Alesis ADAT XT20

[bsco]

Good morning...anybody here have any info on one off these units...the one I have will not go into record.......the owner did bring me a tape but I do not know if it is any good....doesn't look as if there is anything on the tape.....unless I have more that one problem...I searched the net for a service manual but came up empty....anybody here have any idea of where I can get a service manual or some service info on this unit?? and is it possible to use regular VHS tapes in these systems?? I have never used one of these before....
Cheers

[Jazz P Bass]

Does the 'Play' led light when you press the switch?
Pop the cover and look to see if the tape is mounting on the drum.
S VHS tape will work.

Here is the manual: https://audiorents.com/library/userM..._ADAT-XT20.pdf

Nice video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6uxFbRl084
It may be a 'mode' switch issue.

Or....Buy this one for parts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-ADAT...5.c20#viTabs_0

[bsco]

Does the 'Play' led light when you press the switch?
Pop the cover and look to see if the tape is mounting on the drum.
S VHS tape will work.

Here is the manual: https://audiorents.com/library/userM..._ADAT-XT20.pdf

Nice video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6uxFbRl084
It may be a 'mode' switch issue.

Or....Buy this one for parts: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Alesis-ADAT...5.c20#viTabs_0

Thanks for the reply....actually, the unit plays, FF and Rew, etc....won't go into record......once again I have somebody who wants something repaired and the first thing is "I don't want to spend much money on it" and the other line..."If repair will be more than $100 call .......there is no way that this can be repaired for $100...and it has been in storage for years.....same thing with his other units he wants repaired......basically for nothing....anyway, enough of that.....I am just looking for a service manual.....if I can find one.....I will download the user manual...thanks for the link Jazz......
Cheers

[Bloomfield]

Just a thought, is there any chance that the tape you are trying has had the tab in the corner snapped off? The one that will prevent it from being recorded over? If not, maybe check the mechanism that corresponds with that tab or lack thereof. I assume it is just a microswitch or even a purely mechanical lever but I've never had one of those units apart.

[bsco]

Just a thought, is there any chance that the tape you are trying has had the tab in the corner snapped off? The one that will prevent it from being recorded over? If not, maybe check the mechanism that corresponds with that tab or lack thereof. I assume it is just a microswitch or even a purely mechanical lever but I've never had one of those units apart.

Ahhh..that was the very first thing that I checked....I will have to see if I can get that apart.......depending on what happens up here in Canada, I might not be able to do any work for awhile.....
Cheers

[Bloomfield]

Good, I figured you knew to check that but these are distracting times with all that is going on. Stay safe over there.

Andy

[David R]

Is anybody still on this thread? I recently bought an early Alesis ADAT machine that seems to work well, but it will just not record. The record button does not light up like the others.
Also I'm not seeing any time code, it just always says "DATA" after it starts with "LEAD."
Instructions seemed to indicate something about "locate" being necessary but I can't figure it out.
I did buy a brand new SVHS tape and it formatted very well, I even did it a second time.
Any ideas what the problem might be? Thanks.

[nosaj]

did a quick google for "adat lx20 record lights flashing" and the first hit was the reference manual. This says that the track arming lights will blink, then holding down Record, hit Play and the unit should start up recording.
nosaj

[drewl]

Sometimes you have to have inputs/channels assigned for the record function to work also.