Apogee symphony USB clocking?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by matt82aust

Just wondering if it's still impossible to use external clocks with the apogee symphony when using USB audio mode? Anyone know?

Only internal clock is supported in USB mode. Personally, having tried out other converters clocking my rig, with the Symphony 64 PCIe card, the AD/DA performs at its very best on internal. Did you know they've optimized the Big Ben Clocking directly to their circuit? It really shows. Of course, you won't be degrading this unit with external clock either, at least to my ears. It does feel and sound as though it perform's best on internal clocking.

If you need to arrange for complex clocking, with other digital devices, it is rather easy to setup external devices as slaves, in USB mode. If you have even further complexity with your rig, and need to externally sync the I/O's converters, then perhaps the best way to interface your Symphony I/O is with the Symphony 64 PCIe card. Then your system will also benefit from a number of other advantages as well.

[therefore]

What are the other advantages of having the card? I also have the Symphony i/o and am having lots of trouble with it starting to generate noise (like the clock got messed up) after about 30 seconds in all audio apps and have gone through all the recommended fixes, reinstalls, etc etc. Anyway that's another thread but what would I gain spending another $800 on the card? Thanks much.

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by therefore

What are the other advantages of having the card? I also have the Symphony i/o and am having lots of trouble with it starting to generate noise (like the clock got messed up) after about 30 seconds in all audio apps and have gone through all the recommended fixes, reinstalls, etc etc. Anyway that's another thread but what would I gain spending another $800 on the card? Thanks much.

Hmm, that is odd, have you tried swapping out the USB cable yet? Sometimes it's the last thing you expect. It sounds to me like driver issues, or a bad cable! Assuming you've exhausted the all the right details on Firmware Updating requirements, and matching to the right M2 version for your OS, I would recommend reaching out to Apogee Tech Support, they are Ninja's of Stealth Wizardry, and will be able to trace the root of your issues.

The PCie card has a lower DSP profile, which means it will boat right along, at low buffer's, and will not eat up resource, while you add a greater work load to the Computer. This card allows for higher channel count's, and lower throughput latency. It is the premier interfacing method with Symphony I/O, and really the best way to attach the unit to a Mac Pro, in my experience. However, USB Mode is a really great achievement as well, and I have not had any issues with it, on my Mac Pro 8-core Dual Quad 2.66 machine, running on 10.6.8.

It has been surprisingly good!!

I am sure Apogee will be able to help work through your issues.

[matt82aust]

Thanks for the reply. Just out of curiosity.. Why cannot the Apogee clock externally under USB mode?

[Doc Mixwell]

Originally Posted by matt82aust

Thanks for the reply. Just out of curiosity.. Why cannot the Apogee clock externally under USB mode?

Not sure! Maybe we should ask Apogee, though perhaps a better question is why the need to slave this interface at all, when using USB audio mode. This unit is itself, a very high quality clocking source you can trust.

What specific device do you need to be master? I can say for sure if you have a more esoteric digital setup, than you will want to interface your unit with the 64 card, (or upcoming thunderbolt pice bridge) if you need to accommodate external clocking arrangements. Once you get beyond the basic features of USB mode, (an amazing 16x16 interface, centered upon Mac OS) you are heading into more complex territory.

However, even if you have super high end converters, with super high end clocks, they will not get degraded synchronized to Symphony. The only other issue I can see, is if you are using another device that can not be slaved.

[AuxThePro]

I just recently upgraded to the symphony 8x8 model from just a basic digi003 board. Im trying to figure out what the best option for these 2 pieces to coexist in my set up. I understand that the digi003 board cannot not work as a controller but is there any other way i can get around that? Or will i just have to plug in via direct usb from the symphony into the computer and completely disregard the 003 board?

My current set up is:
Neumann TLM 149
SSL Alpha Channel mic Pre
Digi 003
mackie hr624mk2
Apogee Symphony w/ 8 analog I/O