B Master Format Enabled And Extending The Format; C Master Format Disabled - Alesis ADAT Reference Manual

If the slave format function is on, the slave rewinds to the start of the tape and
does a complete format.
Note that if any channels are record-enabled, they will start recording at time 00:00.

5.2B Master Format Enabled and Extending the Format

If the master format is enabled, extending the format, and the slave tape is not
formatted:
The slave plays, but displays "noFO" (no format) while flashing the format LED.
If the master format is enabled, extending the format, and the slave tape is formatted:
If the slave format function is off, the slave autolocates to the same time as the
master and plays or records in sync.
If the slave format function is on, the slave autolocates to the same time as the
master, then format extension begins.
Note that to properly extend the format, the master and slaves should be playing in
sync before punching into format record.

5.2C Master Format Disabled

This assumes that the master initiates the record/play function. If no master channels
are in record mode, the master will play, but send record commands to the slaves if
the master tape is rewound to the very beginning, or in the audio portion of the tape
(i.e., past time 00:00).
If the master initiates recording from anywhere in the tape and the slave format
function is off:
If the slave tape is unformatted, the slave plays, but displays "noFO" (no format)
while flashing the format LED.
If the slave tape is formatted, the slave autolocates to the same time as the
master and plays or records in sync.
To properly punch in, the master and slave should be in sync before punching.
Otherwise, the master will punch in immediately, but the slaves won't punch in until
sync is achieved.
If the master initiates recording from the audio portion of the tape and the slave format
function is on: