Specifications

Chapter 3 - Power-Up and Tape Formatting
ADAT LX20 Reference Manual 27
SETTING TAPE LENGTH
The LX20 can use tapes longer than the standard ST-120 length (an ST-180 tape
gives over one hour of recording time, an ST-160 gives 53 minutes). The LX20
automatically recognizes ST-60 tapes and adjusts itself accordingly, but cannot tell
apart ST-120, ST-160 or ST-180 tapes.
The LX20 assumes you are using a ST-120 tape. Therefore, you need to set the tape
length on the LX20 when using either ST-160 or ST-180 tapes. To do this, hold the
SET LOCATE button and press the FORMAT button. Each press of the format button
cycles through the following options: ST-60, ST-160, ST-180, and ST-120. When the
display shows the correct tape length, release both buttons.
• Ejecting a tape does not reset the tape length, but powering down resets to T-120.
• If you insert a tape with Tape Length set to something other than ST-120, the
display will briefly flash the selected length to remind you that you are using
a non-standard setting.
• If using multiple LX20s/ADATs, all connected machines must use tapes of the
same length.
The Tape Length setting and the actual tape’s length must be the same. Never use a
shorter tape length than what the LX20 thinks you’re using.
Below is a list of the four S-VHS tapes the LX20 accepts, with their European
equivalents and approximate recording times:
Type Euro Rec. Time
ST-60 n/a 22 min.
ST-120 SE-180 40 min.
ST-160 SE-240 54 min.
ST-180 SE-260 62 min.
If using tapes longer than ST-120, locating for the first time past the 39 minute
position temporarily slows down (but does not stop) the transport. Each subsequent
location beyond this point acts normally. This safeguard protects ST-120 tapes from
damage should a longer tape length setting have been entered erroneously.
✪
✪