de: Alesis Digital Audio Tape

* In 1991 Alesis Digital Audio Tape or ADAT is a tape format used for simultaneously recording eight tracks of digital audio at once, onto Super VHS magnetic tape-a format similar to that used by consumer VCRs.

In addition to Alesis, O ' Donnell also owns Numark ( DJ equipment ), Akai Professional, ION Audio, Alto Professional, MixMeister, and Sonivox.

In 1991 Alesis introduced ADAT, an eight-track digital audio recording system that used S-VHS cassettes.

The capability of digital recording introduced by the Alesis ADAT and its comparatively low cost, originally introduced at $ 3995, were largely responsible for the rise of project studios in the 1990s.

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.

Although it is a tape based format, the term ADAT now refers to its successor, the Alesis ADAT HD24, which features hard disk recording, rather not the traditional tape-based ADAT, which in turn is now considered obsolete.

At the 1991 Winter NAMM show, Alesis introduced the ADAT digital tape recorder.

As a side note, design firm Fast Forward Designs was responsible for the software development for the ADAT and also the development of several future Alesis products including the QuadraSynth.

Image: ADAT-XT. jpg | Alesis ADAT XT

Image: Alesis-HD24. jpg | Alesis ADAT HD24

Alesis developed equipment for recording studios in the 1990s, including the ADAT modular digital multitrack recording machine that allowed eight channels of CD-quality digital recording on SVHS tape, which was one of the first digital recorders affordable for home studios.

Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic ( two former Oberheim designers ) had co-founded Fast-Forward Designs, where they helped develop several notable pro audio products such as the Alesis ADAT, Quadraverbs and QuadraSynth, and Digidesign SampleCell.

The electric guitar signal is sent, via a Shure wireless unit, to Marshall JMP 1 preamps and TC Electronic Chorus / Flanger, TC Electronic D-Two, and Alesis Midiverb effect processors.

Alesis, based in Cumberland, Rhode Island, is a company that designs and markets electronic musical instruments, digital audio processors, audio mixers, digital audio interfaces, recording equipment, drum machines, professional audio and electronic percussion products.

Today, Alesis is the fastest-growing brand in drums, and it continues expansion into new product categories in mobile music-making, recording, video, and live sound.

Alesis is known for budget equipment but has produced high-end and innovative gear such as the Alesis Fusion, Andromeda A6 analog synthesizer, Ion virtual analog modeling synthesizer, as well as the Ion-based Micron.

He later used a Vox-badged Meazzi, then a Binson Echorec ( Drum ) Echo Machine and finally another tape-loop machine, the Roland 301 Space Echo, before moving on to digital electronic units like the Alesis Quadraverb 2 and Q20 Professional digital multi-effects units, loaded with the EFTP ( Echoes from the Past ) patches developed by Charlie Hall which precisely emulate the old drum and tape echo units such as the Meazzi, Binson, Vox and Roland.

* File Streaming Technology, Alesis ' proprietary file format for the HD24 digital multitrack

The demand for the analog synth sound led to the development of a variety of analog modeling synthesizers which emulate analog VCOs and VCFs using samples, software, or specialized digital circuitry, and the construction of new analog keyboard synths such as the Alesis Andromeda, Prophet ' 08 and Little Phatty, as well as some modular units.

In 1997, Alesis Semiconductor was formed, again taking advantage of Barr's custom integrated circuits to produce and market chips for the audio industry.

By 2001, however, the company's business suffered as market trends changed, and on April 27 of that year, Alesis filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The products manufactured by Alesis are mainly for studio and live performance ( as opposed to practice ) use and are now targeted at professional and semi-professional musicians.

Kehew does consulting and programming work for music equipment manufacturers, including contributions to the Moog Minimoog Voyager, and Little Phatty synthesizers, moogerfooger pedals and Alesis Andromeda, Ion and Fusion synthesizers.

Over the next few years, Alesis introduced many new products and enjoyed great success, but the industry was unaware of what was being developed back in their R & D department, something that would revolutionize digital recording.

Under O ' Donnell's direction, Alesis expanded into new product categories such as electronic drums, mixers, portable PA speakers, and other recording equipment.

* The S-VHS videocassette mechanism utilized by ADAT-format multi-track digital audio recorders made by Alesis,

This shortcoming was shared by other manufacturers at the time such as Alesis and Ensoniq.

Fast Forward Designs was co-founded by Marcus Ryle and Michel Doidic, both who had notable careers before their Alesis involvement ( as designers at Oberheim ), as well as a notable career following their Alesis involvement ( they later co-founded Line 6 ).

Alesis founder Keith Barr died peacefully on August 24, 2010, at age 61.

At the 2009 Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament, the team, led by captain Alesis Turner, returned to once again be named the champions ( the team played in the final rounds against North Carolina Central University ).

* analog synthesizers such as Moog, ARP and units produced by a variety of other manufacturers such as Alesis.

Alesis: Microverb III, SR16.

In 2004, following a US distribution deal, the Akai Professional Musical Instrument division was acquired by Jack O ' Donnell, owner of Numark, and audio-electronics corporation Alesis.

Additionally, some recent non-modular synthesizers ( such as the Alesis Andromeda ) and many effects devices ( including the Moogerfooger pedals by Moog as well as many guitar oriented devices ) include CV / Gate connectivity.

In the past, his rig has included a Moog Source, Alesis Andromeda A6 & a Yamaha Motif.

Alesis products are designed in America and manufactured in Asia.

Alesis Studio Electronics was founded in 1984 by Keith Barr ( who co-founded MXR ) in Hollywood, California.

Alesis ' products were within the realm of most project studios, making them very successful.

Alesis ' first product was the XT Reverb.

In 1986 Alesis produced the first, under $ 1000, 16-bit professional effects processor, the MIDIverb.

Next, after teaming up with Marcus Ryle ( who later founded Line 6 ), Alesis introduced the MMT8 hardware sequencer and the very successful HR-16 drum machine in 1987.

Image: Alesis HR-16 circuit bent 07. jpg | HR-16 ( modified )

Image: Alesis MIDIVerb. jpg | MIDIVerb