Clocking: A Case Study

LumenStudio · 3rd October 2004

OK, I'm gonna start a clocking question thread, about general clocking issues. I want to do this in the form of a case study, meaning lets look at a typical example and point out what the user should care about. If we can keep specific products out of this thread it would be cool, but please mention them as needed.

The setup:
DAW with Digital Audio Interface (ADAT, SPDIF, AES, and Word Clock IO)
High End AD / DA (ADAT, AES, and Word Clock IO)
1 Multi effects processor (ADAT, AES, and Word Clock IO)
1 Reverb Unit (SPDIF IO)
1 Delay Unit (ADAT IO)

Notes:
The High End AD / DA has "the best clock"

Routing:
DAW -> Reverb
DAW -> Delay
DAW -> Multi effects
DAW -> DA Convertor
DAW <- AD Convertor

The question:

How should the user clock this setup for the best results? Even if it means adding more gear what is the best way to go for this user?

One of my main questions out of this example is maybe one master clock is not best. In this setup I see the user clocking his DAW to the High End AD /DA convertor and then all of the other gear to the DAW since the other gear only talks to the DAW. Also the other gear can not all accept word clock.

Cheers,
Lumen

PaRaNoId · 3rd October 2004

I would clock everything to the good converters (AES if possible) during tracking and mastering, and like u said, clock the delay and verb units to the DAW through their repective connections when using them during mixdown. Don't forget to properly open and close the files in order to make sure the clock is synching correctly.

also.. aardvark makes a unit that can mult and distribute WC to many different machines at once, with very little side-effects (other than the loss of monetary units)

everyday · 3rd October 2004

Hello, dear slutz...

I'm sorry if this is OT... but...

Mr. Lavry has his own forum at PSW, and I found this at his forum...

I am no fan of distribution amplifiers either. You can not beat:
Driver to point A (with a BNC T), than to point B (with BNC T)¡¦ at the end the BNC T is terminated with the proper line impedance (if the cable is 75Ohm, so is the termination). It is a cost effective solution that yields the best results.

BR
Dan Lavry

Does he simply recommand to use T connetors? I was kinda suprised by his answer...

Anyway... we got an answer from the designer...

Tae...

LumenStudio · 3rd October 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by everyday
Hello, dear slutz...

I'm sorry if this is OT... but...

Mr. Lavry has his own forum at PSW, and I found this at his forum...

I am no fan of distribution amplifiers either. You can not beat:
Driver to point A (with a BNC T), than to point B (with BNC T)¡¦ at the end the BNC T is terminated with the proper line impedance (if the cable is 75Ohm, so is the termination). It is a cost effective solution that yields the best results.

BR
Dan Lavry

Does he simply recommand to use T connetors? I was kinda suprised by his answer...

Anyway... we got an answer from the designer...

Tae...

Thanks much for posting this! This is how I clock and it works well as far as I can tell. I'd love to hear more about daisy chaining.

LumenStudio · 3rd October 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by everyday
Hello, dear slutz...

I'm sorry if this is OT... but...

Mr. Lavry has his own forum at PSW, and I found this at his forum...

I am no fan of distribution amplifiers either. You can not beat:
Driver to point A (with a BNC T), than to point B (with BNC T)¡¦ at the end the BNC T is terminated with the proper line impedance (if the cable is 75Ohm, so is the termination). It is a cost effective solution that yields the best results.

BR
Dan Lavry

Does he simply recommand to use T connetors? I was kinda suprised by his answer...

Anyway... we got an answer from the designer...

Tae...

I'd suggest that eveyone should go read that thread (it is still current). Bob Katz and Dan Lavry spell clocking issues out very clearly.

triez · 4th October 2004

I have the Nuendo (Rosendahl) synchoniser/clock generator, and it says in the manual that it should never be daisy chained. Fat lot of good that does when it only had 1 BNC word clock output. It is really only useful in a syncing to DAW situation with no other equipment.

LumenStudio · 4th October 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by triez
I have the Nuendo (Rosendahl) synchoniser/clock generator, and it says in the manual that it should never be daisy chained. Fat lot of good that does when it only had 1 BNC word clock output. It is really only useful in a syncing to DAW situation with no other equipment.

Seems like daisy chaining is ok in some situations according to this thread:
http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/t/2133/0

3rd October 2004	#1
LumenStudio Gear addict Joined: Jul 2003 Location: Jersey Posts: 402 Thread Starter	Clocking: A Case Study OK, I'm gonna start a clocking question thread, about general clocking issues. I want to do this in the form of a case study, meaning lets look at a typical example and point out what the user should care about. If we can keep specific products out of this thread it would be cool, but please mention them as needed. The setup: DAW with Digital Audio Interface (ADAT, SPDIF, AES, and Word Clock IO) High End AD / DA (ADAT, AES, and Word Clock IO) 1 Multi effects processor (ADAT, AES, and Word Clock IO) 1 Reverb Unit (SPDIF IO) 1 Delay Unit (ADAT IO) Notes: The High End AD / DA has "the best clock" Routing: DAW -> Reverb DAW -> Delay DAW -> Multi effects DAW -> DA Convertor DAW <- AD Convertor The question: How should the user clock this setup for the best results? Even if it means adding more gear what is the best way to go for this user? One of my main questions out of this example is maybe one master clock is not best. In this setup I see the user clocking his DAW to the High End AD /DA convertor and then all of the other gear to the DAW since the other gear only talks to the DAW. Also the other gear can not all accept word clock. Cheers, Lumen __________________ My opinion may change at any time without notification.

3rd October 2004	#2
PaRaNoId Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 550	my bitz I would clock everything to the good converters (AES if possible) during tracking and mastering, and like u said, clock the delay and verb units to the DAW through their repective connections when using them during mixdown. Don't forget to properly open and close the files in order to make sure the clock is synching correctly. also.. aardvark makes a unit that can mult and distribute WC to many different machines at once, with very little side-effects (other than the loss of monetary units) __________________ It's not the tools, it's the talent... Clients include- GIN BLOSSOMS, SOCIAL DISTORTION, HOT HOT HEAT, CIRCA SURVIVE, SILVER SUN PICKUPS, PHOENIX, DIRTY HEADS, ROGER CLYNE AND THE PACEMAKERS, BUSTICLES, ABOVE THE LOVE...

3rd October 2004	#3
everyday Gear addict Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Midtown, NYC Posts: 448	Word clock distribuition... Hello, dear slutz... I'm sorry if this is OT... but... Mr. Lavry has his own forum at PSW, and I found this at his forum... I am no fan of distribution amplifiers either. You can not beat: Driver to point A (with a BNC T), than to point B (with BNC T)¡¦ at the end the BNC T is terminated with the proper line impedance (if the cable is 75Ohm, so is the termination). It is a cost effective solution that yields the best results. BR Dan Lavry Does he simply recommand to use T connetors? I was kinda suprised by his answer... Anyway... we got an answer from the designer... Tae... __________________ "Much can be accomplished if one is not interested in taking credit" George Massenburg

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4th October 2004	#6
triez Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,316	I have the Nuendo (Rosendahl) synchoniser/clock generator, and it says in the manual that it should never be daisy chained. Fat lot of good that does when it only had 1 BNC word clock output. It is really only useful in a syncing to DAW situation with no other equipment.