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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.0 ABOUT AI-2
The AI-2 is an extremely flexible and powerful interface device for
the ALESIS ADAT 8-track digital audio tape recorder. The AI-2 is
designed and manufactured for ALESIS by TimeLine, the world
leader in machine control and synchronization systems.
The AI-2 provides a universal ADAT control interface allowing a
bank of ADAT recorders to be controlled from a video editor, a tape
machine synchronizer system or in time code chase.
The AI-2 supports four primary input control and two output control
modes. The input control modes provide an interface to external
controllers, while the output modes allow control of up to 16 ADAT
recorders, with or without the Alesis BRC Remote Control.
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Sample Accurate Syncing Capabilities. Using ADAT's
exclusive Proprietary Synchronization interface, the AI-2 can
control up to 16 ADAT's, for a total of 128 tracks, and lock them
together in perfect synchronization with other time code
controlled devices.
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Easy And Familiar Front Panel Controls. The AI-2 is fitted
with a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 6 keys and a bank of status
LED's. The keys are used to setup AI-2 system operation
parameters, to select display information and to edit and control
AI-2 functions. The 8 LEDs give constant control and communi-
cation status, indicating correct operation. The AI-2 controls
have been designed to be quick and simple to use and will be
familiar to all studio operators.
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Simple Installation. AI-2 installation is extremely simple, the
AI-2 is a 1 Unit high product which is designed to fit into an
industry standard 19" wide rack. All interface connections are
made with standard connectors and the AC supply is a conve-
nient wall mounting transformer. Connection to the AI-2 in its
basic form is accomplished by a 9-pin sync cable, which con-
nects to the first ADAT in the system and a cable to the selected
controller. Successive ADATs are connected in turn -- sync out
to sync in -- using the same 9-pin style connector. When the
AI-2 is turned on, it automatically becomes the system master
and assigns each ADAT an identification number (ID) from first
to last, in the chain. The AI-2 then checks to see which
machines have tapes installed and automatically locates the
slave ADAT tapes to the master position.
