Specifications

Applications - Chapter 11
68 ADAT LX20 Reference Manual
Doing a premix of virtual tracks to two or more tape tracks can solve these and
other problems. Many times this premix will have that kind of special energy that
exists only during the early process of constructing a song, and will be preferable to a
more laboriously-done premix during the final mixing stage. Besides, if you need to
change the premix later, no problem: resync the sequencer to tape, and re-record the
premix.
There are other reasons to record virtual tracks. A keyboard might not have enough
polyphony to credibly drive several sounds at once; record a polyphony-hungry
part (e.g., piano) to tape, thus freeing up voices for the remaining instruments. Also,
many older synths had global effects sections, but if it’s playing multiple parts, you
might not want all parts to have the same effect. Recording each part that uses a
particular effect to its own track(s) solves this problem.
MIDI SYSTEMS: AUTOMATED MIXDOWN
MIDI not only plays back notes, but control messages such as pan, volume, and the
like. Using a mixer or accessory box that can respond to these control signals allow
for automated mixdown.
The setup is similar to the previous application: A MIDI sequencer syncs to the
LX20, and plays back MIDI data in tandem with the digital audio data emanating
from the LX20. However, the MIDI data can feed signal processors, mixers, and
other devices that respond to MIDI control, and the sequence would consist of these
control messages.
Example: A Q20 can be used as a complete “MIDI automatable mixer channel” as its
EQ, level, and other parameters can all be MIDI-controlled. Feeding an LX20 track
into the Q20, while controlling its parameters with a MIDI sequencer, creates
automated mixing effects.
MIDI SYSTEMS: VIRTUAL TRACKS AND AUTOMATED
MIXDOWN
You can, of course, combine the two approaches mentioned above to generate virtual
tracks and control messages for devices processing the LX20’s audio tracks. Is this a
cool world, or what?
MIDI MACHINE CONTROL: VIRTUAL REMOTE CONTROL
Many computer-based sequencing programs implement MIDI Machine Control
(MMC), a set of messages that allows sequencers, tape machines, and similar gear
to communicate their status to each other. Messages include basic transport
functions (like Play, Stop and Record), Locate functions (go to a specific tape
location), Track functions (record-enable, input monitor, track delay), etc.
However, not all sequencers send out all these messages. For example, some send
only basic transport commands. The extent to which a sequencer can control an LX20
depends on the extent to which the sequencer implements the full MMC
specification.