ADAT stands for Alesis Digital Audio Tape, which is a digital audio recording and playback format originally developed by the company Alesis in the early 1990s. ADAT refers to both the tape format and the digital audio recorder that uses this format.
The ADAT tape format is a professional digital recording medium that uses Super VHS cassettes to store up to 8 tracks of uncompressed, linear PCM audio. It employs a sample rate of 48 kHz and a 16-bit resolution, delivering high-quality audio. The ADAT system allows users to synchronize multiple recorders together, enabling flexible multitrack recording and playback options.
In addition to recording and playing audio, ADAT also features various editing functions, such as punch-in/out, auto-locate, and varispeed. The tapes used by the ADAT system are interchangeable between different ADAT machines, allowing for easy transfer and collaboration among studios.
The ADAT format gained popularity in the professional audio industry due to its affordability compared to other digital recording systems at the time. It found extensive use in recording studios, broadcast facilities, and live sound applications. Over the years, the ADAT format has evolved, with subsequent versions offering improved features and compatibility.
Despite being largely superseded by newer and more advanced technologies like hard disk recording, ADAT remains relevant in certain niche markets and is still used by some professionals and enthusiasts who appreciate its unique characteristics and compatibility with older equipment.
