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28-467: Alesis Digital Audio Tape , commonly referred to as ADAT , is a magnetic tape format used for the recording of eight digital audio tracks onto the same S-VHS tape used by consumer VCRs , and the basis of a series of multitrack recorders by Alesis . Although originally a tape-based format, the term ADAT later also referred to hard disk recorders like the Alesis ADAT HD24 . In 2004, recognizing

56-436: A few weeks to a few months before it will reabsorb moisture and be unplayable again. Baking cannot be used with acetate tapes, nor is it needed. Tape baking should only been done when necessary, since there is a risk of damaging the tape from the heat. However, there are some important signs that show when a tape needs baking. The signs include flakes and sticky goo on the tape heads or transport machinery. The usual symptom

84-482: A similar problem caused by fatty acids working to the surface of the tape that can cause sticking to heads and guides and severe modulation of signals through the playback head until it is cleaned. Ampex-branded u-matic cassette tapes are also now exhibiting sticky-shed problems, similar to their reel tape media. As of the 2020s, digitizing companies have documented examples of sticky-shed from Maxell . TDK has been showing signs as of late of shedding its lubricant in

112-479: A standard S-VHS tape cartridge. Additionally, up to 16 ADATs could be connected to each other to record up to 128 tracks simultaneously with sample-accurate timing. This capability and the ADAT's low cost (it was originally introduced at US$ 3,995 ) were largely responsible for the rise of project studios in the 1990s. Alesis produced several models of ADAT recorders. The original ADAT (later referred to as Blackface ) and

140-570: Is a medium for magnetic storage made of a thin, magnetizable coating on a long, narrow strip of plastic film . It was developed in Germany in 1928, based on the earlier magnetic wire recording from Denmark. Devices that use magnetic tape can with relative ease record and play back audio, visual, and binary computer data. Magnetic tape revolutionized sound recording and reproduction and broadcasting. It allowed radio, which had always been broadcast live, to be recorded for later or repeated airing. Since

168-423: Is a system for storing digital information on magnetic tape using digital recording . Tape was an important medium for primary data storage in early computers, typically using large open reels of 7-track , later 9-track tape. Modern magnetic tape is most commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes, such as the widely supported Linear Tape-Open (LTO) and IBM 3592 series. The device that performs

196-435: Is backcoated and therefore isn't affected), 808, and 986 as well as audiophile tapes such as "Classic" and "Master-XS". Though less common, many Sony branded tapes such as PR-150, SLH, ULH, and FeCr have also been reported to suffer from sticky-shed. Blank cassettes from the 70s-90s are unaffected because the hygroscopic binder was not used in cassette formulations. However, some cassette tape formulations do suffer from

224-418: Is left to create their own methods and materials. Generally, tapes are baked at low temperatures for relatively long periods of time, such as 130 °F to 140 °F (54 to 60 °C) for 1 to 8 hours. Tapes wider than 1/4 inch may take longer. It is commonly thought that baking a tape will temporarily remove the moisture that has accumulated in the binder. A treated tape will reportedly function like new for

252-478: Is magnetic tape used for storing video and usually sound in addition. Information stored can be in the form of either an analog or digital signal . Videotape is used in both video tape recorders (VTRs) and, more commonly, videocassette recorders (VCRs) and camcorders . Videotapes have also been used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram . Some magnetic tape-based formats include: Magnetic-tape data storage

280-411: Is played, the reels will make screeching or squeaking sounds, and the tape will leave dusty, rusty particles on the guides and heads. In some cases, particularly with digital tapes, the symptoms are more subtle, causing intermittent dropouts. Some tapes may deteriorate because of a breakdown in the binder (the glue) that holds the oxide particles on the tape, or the back coating on the reverse side, if

308-441: Is squealing when the tape passes the playback head or other fixed parts of a tape player. The squealing is audible directly from the tape and usually also transmitted electronically through the output of the tape recorder as a wideband distortion of the playback signal. Continuous use of a shedding tape permanently damages it, as oxide is literally torn off the tape. This flaking residue can be seen and can feel gummy while still on

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336-539: The ADAT XT record 16 bits per sample (ADAT Type I). A later generation of machines—the XT-20, LX-20 and M-20—support 20 bits per sample (ADAT Type II). All ADAT machines use the same high-quality S-VHS tape media. Tapes recorded in the older Type I format can be read and written in the more modern machines, but not the other way around. Later generations are capable of recording at a sample rate of either 44.1 or 48 kHz , common in

364-605: The ADAT for "beginning a revolution of affordable recording tools," it was inducted into the first-ever TEC Awards TECnology Hall of Fame. Alesis announced the first ADAT model at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California in January 1991, with the first ADAT recorders shipping over a year later in February or March 1992. This original ADAT model recorded up to 8 tracks of 16-bit digital audio on

392-439: The audio industry. Pitch control is available by varying the sample rate, and thus tape speed accordingly. With locate points it was possible to store sample-exact positions on tape, making it easy to find specific parts of digital recordings . Using auto play and auto record functions made it possible to punch in/out at predetermined points, rather than relying on human timing ability to start and stop recording at precisely

420-429: The audio portion of older IMAX films, are also reported to be exhibiting sticky-shed. As tapes remain in storage for a longer time, it is possible that other binder formulations may develop problems. Current solutions to sticky-shed syndrome seek to safely remove the unwanted moisture from the tape binder. Two different strategies are commonly employed: applying heat to the tape (commonly called 'baking'), and changing

448-492: The early 1950s, magnetic tape has been used with computers to store large quantities of data and is still used for backup purposes. Magnetic tape begins to degrade after 10–20 years and therefore is not an ideal medium for long-term archival storage. The exception is data tape formats like LTO which are specifically designed for long-term archiving. Information in magnetic tapes is often recorded in tracks which are narrow and long areas of information recorded magnetically onto

476-486: The end of the war. It was only after the war that Americans, particularly Jack Mullin , John Herbert Orr , and Richard H. Ranger , were able to bring this technology out of Germany and develop it into commercially viable formats. Bing Crosby , an early adopter of the technology, made a large investment in the tape hardware manufacturer Ampex . A wide variety of audiotape recorders and formats have been developed since. Some magnetic tape-based formats include: Videotape

504-427: The environment to lower the humidity . Baking is widely practiced but can damage tapes if not done properly. While modification of humidity by safely controlling the environment may take significantly longer, its major benefit is that it does not irreparably damage the tape. Baking is a common practice for temporarily repairing sticky-shed syndrome. There is no standard equipment or practice for baking, so each engineer

532-475: The form of a white powder or white/yellowish goo. This has shown up on the TDK SA and some LX and BX tapes. There have been a few reports of some tape from the current manufacturers ATR and RMGI exhibiting symptoms of sticky-shed. But these may be isolated incidents relating to prototype or single bad batches and are not necessarily indicative of the overall product line integrity. BASF tape production did not use

560-521: The right instant. ADAT machines could be controlled externally with the Alesis LRC (Little Remote Control), which could be attached to the ADAT with a 1/4" tip/sleeve plug , and featured the transport controls and most commonly used functions. Alternatively, the BRC (Big Remote Control) could be used, which included many more features which the stand-alone ADAT did not have. Magnetic tape Magnetic tape

588-399: The spacing that exists between adjacent tracks. While good for short-term use, magnetic tape is highly prone to disintegration. Depending on the environment, this process may begin after 10–20 years. Over time, magnetic tape made in the 1970s and 1980s can suffer from a type of deterioration called sticky-shed syndrome . It is caused by hydrolysis of the binder in the tape and can render

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616-638: The tape at low temperature may temporarily restore the tape by driving the water molecules from the binder so that it can be safely copied to another tape or a different format. After baking, the tape may remain in good condition for approximately a month. If the tape re-deteriorates, it may be possible to bake the tape again. Tapes affected by sticky-shed are those that were made by Ampex / Quantegy such as 406/407, 456/457, 499, and consumer/audiophile grade back coated tapes such as Grand Master and 20-20+, as well as those made by Scotch/3M including professional tapes such as 206/207, 226/227, 262 (though not all 262

644-670: The tape unusable. Since the introduction of magnetic tape, other technologies have been developed that can perform the same functions, and therefore, replace it. Such as for example, hard disk drives in computers replacing cassette tape readers such as the Atari Program Recorder and the Commodore Datasette for software, CDs and MiniDiscs replacing cassette tapes for audio, and DVDs replacing VHS tapes. Despite this, technological innovation continues. As of 2014 Sony and IBM continue to advance tape capacity. Magnetic tape

672-479: The tape was from any of the tape manufacturers who had inadvertently used an unstable binder formulation. That binder contained polyurethane that soaks up water ( Hydrolysis ) and causes the urethane to rise to the tape's surface. This problem became known as the 'sticky-shed syndrome'. One explanation offered was that short strands of urethane were commonly used in tapes until it was discovered that mid-sized strands are better and were good at absorbing moisture. Baking

700-452: The tape, which are separate from each other and often spaced apart from adjacent tracks. Tracks are often parallel to the length of the tape, in which case they are known as longitudinal tracks, or diagonal relative to the length of the tape in helical scan . There are also transverse scan and arcuate scanning, used in Quadruplex videotape . Azimuth recording is used to reduce or eliminate

728-623: The unstable formulation, and their tape production rarely shows this type of coating instability, although BASF LH Super SM cassettes manufactured in the mid-70s are prone to the problem. Certain batches of Chromdioxid Extra II C-90s, produced around 1989-1991 and sold in the UK, shed a white powder that would coat the record/playback head after a few months of use. The slightly higher performance Chromdioxid Super II and Chromdioxid Maxima C-90 cassettes were unaffected. As of 2015, some 35 mm magnetic fullcoat tapes produced by Kodak , such as those used for

756-403: The writing or reading of data is called a tape drive . Autoloaders and tape libraries are often used to automate cartridge handling and exchange. Compatibility was important to enable transferring data. Sticky-shed syndrome The symptoms of this breakdown can be immediately obvious even when rewinding the tape: tearing sounds and sluggish behavior. If a tape with sticky-shed syndrome

784-546: Was invented for recording sound by Fritz Pfleumer in 1928 in Germany. Because of escalating political tensions and the outbreak of World War II, these developments in Germany were largely kept secret. Although the Allies knew from their monitoring of Nazi radio broadcasts that the Germans had some new form of recording technology, its nature was not discovered until the Allies acquired German recording equipment as they invaded Europe at

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