ADAT

Alesis Digital Audio Tape (ADAT)

An S-VHS tape, which is also used for ADAT
Developed by	Alesis
Usage	Professional digital audio

Alesis Digital Audio Tape, commonly referred to as ADAT, is a

LRC (Little Remote Control)

BRC (Big Remote Control) Master ADAT Controller

Alesis produced several models of ADAT recorders. The original ADAT (later referred to as Blackface) and the ADAT XT record 16 bits per sample (ADAT Type I). A later generation of machines—the XT-20, LX-20 and M-20—support 20 bits per sample (ADAT Type II). All ADAT machines use the same high-quality S-VHS tape media. Tapes recorded in the older Type I format can be read and written in the more modern machines, but not the other way around. Later generations are capable of recording at a sample rate of either

With locate points it was possible to store sample-exact positions on tape, making it easy to find specific parts of digital recordings. Using auto play and auto record functions made it possible to punch in/out at predetermined points, rather than relying on human timing ability to start and stop recording at precisely the right instant.^[4]

ADAT machines could be controlled externally with the Alesis LRC (Little Remote Control), which could be attached to the ADAT with a 1/4" tip/sleeve plug, and featured the transport controls and most commonly used functions. Alternatively, the BRC (Big Remote Control) could be used, which included many more features which the stand-alone ADAT did not have.^[7]: 4

See also

• ADAT Lightpipe – Multichannel digital audio interface
• Digital Audio Tape
• Multitrack recording

References