word clock or super clock - what's the difference?

Unknown soldier · 26th May 2006, 03:47 PM

I have a lucid genex6 which generates both word and super clock. I'm planning on upgrading my converters and using this master clock. If I have a choice to use either, would super clock sound better than word clock? Or are they just different formats? Never heard that one is better than the other, but I figure I'd ask here to find out....you guys have the answers to solve all my problems...

thenoodle · 26th May 2006, 04:26 PM

word clock is word clock. Super clock is a Digi invention that only works with multiple Digi-sync'd stuff ....that's according to my Digital Timepiece manual that also has super clock.

As far as the particulars of what happens with super clock and Digi stuff...I have no clue as my policy has always been to never buy anything with the Synclavier, Fairlight, or Digi name on it.

john caldwell · 26th May 2006, 06:58 PM

Superclock is Digi's proprietary clock protocol, as Unknown Soldier relates, and it operates at a multiple of word clock frequency. If memory serves, sc frequency is 128 time wc frequency. AFAIK, this was driven by the sork of prevalent psychology that would suggest that higher rates yield higher audible resolution.

What I do know is that sc signals are highly susceptible to degradation at long clock cable lengths; 12 inches is recommeded, I believe, while word clock cables can be quite long.

As I understand it, HD saw the end of the sc protocol.

John-

Unknown soldier · 27th May 2006, 12:45 AM

OK.....some current converters - the Mytek AD stereo 96 allow for superclock. I'm gathering it really shouldn't be a consideration when I get new converters, as far as any effect on the sound. Just a different protocol. If anyone has A/B'd WC/SC and found a difference, let me know....as if we didn't have enough things already to "A/B"..

Nerdyrocker · 27th May 2006, 07:11 AM

Superclock was the clocking used on Pro Tools Mix systems (RIP). The only 2 available sample rates on a Mix system was 44.1 and 48 kHz. Superclock was introduced as a "superior" (smiling) clock to the standard clock in a digital system, which is the sampling rate. The Superclock was 256 times the sample rate. Rather quick if you ask me. Some devices supported this for integration with PT systems, including the MOTU Midi Time Piece.

With the introduction of Pro Tools HD, Superclock went the way of the buffalo and Loop Sync was born as the superior clock source that is a part of all PTHD systems.

Did it have errors? Sure. Keep your cables short and it was fine. Word clock (sample rate) will do fine.

I hope this helps!

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26th May 2006, 03:47 PM	#1
Unknown soldier Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: solar system Posts: 361	word clock or super clock - what's the difference? I have a lucid genex6 which generates both word and super clock. I'm planning on upgrading my converters and using this master clock. If I have a choice to use either, would super clock sound better than word clock? Or are they just different formats? Never heard that one is better than the other, but I figure I'd ask here to find out....you guys have the answers to solve all my problems...

26th May 2006, 04:26 PM	#2
thenoodle Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 519	word clock is word clock. Super clock is a Digi invention that only works with multiple Digi-sync'd stuff ....that's according to my Digital Timepiece manual that also has super clock. As far as the particulars of what happens with super clock and Digi stuff...I have no clue as my policy has always been to never buy anything with the Synclavier, Fairlight, or Digi name on it. __________________ *"make multitrack sound for long long time"*

27th May 2006, 07:11 AM	#5
Nerdyrocker Gear maniac Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 204	Superclock was the clocking used on Pro Tools Mix systems (RIP). The only 2 available sample rates on a Mix system was 44.1 and 48 kHz. Superclock was introduced as a "superior" (smiling) clock to the standard clock in a digital system, which is the sampling rate. The Superclock was 256 times the sample rate. Rather quick if you ask me. Some devices supported this for integration with PT systems, including the MOTU Midi Time Piece. With the introduction of Pro Tools HD, Superclock went the way of the buffalo and Loop Sync was born as the superior clock source that is a part of all PTHD systems. Did it have errors? Sure. Keep your cables short and it was fine. Word clock (sample rate) will do fine. I hope this helps! __________________ "Music is changing, I'm changing, and I don't want to make the same sounds forever." -Tchad Blake www.calebkeiter.com

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26th May 2006, 06:58 PM	#3
john caldwell Gear addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 458	Superclock is Digi's proprietary clock protocol, as Unknown Soldier relates, and it operates at a multiple of word clock frequency. If memory serves, sc frequency is 128 time wc frequency. AFAIK, this was driven by the sork of prevalent psychology that would suggest that higher rates yield higher audible resolution. What I do know is that sc signals are highly susceptible to degradation at long clock cable lengths; 12 inches is recommeded, I believe, while word clock cables can be quite long. As I understand it, HD saw the end of the sc protocol. John-

27th May 2006, 12:45 AM	#4
Unknown soldier Gear addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: solar system Posts: 361	OK.....some current converters - the Mytek AD stereo 96 allow for superclock. I'm gathering it really shouldn't be a consideration when I get new converters, as far as any effect on the sound. Just a different protocol. If anyone has A/B'd WC/SC and found a difference, let me know....as if we didn't have enough things already to "A/B"..