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127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
PRESS RELEASE
ADAT Does Hard Disk
January 19, 2001
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Alesis, the company that revolutionized music recording with the introduction of the first affordable digital multitrack, the Alesis ADAT, opened the NAMM show with their announcement of the ADAT HD24, a new 24-track hard disk recorder. An addition to the successful ADAT line, HD24 uses an proprietary method of writing to hard disk to provide 24 tracks of 24-bit audio on low-cost IDE hard drives, and drop-in compatibility with over 150,000 ADAT systems world wide. With an estimated street price of just $1999, the ADAT HD24 shatters the price barrier for cost-per-track of professional quality audio recording. The hard disk recording medium is recognized for its fast access to data and editing capabilities. At the same time, existing digital tape is very convenient, robust, affordable and removable. To give hard disk some of the same level of utility as tape, Alesis had to overcome limitations such as data fragmentation which occurs in traditional hard disk recording formats. In order to achieve this, Alesis engineered a new method of writing on hard drives, specifically designed for music recording. Unlike the writing schemes employed by computer-based systems, this new method dramatically reduces fragmentation of data, and the required "seek time", providing a much greater level of stability in recording and playing back data. Using this method of writing, seek and play functions are much faster than existing systems - under 100ms - and data fragmentation which can cause crashing, is greatly diminished. As a result, very low-cost, low RPM hard-drives can be used with exceptional results. For the first time, at about $90 for a 20 gigabyte hard drive, the cost of the hard disk storage medium equals that of ADAT tape in cost per gigabyte - less than five dollars. Entire 24-track projects can be stored on a single removable drive. Finally, Alesis engineered custom drive caddies and protective storage cases to establish today's affordable IDE drives as the new exchange medium for music recording. Drives are hot-swappable, and fast back-up-a few minutes for an entire drive -is possible between two front-panel drive bays. The HD24 ships with two drive caddies and a 10 gigabyte hard drive which will yield approximately 45 minutes of recording time at 24-bit/48 kHz. With over 150,000 ADAT systems installed world wide, Alesis set out to provide a drop-in solution for ADAT customers. The ADAT HD24 offers the digital audio and synchronization connections of the existing ADAT. The rear panel of HD24 includes 24 channels of ADAT optical inputs and outputs and ADAT synchronization IN and OUT connectors to allow HD24 to sample-accurately synchronize with other ADATs, a BRC remote controller, and products from over 100 manufacturers world-wide. When connected to a BRC, the HD24 "looks-like" three ADATs. Multiple ADAT HD24 units can be synchronized to make very large systems. In the tradition of the ADAT line, the system price is very affordable. At an estimated U.S. street price of $1,999, the new ADAT HD24 comes in at half the price of the original ADAT, making it a truly affordable alternative to more expensive stand alone systems, an affordable adjunct to computer systems, and viable option for the entry-level customer. The base price of the HD24 includes 24 channels of 24-bit analog I/O and 24 channels of ADAT optical digital I/O as standard. At this price, Alesis expects HD24 to find broad range acceptance in professional project and home recording applications. Alesis Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jim Mack explains, "The recording market has been fragmented with a range of recording solutions. ADAT customers consistently cite ADAT for its convenience and quality. Alternatively, current HD solutions have obvious limitations. Until we could provide a solution that overcame those limitations, and offered our customers a solution as convenient as- or superior to-ADAT, we were not willing to make a hard disk recorder. We waited until we could provide a solution which would overcome these limitations. When it was introduced, ADAT significantly raised the bar for recording options. HD24 is the first hard disk recorder worthy of being called ADAT." Superb sonic performance was a base-line objective for Alesis. The HD24 provides 24 tracks of high-resolution 24-bit recording at standard sample rates of 44.1kHz, 48 kHz, or at 88.2kHz and 96kHz with a forthcoming 96 kHz I/O option. External word clock input is provided for slaving to external clock sources. HD24 provides the ability to cut, copy, paste, insert and move tracks and segments of audio with undo function. These functions can be controlled from the HD24 front panel, or optional remote control. Recognizing that a broad range of affordable computer-based editing solutions are already in the market, Alesis provides multiple ways to export audio for additional processing and graphic editing. Rear panel Ethernet connection makes HD24 files accessible to computers in industry-standard AIFF format. Additionally, the HD24's 24-bit ADAT optical I/O allow simultaneous transfer of 24-track material in real time to computer audio cards and other products using ADAT optical format. The ADAT HD24 24 can be controlled via supplied LRC remote control, and MIDI machine control. Control of transport, track arming and editing functions will be possible via optional full-function remote control which will ship this summer , at a price target of less than $600. HD24 supports MIDI commands and sys-ex bulk dumps via MIDI In/Out connectors. "HD24 is an elegant machine," states Peter Chaikin, Alesis director of product marketing. "We're offering 24 tracks of 24-bit recording at an unheard of price. The machine is lightning fast. The key was developing a way to write reliably on low-spindle-rate hard drives. At a price of $2,000 for a professional quality 24-track, and media cost equal to that of ADAT tape, we expect the HD24 format will become as popular as the current ADAT format." ADAT HD24 will be available through music retailers and professional audio suppliers this spring at an estimated U.S. street price of $1999.00 For more information, visit their web site at http://www.alesis.com/.
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