Specifications

Applications - Chapter 11
66 ADAT LX20 Reference Manual
Example: Suppose a guitar lick is too loud in the mix. Rewind to before the
offending lick, reduce only the guitar level at the mixer, then press Play. Punch in
at the point where you want the lower guitar level. Punch out at the end of the loud
guitar lick to return to the previous volume level. Note that unlike analog
recording, there is no punch-out gap where silence occurs; punch-out is immediate.
LIVE/LONG-TERM RECORDING
The LX20 excels at live recording because of its compact size and easy operation. 8
tracks allow for recording audience sounds, ambience, and individual soloists as
well as a stereo PA feed. Interconnecting and synchronizing multiple machines
allows for more tracks if needed.
When using more than one LX20, you can increase the recording time by manually
placing the second machine into record just before the first machine is at the end of
its tape. Of course, the audio signals to be recorded would need to be split and
connected to both sets of inputs.
Using an Alesis BRC with a multiple ADAT system allows for a feature called
continuous recording. By splitting the system into two (or into two sets of machines),
you can offset the second set by a specific amount of time. Example: Assuming that
you’re using ST-120 tapes with 40 minutes of record time, a 35 minute offset would
provide 5 minutes of overlap. The second set of machines would automatically kick
into record just before the first set’s tape ran out. Refer to Chapter 10 for more
details on connecting multiple ADATs; refer to the BRC Reference Manual for more
on continuous recording.
For live use, remember that the LX20 can accept ST-160 tapes (which provide over
53 minutes recording time) and ST-180 tapes (over an hour of recording). Set up the
LX20 for the length of tape being used, as described in Chapter 3.
LOCKING TO VIDEO: CODE-ONLY MASTER
A common application in audio post-production is locking to video using time code
recorded on the video tape. This requires a synchronizer interface, such as the
Alesis AI-2 or BRC. The connections are:
• Run a balanced 1/4" TRS cable between the VTR’s SMPTE OUT connector and
the AI-2’s SMPTE IN (if time code is recorded onto the tape’s left or right audio
track, connect the cable to the proper channel’s output connector).
• Patch a BNC connector from the house sync feeding the VTR (such as a black-
burst generator), or the VTR’s video out, to the AI-2 VIDEO IN.
• Connect the AI-2’s SYNC OUT to the LX20’s SYNC IN connector.
When the LX20 detects an on-line AI-2 or BRC, it will ID itself as a slave (ID 1)
and the Clock will automatically switch to External (the EXT indicator will light
in the Clock block). The AI-2 and BRC Reference Manuals contain more information.