ALESIS ADAT-XT - Manual (Page 72)

Chapter 6: Applications
68 ADAT XT Reference Manual
L
IVE
/L
ONG
-T
ERM
R
ECORDING
The XT is excellent for live recording because of its compact size and easy operation.
Eight tracks allow for recording audience sounds, ambience, and individual soloists
as well as a stereo mix of the PA. Of course, multiple machines may be
interconnected and synchronized to allow for more tracks.
When using more than one XT, you can increase the recording time by manually
placing the second machine into record just before the first machine is at the end of
its tape. Naturally, the audio signals would need to be split and connected to both
sets of inputs.
If you are using an Alesis BRC with a multiple ADAT system, you can take advantage
of a feature called
continuous recording . By splitting the system into two (or into two
sets of machines), you can offset the second set by a specific amount of time.
Example: A 35 minute offset would provide 5 minutes of overlap. The second set of
machines would automatically kick into record just before the first set’s tape ran out.
Refer to chapter 5 for more details on connecting multiple ADATs; refer to the BRC
Reference Manual for more information about continuous recording.
Besides the typical 120 minute type of S-VHS tapes (which provide 40 minutes of
digital audio recording time), 160 minute tapes are also available (which provide over
53 minutes recording time). And the new 3-hour (180 minute) tapes provide over an
hour of digital recording time. The XT must be setup for the length of tape being
used. This is done within the Main Function Menu.
To set the tape length:
¿ Hold the [SET LOCATE] button and press the [FORMAT] button;
This display will briefly read “ St-60 ”.
¡ Repeat step 1 to advance through the available tape length choices.
The display will briefly read:“St-120 ”, “St-60 ”, “St-160” and “ St-180 ”.
Below is a list of the four S-VHS tapes which can be used with ADAT, with their
European equivalents and approximate recording times:
Type Euro Rec. Time
ST-60 n/a 22 min.
ST-120 SE-180 40 min.
ST-160 SE-240 54 min.
ST-180 SE-260 62 min.
Note: European tapes are actually slightly longer than their US equivalents.
Therefore, you may get a few more minutes if using European tape.
Refer to page 52 for more information about tape length.