Alesis ADAT Reference Manual page 58

Addendum to the ADAT reference manual: Version 4.0 software
This document describes the changes/additions to ADAT version 4.0 software.
Write Protect Tab Check Override
If you want to record on a tape which has had its write-protect tab removed or damaged, you can now
override it from the ADAT's front panel and allow recording to take place. Normally, the write-protect tab is
an essential component to remove when you want to retain the information on an important tape. ADAT
scans for the presence of a write-protect tab when a tape is inserted. If no tab exists, recording is
prevented. However, once the tab is gone, it's gone. Now, you can tell ADAT to ignore the absence of a
write-protect tab, and permit recording to take place anyway. Here's how you do it:
1 Hold the [SET LOCATE] button and press RECORD ENABLE [2];
The display will momentarily read "PrOf", indicating that the Write-Protect tab is not being checked.
2 Repeat step 1 to switch Write-Protect Tab Check back on;
The display will momentarily read "PrOn".
Note: This override will automatically be deactivated whenever you eject a tape, or turn the power off. You
must re-enter the override each time you use a new tape or start a new session.
Setting Tape Length and ST-180 Compatibility
The ADAT has been optimized to take advantage of the extra recording time on tapes longer than the
standard ST-120. You can now use ST-180 tapes, for over one full hour of recording time. ST-60 tapes can
also be used for shorter projects; ADAT automatically recognizes the shorter length of the
ST-60 because the hubs are large. However, there is no way for ADAT to tell apart a ST-120, ST-160 or
ST-180 tape, since these all use the same, smaller size hubs. Therefore, you must set the tape length on
the ADAT. To do this:
1 Hold the [SET LOCATE] button and press the [FORMAT] button;
This display will read "t60".
2 Repeat step 1 to advance through the available tape length choices.
The display will briefly read either "t120", "t60", "t160" or "t180".
The tape length setting is not reset when a tape is ejected. However, if you power down and up again,
the tape length setting will revert to T-120.
If connected to a BRC, and you set the tape length from the BRC, the individual ADATs will retain their
tape length setting after power down.