clock speeds on an xt-20

[notbradsohner]

Hello, trying to synce an xt-20 with a blackface. I have tried the xt and the blackface as the master, and neither one works. The xt is always jumping around on the time. Could it perhaps be a clock speed setting on the xt unit? any ideas?

[Track Rat]

Bad sync cable maybe. Have you tried a different one? It should've sensed the master automaticly and clocked to it.

[eh91311]

OK, here's some dumb suggestions... are both machines running at the same bit and sample rate (16/48)? Did you power them up while sync'd, then format a tape in each to the end and then try and FF/REW then PLAY and see if they stay in sync? Are both of the S-VHS tapes you're using the same length? Is the sync cable connected OUT from the master and IN to the 1st slave unit?

If all answers are YES, then I haven't a clue except for perhaps the machines need new idler wheels, head cleaning, or other servicing perhaps...?

[notbradsohner]

what about something I messed up while formatting them? Can i format them at somehting other than 16/48, specifically on the xt......

[Track Rat]

The only formatting choices you'd have would be 16 or 20 bit (XT-20 or LX-20's only) and 44.1 or 48k. Put the tapes into your XT one at a time with no sync cable connected. The bit depth and sampling rate that the tape was formatted at will be displayed on the front panel. Still sounds like a bad sync cable.

[notbradsohner]

what should it say? 16/48?

[eh91311]

When formatting on the blackface, the default is 16/48. You have to select 16 or 20 bit, 44.1 or 48 on the XT20. Supposedly, you can format tapes on the blackface at 16/48, then pitch down the unit to -147, which will make the tape run at 44.1, and run it with a XT at 16/44.1, but I've never tried it. I've only used blackfaces at the default rate.

If each machine operates without problems when run by themselves but act up when sync'd, I agree with Track Rat, the sync cable might be a goner.

[xstatic]

It could be bad alignment as well. The blackfaces are notorious for that same problem when set up as a slave. They constantly shuttle around trying to catch the master. Even when they are slaved to other blackfaces.