General Formatting Procedure - Alesis ADAT-LX20 Reference Manual

G
ENERAL
Formatting consists of inserting the tape, selecting the sample rate, selecting the
audio resolution, then initiating formatting. Following are the steps needed to
format a tape.
Operation
Cassette insertion
If you are reformatting an existing tape, rewind to the beginning (display shows LeAD).
When extending the format of a tape that was not completely formatted, locate the tape to
about 30 seconds before the tape transitions from showing tine in the display to showing
"noFo" (no format).
If the tape is not formatted and not rewound, the LX20 will automatically rewind back to the
beginning.
Select Sampling
Rate
44.1 kHz is ideal for use with digital mixers. Keep the signal at 44.1 kHz through the mixer and
master it at 44.1 kHz, which is the sample rate for CDs. 48 kHz would need to be sample-rate
converted to the CD's rate, which can subtly alter the signal. However, with analog mixers, 48
kHz is recommended because it gives superior frequency response.
DIGital Audio Clock is relevant only if the LX20 is recording from a digital source. See Chapter
8.
3. Select Audio
Resolution
20-bit gives the best fidelity. 16-bit is compatible with older, Type I-only ADAT or ADAT-XT.
Alesis recommends 20 bit resolution unless you are certain that the tape will play back only on a
Type I machine. If you need a 16-bit tape, you can always copy the 20-bit version to a 16-bit
format.
4. Initiate format
If the tape was not completely rewound, the LX20 automatically rewinds to the beginning before
formatting.
ADAT LX20 Reference Manual
F
ORMATTING
You Do...
Insert a fresh, blank
S-VHS tape into the
tape well.
the CLOCK SELECT
button until the
display shows...
the FORMAT button
until the display
shows...
Hold RECORD,
then press PLAY (if
extending a format,
wait until the
display shows
"Locked" before
initiating format)
Chapter 3 - Power-Up and Tape Formatting
P
ROCEDURE
You see...
The display's FORMAT indicator lights while
the counter display reads "noFO."
44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, or DIGital Audio Clock (44.1 or
48 kHz)
20-bit (best fidelity) or 16-bit (compatible with
older, Type I-only ADAT and ADAT-XT). The
RECORD LEDs for tracks 1 through 8 will
flash.
The LX20 records 15 seconds of leader (the LED
display shows "LEAd"), then 2 minutes of data
(the display says "dAtA"), then time code
starting at 0:00:00.00 and continuing to the end of
the tape.
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