Timing master

[JJM]

Sunday Morn

Using Fostex VM200 digital mixer; ADAT I/O to a Yamaha AX16/DSPF.

Is it possible to set one of the devices to the master clock for everthing?

The Fostex manual suggests to use the mixer as master for recording and the computer for playback.

This will be confusing.


Should I connect the Fostex word clock out to the DSPF in for timing?

Or should I let the clock be derived from the ADAT signal?

 

[tntkemp]

I've had fun with this one. If you use the Mixer as the master, and set the computer (Your sound card) to use ADAT, then everytime you use your computer without the mixer powered up, you will probably get messages stating that the clock source was lost. On top of that, if you try to use Cakewalk or other Pro Audio software without the clock, it will cause all kinds of trouble.

On the other hand, if you set the computer as Master, and set the VM200 to Adat, then the computer will have to be on in order for you to use your mixer...or you could simply toggle the clock source on the mixer when you wish to use it standalone (without the computer). It's easy enough to change!

I've tried it both ways. I prefer the latter. I also hook up a Roland VS-840 to my sound card, so it's much easier if the Computer is master of all. But then again, sometimes I confuse it more by having the VS-840 run as a master my computer for MTC timing through midi, whereas the computer is the master of the mixer through ADAT. When I do this, however, I'm usually not using the mixer...Just the VS-840.

The most important thing at this point is to ensure that both the computer and the mixer be set at the same sampling rate: 44.1khz or 48khz. If not, you'll know it, because recordings will end up having digital artifacts, in the form of snap crackle and pop.

I tried to use the word clock coax cable with no success. I have read before that the Core2 card had a problem with that. Since ADAT is hooked up anyway, that's the way to go!

Hope this helps you!