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Alesis adat AI4 Reference Manual

Alesis ai-4 audio-recording: reference guide
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Summary of Contents for Alesis adat AI4

  • Page 1 Reference Manual...
  • Page 2 This page intentionally left blank 100%...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Using a Word Clock Generator ...26 Using the Alesis MasterLink as a High-resolution Analog/Digital Converter with the ADAT HD24 ...27 Using an Optical Digital Soundcard with a Digital Mixer and an Alesis MasterLink, Synced to Word Clock ...27 Troubleshooting ...29 Troubleshooting Index ...29...
  • Page 4 Table Of Contents Specifications ...31 Inputs ...31 Outputs...31 Resolution...31 Mechanical ...31 Warranty/Contact Alesis ...33 Alesis Limited Warranty ...33 Alesis Contact Information ...33...

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Introduction Welcome! Thank you for making the Alesis ADAT AI4™ a part of your studio. Since 1984, we've been designing and building creative tools for the audio community. We believe in our products, because we've heard the results that creative people like you have achieved with them. One of Alesis' goals is to make high-quality studio equipment available to everyone, and this Reference Manual is an important part of that.

  • Page 6: About The Adat Ai4

    The AI4 can convert up to eight channels of AES/EBU format signal to Alesis ADAT Optical format (and vice versa). Because these are two of the most popular formats in digital audio, the AI4 will let you interface a wide range of gear.
  • Page 7 AES-to-Optical The AI4's AES-to-Optical section lets you choose either word clock or any of the four AES inputs as clock master. Use the front panel buttons to toggle among the clock source options. Corresponding LEDs illustrate the current clock source and sample rate. Optical-to-AES The AI4's Optical-to-AES section lets you choose either Optical input or the word clock input as clock master.

  • Page 8: How To Use This Manual

    Introduction How to Use This Manual This manual is divided into the following sections describing the various functions and applications for the AI4. While it's always good idea to read through the entire manual once carefully, if you have a general knowledge of digital interfaces, feel free to jump to the table of contents and zone in on the features you need.

  • Page 9: Important Safety Instructions

    Important Safety Instructions Important Safety Instructions (English) Safety symbols used in this product This symbol alerts the user that there are important operating and maintenance instructions in the literature accompanying this unit. This symbol warns the user of uninsulated voltage within the unit that can cause dangerous electric shocks.
  • Page 10 Important Safety Instructions 12. Use only with a cart, stand, bracket, or table designed for use with professional audio or music equipment. In any installation, make sure that injury or damage will not result from cables pulling on the apparatus and its mounting. If a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip- over.

  • Page 11: Instructions De Sécurité Importantes (French)

    Instructions de Sécurité Importantes (French) Symboles utilisés dans ce produit Ce symbole alèrte l'utilisateur qu'il existe des instructions de fonctionnement et de maintenance dans la documentation jointe avec ce produit. Ce symbole avertit l'utilisateur de la présence d'une tension non isolée à...
  • Page 12 Important Safety Instructions 12. N'utilisez qu'avec un stand, ou table conçus pour l'utilisation d'audio professionnel ou instruments de musique. Dans toute installation, veillez de ne rien endommager à cause de câbles qui tirent sur des appareils et leur support. 13. Débranchez l'appareil lors d'un orage ou lorsqu'il n'est pas utilisé pendant longtemps.

  • Page 13: Lesen Sie Bitte Die Folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German)

    Lesen Sie bitte die folgende Sicherheitshinweise (German) Sicherheit Symbole verwendet in diesem Produkt Dieses Symbol alarmiert den Benutzer, daß es wichtige Funktionieren und Wartung Anweisungen in der Literatur gibt, die diese Maßeinheit begleitet. Dieses Symbol warnt den Benutzer der nicht isolierten Spannung innerhalb der Maßeinheit, die gefährliche elektrische Schläge verursachen kann.
  • Page 14 Important Safety Instructions 12. Verwenden Sie ausschließlich Wagen, Ständer, oder Tische, die speziell für professionelle Audio- und Musikinstrumente geeignet sind. Achten Sie immer darauf, daß die jeweiligen Geräte sicher installiert sind, um Schäden und Verletzungen zu vermeiden. Wenn Sie einen Rollwagen benutzen, achten Sie darauf, das dieser nicht umkippt, um Verletzungen auszuschließen.

  • Page 15: Ce Declaration Of Conformity

    Important Safety Instructions CE Declaration Of Conformity See our website at: http://www.alesis.com FCC Compliance Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
  • Page 16 Important Safety Instructions This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 17: Getting Started

    Please log on to our website www.alesis.com and follow the links for online registration. Alesis cannot be responsible for problems caused by using the AI4 or any associated equipment with improper AC wiring. This is sensitive gear—take common sense precautions and you should be okay.

  • Page 18: Line Conditioners And Protectors

    Getting Started Line Conditioners and Protectors Although the AI4 is designed to tolerate typical voltage variations, in today's world the voltage coming from the AC line may contain spikes or transients that can possibly stress your gear and, over time, cause a failure.

  • Page 19: Signal Connections

    In addition to popular multichannel digital audio interface in the world. In addition to support by all of Alesis' multitrack recorders, ADAT optical is widely support by all of Alesis' multitrack recorders, ADAT optical is widely...

  • Page 20: Aes/Ebu Connections

    48kHz. Examples of units using ADAT Optical connectors include the Alesis ADAT family of modular multitrack recorders; the Alesis ADAT Edit PCI computer audio interface; the ADAT HD24 24-track hard disk recording system; and a host of third- party digital soundcards, mixers, recorders, and A/D converters.

  • Page 21: A Word About Digital Clocks

    Signal Connections A Word About Digital Clocks In chapter four, we'll illustrate some applications for your AI4. But first, a brief explanation of digital clocks is in order. It's critical that every unit being connected with a digital connector like an ADAT Optical cable is running at the same clock speed.
  • Page 22 Signal Connections This page intentionally left blank.

  • Page 23: Operation

    Operation Operation of the AI4 is extremely direct and straightforward. All the action starts—and ends—with the two Clock Source Select buttons. Press each button to cycle through the available clock sources at the respective AES/EBU and ADAT Optical inputs. The corresponding LEDs let you know which input is selected as the clock master, while the sample rate LEDs automatically indicate the incoming sample rate.

  • Page 24: Selecting The Adat Optical Clock Source

    If the Optical source is in a 96kHz sample split format—but doesn't fully comply with the Alesis spec by setting the appropriate user bit—you can "force" the AI4 to interpret it as 96kHz instead of 48kHz (or 88.2kHz instead of 44.1kHz) by pressing and holding the ADAT...

  • Page 25: Applications

    Applications In the previous section, we discussed how you can cable in and set up your AI4. Now it's time to learn what you can do with it. Although the AI4 doesn't do much on its own, it does allow you to get the most out of the other digital audio gear in your studio.

  • Page 26: Using An Aes/Ebu-Equipped Digital Mixer With An Hd24

    Using an AES/EBU-equipped Digital Mixer with an HD24 The AI4 can interface with the Alesis HD24 at sample rates of 44.1kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2kHz and 96kHz. In order to use the higher sample rates, you must make two optical connections to accommodate eight channels of audio.
  • Page 27 To route a high-resolution signal through the AI4 to the ADAT HD24 Connect up to four of the mixer's AES/EBU outputs to the AI4's AES/EBU inputs Connect the AI4's Optical output 1–4 to the ADAT HD24's Optical input 1–8 Connect the AI4's Optical output 5–8 to the ADAT HD24's Optical input 8–16 Set the mixer's clock to INTERNAL and choose the appropriate sample rate...

  • Page 28: Using A Word Clock Generator

    Applications Using a Word Clock Generator Many professional studios use word clock as a stable master to keep all their digital gear in proper sync. This is especially important if you're connecting more than two pieces digital audio gear. You can connect your digital audio devices as you would in any other studio configuration.

  • Page 29: Using The Alesis Masterlink As A High-Resolution Analog/Digital Converter With The Adat Hd24

    Resolution Analog/Digital Converter with the ADAT HD24 In addition to its capabilities as a mixdown and mastering device, you can use the Alesis MasterLink as a high-resolution front end A/D converter and master clock. Connect the MasterLink's AES/EBU output to the AI4's AES/EBU inputs 1/2 Connect the AI4's Optical outputs 1–8 (Ch 1–4) to the HD24...
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  • Page 31: Troubleshooting

    If you are experiencing problems while using the AI4, please use the following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting following table to locate possible causes and solutions before contacting Alesis customer support for assistance Alesis customer support for assistance Symptom...
  • Page 32 Troubleshooting This page intentionally left blank...

  • Page 33: Specifications

    Specifications Inputs AES Input Channels AES Input Channels 4 XLR Connectors ADAT Optical Input Channels 8 ADAT Optical Input 2 TOSLINK Optical Connectors Word Clock 1 75Ω BNC Connector Outputs AES Output Channels AES Output Channels 4 XLR Connectors ADAT Optical Output Channels8 ADAT Optical Output 2 TOSLINK Optical Connectors Resolution...
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  • Page 35: Warranty/Contact Alesis

    The purchaser should complete and return the enclosed warranty card within 14 days of purchase. During the warranty period ALESIS shall, at its sole and absolute option, either repair or replace free During the warranty period ALESIS shall, at its sole and absolute option, either repair or replace free...

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