ADAT Blackface help!!!

[Nelson H]

I am new to the whole forum thing so sorry for any faux-pas, I just bought two blackface adats. One will not except any tapes and displays the error 2 message. I looked up the generic explanations but none of them really help me with establishing what the route problem is. Any quick fixes? The machine is in great condition........

One last question, I have an old yamaha 1602 mixing console I bought for really cheap, that I am trying to manipulate for recording purposes, and I was just wandering, if I purchase the Elco cable, can I just use the one click method out of the insert jacks? I did get that whole setup running on one channel to one track on the ADAT using an unbalance TS cable. Will the Elco cable (which I know is balanced and TRS) act in the same manner? Will the signal still be balanced? Well if someone can help me with those questions I will be forever grateful!!! Thanks!

[adwaz]

Welcome to the ADAT world! What connectors do you have on your units?
1 click on the inserts would not be balanced regardless of cable used.
First, I assume you have an owners manual.
Are you using two hooked together ? (Linked)
Were they linked before?
Did they get put in ship mode when they were shipped to you?
Do you have S-VHS tapes? There is quite a lot of info on the net.
Keep us posted.

[Nelson H]

Thanks for responding.

....so the Elco 56 Pin to TRS will work as a "make-shift" direct out snake when inserted one click in? (this process did work with a normal TS patch cable, I just want to make sure that it would work with the Elco Snake)

...When you say connectors do you mean what type of i/o options do I have? I have the TS 1/4" i/o and then the Elco 56 Pin i/o.

...The previous owner had the two units "linked" together to optimize record tracks to 16. I plan on doing the same. But I haven't attempted to sync the two adats yet because the second unit won't except my S-VHS tapes. I tried putting the unit in and out of shipping mode but when it attempts this process Error 2 pops up again.

So if you have any recommendations or easy fixes please let me know!! Thanks a lot!

[dementedchord]

it's been a long time since i used one ... what does the manual say about error2??

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by Nelson H

I am new to the whole forum thing so sorry for any faux-pas, I just bought two blackface adats. One will not except any tapes and displays the error 2 message. I looked up the generic explanations but none of them really help me with establishing what the route problem is. Any quick fixes? The machine is in great condition........

One last question, I have an old yamaha 1602 mixing console I bought for really cheap, that I am trying to manipulate for recording purposes, and I was just wandering, if I purchase the Elco cable, can I just use the one click method out of the insert jacks? I did get that whole setup running on one channel to one track on the ADAT using an unbalance TS cable. Will the Elco cable (which I know is balanced and TRS) act in the same manner? Will the signal still be balanced? Well if someone can help me with those questions I will be forever grateful!!! Thanks!

With regards to using the Elco cable: You don't want to use it unless your mixer, or whatever device is sending signal to the ADAT provides a +4 output.

[Nelson H]

Originally Posted by dementedchord

it's been a long time since i used one ... what does the manual say about error2??

This is the best explanation I got:

Err 2: Tape didn't thread to "disengaged" mode Try again, otherwise loading system problem.

...Thanks for your response.

[Nelson H]

Originally Posted by RRuskin

With regards to using the Elco cable: You don't want to use it unless your mixer, or whatever device is sending signal to the ADAT provides a +4 output.

Thanks for your response. So is my best bet to buy a high quality TS to TS snake? If so do you have any recommendations? Thanks!

[Nelson H]

.....---> typically, what is the level outputting on the insert jack then?

[Fishmed]

Originally Posted by Nelson H

Thanks for your response. So is my best bet to buy a high quality TS to TS snake? If so do you have any recommendations? Thanks!

If you are going to use unbalanced cables with your insert, you might as well use insert cables (1 TRS to 2 TS) send the signal to your ADAT with one TS ans return the signal back with the other TS to the mixer. THis way you can record and playback without having to repatch your cable.

[RRuskin]

Originally Posted by Nelson H

.....---> typically, what is the level outputting on the insert jack then?

Depends on the mixer. Some are -10 others +4. Check the docs on your console.

[dementedchord]

Originally Posted by Nelson H

This is the best explanation I got:

Err 2: Tape didn't thread to "disengaged" mode Try again, otherwise loading system problem.

...Thanks for your response.

if you were to open it up (dont do that)... you would see that there are little"fingers" that pull the tape out of the shell... it sounds as if they need some aligning... so this one may need to see a doctor... and dont take it to just any audio repair shop... find a good one that actually has worked on one before... while it essentially uses a vhs tape transport there are iirc some tricks to getting it right...

[Nelson H]

Originally Posted by Fishmed_Returns

If you are going to use unbalanced cables with your insert, you might as well use insert cables (1 TRS to 2 TS) send the signal to your ADAT with one TS ans return the signal back with the other TS to the mixer. THis way you can record and playback without having to repatch your cable.

That, I would say is the best option. for sure. thanks I think it would have taken me a bit longer to think that one through on my own!