From: maurices@spock.dis.cccd.edu (Maurice Shihadi)
Newsgroups: rec.music.synth
Subject: Re: EM reviews the Alesis ADAT... and loves it
Date: 28 Sep 92 09:47:31 GMT
Organization: Coast Community College District, Costa Mesa, CA


Questions answered with questions?  Better some response than none at all
huh.  Oh well, what follows are the answers to my questions based on
oppinions from many others in the field which means that they may be WRONG.  
Feel free to jump in with corrections so that we may all learn a bit more
and possibly buy this thing.  I was really hoping to compare notes
and gain some semblance of truth before starting on yet another payment
schedule so come on, lets talk about it.  

Also, Tascam is supposed to show their product at AES so if
anyone out there gets specs please send them to me as Tascam is still
being very secretive.


>>What does it cost to replace the recording mechanism once it goes bad?

A)  Somewhere in the $2,000 range.


>> What happens to the other tracks when lets say track eight is being
>> recorded on?  

A)  The other tracks are being re-written to which means more likelyhood
of drop-outs.


Are they being constantly written to as well during each
punch in?

A)  Yes 


>> Dropouts in the anolog world can be masked out somewhat, what about
>> digital dropouts?

A)  Digital drop-out can cause aliasing which is a hideous sound
that we all should experience at least once.


>> Ever hear the difference between aliasing and distortion?  Lets use
>> the 1622 with no peak meters with the ADAT and find out.

(My idea of humor since I've got the 1622.  By the way, besides missing
individual peak meters its great.)
>

>>Are we going to be able to purchase S-VHS tapes allready formatted
>>or will we have to constantly take the time to format store bought 
>>tapes?

A)  Alesis is supposed to offer pre-formatted S-VHS tapes.  However,
the ADAT supposedly gets confused if one doesn't format the whole
tape in one shot.
>
>
>>If one wants to punch in at a moments notice, how long does it take
>>for the ADAT to engage the recording mechanism?
>
A)  Not long at all because of helical scanning.
A)  Too long and too noisy while engaging, almost like watching a movie.

--I wondered if the context was in punching in from pause or stop when using
two ADATS.--

>>How long does the information last on tapes in a digital format stored on
S-VHS tape before the data is currupted?

A)  Data should be backed up and restored at least once a year to ensure 
integrity. 

>
>>How much outside noise will the machine generate when in record mode? 
>>Do we need to buy a glass case for it also?

A)  If its in a controll room no problem but if its in a project studio
it should be covered or inclosed by a rack and controlled by the remote.

>
>>Why can't the ADAT act as a backup device for direct to disc mastering
>>workstations (it supposedly does everything else)?  

--Actually, this is worded incorrectly because it can backup direct to
disc mastering workstations.  I was hoping for an ability to backup
a computer period.  Hopefully, Tascam will borrow some technology from 
Teac and include this feature in their unit.--

>
>
>>Why can't the ADAT read SMPTE without striping a track and without 
>>purchasing the BRC controller?

A)  BRC seems the only solution if it ever gets shipping seeing as the 
interface is a propriatary format.  It would of been nice if Alesis took 
advantage of MMC so that the ADAT could be controlled more efficiantly 
using a sequencing program.

>
>>It isn't my intention to trash Alesis, I am just concerned about all
>>the "wonderful" things I've been hearing from salesman concerning the
>>ADAT over the past three years and the fact that I can't get the same
>>answer twice unless I call Alesis.  Furthermore, I have my answers
>>to the above questions but I really would like to compare notes before
>>I go out and pay retail for this thing.



LET THE NITPICKING BEGIN, but most importantly lets learn before we buy.

I'm listening.

maurices

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