Alesis M20 PROFESSIONAL 20-BIT DIGITALRECORDER User Manuals

Table of Contents

• Overview, Setup, and Basics

  1
• 1.1 M20 Highlights

  1
• Control and Connector Basics

  1
• 2.1 About the Front Panel

  1
• Editing M20 Operating Parameters

  1
• 3.1 The Keypad

  1
• 3.1a 0 through 9 buttons

  1
• 3.1b Up Arrow/Yes/Upper Case

  1
• 3.1c Down Arrow/No/Lower Case

  1
• 3.1d Cursor Left

  1
• 3.1e Cursor Right

  1
• Tape Formatting

  1
• Track Record Enabling and Monitoring

  1
• 5.1 Track Basics

  1
• Digital/Analog Input Selection and Routing

  1
• 6.1 Digital Source

  1
• 6.2 Input Select

  1
• 7.1 Meter Mode Selection

  1
• 7.1a Clearing Peaks

  1
• Transport Controls and Basic Recording

  1
• 8.1 About the Tape Counter

  1
• 8.2 Stop

  1
• Autolocation

  1
• 9.1 Entering, Selecting, and Editing Location Points

  1
• 9.1A Set Locate

  1
• 9.1B Copy Tape Location

  1
• Varispeed

  1
• SMPTE, Sync, and Offset Functions

  1
• 11.1 Clock Source

  1
• MIDI Functions

  1
• 12.1 MIDI Device (Page 1)

  1
• 12.2 MMC Output (Page 2)

  1
• 12.3 MTC Follow Gen (Page 3)

  1
• 12.4 Send Sysex Dump? (Page 4)

  1
• Utility Menu

  1
• 13.1 Digital Out (Page 1)

  1
• 13.2 Online Source (Page 2)

  1
• 13.2a Online Button

  1
• The LRC Remote Control

  1
• Tutorials and Applications

  1
• TUTORIAL 1: Multiple M20 Operation

  1
• Overview

  1
• Synchronizing Machines

  1
• Automatic ID Renumbering

  1
• M20 SMPTE Synchronization Overview

  1
• 16.1 Synchronization Basics

  1
• Master or Slave?

  1
• Digital Timing Requirements

  1
• Time Code Tutorial

  1
• 17.1 Generating Time Code onto a VCR

  1
• M20 Hidden Functions

  1
• Power-On Button Combinations

  1
• Miscellaneous Button Combinations

  1
• Using The M20 Data Section Of Tape

  1
• General data section convention on the M20

  1
• M20 Locate Points and SMPTE Offsets

  1
• BRC ⇔ M20 Song Start / SMPTE Start Offset and Locate Point Map

  1
• M20 Transport & System Error Messages

  1
• M20 Major Feature Update: Version 2

  1
• RS-422 (Sony 9-pin) slave operation

  1
• RS-422 Track Arm: On/Off

  1
• RS-422 Mapping: 1-2, OddEvn, (Local)

  1
• 1.2 Unpacking and Inspection

  2
• 1.3 AC Power Hookup

  2
• 3.1f Enter/Name

  2
• 4.1 Sample Rate Selection

  2
• 5.2 Track Input Enables

  2
• 5.3 Auto Input Switch

  2
• 5.4 Record Enable

  2
• 6.3 Track Output Selection

  2
• 6.4 Input Signal Routing (Analog And Digital)

  2
• 7.2 Meter Setup

  2
• 8.3 Play

  2
• 8.3a Play Button and Sync Status

  2
• 8.4 Jog/Shuttle Wheel and Search

  2
• 8.4a Jog Mode

  2
• 11.2 SMPTE Rate

  2
• 11.3 Time Code Source

  2
• 11.3a Internal

  2
• 12.5 Receive Sysex Dump? (Page 5)

  2
• 12.6 Send Software? (Page 6)

  2
• 12.7 Load Software? (Page 7)

  2
• 13.2b Independent Slave Mode

  2
• 13.3 Online Control (Page 3)

  2
• 13.4 One-Button Record (Page 4)

  2
• 13.5 Input Monitor (Page 5)

  2
• Master/Slave Interaction

  2
• Achieving Lock

  2
• Independent Slave Mode

  2
• 16.2 The One Clock Principle

  2
• 16.2a House Sync

  2
• 16.2b “Genlocked” Time Code

  2
• 17.2 Synchronizing Without a T/C Track

  2
• BRC ⇔ M20 Parameter Map

  2
• ID 1 offline with the CADI remote

  2
• CADI Tape and Reference Counter indications when ID 1 is offline

  2
• Storing locate points when ID 1 is offline

  2
• 1.4 Line Conditioners and Protectors

  3
• 1.5 About Audio Cables

  3
• 2.2 About the Rear Panel

  3
• 2.2a Punch Footswitch

  3
• 2.2b Locate/Play or LRC Remote Control Jack

  3
• 2.2c Analog Inputs and Outputs

  3
• 2.2d Time Code In and Out

  3
• 2.2e Word Clock In and Out

  3
• 2.2f ADAT Optical In and Out

  3
• 3.1g Selecting Pages

  3
• 3.1h Selecting Page Parameters

  3
• 3.1i Entering Parameter Values

  3
• 4.1a Pull-up and Pull-down Sample Rate Selection

  3
• 4.2 Word Length Selection

  3
• 5.5 Safety Mode (All Safe)

  3
• 5.6 Monitor Inputs (All Input)

  3
• 6.4a Analog Input Routing

  3
• 8.4b Shuttle Mode

  3
• 8.4c Search Button

  3
• 9.2 Deferred Play and Record

  3
• 9.3 Play-After-Locate (Auto Play)

  3
• 9.4 Loop Between Start and End Locate Points (Auto Return)

  3
• 11.4 Chase Reference

  3
• 13.6 Crossfade Time (Page 6)

  3
• 13.7 Time Code Output Level (Page 7)

  3
• 13.8 Rewind/Fast Forward TC Output (Page 8)

  3
• 13.9 Unthread Timeout (Page 9)

  3
• Formatting Multiple Tapes

  3
• Master Format Enabled, Complete Format

  3
• Master Format Enabled, Format Extend

  3
• 16.3 Reference Counters vs. Clock Sources

  3
• 16.3a Location Reference

  3
• 16.3b Reference Clock

  3
• 17.3 Recording a Time Code Track

  3
• 17.3a Recording SMPTE from ABS Time

  3
• Advanced Functions

  3
• Tape TC detection in fast wind modes

  3
• 1.6 Basic Audio Hookup

  4
• 1.7 Use the Right Tape

  4
• 1.8 Preparing the Tape Prior to Use

  4
• 1.9 Eject Tape Properly

  4
• 1.10 Backup

  4
• 2.2g Video In and Thru

  4
• 2.2h ADAT Sync In and Out

  4
• 2.2i MIDI In and Out

  4
• 2.2j RS-422 In (Sony 9-Pin)

  4
• 2.2k Meter Bridge/Remote Panel Out

  4
• 2.2l Power

  4
• 3.2 The Edit Button

  4
• 3.3 Editing Conventions

  4
• 4.3 Format a New Tape

  4
• 4.4 Record Tracks While Formatting

  4
• 6.4b Digital Input Routing

  4
• 8.4d Search Master

  4
• 9.4a Setting Loop Start and End Points

  4
• 9.5 Set Pre-Roll

  4
• 11.5 Reference Counter

  4
• 11.6 SMPTE Chase

  4
• 11.6a Set SMPTE Offset Value (Page 1)

  4
• 13.10 Search Enable (Page 10)

  4
• 13.11 Locate Before Play (Page 11)

  4
• 13.12 Mute Until Lock (Page 12)

  4
• 13.13 Dynamic Punch (Page 13)

  4
• 13.14 Track Groups (Page 14)

  4
• 13.15 Save Data to Tape? (Page 15)

  4
• Master Format Disabled

  4
• Master Format Disabled, Format Extend

  4
• Tape TC in the Tape Counter

  4
• Fixed mode time code generation: “TC Start Ref: Fixed”

  4
• 1.11 Operating Environment

  5
• 1.12 Avoid Electromagnetic Interference

  5
• 4.5 Extend a Partially-Formatted Tape

  5
• 4.6 End Formatting

  5
• 4.7 Certify Tape Format

  5
• 4.8 Reformatting: Caution!

  5
• 6.4c Record-Enabling the Destination Tracks

  5
• 8.5 Other Transport Buttons

  5
• 9.6 Set Post-Roll

  5
• 11.6b Set SMPTE Chase Mode (Page 2)

  5
• 11.6c Set Flywheel Duration (Page 3)

  5
• 11.6d Park Ahead (Page 4)

  5
• 13.16 Load Data from Tape? (Page 16)

  5
• 13.17 Tape Type (Page 17)

  5
• 13.18 ID Status (Page 18)

  5
• 13.19 User Bits (Page 19)

  5
• TUTORIAL 2: Making Digital Backups

  5
• 16.3 Offsets in the M20

  5
• 16.3a SMPTE Chase Offset

  5
• Maintenance and Troubleshooting

  5
• 18.1 ADAT Head Cleaning

  5
• Digital Scrub: “Dig Scan: On/Off, nn dB”

  5
• I/O Card as the digital source

  5
• SMPTE Chase with the Stop button

  5
• Tape TC updating when in Input mode

  5
• Vari-Speed and Pull-Up/Down

  5
• 4.9 Lock Out Formatting (Safe Mode)

  6
• 4.10 Bulk Erasing

  6
• 4.11 Recording a “Benchmark” Tape

  6
• 6.5 Aux Routing (input and output)

  6
• 8.6 Record

  6
• 8.6a Punching Into Record

  6
• 8.6b Punching Out of Record

  6
• 9.7 Footswitch-Controlled Location

  6
• 11.7 Internal Generator

  6
• 11.7a Generator Mode (Page 1)

  6
• 13.20 Error Rate (Page 20)

  6
• 13.21 Front Panel Software Version (Page 21)

  6
• 13.22 Software Version (Page 22)

  6
• Dealing with Damaged Tape

  6
• Making a 16-bit copy from a 20-bit master

  6
• 16.3b Internal Generator ABS Offset

  6
• 16.3c Tape Offset

  6
• 18.1a Head Cleaning Cassettes (optional)

  6
• 18.1b Manual Head and Tape Path Cleaning

  6
• MIDI Thru

  6
• New Utility page order

  6
• CADI display changes

  6
• Cassette Auto-Inject

  6
• 8.6c Record Write-Protection

  7
• 8.6d Recording with a Footswitch

  7
• 8.7 Rehearse Mode

  7
• 11.7b Time Code Start Reference (Page 2)

  7
• 11.7c ABS/Start Offset (Page 3)

  7
• TUTORIAL 3: Recording Digital Audio from Other Sources

  7
• Digital Clock Considerations

  7
• 16.4 SMPTE Time Code Rates and Types

  7
• 16.4a Drop Frame

  7
• 16.4b Auto-detection of SMPTE Rates

  7
• 18.2 ADAT Head Life

  7
• 18.2a Head Alignment

  7
• Deck Standby Mode

  7
• Auto-Park After Formatting

  7
• Deferred Eject

  7
• New RS-422 Device ID

  7
• Improved SMPTE Clock Source Recognition

  7
• Sample Rate Change During Play/Record

  7
• 8.8 Auto Record

  8
• 8.8a Setting Auto Record Punch Points

  8
• 11.7d User Bits (Page 4, or Page 3 if the Page 2 value is TC Track)

  8
• 11.8 Tape Offset

  8
• TUTORIAL 4: Combining M20s and ADATs

  8
• M20 Transport Speed

  8
• Sample rate vs. Pitch Control

  8
• Input Monitoring

  8
• 16.4c VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code)

  8
• 16.4d MTC (MIDI Time Code)

  8
• 18.3 Tape Maintenance: Safe Tape

  8
• 18.3a Tape Wear

  8
• 18.3b Care of ADAT Tapes

  8
• 8.8b Enable Auto Record

  9
• 8.8c Set Auto Punch Points “On the Fly”

  9
• Polarity Differences

  9
• 18.4 Maintenance/Service

  9
• 18.4a Exterior Cleaning

  9
• 18.4b Maintenance

  9
• 11.9 Track Delay

  10
• TUTORIAL 5: Setting up Inputs

  10
• 18.4d Obtaining Repair Service

  10
• TUTORIAL 6: Updating M20 Software

  11
• TUTORIAL 7: Using the M20 with Unbalanced Inputs and Outputs

  12