A16 Ultra vs. Alesis AI3

minipax · Post by **minipax** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 7:55 pm

hi,i'm looking to expand my multitracking capabilities by getting an ADA ADAT converter.
i've been looking at the alesis AI3 interface and it seems fantastic value (€260) when compared to the A16 Ultra, i could do with using only 8 tracks and a 44.1khz samplerate so is there any real downside to choosing the alesis over the A16??or even 2 AI3's for half price?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: minipax on 2004-06-04 20:59 ]</font>

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Fri Jun 04, 2004 8:55 pm

If you're only doing 8 channels and 44.1KHz, then the AI3 is excellent. If you want 16 channels and 96KHz, go with the A16.

The AI3 sounds great and works very well. Just make sure to turn it on *first* before you load up any Scope projects, otherwise you might get 0db noise coming through.

Shayne

blazesboylan · Post by **blazesboylan** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 2:47 am

For what it's worth, someone here on PlanetZ was looking for busted ADATs a couple of years ago, to use as AD/DAs for their CW rig. I'm afraid I don't remember whose brilliant idea it was. But I promptly went out to my local "big studio" (Greenhouse in Vancouver) and bought 2 busted ADATs for $300 CAD. They are still working great to this day.

Thank you, whoever you were.

Johann

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 3:26 am

twas garyb, methinks.

adats are 48khz only though - is that right?

Post by **hubird** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 8:30 am

consumer ones, yes

minipax · Post by **minipax** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 9:57 am

do you mean they don't go above 48khz? they work at 44.1khz aswell of course...

that ADAT idea is pretty good, by broken though, do you just mean the tape mechanism is bust? all the electronics have to work though right? any idea where to pick up broken ones?

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:05 am

i believe they are only 48khz.

also, here's the old topic - may be of some use

Post by **hubird** » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:43 am

I'm afraid the affordable ones (consumer ones) are (were) only 48Khz.
you may have my onefor free, but the distance he

try ebay with you or one of those free regional small add papers

blazesboylan · Post by **blazesboylan** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:22 am

Nonsense!

You can tune the analog frequency on an ADAT anywhere from 40 - 50 KHz.

Digital frequency is always set by the master (i.e. the computer when you have the "digital in" button pressed on the ADAT).

This is what the manual says, anyway. To be honest I'm not sure if I've ever actually recorded analog with ADATs.

I know for sure that playing back digital audio at 44.1 works 100%. This is primarily what I've used ADATs for -- extra outputs for mixing with an outboard mixer.

If nobody beats me to the punch, I'll try recording analog signals with the ADATs Monday evening and let you know how it works out.

I don't know what a "consumer" ADAT is. The original blackface was something like $1800 USD when it first came out. Not exactly a consumable commodity... They have done software upgrades since then, but as far as I know a blackface is a blackface is a blackface.

The XT ("silverface") came later and was higher resolution (18 bits instead of 16, I think) and had some extra features and was pricier. LX and MX and QZFWYX and whatever else have come since then. But the Blackfaces were still not "affordable" in their day.

The 2 I bought were a blackface and an XT, both with busted tape transpos but perfect ADDA, for $150 CAD each (~ $0.05 USD, or 0.03 Euros).

Where to get cheap ADATs? Get out the phone book. Find the big studios in town. Call them up. Say "Hey there, I want to buy the old crap that's filling up your storage space". They'll be glad to get rid of it for cheap. You may get some other neat toys, too, like a Yamaha Rev-1 (which I sadly turned down for $300... could have sold it for 2-3 times as much on EBay...

).

Make sure you test any gear you buy on the premises to make sure it works. Guys who work at recording studios are usually slimebags.

If you don't mind paying 3 x as much for an ADAT with a working tape transport, EBay is a good alternative.

Anybody else have an ADAT blackface they can try recording 44.1 analog before Monday night?

Ciao for now,

Johann

Post by **hubird** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 8:22 am

On 2004-06-06 04:22, blazesboylan wrote:
Digital frequency is always set by the master (i.e. the computer when you have the "digital in" button pressed on the ADAT).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those consumer dat recorders can only run as master...at least that's what I heard, and it's the way how my old Sony DAT rec behave

Michu · Post by **Michu** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 11:11 am

huub, there is a hint of difference between DAT and ADAT

minipax · Post by **minipax** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 12:33 pm

with the silverface XT20's you can record at 44.1khz and 48khz with a 16-bit or 20-bit bitdepth

Post by **hubird** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 1:12 pm

missing the point, sorry

blazesboylan · Post by **blazesboylan** » Sun Jun 06, 2004 3:36 pm

Ah! "I see", said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw.

Yes, in the DAT (2 channel) world there are definitely huge differences between "pro" and "consumer". I actually didn't know that the affordable DATs were generally master-only, that's good to know. Also when you get into syncing to video (SMPTE etc), you get into *very* pricey DATs.

Anyway sorry for the talk at right-angles Hubird. Funny how a single letter can throw off a conversation!

I'll still check out recording analog signals tomorrow night to make sure 44.1 is do-able with ADATs.

Ciao for now,

Johann

blazesboylan · Post by **blazesboylan** » Mon Jun 07, 2004 11:44 pm

Hi Minipax.

OK, ADAT blackface recording analog signals at 44.1 / 16 bit works fine.

You have to adjust the "pitch" on the front of the box: hold the "down pitch" button. When it gets near -150 or so it actually reads "44.1" so you'll know when you've got it.

When playing back digital signals, the blackface is always slave so you don't have to tweak anything for playback.

As you say, it's easier with an ADAT XT (silverface). There's a sample rate button on the front.

Cheers,

Johann

P.S. Thanks GaryB!

P.P.S. Hubird if you're serious about giving away your Sony DAT for free... I have a sister in Amsterdam who will be flying back to Canada in September...

Post by **garyb** » Tue Jun 08, 2004 2:39 am