENUS AND FUNCTIONSThe AI-2 has a setup or configuration structure comprised ofseparate menus. The items in each menu are grouped by fun

51• Digital In. Used to switch the audio input of all connectedADAT transports to the fiber optic digital input.• Track Delay. Used to turn track de

526.5C Control MenuThe Control menu is used to select the type of controller and seteditor, and time code chase synchronizer options.Menu Submenu Opt

53• Flywheel. The number of frames the AI-2 will flywheel when intime code chase. In normal operation this number should be10 frames, which permits

54Cue times can not be edited in this menu, but if the Use Timesoption is set to on, they can be selected in the main display rotationand edited by th

1CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1.0 ABOUT AI-2The AI-2 is an extremely flexible and powerful interface device forthe ALESIS ADAT 8-track digital audio tape r

556.5E MIDI MenuThe MIDI menu is used to control the MTC generator and selectAI-2 data for MIDI SysEx dump. Midi information can be transferredbi-di

566.5F Reference MenuThe reference menu is used to select the system reference, codetype and rate and the tape time output, generator modes. The AI-

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58• Input. Used to select the ADAT system speed referencesource. The default reference selection is determined by themethod of control selected in t

59sync video signal at video black level locked to the AI-2 systemreference. If the option card is on then the AI-2 video input BNCis used as a video

60The tracks menu is used to select the track control method and toallocate or map tracks to editor track enables.The highest track available for trac

61• Selection. Used to determine the track control method. Theselections are editor control, Lynx control (which is also used forMMC track control),

62CHAPTER 7: ADVANCEDFEATURESChapter seven contains information on a number of features orprocedures that are not covered in other sections of the ma

637.1B Time Code Number DifferencesIn certain situations there will be a slight difference between theAI-2 time code display and the time displayed o

64If a clean MTC only feed is required, a MIDI controlling device mustoperate in open loop mode.7.3B BRC Control Feed ThroughThe AI-2 permits MIDI co

2• Storage of Setups. The AI-2 can read and write setup informa-tion to the beginning of each ADAT tape, for later retrieval. Thisinformation (tape

65whenever SysEx information is transmitted to the AI-2 MIDI INconnector.7.4 REAR PANEL CONFIGURATION DIPSWITCHES• Switch 1. Is used to configure th

66SW 5 SW 6 MIDI Device IDOFF OFF 00 hexON OFF 29 hexOFF ON 49 hexON ON 69 hex• Switches 7 and 8. Are not currently implemented and havebeen reserved

67The OFFLINE key is used to release all ADAT transports from AI-2control. The master ADAT will automatically assume control of theslave ADATs.Indivi

68CHAPTER 8: APPENDICES8.0 APPENDIX 1: SPECIFICATIONS8.0A Operating CodesSMPTE (30 fps NDF)SMPTE (29.97 fps NDF)SMPTE Drop Frame (30 fps DF)SMPTE

698.0D ADAT SynchronizerLock Time 2 to 3 seconds, nominalUser Adjustment None8.0E ControlEditor Interfaces Serial RS422, 38.4 Kbaud. Conforms toAN

708.0H InterconnectionsThe connectors mounted on the rear of the AI-2 are as follows:POWER 2.5 mm Male socketRDR IN 1/4" Female stereo jackEXT V

718.1 APPENDIX 2: INTERFACE INFORMATION8.1A Sony Editor ConstantsIf your editor does not recognize the SONY PCM-7030 machine ID,the editor machine

72ItemNumberSetting Details of Setting11 AFTER SYNC DELAY -- After synchronization, when changing to playmode, specifies the optimum command delayfor

738.1D External Word ClockThe AI-2 will accept a 48k 5V TTL external word clock signal. Theword clock should ideally be supplied by a high quality d

748.2 APPENDIX 3: MAINTENANCE/SERVICE INFORMATION8.2A CleaningFirst, turn the unit off and disconnect the AI-2 wall mounting powersupply. Use a da

31.1 IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THISMANUALThe AI-2 is an extremely easy to use interface, and has beendesigned to automatically configure, depending on th

758.3 APPENDIX 4: TROUBLESHOOTINGSymptom SolutionFront panel display does not light. The AI-2 power supply is not connected oris faulty. Check the 2

76Symptom SolutionReference LED flashes. The selected system reference is notpresent or the AI-2 can not lock to it. Makesure that the correct refere

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788.3A Tape Status Messages• All Wr Protected. A record command cannot be executed,because all ADAT tapes are write protected.• Ejected. A read dat

79• Wr Protected. A command cannot be executed because thewrite protect tab has been removed from the tape.8.3B System Status Messages• ADAT Unavail

80• MIDI Read Wait. A read MIDI data operation has beenrequested and the AI-2 is waiting for data.• MIDI Save. MIDI data is being saved to an extern

81• System Message. System message, followed by errormessage, warning, condition or number.• PLL Lost Lock. The AI-2 internal hardware phase lock lo

828.4 GLOSSARY24. '24' refers to both the film-standard speed and code type.25. '25' refers to both the EBU/PAL speed and code

83Control Track. A synchronizing signal on the edge of a tape,which provides a reference for tracking control and tape speed.Digital Audio. A means

84musical pitch and rhythm information, synthesizer performanceparameters, song position markers, stop/start/continue commandsfor sequencers and compu

4AI2022ASync Out Sync InMASTER ADAT SLAVE ADATALESIS AI-2Sync In Sync OutVIDEO REFERENCEAUDIO OR VIDEOTRANSPORTEXT WORD CLOCKTIMELINE SYNCHRONIZERVIDE

85Resolving. A technique for regulating the play speed of a tapemachine by matching the rate of pulses recorded on tape with apulse rate from another

86Toggle. To toggle is to consecutively press a key to enable ordisable a feature.Type. See Time Code Type.Video Sync. A reference video signal gen

878.5 FCC NOTICEThis equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limitsfor a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.