Alesis AI-1 Reference Manual
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Alesis AI-1 Reference Manual

Alesis AI-1 Reference Manual

Digital interface and sample rate converter
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Summary of Contents for Alesis AI-1

  • Page 1 ALESIS AI-1 Reference Manual...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    3.1 ADAT TO AI-1 ...18 3.1A Source ...19 3.1B Selecting Source Tracks ...19 3.1C Destination ...19 3.1D Converting Sample Rate ...19 3.2 USING THE BRC ...20 3.2A Digital Input...20 3.2B Bouncing Tracks Between ADATs...21 3.2C Recording from AI-1 onto ADAT...23...
  • Page 3 3.2D BRC Synchronization ...26 3.2E Output ADAT Tracks to AI-1...26 3.2F Bouncing Tracks While Outputting To AI-1 ...28 3.3 CONFIGURATIONS...29 3.3A ADAT to AES/EBU (48kHz) ...30 3.3B AES/EBU to ADAT (48kHz)...30 3.3C AES/EBU to ADAT (44.1kHz to 48kHz) ...31 3.3D ADAT to AES/EBU (48kHz to 44.1kHz) ...31 3.3E AES/EBU to ADAT (44.1kHz) ...32...

  • Page 4: Chapter 1: Introduction

    1/48,000th of a second. The AI-1 uses the ADAT’s timecode to keep perfectly synchronized while transferring digital audio. • Simple to use. The AI-1’s front panel is extremely easy to understand and operate. Just select the source, destination,...

  • Page 5: Hookup

    This makes it easy to create extra copies of tracks or safety copies of entire tapes, or make multiple copies for distribution. The AI-1 lets you choose a pair of tracks from a single ADAT, and output them to the AES/EBU and S/PDIF connections.

  • Page 6: Important Notes About This Manual

    MANUAL This manual has been designed as a reference to assist the recording professional in learning the basic operation of the AI-1. All functions are explained in a clear manner, using step-by-step instructions and illustrations for setting up and performing various operations.

  • Page 7: B Digital Audio Synchronization

    The AI-1 can be used to transfer digital audio back and forth between DAT machines, CD player/ recorders and digital audio workstations. Whenever you transfer digital audio through the AI-1, the result is a perfect, exact duplicate of the original with no degradation or change in audio quality.

  • Page 8: Basic Operation

    44.1kHz rate. 1.3 BASIC OPERATION When power is first turned on, the AI-1 recalls the most recent mode of operation (the last mode before power down). The mode is indicated by the LEDs in the control buttons. These buttons are used to change the operating mode.

  • Page 9: B Destination

    If the selected Source button’s LED flashes, it means that either no device is connected to the selected input, or the clock information is not being provided by the source to the AI-1, or the clock information being provided by the source is neither 48kHz or 44.1kHz (see section 1.3D)

  • Page 10: D Destination Rate

    1.3D Destination Rate The DESTINATION RATE buttons (48kHz and 44.1kHz) are used to select the AI-1’s sample clock output. When one of these buttons is pressed, its LED will be lit indicating it has been selected. Only one of the two DESTINATION RATE buttons will be lit to indicate the output sampling rate.
  • Page 11 indicated by the fact that both the 48kHz and 44.1kHz LEDs will be turned off.

  • Page 12: Chapter 2: Hookup

    CHAPTER 2: HOOKUP 2.0 POWER The AI-1 works with any AC voltage from 90 to 250 volts, 50 to 60 Hz. This eliminates the need for transformers or voltage switches. The AI-1 comes with a line cord for the destination to which the AI- 1 is shipped.

  • Page 13: B Multiple Adats Without The Brc

    You might decide to dedicate the AI-1 to just one of the ADATs by connecting the fiber optic cables between them. This would,...
  • Page 14 In the meantime, you may be tempted to reconnect the AI-1 to a different ADAT when you want to route digital audio to tracks on another machine. However, to avoid a lot of cable swapping, we recommend swapping tapes instead. For example, let’s say you have two ADATs, the AI-1 is connected to and from ADAT #1.

  • Page 15: C Connecting The Brc

    ADAT in the chain, and connect the other end of the cable to the AI-1’s “ADAT” optic DIGITAL IN; 6. Finally, connect one end of a fiber optic cable to the AI-1’s “ADAT” optic DIGITAL OUT, and the other end to the optic DIGITAL IN of the first ADAT in the system.
  • Page 16 SYNC OUT jack of the last ADAT in the system, and connect the other end of the cable to the SYNC IN jack of the AI-1; 2. Connect one end of a BNC connector to the 48kHz OUT jack on the AI-1, and connect the other end of the cable to the 48kHz IN jack on the BRC;...
  • Page 17 Figure 3 Note: In a multiple ADAT system, if power is turned off on one of the ADATs in the middle of the chain, all ADATs following it will no longer sync to the BRC, as the sync information will not pass through a unit that is turned off.

  • Page 18: Aes/Ebu And S/Pdif

    To connect an AES/EBU device: 1. Connect one end of an XLR cable into the AES/EBU XLR output of the AI-1, and the other end to the XLR input of the AES/EBU device; 2. Connect one end of an XLR cable into the AES/EBU XLR output on the device, and the other end to the AES/EBU XLR input of the AI-1.

  • Page 19: 48 Khz Clock Out

    BRC so that it can be synchronized with the source’s clock rate. 2.4 POWERING-UP Normally, the AI-1 does not need to be powered up in any order for it to work with one or more ADATs. The system can even be connected while the power is on.

  • Page 20: Chapter 3: Transferring Digital Audio

    Destination Rate buttons will be lit, indicating that the AI-1 does not detect any clock information from the source to synchronize Note: The AI-1 provides two types of connectors for S/PDIF devices. When the Source is set to S/PDIF, the AI-1 will first look at the...

  • Page 21: B Selecting Record Tracks

    ADAT in the system to record from the AI-1. If you wish to record information coming from the AI-1 onto the tape in ADAT #2 or #3, etc., it is not necessary to reroute the cables. Instead, you should swap tapes with that...

  • Page 22: C Destination

    3.1 ADAT TO AI-1 The AI-1 can route up to two ADAT tracks at a time to other digital audio recording equipment from other manufacturers, including: multitrack digital recorders, hard disk recorders, digital effects devices, CD recorders and DAT machines.

  • Page 23: A Source

    48kHz and 44.1kHz. 3.1A Source To route the ADAT to the AI-1, set the AI-1’s Source to ADAT by pressing the SOURCE ADAT button. The button’s LED will be lit indicating it has been selected. Note: When the AI-1’s Source is set to ADAT, the AI-1 links the ADAT optic input to the ADAT optic output, so that digital audio is routed from one ADAT to another.

  • Page 24: Using The Brc

    When the Source is set to ADAT, the AI-1’s Destination Rate will automatically be set to 48kHz, since this is the sample rate of ADAT. If you wish to output the digital audio from the AI-1 at 44.1kHz, press the 44.1kHz DESTINATION RATE button (its LED will be lit).

  • Page 25: B Bouncing Tracks Between Adats

    4. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select the digital input that is to be the source for recording: “ADAT”, “AES/EBU” or “S/PDIF” (the corresponding Source LED on the AI-1 will be lit to indicate the current selection); 5. To exit Edit mode, press the EDIT button (the EDIT LED will turn off).
  • Page 26 • If no source tracks are selected, the ADATs’ digital outputs will function as digital through connections. This allows for another digital audio device which uses the ADAT proprietary digital multichannel bus, such as the Alesis QuadraSynth, to be connected to the first ADAT’s digital input and thus recorded buttons...

  • Page 27: C Recording From Ai-1 Onto Adat

    • When copying digital tracks, any track delays and machine offsets will be in effect. 3.2C Recording from AI-1 onto ADAT If either AES/EBU or S/PDIF is selected as the Digital Input, any ADAT tracks that are record enabled while DIGITAL I/O is turned...
  • Page 28 Source input from the AI-1. Since only two inputs are available (left and right), these inputs will alternate assignment between all selected record tracks if more than two are selected. To record from the AI-1 onto ADAT using the BRC: 1.
  • Page 29 AI-1 will be lit. The Destination Rate can be set to either 44.1kHz or 48kHz. • If the source’s clock rate is 48 kHz, the 48kHz LED on the AI-1 will be lit. However, the Destination Rate will have no effect on the AI-1, since you can only record a 48kHz source to ADAT at 48kHz.

  • Page 30: D Brc Synchronization

    When recording onto ADAT from an AES/EBU or S/PDIF source, the BRC’s 48kHz, SMPTE, and MIDI outputs will not be usable if no timing reference is provided by the AI-1. While the BRC is synchronizing to the AI-1’s 48kHz clock, all of the BRC’s sync outputs will be usable.

  • Page 31: E Output Adat Tracks To Ai-1

    AI-1 destination, which can be either “ADAT”, “AES/EBU” or “S/PDIF”. You may also set the destination clock rate for the AI-1 to either 48kHz or 44.1kHz, thus performing sample rate conversion. To route ADAT tracks to the AI-1 from the BRC: 1.
  • Page 32 7. Use the UP/DOWN buttons to select the AI-1’s destination (AES/EBU or S/PDIF). Note: Tracks selected to be output to the AI-1 will only be routed as such if the AI-1 destination is set to either “AES/EBU” or “S/PDIF”, since setting the destination to “ADAT” means you wish to bounce to other ADAT tracks.

  • Page 33: F Bouncing Tracks While Outputting To Ai-1

    (48K or 44.1K). This determines the output sample rate of the AI- 3.2F Bouncing Tracks While Outputting To AI-1 The digital output routed from ADAT to the AI-1 will always be active, whether DIGITAL I/O is turned on or off. However, if DIGITAL I/O is on and “ADAT”...

  • Page 34: Configurations

    However, it is important to note that even though the AI-1’s destination may be set to AES/EBU or S/PDIF, it is still sending all eight channels of the source ADAT back to the first ADAT in the chain. Therefore, it is possible to bounce tracks from the source...

  • Page 35: B Aes/Ebu To Adat (48Khz)

    Note: Even when the AI-1’s destination is set to AES/EBU, the digital bus being received from the last ADAT is routed through back to the first ADAT. Therefore, it is possible to bounce audio from the last ADAT back to the first ADAT, while simultaneously routing two tracks from the last ADAT to an AES/EBU device.

  • Page 36: D Adat To Aes/Ebu (48Khz To 44.1Khz)

    In this configuration, the ADAT optic jacks and the AES/EBU XLR jacks are used. In the figure below, ADAT #1 is receiving from an AES/EBU device using a 44.1kHz sampling rate being converted to 48kHz. The proper control settings for this operation are as follows: Source = AES/EBU Destination = ADAT Destination Rate = 48kHz...

  • Page 37: E Aes/Ebu To Adat (44.1Khz)

    3.3E AES/EBU to ADAT (44.1kHz) In this configuration, the ADAT optic jacks and the AES/EBU XLR jacks are used. In the figure below, ADAT #1 is receiving from an AES/EBU device using a 44.1kHz sampling rate without conversion. The proper control settings for this operation are as follows: Source = AES/EBU Destination = ADAT...

  • Page 38: G S/Pdif To Adat (48Khz)

    Destination Rate = 48kHz Figure 10 Note: Even when the AI-1’s destination is set to S/PDIF, the digital bus being received from the last ADAT is routed through back to the first ADAT. Therefore, it is possible to bounce audio from the last ADAT back to the first ADAT, while simultaneously routing two tracks from the last ADAT to an S/PDIF device.

  • Page 39: H S/Pdif To Adat (44.1Khz To 48Khz)

    3.3H S/PDIF to ADAT (44.1kHz to 48kHz) In this configuration, the ADAT optic jacks and the S/PDIF jacks are used. In the figure below, ADAT #1 is receiving from an S/PDIF device using a 44.1kHz sampling rate being converted to 48kHz. The proper control settings for this operation are as follows: Source = S/PDIF Destination = ADAT...

  • Page 40: J S/Pdif To Adat (44.1Khz)

    for this operation are as follows: Source = ADAT Destination = S/PDIF Destination Rate = 44.1kHz Figure 13 3.3J S/PDIF to ADAT (44.1kHz) In this configuration, the ADAT optic jacks and the S/PDIF jacks are used. In the figure below, ADAT #1 is receiving from an S/PDIF device using a 44.1kHz sampling rate without conversion.

  • Page 41: K Adat To Adat

    3.3K ADAT to ADAT In this configuration, the AI-1 becomes a transparent link in a daisy- chain. In the figure below, ADAT #2 is transmitting all 8 tracks to ADAT #1, in addition to all 8 tracks of ADAT #1 being routed to ADAT #2.

  • Page 42: L Aes/Ebu To Aes/Ebu

    The ADAT’s display will momentarily read “int” indicating it will use its own internal clock at all times, even when the DIGITAL IN button is enabled. When you wish to record from the AI-1 again (from an AES/EBU or S/PDIF source), you must set the master ADAT back so it synchronizes to the incoming digital source’s clock.
  • Page 43 In this configuration, either the S/PDIF fiber optic jacks or RCA jacks (or both) are used to connect two S/PDIF devices through the AI-1. In the figure below, S/PDIF device #1 is connected to the RCA jacks of the AI-1, while S/PDIF device #2 is connected to the fiber optic jacks.

  • Page 44: Chapter 4: Appendices

    Four EIAJ fiber optic jacks (2 inputs, 2 outputs); two RCA connectors (1 input, 1 output); two XLR connectors (1 input, 1 output) Alesis Fiber optic Multichannel (8 tracks); AES/EBU (2 channels); S/PDIF (2 channels) Push buttons with LED indicators for ADAT Channel (1/2, 3/4, 5/6, &...
  • Page 45 Dimensions (H x W x D): Weight: Shipping Weight: Accessories Included: Optional Accessories: 1-3/4" x 19" x 6-1/4" 4.5 lbs (2 kg) 7 lbs (3.1 kg) IEC style AC power cord Owner’s Manual RMB Remote Meter Bridge BRC Master Remote Control...

  • Page 46: Maintenance/Service Information

    4.1 APPENDIX 2: MAINTENANCE/SERVICE INFORMATION 4.1A Cleaning Disconnect the AC cord, then use a damp cloth to clean the AI-1’s metal and plastic surfaces. 4.1B Maintenance Here are some tips for preventive maintenance: • Periodically check the AC cord for signs of fraying or damage.

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