introduction to ADAT transfer
Alesis Digital Audio Tape or ADAT is a magnetic tape format used for the simultaneous digital recording of eight analog audio or digital audio tracks at once onto Super VHS (S-VHS) tape.
At Greatbear, we carefully restore and digitise 16 and 20-bit ADAT 8-track tapes, as well as sessions with higher track counts spanning multiple tapes.
ADAT machines
Like DTRS recorders, ADAT tape recorders use a video tape transport but running at a faster speed. Unfortunately most ADAT machines used a consumer tape transport that was not particularly rugged, often causing tape lacing problems which will damage tape. Only the later M20 and Studer ADAT machines used a much higher-quality transport that lasts well.
The ADAT format was based on a VHS transport, but even so - spares will not be available forever and key spares like the upper and lower head drum, while generally long-lasting will wear and need replacement.
View and Download Alesis ADAT-XT20 reference manual online. 20-Bit Digital Audio Recorder. ADAT-XT20 recording equipment pdf manual download. Also for: Adat xt20. Alesis Digital Audio Tape or ADAT is a magnetic tape format used for the simultaneous digital recording of eight analog audio or digital audio tracks at once onto Super VHS (S-VHS) tape. At Greatbear, we carefully restore and digitise 16 and 20-bit ADAT 8-track tapes, as well as sessions with higher track counts spanning multiple tapes. Page 1 ALESIS ADAT-XT Reference Manual.; Page 2 This chapter also discusses the difference between “threaded” and “unthreaded” tapes. Chapter 2: Your First Session with the ADAT-XT. This section provides a brief tour of the XT, shows you how to format a tape, record and playback, set locate points, auto punch-in and out, bounce tracks, and points out other various features. Alesis adat xt20 service manual – Google Docs Service on this product should be performed only by qualified technicians. Setting Up strong magnetic fields such as power amplifiers, monitors and video display devices, speakers, etc. YNCHRONIZING ACHINES ADAT XT Reference Manual Multiple ADAT-XT Operation: Chapter 5 HAPTER ADAT-XT PERATION INPUT OUTPUT. Page 60 Synchronization requires a dual male, 9 pin D connector cable for each slave to be synchronized. Use only Alesis cables. Alesis Sync Cables are available in three different lengths: 8', 30', and 30' from your dealer.
Our ADAT machines include:
- Alesis ADAT XT
- Alesis ADAT M20
- Alesis ADAT LX20
ADAT format variation
ADAT (S-VHS) open shell: tape width 12.7 mm (½ inch)
Alesis LX20 Type II and Alesis XT Type I ADAT machines
ADAT (S-VHS) cassette dimensions: 18.7 × 10.2 × 2.5 cm(71⁄3 × 4 × 1 inch)
ADAT risks & vulnerabilities
While ADAT machines use standard S-VHS tapes, there are some issues which are specific to this multitrack digital format:
- The tapes run at around 4 times the standard VHS tape speed, so transports can wear out quickly.
- While expensive new, most ADAT machines used a transport common to domestic VHS machines, which do not respond well to heavy use.
- Direct digital transfer is preferable for making transfers, but this can be tricky without specialist hardware - especially when transferring multiple session tapes (16, 24, 32, 48 track sessions)
ADAT recording history
The first ADAT machine was released in 1991 and had a major impact on the recording industry and home recording. Like the DA models released by TASCAM, a major benefit was that they could be synchronised with other machines, allowing for people to build their recording capacity 8 tracks at a time.
ADAT’s use of ½ inch S-VHS video tape meant that the larger tape width was less susceptible to damage than the 8mm Hi8 tapes used by the DA-88 and DTRS. The S-VHS tapes could record 40 minutes and because 8 tracks of audio require a large amount of bandwidth, the tape moved up to three times the speed of the average VHS tape.
ADAT is still used in some industries and the recording industry, even if it has to a large extent been replaced by Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs).
ADAT subsequently referred to the Alesis ADAT HD24-XR, which featured hard disk recording rather than the traditional tape-based ADAT (now considered obsolete), but this machine too has now been discontinued.
Compiled and written by Eddie Ciletti | adat S-VHS format |
Alesis Adat Xt Service Manual 2017
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