Avid Sync HD issues with Apogee Ensemble and 192 IO

hoodwinked · 9th December 2011

Hello!

I recently purchased a Sync HD for my HD2 rig so I can control decks and layback to tape. I am having trouble with my Apogee Ensemble syncing to the word clock out of the Sync HD. Its almost as if the Sync HD is sending a word clock signal that is too weak for the Ensemble to get a good sync off of.

I have tried every which way of doing it, but right now the Sync HD is internally clocked and feeds word clock to a distribution amp and then two independent lines from the DA to the Ensemble and 192 IO. This seems to be working the best. Both word clock feeds are terminated at the input.

When I turn the gain knob on the distribution amp lower, the Ensemble loses sync WAY before the 192 does. I have to crank the gain up a little in order for the Ensemble to lock to it, like the Sync is outputting too weak of a signal for the Ensemble. Even when the LED is solid, indicating lock, I am still getting random clicks and pops out my speakers from the Ensemble having a inconsistent clock.

I also tried the way Apogee recommends for the big ben, which is sending wordclock from Sync HD to Ensemble, then from the Ensemble word clock out to the 192 IO. This was the worst as far as how often it lost sync.

Before I put the Sync HD in my chain, I set the Ensemble to internal clock and fed word clock to my 192 IO. This worked fantastic for 2 years.

I have ruled out bad cables and bad terminators.

Does anyone have any ideas, input, or similar experiences? Thank you for your time!

matt82aust · 10th December 2011

The only thing I could think of would be other ways to tie the devices together.. Since the Ensemble is limited to WC, maybe try to Loop Sync the Digi 192?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoodwinked

Hello!

I recently purchased a Sync HD for my HD2 rig so I can control decks and layback to tape. I am having trouble with my Apogee Ensemble syncing to the word clock out of the Sync HD. Its almost as if the Sync HD is sending a word clock signal that is too weak for the Ensemble to get a good sync off of.

I have tried every which way of doing it, but right now the Sync HD is internally clocked and feeds word clock to a distribution amp and then two independent lines from the DA to the Ensemble and 192 IO. This seems to be working the best. Both word clock feeds are terminated at the input.

When I turn the gain knob on the distribution amp lower, the Ensemble loses sync WAY before the 192 does. I have to crank the gain up a little in order for the Ensemble to lock to it, like the Sync is outputting too weak of a signal for the Ensemble. Even when the LED is solid, indicating lock, I am still getting random clicks and pops out my speakers from the Ensemble having a inconsistent clock.

I also tried the way Apogee recommends for the big ben, which is sending wordclock from Sync HD to Ensemble, then from the Ensemble word clock out to the 192 IO. This was the worst as far as how often it lost sync.

Before I put the Sync HD in my chain, I set the Ensemble to internal clock and fed word clock to my 192 IO. This worked fantastic for 2 years.

I have ruled out bad cables and bad terminators.

Does anyone have any ideas, input, or similar experiences? Thank you for your time!

brew · 14th December 2011

Try a single WC line using a T and separate terminator. Try it every which way.
If you have a DA in between, your gain test is pointing at the DA level rather than the Apogee output level, so that test is not as conclusive as you say.
If you have a scope you could know for sure. Maybe borrow one.
The loop sync suggestion is a good idea.
Make sure all the firmware is up to date.

I find sometimes you have to just try everything and use the one that works, even if it doesn't seem that elegant.

hoodwinked · 26th January 2012

SOLVED! If anyone is interested in the solution, it ended up being a firmware issue on the ensemble. I called Apogee again and it must of been a different tech than the person I spoke to before. They immediately asked what firmware I was running, and recognized that the firmware had a know issue that would not let it properly resolve to external wordclock. They sent me a patched version of a slightly older firmware and BAM, works like a champ now.

I find it funny this "known issue" is documented nowhere on their site, and the patched firmware is not available for download, they have to send it to you.

SUPADUPA · 30th January 2012

F**k Me ... I'm right where you where last week ...
still waiting for Apogee Tech support to realize there is a REAL problem ,
& send me the older patched firmware ,
are there different versions of the ensemble hardware ..
is that the problem here !?!

hoodwinked · 31st January 2012

I dont know about hardware versions, but there are definitely different firmware versions. However if you are having the same issues I had, then I would bet money that you need to get the "patched" version from Apogee and flash your Ensemble. I forget what version it is exactly, but its a slightly older one, but everything works fine, so it don't really matter.

Once I updated to the patched firmware, it works rock solid again.

If you have trouble getting what you need from Apogee, let me know and I'll send you the version of firmware I got from them.

9th December 2011	#1
hoodwinked Gear interested Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	Avid Sync HD issues with Apogee Ensemble and 192 IO Hello! I recently purchased a Sync HD for my HD2 rig so I can control decks and layback to tape. I am having trouble with my Apogee Ensemble syncing to the word clock out of the Sync HD. Its almost as if the Sync HD is sending a word clock signal that is too weak for the Ensemble to get a good sync off of. I have tried every which way of doing it, but right now the Sync HD is internally clocked and feeds word clock to a distribution amp and then two independent lines from the DA to the Ensemble and 192 IO. This seems to be working the best. Both word clock feeds are terminated at the input. When I turn the gain knob on the distribution amp lower, the Ensemble loses sync WAY before the 192 does. I have to crank the gain up a little in order for the Ensemble to lock to it, like the Sync is outputting too weak of a signal for the Ensemble. Even when the LED is solid, indicating lock, I am still getting random clicks and pops out my speakers from the Ensemble having a inconsistent clock. I also tried the way Apogee recommends for the big ben, which is sending wordclock from Sync HD to Ensemble, then from the Ensemble word clock out to the 192 IO. This was the worst as far as how often it lost sync. Before I put the Sync HD in my chain, I set the Ensemble to internal clock and fed word clock to my 192 IO. This worked fantastic for 2 years. I have ruled out bad cables and bad terminators. Does anyone have any ideas, input, or similar experiences? Thank you for your time!

14th December 2011	#3
brew Gear realist Joined: Mar 2004 Location: FL Posts: 200 1 Review written	Try a single WC line using a T and separate terminator. Try it every which way. If you have a DA in between, your gain test is pointing at the DA level rather than the Apogee output level, so that test is not as conclusive as you say. If you have a scope you could know for sure. Maybe borrow one. The loop sync suggestion is a good idea. Make sure all the firmware is up to date. I find sometimes you have to just try everything and use the one that works, even if it doesn't seem that elegant.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Apogee Ensemble and Lavry Blue losing sync?	jacobisrael	Music computers	2	22nd June 2011 03:34 PM
HD High Noon! Apogee Prism and Avid shootout at Metropolis	Savernake	High end	3	10th November 2010 01:40 PM
Sync issues with Logic 9 and FCP	marksargison	Post Production forum!	5	9th September 2010 09:25 PM

26th January 2012	#4
hoodwinked Gear interested Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	SOLVED! If anyone is interested in the solution, it ended up being a firmware issue on the ensemble. I called Apogee again and it must of been a different tech than the person I spoke to before. They immediately asked what firmware I was running, and recognized that the firmware had a know issue that would not let it properly resolve to external wordclock. They sent me a patched version of a slightly older firmware and BAM, works like a champ now. I find it funny this "known issue" is documented nowhere on their site, and the patched firmware is not available for download, they have to send it to you.

30th January 2012	#5
SUPADUPA Gear addict Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 351	F**k Me ... I'm right where you where last week ... still waiting for Apogee Tech support to realize there is a REAL problem , & send me the older patched firmware , are there different versions of the ensemble hardware .. is that the problem here !?!

31st January 2012	#6
hoodwinked Gear interested Joined: Aug 2009 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	I dont know about hardware versions, but there are definitely different firmware versions. However if you are having the same issues I had, then I would bet money that you need to get the "patched" version from Apogee and flash your Ensemble. I forget what version it is exactly, but its a slightly older one, but everything works fine, so it don't really matter. Once I updated to the patched firmware, it works rock solid again. If you have trouble getting what you need from Apogee, let me know and I'll send you the version of firmware I got from them.