If there was a knock at all on tape-based digital multitracks, it was simply that tracks weren’t individually editable. A single click or pop or a bad note and, in most cases, you had to rerecord the entire track. A pain, to be sure, particularly if the rest of the take was perfect. Yes, you could try punching in and out, but this required nerves of steel and often resulted in a less-than-perfect solution to the original problem.
Now the good news: The Alesis ADAT/EDIT package contains everything you need to form a powerful digital audio link between any model of ADAT Digital Multitrack and PCI-compatible Power Mac or Windows computer. Using the enclosed ADAT/PCR card and the included ADAT/CONNECT and ADAT/EDIT software, you can send audio at up to 24-bit resolution into your computer, graphically edit your tracks and send them back to ADAT for mixdown, archiving and transfer with sample-accurate precision. You can also use your favorite WAV or ASIO compatible recording and editing software with the ADAT/PCR card. With ADAT/EDIT, you get the best of both linear and nonlinear recording technologies, all at the breakthrough price of just $399 (that’s list — your Sweetwater price will be lower).
Sample-Accurate Transfer with ADAT/CONNECT. Using Alesis' ADAT/CONNECT software, transferring audio tracks between your ADAT and your computer is easy. After installing and connecting the ADAT/PCR card, just select the tracks you want to import into your computer, designate the Start and End points, and hit the Transfer button. It’s really that simple! You can even name each track for easy on-screen reference. Since ADAT/CONNECT works in tandem with the ADAT Sync interface, your ADATs will automatically locate to the start point and play back the audio tracks you've selected. Plus, your tracks will be transferred with single sample accuracy, ensuring that the most precise synchronization is maintained between the recorder and the computer.
Nonlinear Editing with ADAT/EDIT. Co-developed by Alesis and Emagic (one of the leading designers of software-based audio tools), the software allows you to perform intricate cut-copy-paste editing of your tracks. Plus, it provides powerful digital signal processing that's built right into the software interface, so adding reverb, delay and EQ to your tracks or using advanced tools like time compression, pitch correction and dynamics processing can be easily accomplished right within your computer. You can also combine the ADAT/EDIT system with the new AI-3 analog-optical interface for an exceptional standalone editing workstation.
ADAT/EDIT makes it simple to get digital audio into and out of your computer. Just insert the ADAT/PCR card into an available PCI slot and connect the included optical and sync cables to your ADAT. The included drivers will automatically recognize the card, while the ADAT/CONNECT software will identify any ADATs that are connected in a system. As the only ADAT-compatible interface card made by the creators of ADAT, the ADAT/PCR is designed for the smoothest possible interaction between ADATs and hard disk recording systems. The card and included software supports any model of ADAT from the original ADAT classic and ADAT-XT to the newest generation of ADAT 20-bit Type II machines like the LX20, XT20 and M20.
While other PCI cards can get audio into and out of your computer with the ADAT Optical interface, the ADAT/PCR card also syncs your computer to ADATs via the ADAT Synchronization interface. The combination of these two powerful protocols allows for the ultimate in seamless interaction between your ADAT and computer recording platforms. Hit "Play" with your onscreen transport controls, and any ADATs hooked up to the system will begin playing. With ADAT/EDIT and the ADAT/PCR card, your entire recording setup can function as a powerful integrated system.
If there’s a bottom line here, it’s that tape-based recorders now sport the most useful feature of hard disk recording systems, which is nonlinear editing. Plus tape-based machines still have the advantage in terms of media (S--VHS tape is inexpensive and is readily available) when compared to the cost of internal or external hard drives.
The more you think about this system, the more you come to realize that this is almost as significant a breakthrough as the introduction of the digital multitrack itself. What’s more, the system is priced within everyone’s reach. The Alesis people have risen to the challenge once again and given ADAT users the tools they’ve been asking for at an affordable price.
If you own one or more ADATs and haven’t already picked up the phone to place your order, we suggest that you have someone check to make sure you still have a pulse! For more information (but hey, how much more do you need to know?) call your Sales Engineer today. They can give you your special low Sweetwater price on the ADAT/EDIT and have yours shipped out today!