Alesis HD24 Hard Disk Recorder

ALESIS HD24 Details ^top

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.

The Alesis 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 HD 24 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 WAV and 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. The Alesis HD 24 supports MIDI commands and sys-ex bulk dumps via MIDI In/Out connectors and has Midi Timecode out. Includes (2) hot swappable drive caddies- one with removable 40 gig IDE drive

Understanding the Importance of the DM24 Linear Recording

All other hard disk recording systems use a 'random' access file system to store the audio so you can arrange the regions wherever you and the computer want it which is known to cause software errors that corrupts the exact timing relationship between tracks.

The DM24 hard disk is formatted with a proprietary system that makes it work just like tape. All of the space on the hard disk is allotted to audio ahead of time. If you have inserted a 60-minute disk, it will record 60 minutes of audio on 24 tracks, but it also will only record 60 minutes of audio if you're only using four tracks — just like a piece of tape. If you make an edit to the song, it works just like cutting the tape with a razor blade; that segment is skipped over during playback.

The tracks can't slip in time like they can with a normal hard disk recording system. Hard disk stability has now come of age can now actually replace tape!

The first hard disk recorders worthy of the name ADAT....

Introducing the world’s first 24-track, 24-bit/96kHz hard disk recorders designed to fit comfortably into any standard ADAT environment — and match ADAT’s legendary performance and affordability.

With their patent-pending method of writing to the hard drive, HD24 and HD24XR are the first hard disk recorders built from the ground up exclusively for the purpose of recording music instead of data — resulting in remarkable stability and performance. And yet, thanks to their use of standard, low-cost IDE computer drives, the recording media costs no more than traditional ADAT tape on a per track basis.

Two hot-swappable media bays provide convenient access to the recording drives, and allow the user to backup data in just minutes. You can edit tracks internally or easily transfer to computer via built-in Ethernet. They’re the only HD recorders on the market with standard ADAT Optical and ADAT Sync, enabling them to work efficiently with existing systems. And they offer the same exceptional user-friendly interface ADAT users have come to expect.

Alesis reinvents digital recording. Again.

HD24 Features:

24-track, 24-bit digital audio recording at 48kHz
(12 tracks at 96kHz)

High sample rates for top-notch audio. Digital: 44.1–96kHz. Upgrade HD24 to 96kHz with the EC-2

Fully loaded standard connections include 24 analog inputs and outputs (+4dBu, 1/4" TRS), plus 24 channels of ADAT Optical I/O

Dual recording bays utilize standard low-cost, removable IDE drives so media costs don’t break the bank

Instant random access to audio using ADAT/FST™ (File Streaming Technology). Hit rewind or fast-forward and you’re there in a flash

Internal editing capabilities include cut, copy, paste, and track-move with undo. Or use the built-in Ethernet port to easily send files to a computer DAW

Multiple units can be synchronized to create a larger system, and easily integrated into an existing ADAT system

Everything you need for a world-class digital recording setup: MIDI in/out, MTC out, Ethernet, ADAT Sync in/out, and Word Clock in.

ALESIS HD24 Downloads ^top

ADAT-HD24 Firmware Updates
The following files are firmware download files for the Alesis ADAT-HD24. The files are stored compressed in ZIP format. You can download the ZIP file by clicking on the links below. Once downloaded, you can extract the .SYX (SYSEX or System-Exclusive) by using a ZIP extractor. On a Windows PC, you can use WinZip. On a Mac, you can use Stuffit.
Once you have the .SYX file, you can send the file to your ADAT-HD24 using Sequencing software like Freeloader or Cakewalk, or with generic MIDI software like MIDI-OX.

ADAT-HD24 Firmware Downloads
File Size 248KB
ADAT-HD24 Firmware v1.18

This is version 1.18 of the ADAT-HD24 Firmware. This release adds additional support for manufacuring. This release also fixes a bug where pressing [STOP] in between punch points from a master sync device while auto-recording would cause the next PLAY command to re-enter auto-recording mode on the slave HD24s, rather than play mode.
It also fixes a second bug where record-enabling a track (where previously no tracks were recordenabled) after [RECORD] was pressed from the master sync device while in autorecord mode would cause the slave HD24s to not actually record audio even though its record LEDs are steady Specific information for this release can be reviewed in the Release Notes. Created by Alesis - 5/04

ADAT-HD24 Firmware v1.17 334KB

This is version 1.17 of the ADAT-HD24 Firmware. This release fixes a bug when pasting audio in a 2-track song. Created by Alesis - 8/2003

ADAT-HD24 Firmware v1.16 334KB

This is version 1.16 of the ADAT-HD24 Firmware. This release was designed to help with BRC syncing issues, where some users have reported that the HD24 sometimes falls out of lock with the BRC for no apparent reason. Created by Alesis - 7/2003

ADAT-HD24 Firmware v1.15 334KB

This is version 1.15 of the ADAT-HD24 Firmware. This release improved performance for the HD24 when connected to the BRC at 44.1kHz. Detailed software changes relevant to this release can be found in the "Release Notes" PDF above. Created by Alesis - 3/2003

ADAT-HD24 Firmware v1.06

This is version 1.06 of the ADAT-HD24 Firmware. This release is here to support the previous version of the ADAT-HD24 filesystem. Detailed software changes relevant to this release can be found in the "Release Notes" PDF above. Created by Alesis - 9//2002

ALESIS HD24 Specs ^top

ADAT HD24 Specifications

• MEDIA.
  Any internal IDE hard drive
  
• TRACK COUNT.
  24 tracks at 24-bit/48kHz, 12 tracks at 24-bit/96kHz.
  
• SAMPLE RATES.
  Digital: 44.1-96kHz. Analog: 44.1-48kHz (HD24). Upgrade HD24 to 96kHz with the EC-2.
  
• CONNECTIONS.
  Analog: 24 24-bit inputs, 24 24-bit outputs (1/4" TRS, +4dBu). Digital: 24-channel I/O via 3 ADAT Optical inputs and 3 ADAT Optical outputs. Other: MIDI in/out. Alesis Sync in/out (DB-9). Word Clock input (BNC, 75ý). Footswitch jack for punch in/out (1/4"). LRC input for traditional wired remote (1/4"). 10 Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45).
  
• AUDIO SPECS.
  Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz +0/-1dB. Dynamic range: 103dB A/D, >103dB D/A (A-weighted). Distortion: <0.003% THD+N. Input levels: nominal +4dBu, maximum +19dBu. Pitch control: +100 cents/-200 cents, min-max 30-50kHz (30-100kHz with version 2.0).
  
• POWER & DIMENSIONS.
  Power: 90-230V AC, 60W. Dimensions (H x W x D): 5.09" x 19" x 17" (127mm x 483mm x 432mm), 3U rackmount. Weight: 20lbs (9.07kg).

ALESIS HD24 Documentation ^top