Importing A-Dat tapes into Logic

Question

Importing A-Dat tapes into Logic

I have lots of 8 –track Adat tapes of recording sessions that I’ve done for the last 10 years or so. The recording session were for various Jazz projects. I have rough mixes from those sessions that I’ve been able to listen to. But, I don’t have a A-Dat player. So the original A-Dat tapes have gone un-used for some time.

The thought occurred to me that maybe I can import the a-Dat tapes into Logic and mix and master them on my own. The thing is that I’m not totally sure of the “best” way to go about it.

At the moment, I am using a small Firebox interface. I suppose that I would need to get a larger 8track interface like maybe a Firepod? I would also need to buy a A-Dat machine. I’ve seen these on E-Bay for a couple of hundred. I would imagine that I would take each of the 8 A-Dat track to a separate input on the Firepod, create 8 new audio tracks in Logic, press record in Logic and press play on the A-Dat?
Is that it? Or is there a proper way to do this that I don’t know about?

Thanks,

Morris

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.3.9), 1.5 gigs ram

Posted on Feb 16, 2007 8:46 AM

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Answer 1

mlehmann

Level 4

3,206 points

Feb 16, 2007 8:51 AM in response to Morris Acevedo

You're almost ok. Only thing is rather than doing analog transfers, you could buy something like a MOTU 828 and transfer your tracks via ADAT optical. That way, you'll avoid a D/A and a A/D conversion.

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Answer 2

Feb 16, 2007 8:58 AM in response to mlehmann

Ah......that sounds interesting. Tell me more.

the A-Dat Optical is a certain type of output on the A-Dat machine?

So, the interface I use should have a A-Dat Optical "input" on it?

I think I've read about ADat Optical on ads for gear but I never really know what that was.
thanks,

Morris

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Answer 3

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Feb 16, 2007 9:00 AM in response to Morris Acevedo

Hi,

Yes you can definitely import your ADAT tapes into Logic.

Here's how to solve the issue:

1.You should buy an ADAT tape machine,make SURE you get the right one,as the newer one recorded at 20bit,and the older(blackface)only did 16bit.This part is crucial.I would probably recommend you get as newer an ADAT machine as possible,and look for low head hours too.

2.Buy an audio interface that supports the ADAT lightpipe format.Usually this can be from a cheap box to an expensive one.Just make SURE it does support the ADAT standard.

3.Buy 2 ADAT optical lightpipe cables long enought to connect the ADAT machine to your audio interface.You WILL need both cables to ensure correct digital audio synchronization.

4.You will need another interface,such as a Unitor8mkii or a Motu MTP/av USB model,in order to slave Logic to you ADAT machine via MMC protocol.Please refer to chapter 19 Synchronization page 605/619 of the Logic Pro reference manual to learn how to sync Logic to the ADAT.

5.Yes,you would be able to record ALL 8 ADAT channels at once,in one "pass".

Just make SURE you read the manual in step 4 thoroughly and test your setup BEFORE recording,to ensure you are doing it correctly.

Cheers

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Answer 4

Feb 16, 2007 9:01 AM in response to Morris Acevedo

One other question about this.....

On E-Bay i've notice that there are different "generations" of ADat machines. I want to be sure that what ever machine I get will play my tapes.

Do all ADat machines play all the ADat tapes; older and newer?

Morris

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Answer 5

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Feb 16, 2007 9:01 AM in response to Morris Acevedo

Try to get the newest,latest generation,to guarantee it will play your tapes.

The ADAT XT20 I think was the latest generation.

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Answer 6

Feb 16, 2007 1:05 PM in response to Morris Acevedo

momanace,
I used to do a good bit of this. First, are there multiple tapes per session, ie 16 or 24 track sessions? If so, it's best if you use an Alesis BRC to slave the ADAT and Logic to. That way you can make multiple passes, each tape at a time, with Logic locked to SMPTE.

Honestly, for all the crap you need to do this "once" you may be better off calling around to local studios. Most have ADAT machines still lying around. Ask them what they'll charge you to transfer. Provide them with an external FW drive to record onto. You could probably find someone who won't charge too much.

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