Word Clock Clarification

  • Thread starter Thread starter Golden
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Golden

Golden

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Here’s my situation:

-Analog tape to AD CONVERTER
-AD Converter (spdif) to soundcard

The AD Converter has its own internal Word Clock. Also, my soundcard has its own master Clock.

Now, I’m going from the ad converter (using its word clock) to the spdif IN on my soundcard.

Which clock is being used? Both? Or does the soundcard simply latch on and use the word clock from the ad converter?
 
I believe most sound cards will automatically switch to the clock of the A/D converter when receiving input on S/PDIF, but I could be wrong. Either way, the sound card should have a control panel that lets you choose the master clock and you can set that as "Internal" or "S/PDIF"

I would read the manual ;)
 
Generally, you need to manually configure each device that utilizes clocking to be either a master, a slave, or in some circumstances auto switches. In the auto switch event I would recommend that you change that setting to be either master or slave manually. The advantage of auto switching though is that when you unplug or turn off your A/D unit, the soundcard will automatically revert itself to be the master, which is fairly necessary. The disadvantage is that if for some reason the soundcard is set to auto switch and you power down or remove your A/D form the chain (which I would have set to master) and the soundcard does not then switch to master, then you run the risk of clock errors (glitches). In the end though, however you do it, make sure you have only one master clock and that all other equipment that utilizes clocking is set to slave and is connected somehow to your master source in a way that all the slaves receive the proper clocking information form the master clock source.
 
I'm using an m-audio 2496. In the manual it says this:

"In situations where S/PDIF IN is being used (either to record or just monitor), the Audiophile 2496 should be configured to get its master clock from the S/PDIF In data stream. Without this setting, SPDIF input will not function. Setting the Audiophile to derive its master clock from the incoming SPDIF stream keeps the Audiophile in tight sync with that external SPDIF device, and no drift occurs. Digital transfers are therefore precise and bit-accurate".

Does this mean that the 2496 is the slave to the AD converter's internal clock when SPDIF In is being used?

If so, all I have to do is use the internal clock in the AD converter, and send the “SPDIF Out” from the converter to the “SPDIF In” on the 2496 and I should be good?
 
on the hardware tab in youtr delta control panel it has clock source options that you can set to the external spdf input.
 
Golden said:
Does this mean that the 2496 is the slave to the AD converter's internal clock when SPDIF In is being used?
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Yes.

If so, all I have to do is use the internal clock in the AD converter, and send the “SPDIF Out” from the converter to the “SPDIF In” on the 2496 and I should be good?
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Yup. I've never tried it but according to the manual then that should be all you have to do. Give it a try.
 
danny.guitar said:
Yes.



Yup. I've never tried it but according to the manual then that should be all you have to do. Give it a try.
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actually, it sounds to me like it is something you need to set.
 
MessianicDreams said:
actually, it sounds to me like it is something you need to set.
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set what? :confused: sometimes it feels like people don't actually want to help people on this board... Just post vague shit... whatever...
 
danny.guitar said:
Yes.



Yup. I've never tried it but according to the manual then that should be all you have to do. Give it a try.
Click to expand...

This sounds accurate to me... because setting the master clock to SPDIF IN on the 2496 "is" "setting" the card to get the signal from the converter. That's how I see it. Anybody using the 2496 for similar purposes? If so, can anyone clarify?
 
Golden said:
set what? :confused: sometimes it feels like people don't actually want to help people on this board... Just post vague shit... whatever...
Click to expand...



wow. steady on there mate! no need to get worked up :) if you're not happy with the service, you know where the door is ;)



the manual you quoted says you need to set the 2496 to receive clock from the embedded S/PDIF signal.

Doug said that in your Delta control panel there is the clock source options that you can set to the external spdf input.





do you want me to rephrase it or now that you've read it twice, it makes sense?





:D




EDIT: just to calrify my understanding of Danny's post was that he said all you need to do is plug it all in and the Delta will automatically get word clock. I replied with no, you need to set it to receive word clock. sorry if my initial post was not clear enough for you.
 
And Ya Golden, I do this, the tab is called "Hardware settings" and you can open the delta control panel by digging it out of the windows control panel or double clicking the delta icon in your system tray, if explorer hasn't crashed on you "this boot", it doesn't reappear after a crash.

The setting is in the top left corner in a frame labelled "Master Clock".
 

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My apologies to MessianicDreams... Sorry to be a dick... I Was Frustrated... No excuse for the bad words on my part... :o
 
Golden said:
My apologies to MessianicDreams... Sorry to be a dick... I Was Frustrated... No excuse for the bad words on my part... :o
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no worries mate.



i know how frustrating it can be when youve bought equipment and can't get it to work!
 
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