Alesis AI-1 Manuale utente

ALESIS

AI-1

Reference Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION

1.0 ABOUT THE AI-1 ......................................................................1

1.1 IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS MANUAL..................3

1.2 OVERVIEW OF MAIN FUNCTIONS.....................................3

1.2A Digital Interface............................................................3

1.2B Digital Audio Synchronization....................................4

1.2C Sample Rate Conversion ..............................................4

1.3 BASIC OPERATION.................................................................5

1.3A Source ............................................................................5

1.3B Destination.....................................................................6

1.3C ADAT Channel .............................................................6

1.3D Destination Rate............................................................7

CHAPTER 2 : HOOKUP

2.0 POWER........................................................................................8

2.1 CONNECTION TO ADAT(S)..................................................8

2.1A Single ADAT.................................................................8

2.1B Multiple ADATs without the BRC...............................9

2.1C Connecting the BRC.......................................................11

2.2 AES/EBU AND S/PDIF..............................................................13

2.2A Connecting an AES/EBU Device................................13

2.2B Connecting an S/PDIF Device.....................................14

2.3 48 kHz CLOCK OUT .................................................................15

2.4 POWERING-UP .........................................................................15

CHAPTER 3 : TRANSFERRING DIGITAL AUDIO

3.0 AI-1 TO ADAT...........................................................................16

3.0A Source ............................................................................16

3.0B Selecting Record Tracks................................................17

3.0C Destination ....................................................................18

3.0D Converting Sample Rate ..............................................18

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

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

3.3F ADAT to S/PDIF (48kHz) ............................................33

3.3G S/PDIF to ADAT (48kHz)............................................33

3.3H S/PDIF to ADAT (44.1kHz to 48kHz)........................34

3.3I ADAT to S/PDIF (48kHz to 44.1kHz)..........................34

3.3J S/PDIF to ADAT (44.1kHz)..........................................35

3.3K ADAT to ADAT............................................................36

3.3L AES/EBU to AES/EBU ................................................37

3.3M S/PDIF to S/PDIF........................................................37

CHAPTER 4 : APPENDICES

4.0 APPENDIX 1

SPECIFICATIONS..................................................................39

4.1 APPENDIX 2

MAINTENANCE/SERVICE INFORMATION...................41

4.1A Cleaning ........................................................................41

4.1B Maintenance...................................................................41

4.1C Servicing........................................................................41

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.0 ABOUT THE AI-1

Congratulations! You’ve just purchased a powerful tool that will

enhance your ADAT system with incredible digital audio routing

flexibility. The AI-1 Digital Interface and Sample Rate Converter

provides you a way of routing any two ADAT tracks to another

digital recording system, or the other way around, and will convert

the sampling rate as needed. The AI-1 is essential for either

recording digital audio from other sources onto ADAT, or mixing

down a 2 track mix from ADAT to a DAT machine or CD recorder,

all while remaining in the digital domain. Here are some of the

features the AI-1 will provide you:

•High quality, dual-channel digital interface. The AI-1 provides

the connection between AES/EBU, S/PDIF and ADAT digital

formats. With it, you can interface your ADAT digital audio with

various professional and consumer digital audio products (such

as DAT and CD recorders, and digital audio workstations) with

the assurance that the audio never leaves the digital domain.

•Sample rate conversion. The AI-1 can automatically detect the

sampling rate of an incoming digital audio source. When you

want to convert that source, it will transform a 44.1kHz clock to

48kHz, or vice-versa. When routing ADAT digital audio to

another digital destination, the AI-1 can convert the ADAT’s

48kHz sample rate to 44.1kHz (this is especially useful for

creating a mix that’s ready for transfer to CD).

•Sample accurate syncing capabilities. Using ADAT’s exclusive

Proprietary Synchronization Interface, the AI-1 keeps perfect time

with the system. Each ADAT tape is “formatted” with a

proprietary Alesis time code that is much more accurate than

SMPTE or other time code systems. This process time-stamps the

tape to an incredible single-sample accuracy; that is, 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,

track(s) and the sampling rate…and you’re up and running!

With the BRC Master Remote Control, it’s even easier since all

AI-1 controls are available from the BRC’s Digital I/O edit menu.

•Optic digital interface. ADAT’s Proprietary Multichannel Optic

Digital Interface carries up to eight tracks simultaneously via

optic cable, allowing for perfect, degradation-free digital

dubbing between ADATs. With analog recording, bouncing

tracks or backing up from one multitrack to another loses one

generation, which adds hiss and distortion. With digital

recording, such procedures will produce a “clone” of the

original. 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. This allows for direct digital connection to and from

other digital audio recorders, DAT recorders, CDs, hard disk

recorders, synthesizers, and more.

•Fast and easy hookup. Connection of the AI-1 is accomplished

via fiber optic digital audio cables, which connect the AI-1 to and

from a single ADAT or multiple ADAT system. Connection to

AES/EBU devices is provided via XLR type connectors.

Connection to S/PDIF devices is provided by both fiber optic

and RCA connectors.

When used with the BRC and multiple ADATs, the Sync Out of

the last ADAT in the chain is connected to the Sync In of the AI-

1, using a 9 pin style sync cable. The last ADAT’s digital out is

connected to the AI-1’s digital in, and the AI-1’s digital out is

connected to the digital in of the first ADAT, using fiber optic

cables.

When the BRC is turned on, it automatically becomes the

system’s master, and assigns each ADAT an identification

number, from first to last in the chain. The BRC also

automatically checks to see if an AI-1 is connected, and provides

remote control over all of its functions.

•Voltage tolerant power supply. The AI-1 accepts any AC

voltage between 90 and 250 volts.

For more information on digital recording, see Appendix 1 in the

ADAT manual. Appendix 2 in the ADAT manual is a glossary of

digital recording terms that may be helpful as you read this manual.

1.1 IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS

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.

However, it is assumed that you already have some understanding

of multitrack recording and digital audio in general. It also assumes

you have read the ADAT manual (and the BRC manual, if you are

using the BRC) and comprehend its/their operation.

If you have little or no previous experience with multitrack

recording or working with digital audio, please read the second

manual that comes with the BRC Master Remote Control, entitled

BRC Concepts and Applications. It will give you an understanding

of how an ADAT/BRC/AI-1 system functions in real world

applications, and the types of things you may expect. It explains

why certain features are significant, and how to employ them in

your recording routine. Most importantly, there are simple tutorials

for commonly performed operations, which illustrate exactly how to

put it all together.

In this manual, all connectors, buttons and LEDs are spelled with all

capital letters (such as S/PDIF LED button or SOURCE ADAT

button).

1.2 OVERVIEW OF MAIN FUNCTIONS

Here is a brief rundown of the AI-1’s main functions:

1.2A Digital Interface

The AI-1 provides conversion between ADAT, AES/EBU and

S/PDIF digital formats. This means you can record from other

digital audio devices onto ADAT, or vice-versa, without ever

leaving the digital domain. 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.

1.2B Digital Audio Synchronization

All digital audio protocols, whether Alesis’ Proprietary

Multichannel Optical Digital Interface or AES/EBU format, transmit

data plus a timing clock that dictates the speed at which the data

will be recorded or played back. This timing clock is related to the

sample rate. The ADAT speed is controlled automatically to

conform to this sample rate whenever its DIGITAL IN LED is lit.

Therefore, the PITCH controls on the ADAT have no effect when

performing digital transfers onto ADAT.

1.2C Sample Rate Conversion

The AI-1 also provides conversion between 48kHz and 44.1kHz

sampling rates. If you are recording onto ADAT from a source that

is running at 44.1kHz, you can either record at the same rate, or

convert it to ADAT’s superior 48kHz sampling rate. One of the best

ways to use ADAT is not only as a multitrack recorder, but as a

mixdown recorder as well, using two tracks to mix to. Using the AI-

1, you can transfer the two-track mix to DAT or a CD recorder and

simultaneously convert the audio to the required 44.1kHz sample

rate.

Because of its superior sound quality, it is always better to record

onto ADAT at the 48kHz rate, even when the original audio was

recorded at 44.1kHz. Contrary to what many people think,

converting 44.1kHz audio to 48kHz does not change the sound

quality in any way. If, however, you choose to not to convert such

an audio source and record it onto ADAT at 44.1kHz, don’t be

surprised when you play back the ADAT recording and hear the

music a little faster and transposed up a bit. This is because 48kHz is

literally a faster sampling rate than 44.1kHz. When the AI-1 sends

44.1kHz audio to ADAT, the ADAT’s motor slows down to match

the rate of the incoming audio. If you are monitoring other pre-

recorded tracks on the same machine, you’ll notice that they are

now slower and transposed down.

When you play back the audio once it is on ADAT, it will adjust

back to its normal speed and of course sound sharp…roughly 147

cents sharp. If you want to hear the audio on ADAT at the original

pitch and speed, bring the ADAT’s pitch setting down to -147.

Doing so will temporarily show “44.1” in the ADAT’s LED display,

indicating that you are now running at the equivalent to the

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. The ADAT CHANNEL buttons, the

DESTINATION RATE buttons, and the SOURCE and

DESTINATION buttons define the possible uses of the AI-1.

1.3A Source

The three SOURCE buttons (ADAT, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF) are

used to select the digital source. When one of these buttons is

pressed, its LED will be lit indicating it has been selected. Only one

of the sources can be selected at a time; the corresponding format

input will be enabled, while the others will be disabled.

Here are descriptions of the three Source possibilities:

•ADAT: This allows two tracks from a connected ADAT to be

transmitted to another ADAT, or an AES/EBU or S/PDIF device

(depending on the Destination setting).

•AES/EBU: This allows two tracks from a connected AES/EBU

device to be recorded to an ADAT, or another AES/EBU device,

or an S/PDIF device (depending on the Destination setting).

•S/PDIF: This allows two tracks from a connected S/PDIF device

to be recorded to an ADAT, or another S/PDIF device, or an

AES/EBU device (depending on the Destination setting).

If the selected Source button’s LED lights solid, it means that a

device is connected, and the AI-1 is receiving its clock information.

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)

1.3B Destination

The three DESTINATION buttons (ADAT, AES/EBU, and S/PDIF)

are used to select the digital destination. When one of these buttons

is pressed, its LED will be lit indicating it has been selected. Only

one of the destinations can be selected at a time; the corresponding

format output will be enabled, while the others will be disabled.

Here are descriptions of the three Destination possibilities:

•ADAT: This routes the AI-1 output to a connected ADAT for

recording from another ADAT, or an AES/EBU or S/PDIF

device (depending on the Source setting).

•AES/EBU: This routes the AI-1 output to a connected AES/EBU

device for recording from an ADAT, or another AES/EBU

device, or an S/PDIF device (depending on the Source setting).

•S/PDIF: This routes the AI-1 output to a connected S/PDIF

device for recording from an ADAT, or another S/PDIF device,

or an AES/EBU device (depending on the Source setting).

1.3C ADAT Channel

The four ADAT CHANNEL buttons (1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8) are

used to select two channels on which an ADAT will transmit or

receive digital audio. When one of these buttons is pressed, its LED

will be lit indicating it has been selected. Only the four defined

channel groupings (1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, or 7 & 8) may be selected

from the front panel.

In most cases, only one of the four ADAT CHANNEL buttons will

be lit, indicating the two channels on which an ADAT will transmit

or receive audio. If both the Source and Destination are set to

ADAT, all four ADAT CHANNEL buttons will be lit indicating that

all eight channels of the ADAT digital bus are transferred.

When using the BRC Master Remote Control, any two channels can

be selected, in which case the ADAT CHANNEL button(s)

corresponding to each selected channel will be lit. Example: if the

BRC is used to select channels 2 and 5 as the ADAT channels, two of

the AI-1’s ADAT CHANNEL buttons (the 1/2 and 5/6 buttons) will

be lit indicating the groupings which contain the selected channels.

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. The input rate is automatically set

to match that of the digital source (i.e. whatever rate the source uses,

the AI-1 will automatically detect it and adjust the sampling rate

accordingly).

Here are descriptions of the two Destination Rate possibilities:

•48kHz: If the source rate is 48kHz, this button’s LED will be lit

indicating the AI-1’s sample rate. If the source rate is 44.1kHz,

pressing the 48kHz button will convert the source’s sample rate

to 48kHz.

•44.1kHz: If the source rate is 44.1kHz, this button’s LED will be

lit indicating the AI-1’s sample rate. If the source rate is 48kHz,

pressing the 44.1kHz button will convert the source’s sample rate

to 44.1kHz.

Note: If the AI-1’s Destination is set to ADAT and the source’s

sample rate is 48kHz, you will not be able to select the 44.1kHz

button nor alter the AI-1’s output rate. This is because ADAT

already uses a 48kHz sample rate, which is of course superior to

44.1kHz.

If the source rate is neither 48kHz or 44.1kHz, the SOURCE button

LED corresponding to the source (ADAT, AES/EBU or S/PDIF) will

flash, and no sample rate conversion will be allowed. This will be

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