How to get ADAT to act as converter?

[nuemes]

So. I want to use my ADAT as a A/D converter going into ProTools to add 8 tracks via the optical ADAT output. I spent 6 hours trying to hook up an ADAT LX20 to a Digi 002r - and nothing.

As far as I can tell I did everything correctly. Set up the Hardware Manager and I/O settings in ProTools, it recognized that the ADAT should be giving an optical input. The ADAT was getting readable input, but not sending any digital out that I could hear/see in ProTools.

I read both the ADAT & ProTools manuals and followed them.

Can you tell me how you hook them up together in detail (or aim me to a website that has it in detail)? I'm guessing I missed a step somewhere - or otherwise the ADAT optical out is broken (but I doubt that, the unit is otherwise new).

Thank you!

[Track Rat]

ADAT connects to your sound card (assuming it has an ADAT input and the 001 does). The 001 is set to clock to ADAT optical, ADAT is set to analog input. All should work.

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by Track Rat

ADAT connects to your sound card (assuming it has an ADAT input and the 001 does). The 001 is set to clock to ADAT optical, ADAT is set to analog input. All should work.

Those are all settings I made (the 002r has an optical input for the ADAT), yet it didn't work.

[Track Rat]

I had Digi 001 system a long time agao and I used it with an ADAT in just that fashion and it worked. And when I sold that and got a MOTU2408 mkII I used it with 3 ADATs in this fashion and it always worked. And now with the MOTU and a HD24 it still works. When you plug something into the ADAT, does its meters jump (indicating it sees an input)?

[Chris Shaeffer]

I'm assuming you've tried this, but are you sure you have the optical cables plugged into the right jacks? I hook it up by plugging the cables into the ADAT, then looking at the lights coming out of the cables and the jacks on the 002. Plug the lit cable into the dark jack and the dark cable into the lit jack.

Also, is the ADAT set to Analog Inputs? I'm assuming it is since you are getting readable input.

It *should* work. My setup is exactly that.

-Chris

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by Chris Shaeffer

but are you sure you have the optical cables plugged into the right jacks? I hook it up by plugging the cables into the ADAT, then looking at the lights coming out of the cables and the jacks on the 002. Plug the lit cable into the dark jack and the dark cable into the lit jack.

Also, is the ADAT set to Analog Inputs? I'm assuming it is since you are getting readable input.

It *should* work. My setup is exactly that.

-Chris

The correct jacks were used and I tested the cables. Adat was set to analog input and 48k digital out, with ProTools set to 48k sample rate. Maybe the issue lies in my ProTools setup - but I've confirmed the ProTools setup with another recordist using the same PT setup.

I don't get it. Anybody have a clue on this?

[Farview]

Just for giggles, try to send something from protools to the ADAT. Set the ADAT to digital input and arm the tracks.

[RAK]

I don't have a Digi002, and it's been a while since I used an ADAT machine, but I have a few thoughts which hopefully will be useful (or at least not set you backwards).

Does the ADAT automatically route the Analog ins to the Optical output? Is there any kind of routing selection in the ADAT you need to make to do that?
Since you know you're getting analog signal in, that would seem like a good place to start. Is there any way on the ADAT to see if it is sending the Optical out signal (a light that lights up when sending signal for example), that would help you figure out if it's a busted optical out (which was my initial reaction), or a pro tools problem.

Is the optical output switchable between TosLink and ADAT? I presume ADAT Machines are too old for that, but thought I'd put it out there.

In terms of clock, which is the master and which is the slave, and how are you making that connection?

[nuemes]

The ADAT optical out shows a red glowing light. I don't know if that means the optical output is actually working or not(?)

According to Alesis and ProTools the ADAT automatically acts as the clock source.

I don't get it. I have a session booked this Saturday. This is looking grim...

[TragikRemix]

i have the digi002 into an ada8000.

digi output goes to adat input
digi input goes to adat output.

in pro tools, check i think peripherals, or one of those settings for clock source and set to adat. you have to set the clock source yourself. its on the same page with the h/w buffer size. its probably set to internal and you have to put it to adat.

the red light is supposed to be on from one light on each unit, i think the o's from each unit.

don't connect the two red lights together is what im getting at but i think you have that down already.

is it a tape machine or an adat mic pre interface? i no nothing about the ADAT recorders...

also, check when you open up a protools session to make sure the sample rate is 48k, if thats what the adat machine is. i dont know if this is necessary, but what the hell, it cant hurt...

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by TragikRemix

i have the digi002 into an ada8000.

in pro tools, check i think peripherals, or one of those settings for clock source and set to adat. you have to set the clock source yourself. its on the same page with the h/w buffer size. its probably set to internal and you have to put it to adat.

is it a tape machine or an adat mic pre interface? i no nothing about the ADAT recorders...

also, check when you open up a protools session to make sure the sample rate is 48k, if thats what the adat machine is. i dont know if this is necessary, but what the hell, it cant hurt...

It's an ADAT LX-20 (tape). I've already covered all the bases you mentioned. At this point I'm thinking the digital output on the LX-20 is not functioning properly. Which leads to a question... how do you like the Ada8000, TragikRemix?

[Chris Shaeffer]

Yeah, man. I had *NO* trouble setting up may machine. I didn't have to do anything with the hardware setting except set the clock and ADAT I/O.

Can't say for certain but I think you're right that the digital I/O no workie.

Good luck,
Chris

[Chris Shaeffer]

Nuemes,

I just realized that I have an extra XT-20 (my backup convertors) that I don't really need. I PM'd you the details.

Take care,
Chris

[RAK]

Originally Posted by nuemes

Which leads to a question... how do you like the Ada8000, TragikRemix?

I have an ADA8000 I use with a MOTU 828mkII. It's been great for me so far. The Analog ins route directly to the ADAT out, and the ADAT Ins route directly to the Analog Outs. I use the ADAT outs of that into the ADAT ins of my MOTU. Because I wanted the MOTU to be the master, I have a Wordclock (BNC cable) connection between the MOTU and ADA8000 as well. (ADA8000 recieving from the MOTU).

Never had any problems, and for the price, you can't beat what you're getting. Obviously not the highest quality pre's on the market, but I think that's okay (high quality musicians are more important that high quality mic pre's in my opinion anyway).

If you're seeing the ADAT out light on the tape machine, it would seem that it is passing signal to the 002, so maybe it is a ProTools issue, (unless there's something wrong with the ADAT In on the 002, but I doubt that, as I'm sure you do as well).

Do you have any way of borrowing another piece of gear with an ADAT Output to hook up to the 002 and see if it works? I would recommend that, so you can at least pin point exactly where the problem is. I don't think anyone on here would be surprised with a component of an ADAT machine malfunctioning.

[TragikRemix]

i like it alot, i have no complaints. im kinda new to this so i really cant compare it to other things, because i hear no difference. i know that compared to the digi002 pre's, which are said to be really nice, i cant hear any difference at all.

[nuemes]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm going to purchase an ADA8000 today. If it works I'll know the ADAT LX-20 is the issue. If it doesn't work I'll return the ADA8000 and troubleshoot the Digi 002. 4 days to figure it out!

[RAK]

Good Luck!

[heroics321]

Originally Posted by nuemes

Thank you all for your responses. I'm going to purchase an ADA8000 today. If it works I'll know the ADAT LX-20 is the issue. If it doesn't work I'll return the ADA8000 and troubleshoot the Digi 002. 4 days to figure it out!

Just snooping around, thought I'd stick my head in. What bit depth do you have PT set at?

[Track Rat]

If the bit depths didn't match it would just have a harsh sound, not no sound at all. Even sampling rates would just sound really bad but something would be happening. Now making sure that the transmitting device is the clock master and the receiving device is the clock slave, that can be a show stopper if set wrong.

[xstatic]

Put the ADAT in input monitoring mode. If not, the ADAT may be trying to only output off the play heads.

[nuemes]

Originally Posted by xstatic

Put the ADAT in input monitoring mode. If not, the ADAT may be trying to only output off the play heads.

Yeah, did that too. I'm pretty sure the ADAT optical out is broken.

I got an ADA8000 yesterday, hooked it up w/o cracking the manual and everything runs perfectly (so far).

[RAK]

Glad to hear it. Have fun.

[heroics321]

Originally Posted by Track Rat

If the bit depths didn't match it would just have a harsh sound, not no sound at all. Even sampling rates would just sound really bad but something would be happening. Now making sure that the transmitting device is the clock master and the receiving device is the clock slave, that can be a show stopper if set wrong.

I wasn't sure. I've had the same setup for a couple of years, ADA8000 into a Terratec PCI. I don't really fuss with anything, so I'm kinda out of the loop. I don't take kindly ta change, I spose.

[junplugged]

so, many people are still using old ADAT's (tape machines) just as 8 channel a/d converters and using a toslink as a ADAT 8 channel light pipe to the input of whatever takes it, interface cards, stand-alone recorders, etc.

i'd like to try but my Korg only is stereo spdiff in. and my 0404 pci is same.

[Farview]

Originally Posted by junplugged

so, many people are still using old ADAT's (tape machines) just as 8 channel a/d converters and using a toslink as a ADAT 8 channel light pipe to the input of whatever takes it, interface cards, stand-alone recorders, etc.

At least this guy was 9 months ago.

When I first made the leap to the computer, I was using my DA-88s as converters. At first i didn't even trust the computer and I was recording to both the tape and the DAW.

I got over it pretty quickly