ALESIS ADAT-XT - Manual (Page 17)

Chapter 2: Your First Session With The ADAT XT
14 ADAT XT Reference Manual
F
ORMATTING
A T
APE
– A MUST!
Formatting prepares a tape for 8 channels of audio, and adds a master timecode
reference and sample rate information to the data section. Similar to formatting a
floppy disk to use on a computer or sampler, formatting an XT 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 XT 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.
J 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.
S AMPLE R ATE S ELECTION
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 XT 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
44.
F ORMATTING A N EW TAPE
To Format a new tape:
¿ Insert a fresh, blank tape.
The XT 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 word [FORMAT] in the display will stop flashing and remain lit. The
[RECORD]
LEDs for tracks 1 through 8 will now be flashing.
¬ Hold [RECORD], and then press [PLAY].
If the tape was not completely rewound, the XT will automatically rewind it to the
beginning. The XT 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.
R ECORDING W HILE F ORMATTING
You can record onto tape while formatting. Simply press any of the RECORD
ENABLE buttons [1]–[8] for any track(s) you wish to record on before pressing the
[FORMAT] button. Prepare your source material to start playback at 0:00:00.00 on
the XT or later (do not begin recording before 0:00:00.00). See next section for more
information on setting levels and recording.