How do I sync multiple HD24’s and or ADATs

Sync In/Out
The two DB 9 connectors on the back panel marked
SYNC IN and SYNC OUT are used for synchronizing
two or more HD24s together, or a combination of
HD24s and other ADATs, or a computer
workstation using the ADAT/EDIT card or similar
device. Up to five HD24s can be linked, making a
120-track system. This requires a male-to-male, 9-
pin D connector cable for each additional machine
in the chain.
Use only Alesis-approved Sync cables, available in
various lengths from your dealer. Improper
cables (such as those used for
computers) may not function
correctly.
In such a system, you are basically treating all
connected machines as though they were a large
multitrack unit. The first ADAT in the chain is
called the “master”, and all other connected units
are referred to as “slaves”. However, each slave can
also be used independently when the master
machine is stopped.
The Sync In and Out connections can also be used
for synchronizing to SMPTE Time Code. See
Chapter 8 for more information.
1. Locate the SYNC IN and SYNC OUT connectors.
2. Connect one end of a male-to-male, 9-pin
connector cable to the master’s SYNC OUT jack.
3. Connect the other end of the cable to the first
slave’s SYNC IN jack.
4. For additional slaves, connect one end of a
male-to-male, 9-pin D connector cable to the
first slave’s SYNC OUT jack, and the other end to
the second slave’s SYNC IN jack. Its SYNC OUT
jack then connects to the third slave’s SYNC IN
jack, and so on.
The moment the SYNC connection is made, the
slave machine(s) will automatically switch to
external clock and follow transport commands from
the master (unless taken offline by dismounting all
drives, or ejecting tapes). For more
information about using multiple HD24s
and/or ADATs, refer to chapter 8.
The illustration below depicts an ADAT HD24
being used as the master machine to another HD24
so they can be synchronized together, making a 48-
track recorder.

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