TASCAM DM24/MOTU-2408MKIII Problem

[Peter Borowski]

Hello Folks,

big problem in TDIF-digital audio with DM-24 and 2408MKIII.

Used Equipment-Combination:

MOTU 2408MKIII on PC-based Audio-Workstation (P4, 3GHz Prescott/ASUS P4C800D/2GB DDR-RAM/2 IBM Deskstar-Drives/PLEXTOR CDRW/MATROX G650 DH)/465W Powersupply working on CUBASE SX 2.2 and latest Asio driver. Does not matter at all because same failures on G4 (9.2) and G5 (Jaguar) either.
TASCAM DM-24 Digital Desk, V.2.1.
Both Components cabled by 3x TDIF I/O and Wordclock O (MOTU) to DM-24´s Wordclock I (terminated).

Scenario:

When I route analogue inputsignals directly to the TDIF OUT´s of DM-24 (direct-function of the channel) to MOTU´s TDIF IN and/or switch thru the 3 fader banks of DM-24, on all activated input channel of MOTU a extreme overloaded digital noise occurs together with the TDIF warn display of MOTU lightning. Very strange.
(MOTU wordclock-master, DM-24 terminated slave). Seems to be that the 2408 cannot sync the incoming TDIF-signal to its own clock.

I tried out a second DM-24, also another 2408. Same failure.
Took the DM-24 to wc-master, motu to slave: Same failure.
Checked all cable, tried different audio-interfaces and TDIF devices on DM-24
Everything worked fine with the DM-24, except MOTU. A serial-bug?

Untill now I didn´t got any feedback by MOTU. DM-24 was checked again
at TASCAM.

Did someone had the same experience in those facts?
The last chance is to check a good, well working external clock master,
like MUTEC smartclock. I´ll try out this week.

Thanks in advice! Peter Borowski

[William Lang]

Hey Peter, the problem is that sync signals cannot be sent via the TDIF format. You'll need to send a sync signal via either wordclock cable, ADAT, or SPDIF. For example I have my DM24 running alongside a 2408MkIII with both recieveing wordclock from GenX6 Masterclock via wordclock cables. The setup works beautifully. So there's nothing wrong with either your DM24 or 2408, it's just that that format can't be used to sync.

Hope that helps.

[roody]

I'm interested to know if you've got every thing working correctly now. Thanks

[Peter Borowski]

Originally Posted by William Lang

Hey Peter, the problem is that sync signals cannot be sent via the TDIF format. You'll need to send a sync signal via either wordclock cable, ADAT, or SPDIF. For example I have my DM24 running alongside a 2408MkIII with both recieveing wordclock from GenX6 Masterclock via wordclock cables. The setup works beautifully. So there's nothing wrong with either your DM24 or 2408, it's just that that format can't be used to sync.

Hope that helps.

Hi William,

sure I used wordclock sync as I told in my thread! I also now that TDIF does not transport sync data.

Have a nice day, Peter

[Peter Borowski]

Originally Posted by roody

I'm interested to know if you've got every thing working correctly now. Thanks

Hy Roody,

- no, problem not solved. Now I´m in contact with the MOTU-US-SUPPORT. They try to manage. But another failure in CUBASE SX 2.2 occurs now, while using the setup on WIN XP (dm24 as wordclock master and motu slave). The samplerate changes from 48kHz to 44,1kHz automatically as shown by a Cubase message (definately a 48kHz Song!), otherwise the control panel of motu shows 48kHz. Talked to STEINBERG and they said clearly: An old MOTU ASIO driver problem (known now for more than 2 years!!!!!!). At least I think that my clocking problem also consist of a bad ASIO driver of 2408 for WINDOWS.
I had even big problems years ago with an old 2408. So this is even an example, that not Mr. Gates of MS is the bad boy! If both problems will not be not cleared within the next 2 weeks, I won´t sell any MOTU device for PC in the future and send back the 2408 to motu with a receipt for working 40 hours as "beta tester". Have a nice day, Peter

[Peter Borowski]

Originally Posted by William Lang

Hey Peter, the problem is that sync signals cannot be sent via the TDIF format. You'll need to send a sync signal via either wordclock cable, ADAT, or SPDIF. For example I have my DM24 running alongside a 2408MkIII with both recieveing wordclock from GenX6 Masterclock via wordclock cables. The setup works beautifully. So there's nothing wrong with either your DM24 or 2408, it's just that that format can't be used to sync.

Hope that helps.

A second message again. I tried also an external masterclock (mutec smart clock)- everything worked brilliant! But as an audio-dealer in a good relation to my "motu" customer I´ll cannot talk to him: Oh, you have to buy another clock master for 600 Euro, that solves the problem of the motu. Am I right? On my own I would do it, but I think some "hightech" companies should take more care about their products, they have the part to solve their problems. Have a nice day! Peter