You should be able to run an XT20 at 16 bits. Kurt

thanks kurt for your reply. Maybe that is not the issue then......I fired up the new machine with last year's tape on it and everything seems great.....but when I set up to record bass tracks, the record button wouldn't even acknowledge that I had pressed it. The button on the LRC didn't either. Is there something painfully obvious (I hope!!) that I'm overlooking. THAT is why I thought the bit rate might make the tape readable, but unable to be recorded on.......please remember, I'm in the 'small steps' part of this :) thanks

Swamphippie,
Try recording on a blank tape. If it works then you probably need to hit a switch or something to bring the XT 20 into 16 bit mode. You do have tracks armed, don't you? Kurt

thanks again kurt for your attentive responsive. What does it mean to have my tracks 'armed'??? Please clue me in!! thanks

There is a row of buttons underneath the meters.. labeled 1 through 8 if you push on one of those it will light up .. the track is armed and will be recorded when you hit the record and play buttons. Anything on that track will be erased ... so be sure the track is blank. Kurt