The Adat-Pcr Computer Interface; Libraries And Archives; Modular Recording - Alesis ADAT-XT20 Reference Manual

Chapter 6: Applications
T
HE
L
IBRARIES AND
The XT20 is superb for archiving purposes, such as speeches and broadcasts,
stereo mixes or libraries of stereo samples. The XT20 can record over eight hours
of mono material by recording approx. 60 minutes on each track (using ST-180
tape). Over four hours of stereo mixes or samples can be recorded by mixing down
to four sets of stereo pairs (1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8).
M
ODULAR
Collaborations work particularly well with a system or two or more XT20s
(and/or ADATs). You can record your tracks onto the master machine, then do a
premix onto two tracks of a slave machine, which is of course perfectly
synchronized to the master. Send this tape to your partner, who adds parts on
108
transport commands. The total amount of control you have over your
XT20 depends entirely on how much of the MMC specification has been
implemented in the software you use.
First, make sure your sequencer is receiving MTC from the XT20 (see
previous section). In addition, connect the [MIDI OUT] from your
computer's MIDI interface to the [MIDI IN] of the timecode interface;
then connect the [SYNC OUT] of the timecode interface to the [SYNC
IN] of the XT20 (of the master in a multiple ADAT system). Refer to the
manuals for the timecode interface and your computer-based sequencer
for instructions on how to set them up for MMC applications.
If your sequencer generates MMC commands, you should be able to put
your sequencer into play and have the XT20 follow along. However,
don't be surprised if the XT20 does not immediately go into play. When
a PLAY command is sent from the sequencer, the XT20 is issued a locate
command, telling it where the sequencer is positioned (in timecode).
The XT20 may first have to fast forward or rewind to get to the same
location as the sequencer. Once this is done, the XT20 should resume
playback which is when timecode is sent to the timecode interface,
which converts it into MTC, which causes the sequencer to go into play.
In essence, the sequencer is always locking to the XT20's timecode,
while the transport commands you issue from the sequencer act as
remote functions.
ADAT-PCR C
If your computer (Macintosh or Windows-compatible) features a PCI
slot, consider using the Alesis ADAT-PCR to control your XT20 directly
from a computer and transfer audio to and from hard-disc editing
software. The ADAT-PCR is treated as "another ADAT" in the chain
since it has ADAT Sync and ADAT Optical In and Out ports. The
computer tracks and the tape tracks are synchronized with sample
accuracy. This is the best way to get the best of both worlds: on-screen
editing on the computer, and the simplicity and low cost of tape
recording. With this unit, no MIDI time code or MIDI machine control
converter is required; all conversions are handled in the software of the
computer itself.
A
RCHIVES
R
ECORDING
I
OMPUTER NTERFACE
ADAT-XT20 Reference Manual