What does World Clocking Do?

[Giganova]

Hi!

there's a lot of chatter here how a world clock might improve the overall clarity of a mix. While I understand that a common & stable clock will sync external MIDI gear resulting in a better alignment of the sounds, I don't understand how clocking will improve a pre-existing mix (there are some audio exmaples here and on other board with a mix using low-quality and high-quality clocking).

How does clocking improve a mix? Does the DAW (via clocking signal from the sound card) sync up the samples or make the sample rates more stable??

In short: if I'd add a world clock (like a Big Ben) to my current setup (A&H desk & AD/DA converters + RME sound card) improve my mixes or does that only make sense if I use outboard MIDI gear?

Thanks for helping me undrstand this better!

 

[Giganova]

Thanks a bunch for the info! I am aware that word clock will only give a small improvement in sound, but hey: every little improvement here & there will add up in the end Since I already have decent mics, pres, mixing board, sound card, etc., I wouldn't mind investing in a word clock if its worth adding that.

I also understand that a good clock can make a converter sound better. However, can a word clock routed to the DAW via audio card make an existing mix sound better?? If you feel like giving me a more technical description, don't hold back (I studied physics)

 

[chessrock]

Since I already have decent mics, pres, mixing board, sound card, etc., I wouldn't mind investing in a word clock if its worth adding that.

I wouldn't invest in a dedicated word clock until I had great mics, pres, mixing board, converters, etc. and I was ready to open a comercial facility and cut major label records.

And even then, the whole external wordclock thing is kind of an extraneous investment, if you ask me. It would be the last thing I'd look at when you consider all the other areas you could upgrade that might actually make a difference. That's just one guy's opinion, mind you.

On the other hand, if your only converters are on a cheap soundcard with real poor jitter specs, then it might make for a drastic improvement. But then, if your're using a bad soundcard to begin with, then I would look at that as a much bigger priority for an upgrade.

 

[Giganova]

Thanks, Chess. I think I won't get a word clock in the near future.

 

[Track Rat]

A decent clock isn't that big of an investment. A Lucid GenX6 is around $400.

 

[mrface2112]

I decent clock isn't that big of an investment. A Lucid GenX6 is around $400.

.....and i can't count the number of times i've heard about the dramatic improvements in clarity, depth and soundstage achieved by clocking an M-Audio Delta 1010 with a Lucid GenX6.

as a rule of thumb, the internal clock on your soundcard won't be as good as a dedicated external clock. of course, keep in mind it's just like any other piece of gear.....when you buy an 8-channel interface for $400 which has in's, out's, midi, s/pdiff and a clock built in, you've gotta figure that the cost of the clock is a fraction of the cost of the interface. using an external clock that cost the same price as your interface will be akin to using an external eq that's not also bundled with a mic preamp and compressor. dig what i'm sayin?

as i'm running a 1010, i'm looking for a GenX6 at a decent price, but they seem to sell for almost as much used as they do new. now that i'm pretty much set on mics, pres and compressors for how, i'm saving my pennies for a clock.


cheers,
wade