Word clock

[900paseo]

Contemplating on getting an Apogee Big Ben Master Word Clock. But I am afraid replacing the word clock built into my M-Audio Profire 2626 with the Apogee will decrease the quality. Also (while I have some good cash) I was looking at a Neve 4 channel pre. Which of these is more important to get first, and how much does the Apogee improve the overall quality of my recordings? Thanks for reading!!

 

[Bobbsy]

I can't speak for the Profire 2626 but I have a Profire lightbridge and I can't hear any difference when I connect an external word clock (a Big Ben). My use of the external word clock is because at times I'm connecting five other digital devices and the looping is a pain, not because I'm unhappy with the WC in the Profire.

The Big Ben certainly won't harm the quality of the Profire but I wouldn't look for any dramatic improvement.

Neve pre amps and channel strips, on the other hand, are lovely things!

 

[PRHunt]

A word clock is typically used when you need to ensure sampling synchrony between several items of digital equipment. For a single interface, you are generally better off using the built-in clocking.

I'd probably go for the preamp. Someone else is bound to chime in and recommend room acoustic treatment. So much depends on what you already have, and what you are planning to use it for.

With the word clock, you might find it difficult to discern any difference - let alone improvement. I wouldn't bother with a word clock at all unless you need to synchronize multiple digital devices.

Paul

 

[Track Rat]

Agreed. I use a GenX6 for external clock but that's to sync several pieces of gear. If you want an audible difference look at preamps and mics.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

Contemplating on getting an Apogee Big Ben Master Word Clock. But I am afraid replacing the word clock built into my M-Audio Profire 2626 with the Apogee will decrease the quality.

It probably won't make much difference either way. Any decently designed gear should work nearly as well with external clocking as it does with its internal clock, probably well enough that you'd need serious test equipment to see a difference. But you only need one if you're using a lot of digital gear that needs a common clock. According to people I trust on the subject it's generally best to use the internal clock in your AD/DA converters if possible.