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ALESIS M20 REFERENCE MANUAL 1.06 9-1
CHAPTER 9
AUTOLOCATION
The M20 can autolocate to specific points on the tape. Its built-in memory contains 100
different location points, complete with 8-character names. Locate points are used not only
for convenience, but in several other functions of the M20 such as Auto Record and Tape
Offset. These points are saved in the memory of the M20 even when power is turned off,
and may even be saved to the data header of each tape or to a MIDI file via a sysex dump.
The Locate button is positioned next to the other transport buttons (left of the Rewind
button). The currently chosen point is shown in the lower right corner of the main display.
Normally, the upper line of the display shows the location number and name.
Tip: Most M20 users find it convenient to leave the display in Locate Select mode, and
the reference counter in Locate Point mode. If a Display, MIDI, Vari Speed, or Utility
button (these are grouped next to the green Online button) are pressed, they will take
over the top line of the main display, and their button will light. Press Locate Select
to return the display to its default state.
The Locate Point display uses the ADAT’s ABS time as a reference, not the SMPTE time code
track. It can, however, display locate points in SMPTE, Absolute, or Relative modes. If the
Tape Counter (lower left counter in the main display) is in SMPTE, it uses the fixed SMPTE
offset (set in the SMPTE Chase menu) to calculate its value. If the Tape Counter is in Relative
mode, it will subtract the Locate 00 number to calculate its value.
9.1 ENTERING, SELECTING, AND EDITING LOCATION
POINTS
9.1A S
ET LOCATE
Pressing the Set Locate button (located just above the Stop button) at any time stores the
current tape location (rounded to the nearest subframe) into the next memory location for
later recall. If the Location point is currently 00, the first press of Set Locate stores the
current ABS time into Locate point 01 (shown in the display lower right). The next locate
point is 02, the next 03, and so on up to a maximum of 97. Any previous location address,
but not its name, will be overwritten when using Set Locate. The location block also
indicates whether the location point is one of four special locations (In, Out, Start, or End).
Note: Set Locate will not increment to points 98 and 99, as these are reserved for punch points set
manually. You must select these points with the Up/Down Arrow buttons to update them with the Set
Locate function.
9.1B COPY TAPE LOCATION
Pressing the Copy Tape Location button stores the current tape location from the tape
counter to the currently-showing locate point indicator; this function is useful for grabbing
location points “on the fly,” as well as for manual auto-punch and loop points. Unlike Set
Locate, doing this does not increment to the next location point number. You must increment
manually.