Akai DD1500 User manual

1 INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................1
THANK YOU!....................................................................................................1
DD1500 SYSTEM OVERVIEW.........................................................................1
FEATURES.......................................................................................................2
ABOUT THIS MANUAL.....................................................................................4
2 TERMINOLOGY.....................................................................................................5
3 HOW THE DD1500 WORKS...................................................................................7
DD1500 ‘FLOWCHART’....................................................................................7
4 DD1500M FRONT AND REAR PANELS..................................................................10
DIGITAL INPUTS A AND B...............................................................................10
MIX A/MIX B DIGITAL OUTPUTS.....................................................................10
OPTION SLOTS...............................................................................................10
ANALOGUE UNIT.............................................................................................10
SMPTE IN........................................................................................................11
SMPTE OUT.....................................................................................................11
LEVEL..............................................................................................................11
MIDI IN, OUT, THRU.........................................................................................11
WORDCK (A)/VIDEO SYNC (A) IN....................................................................11
WORDCLOCK (B) IN/OUT.................................................................................11
VIDEO - VITC/SYNC (B) IN...............................................................................11
BI-PHASE SYNC IN..........................................................................................11
BI-PHASE SYNC OUT......................................................................................11
VTR CONTROL.................................................................................................12
GPI/O...............................................................................................................12
SCSI.................................................................................................................12
REMOTE - AKAINET/DIGITAL AUDIO OUT......................................................12
DIP SWITCHES................................................................................................12
SIGNAL GND....................................................................................................12
MAINS INPUT...................................................................................................12
DD1500X FRONT AND REAR PANELS..................................................................13
FRONT PANEL - INSERTING AN MO DISK......................................................14
DISK ACTIVITY LED.............................................................................14
DISK EJECT BUTTON..........................................................................14
WRITE PROTECT SWITCH..................................................................14
REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS.........................................................................15
SCSI CONNECTIONS...........................................................................15
NOTES REGARDING SCSI...................................................................15
DIP SWITCHES - SETTING SCSI ID AND TERMINATION.....................16
SIGNAL GND....................................................................................................16
MAINS INPUT...................................................................................................16
DD1500A FRONT AND REAR PANELS..................................................................17
RECOMMENDED DD1500A CONFIGURATIONS..............................................17
DL1500 REAR PANELS .........................................................................................19
DISPLAY CONTRAST.......................................................................................19
HEADPHONE...................................................................................................19
AUDIO MONITOR OUTPUT..............................................................................19
FOOT SW.........................................................................................................19
KEYBOARD......................................................................................................19
EXPANSION CONNECTION.............................................................................19
DISPLAY..........................................................................................................19
PRINTER PORT................................................................................................20
SERIAL PORT..................................................................................................20
DIGITAL AUDIO IN...........................................................................................20
AKAINET..........................................................................................................20
TERM...............................................................................................................20
OPTION SLOT..................................................................................................20
SIGNAL GND....................................................................................................20
CONNECTION TO RS422 VTR.........................................................................22
CONNECTION USING BI-PHASE......................................................................26

DL1500 REAR PANELS (Cont)
POWERING UP THE DD1500 SYSTEM...........................................................27
5 BASIC CONCEPTS.................................................................................................29
CUE..................................................................................................................29
EDIT REGION...................................................................................................29
SELECT CUE...................................................................................................29
6 DL1500 PANEL LAYOUT.......................................................................................31
TOP PANEL.....................................................................................................31
TRACK SELECT KEYS.........................................................................31
GROUP KEYS......................................................................................31
HELP KEY............................................................................................31
NAME KEY...........................................................................................31
METERS..............................................................................................31
LCD......................................................................................................31
TIMECODE DISPLAY...........................................................................31
FLOPPY DISK DRIVE...........................................................................31
MAIN PANEL....................................................................................................31
UTILITIES KEYS..................................................................................31
AUTOLOCATOR KEYS.........................................................................31
PLAY KEYS.........................................................................................31
EXIT, UNDO and EXECUTE keys.........................................................32
SOFT KEYS.........................................................................................32
JOG WHEEL........................................................................................32
NUMERIC KEYPAD..............................................................................32
DATA ENTRY KEYS.............................................................................32
CURSOR KEYS....................................................................................32
FADER AND PAN CONTROLS..............................................................32
OUT A AND OUT B SWITCHES............................................................32
LINE OUT AND HEADPHONES LEVEL CONTROL...............................32
7 VGA MONITOR LAYOUT........................................................................................33
TRACK STATUS...............................................................................................33
GRID - GRAPHIC INTERFACE DISPLAY..........................................................33
NOW TIME.......................................................................................................33
OVERVIEW......................................................................................................34
TRACK METERS..............................................................................................34
OUTPUT METERS............................................................................................34
PROJECT NAME..............................................................................................34
EDIT CLIPBOARD............................................................................................35
8 GETTING AROUND THE DL1500...........................................................................36
CURSOR KEYS................................................................................................37
TRACK ZOOM KEYS........................................................................................38
NUMERIC KEYPAD..........................................................................................38
EDITING NUMERIC FIELDS.............................................................................38
EDITING NAMES THAT INCLUDE NUMBERS..................................................39
ENTERING TIMECODE VALUES......................................................................39
DATA ENTRY/NUDGE KEYS............................................................................40
USING THE SOFT KEYS..................................................................................40
EXECUTE.........................................................................................................40
EXIT.................................................................................................................40
UNDO...............................................................................................................41
SHIFT...............................................................................................................41
SET FUNCTIONS..............................................................................................41
JOG WHEEL....................................................................................................41
NAMING FILES................................................................................................42
RENAMING FILES............................................................................................42
USING A COMPUTER KEYBOARD..................................................................42
HELP................................................................................................................43

9 GETTING AROUND THE GRID...............................................................................44
TRANSPORT KEYS..........................................................................................44
GOTO FUNCTION.............................................................................................44
NEXT/PREVIOUS EDIT....................................................................................45
JOG WHEEL....................................................................................................45
JOG/SPOOL SET.............................................................................................46
10 SYSTEM SETUP....................................................................................................47
DISK - FORMATTING DISKS............................................................................54
NOTES ON FORMATTING DISKS........................................................56
SHOW (SHIFT+SYSTEM).................................................................................57
11 RECORDING ..........................................................................................................59
BASIC RECORDING.........................................................................................59
ADVANCED RECORDING.................................................................................61
SETTING RECORD LEVELS............................................................................66
RECORD SETUP..............................................................................................66
AUTO PUNCH-IN/OUT......................................................................................68
REHEARSE......................................................................................................68
INPUT ROUTING - ASSIGNING INPUTS TO TRACKS.......................................70
BOUNCING DOWN TRACKS............................................................................72
RECORDING DIGITALLY..................................................................................73
12 PLAYBACK ............................................................................................................75
TRANSPORT KEYS..........................................................................................75
PLAY KEY............................................................................................75
STOP KEY...........................................................................................75
FAST FORWARD..................................................................................75
REWIND...............................................................................................75
REC......................................................................................................75
PLAY LAST..........................................................................................75
PLAY IN>OUT......................................................................................75
PLAY TO..............................................................................................76
PLAY OVER.........................................................................................76
PLAY FROM.........................................................................................77
MUTING TRACKS.............................................................................................77
SOLOING A TRACK.........................................................................................77
GROUPING TRACKS........................................................................................77
13 AUTOLOCATOR.....................................................................................................78
LOCATING TO THE START OR END OF A PROJECT......................................78
LOCATING TO THE NEXT OR PREVIOUS CUES.............................................78
LOCATING TO TIMECODE POSITIONS...........................................................78
LOCATING TO LOCATOR MEMORIES............................................................78
STORING LOCATE MEMORIES.......................................................................79
STORING A SINGLE LOCATE MEMORY.............................................79
STORING MULTIPLE LOCATE MEMORIES.........................................79
CLEARING LOCATE MEMORIES.....................................................................80
CLEARING SINGLE LOCATE MEMORIES...........................................80
CLEARING ALL LOCATE MEMORIES.................................................80
CYCLE.............................................................................................................81
PRE-ROLL........................................................................................................82
14 EDITING.................................................................................................................83
DIRECTORY - USING LIBRARIES....................................................................84
CREATING A NEW, EMPTY LIBRARY.............................................................87
RENAMING LIBRARIES...................................................................................87
EDIT CLIPBOARD............................................................................................88
SOFT KEYS.....................................................................................................89
EXIT KEY.........................................................................................................89
UNDO KEY.......................................................................................................89
REDO (SHIFT+UNDO).......................................................................................89
EXECUTE KEY.................................................................................................89

14 EDITING (Cont)
IN KEY.............................................................................................................89
SYNC KEY.......................................................................................................89
OUT KEY..........................................................................................................89
TO SELECT A TRACK FROM THE IN POINT TO THE END..............................90
TO SELECT A TRACK FROM THE OUT POINT TO THE START.......................90
TO SELECT A TRACK FROM THE SYNC MARK TO THE START OR END.......90
TO SELECT A WHOLE TRACK........................................................................90
SELECT CUE...................................................................................................91
SELECTING A SINGLE CUE................................................................91
SELECTING A STEREO CUE...............................................................91
SELECTING MULTIPLE CUES.............................................................92
COPY TO CLIPBOARD.....................................................................................93
COPY TO LIBRARY..........................................................................................95
COPYING TO AN EXTERNAL DISK..................................................................96
CUT TO CLIPBOARD........................................................................................97
CUT TO LIBRARY.............................................................................................98
-> CUT TO CLIPBOARD (SHIFT+CUT)..............................................................99
-> CUT TO LIBRARY.........................................................................................100
ERASE TO CLIPBOARD...................................................................................101
ERASE TO LIBRARY........................................................................................102
DISCARD (SHIFT+ERASE)...............................................................................103
PASTE FROM CLIPBOARD..............................................................................104
PASTING TO OUT AND SYNC REFERENCES......................................104
PASTE FROM LIBRARY...................................................................................106
OVERLAY (SHIFT+PASTE) FROM CLIPBOARD...............................................108
OVERLAYING TO OUT AND SYNC REFERENCES..............................108
OVERLAY FROM LIBRARY..............................................................................109
INSERT FROM CLIPBOARD.............................................................................110
INSERTING TO OUT AND SYNC REFERENCES..................................110
INSERT FROM LIBRARY..................................................................................112
IN->NOW (SHIFT+INSERT)...............................................................................113
SPLIT CUE.......................................................................................................116
SELECT/EDIT CUE...........................................................................................117
TRIM................................................................................................................121
TRIMMING PRE...................................................................................124
SLIPPING PRE.....................................................................................126
SLIPPING WHOLE TRACK USING SLIP PRE......................................127
TRIMMING POST.................................................................................128
SLIPPING POST..................................................................................130
SLIPPING WHOLE TRACK USING SLIP POST....................................131
TRIMMING A SPLICE EDIT..................................................................132
TRIMMING A SPLICE - BOTH LOCKED...............................................133
LISTEN.................................................................................................133
TRIMMING A SPLICE - PRE SLIP........................................................134
SLIP WHOLE TRACK USING TRIM SPLICE (PRE SLIP)......................135
TRIMMING A SPLICE - POST SLIP......................................................136
SLIP WHOLE TRACK USING TRIM SPLICE (POST SLIP)....................137
UNDOING A TRIM................................................................................138
TRIM SET (SHIFT+TRIM)..................................................................................139
NUDGE.............................................................................................................140
NUDGING AUDIO.................................................................................140
UNDOING A NUDGE.............................................................................141
NUDGE SET (SHIFT+NUDGE)..........................................................................141
ORIGINAL FUNCTION......................................................................................142
TRACK MOVE..................................................................................................143
EDIT PLAY KEYS.............................................................................................144

15 SAVING PROJECTS ..............................................................................................145
SAVING A PROJECT WITH A DIFFERENT NAME............................................146
COMPILING A PROJECT.................................................................................147
SAVING MIX SETTINGS AND AUTOLOCATE MEMORIES..............................148
SAVING SETTINGS FILES...............................................................................149
AUTOSAVE......................................................................................................151
16 LOAD .....................................................................................................................152
CREATING A NEW PROJECT..........................................................................154
IMPORTING A PROJECT INTO A PROJECT....................................................155
IMPORTING PART OF A PROJECT INTO ANOTHER PROJECT.......................156
17 EXT. TIME KEY - SYNCING TO EXTERNAL TIMECODE........................................159
EXTERNAL TIMECODE OFFSET.....................................................................160
SETTING TIMECODE OFFSETS......................................................................162
18 RS422 CONTROL...................................................................................................163
DD1500 AS AN RS422 MASTER......................................................................163
EXT M/C SET...................................................................................................164
LAYBACK FUNCTION IN RS422 MASTER.......................................................165
USING THE LAYBACK FUNCTION.......................................................166
RS422 MASTER CONTROL OF NON-LINEAR VIDEO RECORDERS....167
AUTO CONFORM.............................................................................................168
OVERVIEW OF AUTO CONFORM........................................................168
SETTING UP THE DD1500 FOR AUTO CONFORM..............................171
SETTING UP TO IMPORT AN EDL.......................................................172
IMPORTING THE EDL..........................................................................175
PERFORMING THE AUTO CONFORM.................................................176
PERFORMING A PARTIAL AUTO CONFORM......................................180
RS422 SLAVE FUNCTIONS.............................................................................182
RS422 SLAVE - EAVESDROPPING MODE..........................................183
RS422 SLAVE - FULL SLAVE MODE...................................................184
USING THE VIDEO TEXT GENERATOR WITH RS422 SLAVE.............185
19 MIXER....................................................................................................................186
SETTING TRACK LEVELS AND PAN...............................................................186
METERS SETUP..............................................................................................188
MIDI MIXER FUNCTION...................................................................................189
MIDI MIXER AUTOMATION..............................................................................189
20 DSP FUNCTIONS...................................................................................................191
TIMESTRETCH.................................................................................................193
THE TIMESTRETCH PAGE..............................................................................195
USING THE TIMESTRETCH FUNCTION...........................................................198
PITCH SHIFT....................................................................................................202
THE TIMESTRETCH/PITCH SHIFT PRESETS..................................................203
HOW THE PRESETS WERE CREATED...........................................................204
VARISPEED.....................................................................................................205
DIGITAL OFFLINE EQ......................................................................................207
21 LIBRARY MANAGEMENT......................................................................................211
RECORDING TO A LIBRARY............................................................................212
COPYING EDITS FROM PROJECTS TO LIBRARIES.......................................213
MANAGING YOUR LIBRARIES........................................................................214
CREATING A LIBRARY....................................................................................214
RENAMING A LIBRARY...................................................................................214
SORTING LIBRARIES......................................................................................214
OPENING A LIBRARY......................................................................................215
RENAMING CLIPS...........................................................................................215
CLIP INFO PAGE.............................................................................................216
COPYING CLIPS BETWEEN LIBRARIES.........................................................217
MOVING CLIPS TO OTHER LIBRARIES..........................................................218
DELETING CLIPS.............................................................................................219

22 SYSTEM TIMECODE GENERATOR.......................................................................220
BI-PHASE SETUP............................................................................................221
I/O PAGES.......................................................................................................222
AUDIO..............................................................................................................225
VIDEO TEXT GENERATOR..............................................................................226
MIDI FUNCTIONS - TEMPO MAPS...................................................................227
CREATING A MIDI TEMPO MAP......................................................................229
DELETING TEMPO MAP STEPS.....................................................................230
LOCATING TO STEPS.....................................................................................230
MIDI MIXER FUNCTION...................................................................................231
DISK MANAGEMENT.......................................................................................232
SYSTEM DISK MANAGEMENT..............................................................................232
COPYING FILES/DISKS...................................................................................233
DELETE...........................................................................................................236
RENAMING FILES............................................................................................237
BACKING UP YOUR WORK.............................................................................238
BACKING UP TO SCSI TAPE DRIVES.................................................238
FORMATTING A TAPE FOR BACKUP..................................................239
BACKING UP SELECTED FILES..........................................................241
BACKING UP ALL PROJECTS AND/OR LIBRARIES............................242
BACKING UP AN ENTIRE DISK............................................................242
PERFORMING THE BACKUP...............................................................243
VERIFYING A BACKUP....................................................................................245
RESTORING A BACKUP..................................................................................246
PERFORMING A RESTORE.................................................................247
RESTORING THE ENTIRE BACKUP.....................................................251
NOTES ABOUT BACKUP/RESTORE....................................................252
SUGGESTIONS FOR BACKUP/RESTORE...........................................253
TAKING CARE OF YOUR TAPE DRIVE................................................254
ARCHIVING DATA TO DAT...............................................................................255
RESTORING FROM DAT..................................................................................258
DISK UTILS......................................................................................................259
DISK INFO............................................................................................259
CLEANUP DISK................................................................................................260
CLEANUP DISK....................................................................................260
MINIMISE.............................................................................................262
SALVAGE............................................................................................263
OPERATING SYSTEM...........................................................................................264
AKNET ID.........................................................................................................265
REAL-TIME CLOCK FUNCTION IN SYSTEM....................................................266
23 DL1500 AUDIO MONITOR......................................................................................267
LINE OUT.........................................................................................................267
HEADPHONE...................................................................................................267
24 PRINT FUNCTIONS ................................................................................................268
PRINTING A PROJECT.....................................................................................268
PRINTING OUT THE DISK DIRECTORY...........................................................269
PRINTING LIBRARIES......................................................................................270
PRINTER SETUP..............................................................................................271
25 DD1000 DISK COMPATIBILITY..............................................................................272
LOADING DD1000 QLISTS..............................................................................272
DEALING WITH DD1000 ENVELOPES............................................................273
CONVERTING DD1000 CUTS INTO DD1500 LIBRARY CLIPS.........................273
PLAYING DD1000 DISKS CREATED ON A DD1500 ON A DD1000..................274
FORMATTING A DD1000 DISK IN THE DD1500...............................................275
SAVING A DD1500 PROJECT AS A DD1000 QLIST........................................275
STEREO EDITS SAVED IN DD1000 FORMAT..................................................276
DD1000 EDIT CUE PARAMETER COMPATIBILITY ON THE DD1500..............276
USING DD1000 DISKS ON V1.00 DD1500.......................................................276
MULTIPLE DISK DRIVE SYSTEMS..................................................................276

APPENDIX 1................................................................................................................278
NOTES ON CHOOSING A DISK DRIVE............................................................278
NOTES REGARDING SCSI...............................................................................278
NOTES REGARDING THE USE OF MULTIPLE DISK DRIVES..........................279
APPENDIX 2................................................................................................................280
PIN WIRING - DD1500......................................................................................280
ANALOGUE XLR CONNECTIONS........................................................280
RS422 9-PIN CONNECTION.................................................................280
GPI/O CONNECTION............................................................................280
BI-PHASE INPUT..................................................................................281
BI-PHASE OUTPUT..............................................................................281
DIGITAL AUDIO LINK TO DL1500........................................................281
PIN WIRING - DL1500......................................................................................282
DIGITAL AUDIO LINK FROM DD1500m...............................................282
S-VGA MONITOR OUTPUT..................................................................282
PC COMPUTER KEYBOARD INPUT.....................................................282
APPENDIX 3................................................................................................................283
SETTING THE DD1500M REAR PANEL DIP SWITCHES.................................283

INTRODUCTION - 1
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 1
The staff at Akai would like to thank you for buying the DD1500. Developed by the same
team of engineers that developed the Akai DD1000, the world’s first Magneto Optical Disk
recorder/editor, we are confident that the DD1500 will be a sound investment, offering
many years of reliable service and will be a product you can rely on in your daily work.
The DD1500 is a powerful multi-track digital audio recorder and editor. Being a dedicated
system with no host computer required, its performance is optimised for recording, editing
and syncing audio to picture and so offers ease of use and speed of operation with no
prior knowledge of computers and/or hard disk digital recording required.
The system comprises three main units:
DD1500m This is the system’s main signal processor and contains custom LSI
developed especially for the DD1500m. All the timecode interfaces you are
likely to require such as SMPTE, BI-PHASE, VITC, RS422, etc., are
provided as standard as well as a variety of wordclock inputs and outputs
allowing the DD1500 to be integrated into virtually any professional work
environment. Two digital AES/EBU inputs and outputs are supplied as
standard and optional digital i/o boards may also be installed in the
DD1500m.
DD1500x This is the system’s disk drive. This can house up to two Sony 1.3GByte
Magneto Optical (MO) disk drives or an MO and a fixed hard disk. It
connects to the DD1500m using SCSI.
DD1500a This unit allows you to add analogue inputs and outputs to the system as
you require. Each unit may contain up to eight inputs and eight outputs
and two units may be used with the system.
DL1500 This is the system’s controller. It offers dedicated keys for most day-to-day
functions making the system fast to learn and easy to use. Dedicated track
select and transport keys and autolocator functions give it the feel of a
normal MTR whilst sophisticated editing functions allow you to edit audio
quickly and precisely. The specially designed jog wheel allows you to
‘scrub’ audio across all 16 tracks just like reel rocking ordinary tape and,
using RS422 control of a VTR, you can jog audio and picture together.
The DL1500 also has a special custom LSI developed purely for
generating the graphics you see on the external VGA monitor. Being
optimised for the task, you will see that screen updating is exceptionally
fast, offering smooth waveform scrolling and lightning fast zoom in and
zoom out. At no time are you left sitting there waiting for the screen to
update and waveforms to re-draw. A simple but effective colour scheme
eliminates eye strain even in prolonged sessions. You will no doubt be
pleased to know that the screen you see on the monitor is the only one
you work in and there are no multiple, stacked ‘windows’ to confuse you
and no separate record or edit modes to have to enter making operation
fast and consistent.

1 - INTRODUCTION
Page 2 Version 2.00 - March, 1996
FEATURES
• 8-track operation (4-track record/8-track playback) with immediate removability on the
Sony™ Magneto Optical (MO) disk (no back-up required). Record times for one side of
a 1.3GByte MO disk are 1 hour 40 minutes of mono recording at 48kHz, 2 hours of
mono at 44.1kHz and 3 hours of mono at 32kHz. Effective playback time can be
extended using extra MO drives and up to seven drives in total may be connected
using SCSI.
• 16-track operation (8-track record/16-track playback) using a fixed hard disk. The
largest single drive the DD1500 can accommodate is 4Gbytes offering in excess of 12
hours of mono recording at 44.1kHz.
• SMPTE/EBU IN and OUT (at all frame rates), Bi-phase IN and OUT, VITC IN and
RS422 (Sony™ P2 9-pin protocol) are all fitted as standard.
• As an RS422 MASTER, the DD1500 can be used to control video equipment for
synchronised editing of sound to picture and RS422 SLAVE operation allows you to
use a DD1500m as a slave device to a video editor.
• AUTO CONFORM function allows to import EDLs from external video editors with
automated recording of source reels into the DD1500.
• The SMPTE output will re-generate fresh, electronic timecode from an external
timecode source.
• The DD1500 will convert SMPTE/EBU timecode to Bi-phase and vice versa. It is also
possible to convert one frame rate of timecode to another.
• The DD1500 will convert SMPTE/EBU timecode to MIDI clock and MIDI TIMECODE
(MTC) and vice versa.
• The DD1500 can follow external timecode backwards and forwards, even at slow
speeds. High speed rewind, fast forward, spooling and jogging is also possible.
• Wordclock and video sync inputs fitted as standard allowing synchronisation to house
sync, digital audio and PAL/SECAM and NTSC video sync sources.
• Up to 20 analogue outputs may be installed (16 track outputs plus two stereo mix
outputs A and B).
• 20-bit digital to analogue converters (DACs) with 8 x oversampling. Separating them in
the DD1500a ensures high quality, interference-free analogue audio. All outputs use
balanced XLR connections at +4dBm.
• Up to 12 analogue inputs may be installed and these may be freely assigned to tracks
as you wish. All inputs use balanced XLR connections at +4dBm.
• 18-bit analogue to digital converters (ADCs) with 64 x oversampling.
• Three assignable General Purpose Inputs (GPI) and five assignable General Purpose
Outputs (GPO) are fitted as standard.
• Custom LSI dedicated for signal processing ensures fast and reliable operation.
• DSP FUNCTIONS include Timestretch, Pitch shift, Varispeed, EQ and Reverse.
• 16-channel digital mixer contained in the DD1500m with external MIDI control (can be
automated with an external MIDI sequencer).
• Dedicated MTR-style transport keys for play, stop, rewind, fast forward and record.
• MTR style autolocator with 100 locate memories and 100 ‘grab’ markers.

INTRODUCTION - 1
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 3
• The JOG wheel allows you to ‘scrub’ audio across all 16-tracks for editing.
• Dedicated track select keys for easy selection of play, mute, edit and record.
• Dedicated keys for nearly all main editing functions (i.e. COPY, CUT, ERASE, PASTE,
INSERT, TRIM, NUDGE). Lesser used edit functions are displayed on soft keys.
Naturally, all editing is totally non-destructive.
• Easily managed DIRECTORY and LIBRARY system for importing files into projects.
• Dedicated fader and pan controls can be used to set levels and pan.
• Independent fade up and fade down for every cue with a choice of fade curves.
• Custom graphics LSI ensures fast screen re-drawing and updates on any size S-VGA
monitor.
• The AKAINET link from the DD1500m to the DL1500 allows true remote control with
virtually no limit on distance.
• A convenient digital audio link between the DD1500m and the DL1500 allows local
monitoring on the DL1500 using headphones or powered speakers with no need for
complicated mixing and audio setups.
• HELP function shows help messages on the DL1500’s LCD.
• Printer port for printing out EDLs, Library contents, etc., for hard copy reference.
• MIDI connections for integration in musical environments with MTC output for
synchronising sequencers plus automation of the internal mixer via a MIDI sequencer.

1 - INTRODUCTION
Page 4 Version 2.00 - March, 1996
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
This owner’s manual has been written to provide you with the information to get the best
from the DD1500. Although it hoped that the DD1500 is easy enough to use without
constant reference to this manual, please take the time to read it in order to understand
the system fully. The manual takes you through the machine from scratch, assuming you
have just installed it and you are using it for the first time.
This manual covers all basic functions and operation and, wherever possible, gives hints
and tips and application notes. However, because of the diversity of applications in which
the DD1500 can be used, it is not always possible to cover every application specifically.
As such, most descriptions of functions are fairly general unless, however, a certain
function has a specific use in a particular application.
It is assumed that the DD1500 is being used in recording, editing and syncing audio to
picture, the main application for which it was designed and it is assumed you have some
experience of the techniques involved in this field. Throughout the manual, we will use the
phrase “... to picture”. This will refer to video or film with no particular bias. Of course, we
also realise that the system will be used without reference to picture (in radio drama for
example) but the functions described are equally applicable.

TERMINOLOGY - 2
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 5
As with any piece of new gear, there is always a bit of new jargon to get to grips with. The
DD1500 is no exception! What follows, therefore, is a short list of some of the terms you
will come across during the course of this manual.
GRID This stands for GRaphic Interface Display and refers to the
track display on the external monitor.
PROJECT This is where you do the bulk of your work on the DD15000
and contains all your recordings, edited and positioned as
required and shown on the GRID. Think of it as a reel of
multi-track tape if you like and the GRID as an animated
track sheet. If you are working to picture, audio cues can,
of course, be edited, slipped around and properly synced
for playback against the visuals. A project on the DD1500
is actually nothing more than a Qlist or EDL except that, of
course, on the DD1500, it is displayed graphically rather
than as a list of timecode numbers and cue names.
A PROJECT also contains autolocator memories, mixer
settings, MIDI tempo maps, etc., and these are all saved
with the project. The SYSTEM settings are also saved with
the project and when a project is subsequently loaded, the
whole system is restored to exactly the status the project
was saved in. For example, the status of the zoom on the
tracks, the tracks selected for playback, editing and/or
record, the sample rate, external timecode selection, input
routing, etc.. All these will be explained later.
NOW TIME In the centre of the GRID are two vertical lines. The centre
of these two lines is known as the NOW TIME and the
actual NOW time is shown in the display above it (and on
the timecode display on the DL1500). All work is done with
referenced to this NOW time. For example, to select a cue
for editing, move it to the NOW time and press SELECT
CUE. Marking IN times and OUT times and locate
memories is also done referenced to the NOW time. The
NOW time timecode display is shown on the DL1500 and
on the external monitor.
CUE This refers to a piece of audio from its start to its end in the
GRID. In this manual, a cue may be referred to as “a
stereo cue” - this is actually two mono cues across two
(normally adjacent) tracks that make up a ‘stereo’ cue.
EDIT REGION This refers to the area selected between the IN and the
OUT points. A track (or tracks) must be selected for editing
and the edit region is highlighted green on the external
monitor.
IN TIME This usually refers to the start of an edit. However, the IN
TIME is used to set auto punch-in and cycle times as well.
It is marked by pressing the large green IN key located
above the jog wheel.
OUT TIME This usually refers to the end of an edit although it is also
used to set auto punch-out and cycle times. It is marked by
pressing the large green OUT key located above the jog
wheel.
SYNC POINT This is a special marker you can place within an edit region
or cue for sync purposes.

2 - TERMINOLOGY
Page 6 Version 2.00 - March, 1996
DIRECTORY The DIRECTORY is a list of all your LIBRARIES.
LIBRARY A library is a file in which you can keep CLIPS (see below)
for pasting or inserting into projects. If you have used an
Apple Macintosh™, you can think of them almost like
folders where files can be conveniently kept together.
Similarly, if you have used a PC, you can liken them to
directories. For example, you may have a folder/directory
on your computer where you keep all your accounts,
another where you keep all your correspondence and
another where you keep all your games. On the DD1500,
you could have a library where all your ‘raw’ recordings are
kept, another where you keep all your traffic sound effects,
another where you keep all your animal sound effects,
another where you keep all your music cues, etc.. When
working, you may open a library at any time and paste or
insert clips into your project. You can also copy edits you
make in the GRID to a library.
CLIP A clip is a library item and can contain a single cue or
several cues. It can also contain several cues across
several tracks. In this way, a clip can be mono, stereo or
multi-track. Usually, a clip is created by copying a cue (or
cues) or an edit region into a library. That clip may then
subsequently be re-used elsewhere by pasting it or
inserting it from the library into the GRID where it becomes
part of the project.

HOW THE DD1500 WORKS - 3
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 7
The following is a ‘flowchart’ of the DD1500.
INPUTS
TO PROJECT
TO 'RECORDINGS' LIBRARY
COPY EDITS TO LIBRARIES
MUSIC 1
DIALOGUE
1
FOOTSTEPS
1
THUNDER
1
TRAFFIC 2
CAR
HORN
DIALOGUE
2
DIALOGUE
3
DIALOGUE
4
MUSIC 3
MUSIC MISC SFX WEATHER
PASTE/INSERT FROM LIBRARIES
RECORDINGS
TRACK SELECT
PASTE/INSERT
'RAW' RECORDING
TO OTHER PROJECTS.
EDIT IN GRID
DIALOGUE TRAFFIC FX
(RECORD)
INTRO 1
VERS
E
CHORU
S
JINGLE 1
JINGLE 2
JINGLE 3
CROW
D
CHEERS
APPLAUSE
BANG 1
BIG
BANG
RAINLOOP
1
THUNDER
1
HEAVY
RAIN
WIND
HOWL
DIAL EDIT 1
DIAL EDIT 2
DIAL EDIT 3
DIAL EDIT 4
DIAL EDIT 5
DIAL EDIT 6
DIAL EDIT 7
TRAFFIC 2
CAR
HORN
SCENE
2
SCENE
1
SCENES
SCENE
3
(Analogue/Digital)
Audio is recorded through the inputs (analogue and/or digital) directly to tracks in the GRID
where they may be edited, slipped, synced, etc.. At the same time as recording them into
the GRID, the ‘raw’ recordings are normally placed in their entirety in a library where they
may subsequently be re-used in other projects. In the above example, they are being
placed in a library called ‘RECORDINGS’ so you always have access to these ‘raw’
recordings in the future. You may want to re-use them elsewhere but, also, by having
them in this library, you also have a ‘safety copy’ of the original recording to revert to in the
event of a mishap.

3 - HOW THE DD1500 WORKS
Page 8 Version 2.00 - March, 1996
In the GRID, the source audio may be edited and that may be all you ever do with it! For
example, you may record a long piece of dialogue onto track 1, edit out all the mistakes,
coughs, breath noises and other unwanted artefacts and simply save the project.
However, using the libraries, you may make certain edits in the GRID and copy them to
libraries for use in other projects. For example, you may record a rain sound effect for the
project you are currently working on and create a loop out of it. It may work out so well and
you may be so pleased with the result that you may wish to use it another time so, copy it
off to a library (called WEATHER, for example) and keep it for use in a future project. In
this way, you can build up sound effects, atmos and music libraries, etc., as you work.
Edits made in this way are not limited to just mono or stereo (one track or two tracks) - you
could, if you wish, copy a multi-track edit across to a library for subsequent re-use. For
example, you may build up a really good street scene using an assortment of sound
effects of cars and traffic passing, crowd noises, weather and other ambience effects, etc.,
and copy the whole thing to a library for use in the future as a general purpose ‘street’
effect. Later on, when you use it in another project, you can edit and reposition the
individual elements within the new project.
Let’s look at the life of a typical piece of audio, in this case, a stereo music cue:
T R1
T R2
V ERSE1
C HORUS1
M IDDLE
C HORUS2
TO GRID(Project)
A FTEREDITINGINGRID
To RECORDINGSlibrary
R ECORD
M USIC
T R7
T R8
U SE'RAW'RECORDING
I N DIFFERENTPROJECT
U SECLIPSINDIFFERENTPROJECT
E DITINGRID
C OPYCLIPS(EDITS)TO 'MUSIC'LIBRARY
M USIC1

HOW THE DD1500 WORKS - 3
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 9
The music is recorded directly to tracks 1 and 2 of the project you are working on. At the
same time, you can see it is also placed in a library called RECORDINGS (it could be
called anything you like, however) and the recording is called MUSIC 1. In the GRID, the
recording is cut up into smaller sections and these you copy off to a library called MUSIC
where you have four clips called VERSE 1, CHORUS 1, MIDDLE and CHORUS 2. Also, in
the GRID itself, you can see VERSE 1 has been copied and repeated, lengthening the
whole cue. Some unwanted portions have also been removed.
You can also see that another project has been created and the clips you copied off to
the MUSIC library have been used to create an alternative version of this piece of music.
Also in the diagram, you have pasted the ‘raw’ recording into yet another project (this
time, pasting it in on tracks 7 and 8) and edited as appropriate to that project. So now, as
you can see, we have done many things with this basic stereo music recording:
1. We have edited the recording in its original project and also copied those edits off to a
library for future use.
2. We have used the edits from that library to make an alternative version of the music in
another project.
3. We have also used the original ‘raw’ recording in another project to make yet another
variation of it.
Of course, this procedure is not limited to music but could equally be used with dialogue,
sound effects, etc., in mono or stereo (or, in fact, multi-track).
A project, therefore, may be built up in two distinct ways. Of course, you can record audio
directly into the GRID at the timecode position you want it. That audio may subsequently
be edited, trimmed, etc., as appropriate for the project. You may also import audio into
the GRID from the libraries. In this case, it is assumed that you have built up a library of
sound effects, music cues, etc., for general purpose use and all you have to do is find the
place you want a specific sound effect to happen, find an appropriate audio clip and paste
or insert it directly onto a track (or tracks). This can subsequently be re-edited, synced,
slipped, nudged, trimmed, etc., as appropriate for the project.

4 - CONNECTIONS - DD1500M
Page 10 Version 2.00 - March, 1996
m
dd1500
POWER
ON
OFF
UNIT 1 SCSI
TERM
ON OFF
TERM
ON OFF TERM ON OFF
SMPTE OUTIN
PUSH
LEVEL
MIDI
IN OUT THRU WORD CK (A)
/VIDEO SYNC (A)
IN
WORD CK
IN (B) / OUT VITC / SYNC (B) IN OUT (SUPER)
BIPHASE SYNC
IN OUT
PUSH PUSH
PUSH PUSH
PUSH PUSH
A
D IO
B MIX A MIX B
OUTIN
UNIT 2
ANALOG UNIT
OUT VTR CONTROL GP IO
DIGITALAUDIO
OUT AKAI NET.
OFF
ON
VIDEO
The front panel of the DD1500m is very simple comprising just a single POWER ON/OFF
switch and indicator. The rear panel, however, is a different matter! From left to right...
DIGITAL INPUTS A AND B
There are two AES/EBU digital inputs on the DD1500m supplied as standard. These are
on XLR type connectors and will accept AES/EBU signals as well as SPDIF signals. These
inputs may be freely assigned to any track (or tracks) for recording. It is quite possible if
you are deriving your audio digitally from DAT or CD, that these inputs may be sufficient
for your system and one input may be patched to the digital outputs of the CD and the
other to the DAT, selection being made when you assign the input(s) to the track(s) for
recording.
It is possible to record through both digital inputs simultaneously provided the source
material is synchronous and at the same sample rate.
MIX A/MIX B DIGITAL OUTPUTS
These two AES/EBU digital audio outputs carry a stereo mix as set by the DD1500m’s
internal mixer. Level and pan may be set for tracks using the fader and pan control found
on the DL1500 and individual cue’s level and pan may also be set. In this way, you can
achieve a totally digital mix of material (albeit without EQ) within the DD1500. Furthermore,
MIX A and MIX B can have different mixes.
OPTION SLOTS
The two option slots found above the digital inputs and outputs can accept more digital
inputs using the DI04 and DO4 digital interface boards. In this way, up to 12 inputs and 12
track outputs may be added if you wish allowing you to integrate the DD1500 into a totally
digital studio where you may be using a digital mixing console.
ANALOGUE UNIT
This allows you to connect up to two DD1500a ADC/DAC units to add analogue inputs
and outputs to the system.
Up to two DD1500a units may be connected to give a total of 12 analogue inputs, 16
analogue track outputs and MIX A and MIX B analogue outputs. All inputs are balanced
+4dBm type.

CONNECTIONS - DD1500M - 4
Version 2.00 - March, 1996 Page 11
SMPTE IN
This balanced connector receives SMPTE or EBU timecode to synchronise the DD1500 to
external equipment. The DD1500 can receive SMPTE/EBU at all frame rates and this is
set on the DL1500.
SMPTE OUT
This used to synchronise external devices to the DD1500. When receiving external
timecode through the SMPTE input, the DD1500m can be set to generate fresh,
electronic timecode at the SMPTE output. This may be useful if the source timecode is
defective in any way (for example, coming from a tape that has a lot of dropouts).
Furthermore, it is possible to set it so that the timecode being generated is different to that
being received for those occasions where conversion from one frame rate to another is
required or where you need to convert one timecode type to another (for example,
converting SMPTE/EBU to bi-phase or vice versa).
LEVEL
A level control is also provided so that you may set the output level of the timecode.
MIDI IN, OUT, THRU
MIDI IN will accept MIDI data to control the DD1500’s internal 16-channel mixer. Using a
synchronised MIDI sequencer, mix data can be recorded into the sequencer to achieve
automated mixing. The MIDI OUT will send out MIDI Clock and MIDI Time Code (MTC) for
synchronising external MIDI sequencer. A tempo map function on the DD1500 allows
tempo changes and time signatures to be programmed for more precise control over the
external sequencer. The THRU passes a copy of the data received at the MIDI IN.
WORDCK (A)/VIDEO SYNC (A) IN
This BNC connection can accept TTL wordclock or video sync signals such as ‘black and
burst’ house sync signals. The TERM switch allows you to switch video sync termination on
or off. If the DD1500m is the last device in the chain of sync signals, termination should be
ON but if the DD1500m is somewhere in the middle of a chain, it should be set to OFF.
It is recommended to synchronise the DD1500m to a common house sync source using
this connection in order to maintain precise sync throughout your system.
WORDCLOCK (B) IN/OUT
This BNC connection functions as a wordclock output only and can be used when the
DD1500 is being used as a wordclock master (for example, when sync’ing a digital mixing
console).
VIDEO - VITC/SYNC (B) IN
This BNC connection has two uses. When you wish to lock playback to VITC, this
connection should be used and the VITC signal is derived from the VTR’s video output
(also a BNC connection).
Another use for this connection is as an alternative video sync source. In this way, you
may have, for example, a TTL wordclock signal connected to WORDCK (A) and a video
sync signal connected to this input and switch between them as appropriate from the
DL1500. When synchronising to a video sync source through this input, the correct
termination should be set to ensure reliable operation.
BI-PHASE SYNC IN
This allows you to synchronise the DD1500 to film machines that generate bi-phase sync
signals. You may set the system to synchronise to 24 and 25 frames per second and may
select 2, 4 and 10 cycles from the DL1500.
BI-PHASE SYNC OUT
The DD1500m can generate bi-phase as well as sync to it and this connection allows you
to synchronise external film machines to the DD1500. A variety of frame rates can be
generated and these are set on the DL1500.

4 - CONNECTIONS - DD1500M
Page 12 Version 2.00 - March, 1996
VTR CONTROL
This allows you to connect video equipment fitted with RS422 interfaces for remote
machine control. The protocol used is the Sony™ P2 9-pin protocol, pretty much the
standard for machine control in broadcast. This allows you to control a VTR from the
DL1500 causing it to play, stop, rewind, fast forward, locate and jog as you operate the
DL1500. In this way, editing and syncing audio to picture on the DL1500 is an integrated
operation.
The RS422 connections are also used to control an external RS422 device during the
AUTO CONFORM process
The DD1500 may also be set to work as a slave to RS422 where it can be controlled by a
video editor. This is useful in situations where you can compile the audio for a project as
the picture is being edited.
GPI/O
The DD1500m has three general purpose inputs (GPIs) and four general purpose outputs
(GPOs) and these may be set to perform a variety of useful functions.
You may use the GPIs to cause the DD1500 to start or stop playback, fast forward, rewind
or stop and start recording as well as many other assignments. In this way, you may, for
example, build your own simple remote controller for the DD1500 for simple applications
(for example, a simple PLAY/STOP remote so that you can use the DD1500m as a
playback device without needing a DL1500). Another example would be to use the GPOs
of another device to remotely control the DD1500 (for example, use the GPOs of a
dialogue replacement looping recorder to control the DD1500).
You may use the GPOs to switch devices on and off on certain actions. A simple
suggestion may be to turn on a red light in a voice-over booth when you enter record.
Many things are possible and no doubt you will find your own uses for these connections.
SCSI
The system’s disk drives are connected to this 50-pin Amphenol SCSI connection.
REMOTE - AKAINET/DIGITAL AUDIO OUT
These connections are for the DL1500. The AKAINET BNC connection is an Ethernet
connection using a standard BNC cable1. It is essential that the TERM switch is switched
to the ON position on both the DD1500m and the DL1500. Failure to do so will result in
the two units not communicating with each other and the system will not work.
The DIGITAL AUDIO OUT 9-pin D-sub connection is a digital audio link between the
DD1500m and the DL1500 that allows convenient remote line audio output and/or
headphone monitoring on the DL1500 via the DL1500’s built in Digital to Analogue
Converters (DACs). The signal is an AES/EBU signal and has a theoretical maximum
length of 50 metres.
DIP SWITCHES
Please see APPENDIX 3.
SIGNAL GND
This allows you to earth the unit to reduce the possibility of ground loops in a complex
setup.
MAINS INPUT
Mains power is connected here.
1 Ethernet is a standard protocol for communication between computers and is used as a
means of networking a system of computers. The DD1500 uses Ethernet because, unlike
SCSI, it allows true remote control with virtually no limit on cable length.