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Formatting Tape, Chapter 4
4-4 ALESIS M20 REFERENCE MANUAL 1.06
4.3 FORMAT A NEW TAPE
Use only S-VHS blank tapes formulated specifically for Super VHS video or digital audio
applications. Never use standard VHS tapes.
“Exercise” the tape: Before formatting, fast forward the tape to the end and rewind it to
even out the tape pack and sweep any contaminants off the tape.
Operation You press… You see…
Insert blank tape Tape into tape
chamber. Do this
gently; the
machine will
“grab” the tape
Display shows “noFO,” Format button
flashes
Enable formatting Format button
(with Edit button
off)
All record lights turn on
Initiate formatting Hold Record
then press Play
Display message advises you of
formatting progress
What happens between initiating formatting and the actual process of formatting depends on
the current tape status.
Tape status The M20…
Unformatted, at start of tape Begins formatting immediately
Unformatted, partway through tape Rewinds, then begins formatting
While rewinding from current position,
goes from unformatted to previously
formatted portion
Disables formatting to avoid re-
formatting a partially formatted tape.
Either extend the format from this
point on, or for a complete format,
rewind, then initiate formatting
Formatted, in Leader or Data section of
tape
Rewinds, then begins formatting
Formatted, in Audio section of tape Extends format after entering record
(see section 4.5 for information on
extending a format)
4.4 RECORD TRACKS WHILE FORMATTING
The procedure is similar to standard formatting, except:
• Record-enable (section 5.4) any tracks to be recorded prior to pressing the Format button.
• No audio will be recorded before the counter shows 00:00:00.00 ABS time.