how do a DAT work or a ADAT

  • Thread starter Thread starter toadies
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toadies

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I have been ask to record a live band at a club, for a flim. I figure i could use a DAT or ADAT for the operations and hook it up to the club's mixer, if they have direct out for every in.

Thing I do know. has light out with max is 8 channels out 8 channels in. I have the digi001 too hook it up too.

what i want to know. Which should i get ADAT or DAT? same thing? Is it possible to record more then 8 channels at a time? and upload channels 1-8 then 8-12?. What brand should I look at.

Concert will be about 3 bands a night. 3 hours give or take.

Any info is recommended, thanks.
 
A DAT machine is a 2-track digital recorder, unsuitable for multi-tracking but can be used for live-to-2-track recordings.

An ADAT is an 8-track digital recorder, suitable for multi-tracking or for 4 pairs of live-to-2-track recordings.
 
DAT is digital audio tape and is a stereo format. Most DAT recorders will have stereo analog ins and outs and either an AES/EBU stereo digital ins and outs, S/PDIF coaxial ins and outs or TOSLINK (optical S/PDIF) ins and outs. No multitracking here, just stereo.
ADAT is an Alesis digital audio tape but is capable of 8 tracks at a time. Alesis ADAT is the least expensive of the ADAT type of machines on the market. ADAT Lightpipe is an optical format with 8 channels of up to 24 bit/48KHz resolution. It'll pass up to 96K sampling rates at the expense of track count (from 8 to 4 tracks, 24 bit/96KHz). If you're looking for a machine, a used Alesis ADAT can be had relatively cheap ($300 and up, depending on condition. A new XT20 can be had just under $1000).
 
DAT = Digital Audio Tape

ADAT = Alesis Digital Audio Tape

I suppose you could call any tape based digital audio device a DAT machine. It IS digital audio tape right?

Anyway.....

Blue Bear explained the rest.

Ed
 
ok thanks for the info.

I am looking at the Alesis ADAT LX20 $900.

it says for analog interfacing, sixteen unbalanced -10dB inputs and outputs using RCA connectors. Does this mean i can have 16 inputs? at a time or just 8 in 8 out? No way around this i persume?

Can I sync 2 ADATs together?

I am recording a concert as said before and i'm guessing i'm going to need atleast 12 inputs. So I can do a much better mix at home on protools.
 
On the XT machine you have 8 ins and 8 outs of -10 unbalanced on RCAs, or +4 balanced on ELCO connector and of course Lightpipe. And you can sync a shit load of ADATs together.
 
Why use ADA? They're getting a little dated. There are good 24track HDR's available from Alesis, Mackie, Roland, Radar etc. Many support ADAT Lightpipe for sending the tracks digitally to the computer. Some even use FTP so you can just transfer all the files over at once.
 
If your digi001 has 8 inputs, why not use the pc to record? You could record directly to pc, with a DAT recording stereo as backup. For the price of an adat you can get a cartload of hard disks.
 
Havoc said:
If your digi001 has 8 inputs, why not use the pc to record? You could record directly to pc, with a DAT recording stereo as backup. For the price of an adat you can get a cartload of hard disks.
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incase the venue won't let me bring in a computer
 
TexRoadkill said:
Why use ADA? They're getting a little dated. There are good 24track HDR's available from Alesis, Mackie, Roland, Radar etc. Many support ADAT Lightpipe for sending the tracks digitally to the computer. Some even use FTP so you can just transfer all the files over at once.
Click to expand...

oh right like i have all kinds of money to spend.
 
"oh right like i have all kinds of money to spend." -

Seems a little sarcastic, considering (a) the helpful advice and (b) the lack of any budget mentioned in your first question...

Not intentionally bustin' any chops here, just an observation... Steve
 
toadies said:
oh right like i have all kinds of money to spend.
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If you don't like the answer... don't ask the fuckin' question!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:
 
Blue Bear Sound said:
If you don't like the answer... don't ask the fuckin' question!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:
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**Pokes the bear with a stick**
Tell him how you really feel there blue!
 
Hey, ease up there Michael - remember, Bear's entitled to $.03, allowing for the exchange rate... :=)
 
:D :D

I just thought Steve was being too polite -- and toad's comment was pretty rude and silly, considering his question was answered in spades!
 
knightfly said:
Hey, ease up there Michael - remember, Bear's entitled to $.03, allowing for the exchange rate... :=)
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I was just messin' with the Bear. ;) :p
 
Me too...

And, Bear, I usually START polite, then if peeps don't get the message, they can just eat shit and die...
 
LD, not YOU bud, come back from the light, don't be enticed by the light, you're just standing on the MTA tracks again...
 
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