How to Set up the ADAT for Recording.

The ADAT multitrack recorder can record 8 seperate tracks simultaneously or individually, so you could record all 8 microphones on to their own tracks, or record the instruments first and then add the vocals on to the spare tracks at a later date. Use a pre-formatted tape as you cannot use a brand new tape straight out of its wrapper in an ADAT until it has been formatted (just like formatting a computer disk). All college tapes should already be formatted.

1. Choose a track to record onto, normally starting with 1 is easier. On the sound desk press the '1-2' button on the mic channel, below the 'MIX' button and move the 'PAN' dial to the left. This selects track 1, as well as all the other odd numbered tracks. Moving the dial to the right selects all the even numbereed tracks.
2. The red sliders are for the 'GROUPS'. You can have all the mics on a drum kit all going to this one group rather than having their own individual tracks. Move the first slider marked '1' to the top of its run. The LED's on the desk will show what group is active, and if your performer is rehearsing you should see the LED's flashing. You can alter the whole groups sound level by moving the red slider rather than moving each individual slider.
3. Next push the button marked '1' on the front of the ADAT. A red light will come on indicating that this track is 'ARMED", it will wipe over whatever is on this track when you start recording. There should be flashing lights above the '1' indicating the current sound level. Adjust the levels on the sound desk until the sound levels are in the yellow band. Again red distorts and green is too quiet.
4. When you are ready to record, push both the 'REC' and 'PLAY' buttons to start recording.
5. Press stop after recording an rewind the tape to the begining of your track (make a note of the counter numbers). To listen to your recording you will have to adjust some setting on the sound desk.
6. Fist turn on channel 1 on the sound desk in the normal way. The gain should be set for a 'LINE' input as we are listening to a sound from the ADAT, not a mic. You do not need to selct a group as we are only listening to a track, unless you want to 'bounce down', that is to record one or more ADAT tracks onto another track, useful when you need extra tracks.
7. The only different setting should be the 'XXXXX' button which selects the ADAT as the sound source. This setting and the gain should already be set, so all you should need to do is turn the channel on and move the slider. If the sound is too quiet try adjusting the gain dials for the quiet channel.