Alesis AI-2 User manual

ALESIS
AI-2
Reference Manual

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 ABOUT AI-2............................................................................. 1
1.1 IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS MANUAL....................... 3
1.2 OVERVIEW OF MAIN FUNCTIONS........................................ 3
1.2A Multiple Control Methods.................................................. 3
1.2B Control of ADAT Functions............................................... 3
1.2C Reading and Saving Data ................................................ 4
1.2D Reference Select.............................................................. 5
1.2E Status LEDs and Messages ............................................. 5
1.2F Block Diagram .................................................................. 5
1.3 INPUT CONTROL MODES...................................................... 6
1.4 OUTPUT CONTROL MODES ................................................. 6
1.5 "ENGAGED" VS. "DISENGAGED" TAPES ........................... 7
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION
2.0 POWER CONNECTION .......................................................... 8
2.1 CONFIGURATION SWITCH.................................................... 8
2.2 REFERENCE CONNECTION.................................................. 9
2.2A RDR IN ............................................................................. 9
2.2B W/C IN.............................................................................. 9
2.2C VID IN............................................................................... 9
2.3 CONTROL CONNECTION .................................................... 10
2.3A EDITOR .......................................................................... 10
2.3B LYNX-2/MICRO LYNX.................................................... 10
2.3C MIDI IN ........................................................................... 10
2.3D MIDI OUT ....................................................................... 11
2.4 BRC CONNECTION .............................................................. 11
2.4A MIDI IN ........................................................................... 11
2.4B MIDI OUT ....................................................................... 11
2.4C MIDI THRU..................................................................... 11
2.4D GEN OUT ....................................................................... 11
2.4E W/C OUT........................................................................ 12
2.5 ADAT CONNECTION ............................................................ 12
2.5A SYNC OUT..................................................................... 12
CHAPTER 3: APPLICATIONS
3.0 AI-2 INTERFACING ............................................................... 14
3.1 INTERFACING TO ONE OR MORE ADAT'S ....................... 15
3.2 INTERFACING TO THE BRC................................................ 16
3.3 INTERFACING TO A VIDEO EDITOR .................................. 17
3.4 INTERFACING TO THE LYNX-2 OR MICRO LYNX............. 18
3.5 TIME CODE CHASE INTERFACE ........................................ 20
3.6 EXTERNAL MIDI INTERFACING MIDI MACHINE CONTROL ........................
.
21
3.7 DIGITAL TRANSFER WITH THE AI-1 .................................. 22

CHAPTER 4: GETTING STARTED
4.0 POWER ON PROCEDURE ................................................... 24
4.1 ADAT ID NUMBERS.............................................................. 25
4.2 AI-2 CONFIGURATION ..........................................................25
4.2A Time Code and Sample Rates ....................................... 26
4.3 SETTING THE SYSTEM REFERENCE ................................ 27
4.4 TIME CODE CHASE OPERATION ....................................... 27
4.5 SETTING AN OFFSET .......................................................... 28
4.6 TRIM AN OFFSET ................................................................. 29
4.7 USING CUE TIMES ............................................................... 29
4.8 SAVING TO TAPE ................................................................. 30
4.9 CUSTOMIZING THE SETUP ................................................. 30
4.10 RESET THE AI-2 ................................................................. 30
CHAPTER 5: OPERATIONAL FEATURES
5.0 MODES OF OPERATION...................................................... 31
5.1 NORMAL MODE.................................................................... 31
5.2 SET/HOLD MODE ................................................................. 34
5.3 COMMAND MODE ................................................................ 35
5.3A Method for Actioning Destructive Functions................... 35
5.3B Save To Tape ................................................................. 35
5.3C Read Tape...................................................................... 36
5.3D Clear Header.................................................................. 36
5.3E Abort Data Read or Save ................................................ 36
5.3F Read SysEx .................................................................... 36
5.3G Save SysEx.................................................................... 36
5.4 SETUP MODE ....................................................................... 37
5.5 SAVING TO TAPE ................................................................. 38
5.6 READING FROM TAPE ........................................................ 38
5.7 AI-2 DEFAULTS .................................................................... 38
5.8 LONGITUDINAL TIME CODE (LTC)..................................... 39
5.9 MIDI TIME CODE (MTC)........................................................ 40
5.10 TIME CODE AND SAMPLE CLOCKS ................................. 40
5.11 SYSTEM REFERENCES ..................................................... 41
5.11A External Word Clock Reference ................................... 42
5.11B Lynx Reference ............................................................ 42
5.11C Video Reference........................................................... 42
5.11D Internal Fixed................................................................ 42
5.11E Internal Variable ........................................................... 43
5.11F Reader Input ................................................................. 43
5.12 SAMPLE CLOCK RATES ................................................... 43
CHAPTER 6: FEATURES AND CONTROLS
6.0 FRONT PANEL...................................................................... 44
6.1 POWER SWITCH................................................................... 44
6.2 FRONT PANEL LEDS ........................................................... 44
6.3 DISPLAY................................................................................ 46
6.3A Tape Motion Status ........................................................ 46
6.4 FRONT PANEL KEYS ........................................................... 47

6.4A Normal Operation ........................................................... 47
6.4B Setup Operation .............................................................. 48
6.4C Set/Hold Operation......................................................... 49
6.5 SETUP MENUS AND FUNCTIONS ...................................... 50
6.5A ADAT Menu .................................................................... 50
6.5B Commands Menu ........................................................... 51
6.5C Control Menu.................................................................. 52
6.5D Cue Menu....................................................................... 53
6.5E MIDI Menu...................................................................... 55
6.5F Reference Menu ............................................................. 56
6.5G Status Menu................................................................... 58
6.5H System Menu ................................................................. 58
6.5I Tracks Menu .................................................................... 59
CHAPTER 7: ADVANCED FEATURES
7.0 ADAT DIGITAL INPUT .......................................................... 61
7.1 AI-2 DISPLAY INFORMATION.............................................. 61
7.1A Time Code and Position Error Displays.......................... 61
7.1B Time Code Number Differences..................................... 62
7.2 ALL SAFE.............................................................................. 62
7.3 MIDI INTERFACING .............................................................. 62
7.3A MIDI Time Code ............................................................. 62
7.3B BRC Control Feed Through............................................ 63
7.3C MIDI SysEx .................................................................... 63
7.4 REAR PANEL CONFIGURATION DIP SWITCHES.............. 64
7.5 EXT WORD CLOCK .............................................................. 65
7.6 INTERNAL VARI REFERENCE ............................................ 65
7.7 GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................... 65
7.7A Tape Header Information ............................................... 65
7.7B Offline ............................................................................. 66
7.7C Assemble mode.............................................................. 66

CHAPTER 8: APPENDICES
8.0 APPENDIX 1: SPECIFICATIONS......................................... 67
8.0A Operating Codes ............................................................ 67
8.0B Reference Sources......................................................... 67
8.0C Time Code Reader......................................................... 67
8.0D ADAT Synchronizer........................................................ 68
8.0E Control............................................................................ 68
8.0F Front Panel ..................................................................... 68
8.0G Electrical......................................................................... 68
8.0H Interconnections............................................................. 69
8.0I Option Cards.................................................................... 69
8.0J Mechanical...................................................................... 69
8.1 APPENDIX 2: INTERFACE INFORMATION........................ 70
8.1A Sony Editor Constants.................................................... 70
8.1B Lynx Interface ................................................................. 71
8.1C External video................................................................. 71
8.1D External Word Clock....................................................... 72
8.1E Internal Word Clock ........................................................ 72
8.2 APPENDIX 3: MAINTENANCE/ ........................................... 73
8.2A Cleaning ......................................................................... 73
8.2B Maintenance................................................................... 73
8.2C Servicing......................................................................... 73
8.3 APPENDIX 4: TROUBLESHOOTING ................................... 74
8.3A Tape Status Messages................................................... 76
8.3B System Status Messages ............................................... 77
8.3C Warnings ........................................................................ 79
8.4 GLOSSARY ........................................................................... 81
8.5 FCC NOTICE ......................................................................... 86

1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 ABOUT AI-2
The AI-2 is an extremely flexible and powerful interface device for
the ALESIS ADAT 8-track digital audio tape recorder. The AI-2 is
designed and manufactured for ALESIS by TimeLine, the world
leader in machine control and synchronization systems.
The AI-2 provides a universal ADAT control interface allowing a
bank of ADAT recorders to be controlled from a video editor, a tape
machine synchronizer system or in time code chase.
The AI-2 supports four primary input control and two output control
modes. The input control modes provide an interface to external
controllers, while the output modes allow control of up to 16 ADAT
recorders, with or without the Alesis BRC Remote Control.
•Sample Accurate Syncing Capabilities. Using ADAT's
exclusive Proprietary Synchronization interface, the AI-2 can
control up to 16 ADAT's, for a total of 128 tracks, and lock them
together in perfect synchronization with other time code
controlled devices.
•Easy And Familiar Front Panel Controls. The AI-2 is fitted
with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 6 keys and a bank of status
LED's. The keys are used to setup AI-2 system operation
parameters, to select display information and to edit and control
AI-2 functions. The 8 LEDs give constant control and communi-
cation status, indicating correct operation. The AI-2 controls
have been designed to be quick and simple to use and will be
familiar to all studio operators.
•Simple Installation. AI-2 installation is extremely simple, the
AI-2 is a 1 Unit high product which is designed to fit into an
industry standard 19" wide rack. All interface connections are
made with standard connectors and the AC supply is a conve-
nient wall mounting transformer. Connection to the AI-2 in its
basic form is accomplished by a 9-pin sync cable, which con-
nects to the first ADAT in the system and a cable to the selected
controller. Successive ADATs are connected in turn -- sync out
to sync in -- using the same 9-pin style connector. When the
AI-2 is turned on, it automatically becomes the system master
and assigns each ADAT an identification number (ID) from first
to last, in the chain. The AI-2 then checks to see which
machines have tapes installed and automatically locates the
slave ADAT tapes to the master position.

2
•Storage of Setups. The AI-2 can read and write setup informa-
tion to the beginning of each ADAT tape, for later retrieval. This
information (tape table of contents) is in the same format as the
ALESIS BRC information. The AI-2 can read existing BRC
information from the tape and will use only the data that it
requires. The AI-2 intelligently handles all the existing tape
header data so that it can be restored to tape non-destructively.
AI-2 information saved to a new tape can also be used by a
BRC in future sessions.
•Editor and Synchronizer Control. The AI-2 permits ADAT
tape recorders to be directly controlled from a video editor using
SONY protocol or to be integrated into a TimeLine machine
control system. The AI-2 ensures a transparent interface to the
controller and provides features such as editor track mapping.
•Time Code Chase. The AI-2 has a built in broadband time
code reader and chase unit. The AI-2 will follow SMPTE or
EBU time code that is fed into the reader input.
•Time Code and MIDI. The AI-2 generates Longitudinal time
code and MIDI time code based on the ADAT’s position. The
time code generated can be 30, DF, 25 or 24 frame code with
30 and DF being generated at a frame rate of either 30 or
29.97 fps (frames per second). The AI-2 generator is user
selectable to run in Play, Stop and Wind transport modes.
•Selectable Sample Clock Rates. The AI-2 will lock the ADATs
to either internal or external digital audio word clocks. When the
AI-2 is generating the ADAT sample clock, a nominal sample
rate of 48 KHz, 47.952 KHz, 44.1 KHz or 44.056 KHz can be
selected by the user. When a sample rate other than 48 KHz is
selected, the AI-2 takes care of the frame rate conversions, so
the controlling device always sees time code at the correct rate.
The AI-2 even includes a variable sample clock option so the
ADATs can be run in varispeed if required.

3
1.1 IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT THIS
MANUAL
The AI-2 is an extremely easy to use interface, and has been
designed to automatically configure, depending on the control
signals that are detected. Although it is possible and extremely
tempting to just plug in and start working, we strongly urge that you
read the chapter, Getting Started in this manual, and the sections
on Formatting in the ADAT Reference manual before you start
using the AI-2. At a later date we recommend that you read the
entire manual to acquaint yourself with the many AI-2 features that
you'll only discover by reading the manual.
1.2 OVERVIEW OF MAIN FUNCTIONS
The AI-2 is an extremely complex and sophisticated interface that
has been designed to handle the demands of multitrack studio
recording and the post production process. Here is a brief rundown
of the AI-2’s main functions.
1.2A Multiple Control Methods
The AI-2 allows multiple ADAT transports to be operated by a
number of external controls or synchronization devices. The AI-2’s
Control menu lets you select the controller, or if set to AUTO, will
detect which controllers are connected and communicating and
automatically switch. The AI-2 also allows simultaneous commu-
nication with a MIDI sequencer or controlling device.
1.2B Control of ADAT Functions
The AI-2 lets an external controller take control of many of the
ADAT functions. All basic transport functions, including Digital
input, All input and Auto input, can be controlled from the
AI-2. The AI-2 also allows remote control of all 128 possible Track
enables and when used with a video editor the AI-2 TRACKS menu
provides comprehensive track mapping functions.

4
AI2022A
Sync Out Sync In
MASTER ADAT SLAVE ADAT
ALESIS AI-2
Sync In Sync Out
V
IDEO
R
EFERENCE
AUDIO OR VIDEO
TRANSPORT
EXT WORD
CLOCK
TIMELINE SYNCHRONIZER
VIDEO EDITOR
ALESIS BRC
MIDI COMPUTER
MIDI Time
Code
Word
Clock
MIDITime Code
Chase
Control
REWIND FASTFWD STOP PLAY RECORD EJECTPOWER 12345678
Optional-See Section 3.2
When using BRC with
AI-
Sync connection is from
BRC to ADATs
FILM VITC 25
DF
30
24
OFFSET
SYNC PT
RDR
ERR
GEN
RESOLVE
LOCK
REH
REC
24
25
DF
30
SER
VITC
PILOT
LTC
TRANSPORT
VSO
GEN
ONLINE
N/STD
TACH
JAM UB
JAM TC
TACH
MAINS
INT
RDR
AUX
VID
GENERATOR
29.97
422
SPEED
HMLRMT BWL VARI
ON
REWIND FASTFWD STOP PLAY RECORD EJECTPOWER 12345678
MULTIPURPOSE AUDIO/VIDEO
SYNCHRONIZATION INTERFACE
MMCONLINE LTCREFNON STD BRC/ADAT CONTROLLOCKDISPLAY
SETUP
MENU
SAVE
LAST
SET/HOLD
DOWN
ONLINE
NEXT
STORE
UP
POWER
CAPTURE
CLEAR
BY
1.2C Reading and Saving Data
The AI-2 can read and save session data to the ADAT tape header
or to external MIDI devices. This means that each time a new
ADAT tape is put in the machine the AI-2 will be able to read all the
associated Cue or Song times and you will be able to synchronize
the tapes, effortlessly.
1.2D Reference Select

5
The AI-2 has comprehensive reference select options, which have
been structured to accommodate any possible combination of
reference source, time code and sample rate. Each of the variables
can be set in the REFERENCE menu. The AI-2 effortlessly handles
the conversions and controls the ADAT at the correct speed.
1.2E Status LEDs and Messages
The AI-2 front panel has eight LEDs that constantly indicate system
status. In addition these LEDs are programmed to flash and warn
the operator if there is a problem. The AI-2 also has a display
message system which gives tape status, system status and error
or warning messages when they occur
1.2F Block Diagram
The following AI-2 block diagram shows how the functional blocks
in the AI-2 and the physical connectors are related.
Sample
Clock
Generator
ADAT
Time Code
Generator
Front Panel
LED Status
Time Code
Generator
ADAT
MIDI
Port
RS422
Port
Config. Sw.
Inputs
Video Sync
Detector
Aux.
MIDI
Port
CPU
Wideband
Time Code
Reader
AI2001A
BR
C
ADAT
MIDI In
MIDI Out
(MTC)
Video
Input
RDR
Input
(LTC)
W/C
Input
(48K)
Editor
(SONY P2)
Lynx-2 /
Micro Lynx
Gen
Out
In
Out
Thru
W/C Out
(48K)
Sync
Out