Specifications

Power-Up and Tape Formatting - Chapter 3
28 ADAT LX20 Reference Manual
HOW TO FORMAT TAPES
What it does: Formatting an LX20 tape “time-stamps” the tape every 1/48,000 of a
second (at a 48 kHz sample rate), and stores reference information about the tape in
a data header at the tape’s beginning.
Caution: Formatting a tape erases audio on all eight tracks. Always check that the
tape is either blank or contains unwanted material before formatting.
Why formatting is important Formatting enables ultra-tight synchronization
among the LX20 and ADAT-compatible machines, and provides both accurate tape
counter readings and intelligent autolocation functions.
Formatting options You can:
• Format a tape completely before recording (recommended)
• Format while you are recording for only as long as needed
• Extend the format of a tape that was not completely formatted
ABOUT TYPE I AND TYPE II FORMATS
There are two ADAT tape formats, Type I (used in the original ADAT family of
products and featuring 16-bit audio resolution) and Type II (used in all ADAT
products released after July 1, 1997 and featuring 20-bit resolution).
A tape cannot be 16-bit for one section and 20-bit for another. To change the
resolution, you must reformat the entire tape, which erases all existing audio.
Type I tapes will play back in Type I or Type II machines. Type II tapes will play
back only in Type II machines. If it is necessary to play back a Type II tape in a
Type I machine, copy the Type II tape to a Type I tape as described in Chapter 8.
DEFEATING THE WRITE PROTECT TAB
To record on or erase/format a S-VHS cassette, the write protect tab (located on the
cassette’s spine) must be closed or taped over. If you try to record on a tape that has
had the write protect tab broken off or is slid open, the PROT indicator in the
display will light and the LX20 will not record on the tape. This prevents
accidental erasure of valuable recordings.
To record on a tape that has been protected, eject the tape and slide the write
protect tab so that it is closed. If the tab has been broken off, it is still possible to
defeat write protection.
To defeat write protection:
❿ Press and hold the SET LOCATE button.
❡ While holding the SET LOCATE button, press the Track 1 RECORD ENABLE
button (located immediately to the right of the power switch).
① Each press of the Track 1 RECORD ENABLE button toggles between protect on
and protect off (shown in the display as Prot On and Prot OFF respectively).
The PROTECT indicator in the display turns on and off to confirm the setting.
✪