| (Stolen from the USENET)
Article 20036 of rec.music.makers:
From: bill@thd.tv.tek.com (William K. McFadden)
Newsgroups: rec.music.makers,rec.audio
Subject: Alesis $4000 8-track digital recorder
Date: 10 Oct 91 22:22:27 GMT
Organization: Tektronix TV Products
Lines: 173
I posted this to the dat-heads mailing list, but I thought it would
also be of general interest to the net.
>Has anyone heard anything about the Alesis DAT 8 track machine? All ive
>heard is that its supposed to be out around jan.
I just saw a demo of it at AES and was I impressed! It costs $4k and
is supposed to be available in December.
First, I'll reproduce the marketing hype sheet and then give my own
impressions from the demo:
"The Alesis ADAT 8 Track Digital Audio Recorder and the ADAT system,
consisting of multiple ADATs plus the BRC Remote Control, addresses the
needs of musicians, producers and professional engineers who desire the
highest standards of audio quality. The ADAT's high quality audio
reproduction and low cost, make it perfect for applications in the
home/project studio, commercial recording studios, video post
production and broadcast production.
The ADAT Recorder features a unique recording format that uses
inexpensive and readily available SVHS tape. Utilizing 16-bit linear
conversion and variable sampling rates from 42.7 kHz to 50.85 kHz, the
ADAT recorder produces audio tracks of incredible purity. The pitch
control on the front panel is used to adjust the sample rate with 44.1
kHz and the professional standard 48 kHz easily available.
A group of Alesis designed master VLSIs controls all digital conversion
and storage and tape transport functions. An alesis designed rotary
head mechanism reads and writes the digitized audio to and from the
tape. A precise digital metering system accurately informs the ADAT
user of audio level information at input source and from tape.
While the ADAT uses a whole new technology, your interface with it is
the standard controls you already know how to use: Play, Record, Fast
Forward, Rewind, etc. These controls are linked to an accurate tape
counter system that allows precise punch ins and punch outs. A
built-in 2 point autolocate system provides convenient rehearsal and
recording capabilities for the engineer who doesn't need the expansive
features of the BRC Remote.
The key to the ADAT's creative options lies in combining multiple ADAT
Recorders. Up to 16 ADAT recorders can be locked together with single
sample accuracy using the ADAT's internal synchronization system that
functions independently from the audio tracks. That means you can
build a multitrack recording system of up to 128 tracks total with
virtually unlimited creative options for the production of music.
In such larger systems the optional BRC Full Function Remote would
provide control over timing, track selection, automatic record rehearse
and punch in, and complex assembly editing. All the features necessary
for demanding production work. The BRC also reads and writes SMPTE and
MIDI Time Code and seamlessly interfaces SMPTE and MTC to the ADAT's
internal timing reference.
The modularity of the ADAT System revolutionizes the meaning of
creative freedom in complex productions. Basic tracking assignments
can be recorded and catalogued in logical groups of 8 tracks each by
assigning individual ADATs to the various tracking tasks of a
production: rhythm tracks, vocals, solos, backgrounds, etc. Optional
performances can be recorded on as many SVHS tape cartridges as
desired.
With the BRC providing SMPTE time control, an entire catalogue of
tracks can be edited and assembled for final mixdown. Using the ADAT's
digital I/O, all editing is done in the digital domain with no
generation loss.
Suggested retail price of a single ADAT recorder is $3995, the BRC
retails for $1995. Thus, a 32-track digital audio system can be
assembled for less than $18,000, including the BRC remote.
[self-congratulatory rhetoric deleted]
FEATURES
o Up to 128 tracks available synching 16 ADATs
o Each ADAT consists of 8 tracks of 16 bit digital audio
o SVHS tape
o Approximately 40 minutes of recording time per cartridge at 48 kHz
sample rate
o Variable sampling rate from 42.7 to 50.85 kHz
o +4 dBu balanced inputs/outputs using 56-pin ELCO connector
o -10 dBV unbalanced outputs using 1/4" phone jacks
o Optical digital I/O
o Optional AES/EBU interface
o Optional ES interface
o Supports SMPTE and MTC using BRC remote
o LRC remote is supplied with unit"
---END OF MARKETING BLURB---
Physically, the unit is one rack unit wide and about three rack units
high (about 50% higher than a home VHS deck). On the left side is an
8-channel bar graph peak-hold display with 15 segments ranging in level
from -60 dB to 0 dB. Below each bar graph are lights labeled "RECORD"
and "INPUT." Along the bottom are eight pushbuttons.
On the right side is a front-loading tape slot. Below this are
pushbuttons lebeled "AUTO INPUT MONITOR," "ALL INPUT MONITOR,"
"FORMAT," "DIGITAL IN," "PITCH ^," "PITCH v," "LOCATE 1," "LOCATE 2,"
"SET LOCATE," "LOCATE 0," "AUTO 2>1," and "AUTO PLAY." There is a
minutes and seconds display near these butons. Along the bottom are
the basic transport controls with lighted icons for each.
The LRC remote contains most of the controls found on the front panel.
I attended a standing-room-only demo of the ADAT in a small hotel room
above the main exhibit halls. Here is what I gleaned from the demo.
o Tapes have to be formatted, but this can be done during recording
o It records an internal-format time code on the tape while formatting
o Each time you restart formatting on a different part of the tape, the
time code starts over at zero
o 32-channel meter bridge is under development
o Can punch in with foot switch
o True read-after-write tape monitoring
o Can record some tracks while playing back others, and all tracks will
be recorded in sync
o Seamless punch-in
o Pitch control is in one-cent increments up to +/- 100 cents
o Pitch control can be used while recording
o The optional AES/EBU & SPDIF digital interface also includes a sample
rate converter to produce 48 kHz or 44.1 kHz, regardless of
front-panel pitch setting
o Digital interface unit is expected to be available next spring
o Converters are 64X oversampling one-bit A/D, 18-bit D/A
o Internal-format optical digital interface built in, connects to
optional digital I/O box
o Modified, robust transport
o SVHS tape recommended because of its better manufacturing
tolerances, but regular VHS tape can be used due to heavy error
correction and low bandwidth requirements
o Tape runs at 3X standard play speed
o LRC stands for "Little Remote Control," and BRC stands for "Big
Remote Control." I kid you not.
I WANT ONE NOW!
--
Bill McFadden Tektronix, Inc. P.O. Box 500 MS 58-639 Beaverton, OR 97077
bill@tv.tv.tek.com, ...!tektronix!soul!bill Phone: (503) 627-6920
"How can I prove I am not crazy to people who are?"
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