Audio Systems

| SMPTE | ADAT | Systems Index |

Related pages

• Audio rack components in the equipment room (behind the wall in the console-area) and general sound systems.
• Patch bay.
• Mixer.
• Hearing Enhancement system.
• Microphone systems.
• The Audio Training worksheet GNSC 250 Planetarium Operations students need to complete and turn in before working with the audio systems.
• How to format an ADAT tape.

The Planetarium contains a 16-track CD-quality digital surround-sound system, based on two ADAT decks (Fostex RD-8s) which support SMPTE time-code automation. Each component of the sound system, including its purpose and operation, is discussed in the documents referenced below. Our special thanks to Jeff Bowen of Bowen Productions, Indianapolis (BowenProd@aol.com), for designing our sound system in a manner extremely well-integrated with the East Coast Control Systems automation and the rest of the planetarium's systems. Jeff has provided much of the information explained in these pages.

SMPTE Time-Code

SMPTE time code was developed by NASA and has become an audio industry standard for addressing specific locations on tapes. SMPTE allows for automatic synchronization of all projectors and auxiliary equipment to a pre-recorded soundtrack, given a sufficient automation system. It is essential for student operation of the planetarium and for most complex lighting and multi-media effects.

ADAT Advantages

Digital audio systems (e.g., DAT = Digital Audio Tape format; ADAT = Alesis Digital Audio Tape format) provide the following advantages over analog tape decks (such as cassette or reel-to-reel):

1. Storage of up to 999 address locations (on a data track on the tape itself), which is especially convenient for automation programming (using SMPTE time-code) and soundtrack editing (especially direct-to-disk computer audio editing).
2. A greatly expanded dynamic range (distance between softest and loudest sounds: 41db at best on analog tape, 96db on digital recordings).
3. Elimination of tape hiss and frequency loss (most noticeably when dubbing tapes from generation to generation).
4. Backups of master tapes sound like the first generation master.
5. Perfect track separation (no track "bleed" on multi-channel mixes).
6. Lower cost of recording tape.
7. Less archiving space required.

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©1997

Welcome to the Planetarium web site provided by the OBU Planetarium. These pages have been written by the Planetarium Director, Kerry Magruder; the Unified Studies Natural Science Coordinator, Mike Keas; other OBU faculty; and the students who work in the planetarium.

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