Clock Question

[VaderPhil]

Hey,

I have been working audio with my PC for quite some years now.
I never had much hardware, so I never really questionned myself about a Clock..

Now here is my questions :

1) I use a Motu 8Pre interface on wich I would like to add a focusrite Isa 428 (wired with optical ADAT) ... If I want a perfect timing between those two machines, do I need a clock ??

2) When I recorded my band, we used triggers (we play death metal).
I passed the triggers through a drum machine computer (Yamaha dt-express) in midi format (via Reason for the sounds).
I quickly noticed that the midi latency was not the same as my microphones latency. I fixed the problem by ajusting the first hit of the triggers to match the mics.
Would a clock help me get the same exact latency for my midi and audio ?

thanks so much for you help !

[uab9253]

We're not ignoring you, it's just nobody knows the answer to your questions. Sorry.

[VaderPhil]

ahah, it's ok.

I started a new thread in the Audio Engineering section, hope more people will see it there!

[brandondrury]

If I want a perfect timing between those two machines, do I need a clock ??

You mean you are really asking if you need an external clock like an Apogee Big Ben or whatever, right?

All converters have a clock if they work on their own. (I'm guessing there is some $9,000 converter out there that may require an external clock).

Now going back to your issue, both converters must use the same clock to be in sync. Otherwise, you can expect clicks, pops, and maybe worse. If it were me, I'd try to set your MOTU so that the ADAT input from the Focusrite is the master clock. See if that works for you. If that doesn't, I try setting the Focusrite to Slave and use the MOTU as the master clock. If that doesn't work, you may need to looking using the BNC connector style.

I use my Mytek AD96 as the master clock for my Presonus Firestudio, and M-Audio Octane and if I unhook my rig, I usually have to mess with it a bit before it starts working again.

Would a clock help me get the same exact latency for my midi and audio ?

I'm not positive on this one, but I'm gonna say probably not. MIDI timing is always an issue and getting the MIDI to sit in sync with the recorded wav files requires further tweaking.

This trigger business is something that I've always avoided, but I'm probably gonna do this for the first time this week. So, I'll keep you posted how I do. I have a feeling it will be a huge headache and I'll have to learn some core features

[VaderPhil]

OK, thanks for your reply. That is pretty much what I expected ehhe.
It's the same as when I rewire Reason through Cubase. I have to set Cubase as being the master and Reason the slave. That Way, it is my Cubase timing that dictactes exactly where we are in time. Seems to be the same thing between two machines.

For the midi, thats pretty much what I expected also since my MIDI signal comes in after the wav. I can't think of a way to get them both at the same time otherwise then getting the wav to punch in later... wich I really don't want.

As for the use of triggers go. I always hated them too. But playing metal, it's not even an option anymore to use them haha.
What I found as good compromise is to have the trigger signal come in as MIDI, instead as a WAV. I knew I would have to replace the trigger sounds anyway, so I prefer replacing the hits in Reason then replacing the wav... wich can be a hassle if you ask me.

Hope you tell us how it works out for you! thanks again

[uab9253]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I'm not positive on this one, but I'm gonna say probably not. MIDI timing is always an issue and getting the MIDI to sit in sync with the recorded wav files requires further tweaking.

This sparks some interest with me. I have done a couple of keyboard lines here and there using midi from a controller to drive an internal synth. In time when I play it while recording but out of time on playback - is this what you are referring to?
Thanks!

[brandondrury]

In time when I play it while recording but out of time on playback - is this what you are referring to?

It can be. When you start dealing with drum triggers, the timing discrepencies are very obvious, if they exist. I don't think my MIDI input is out of time in regard to my MIDI controller though. If your MIDI controller is out of time, you have an issue that needs to be worked out. I've encountered that in the past and can't remember what I did to fix it. (I've been asked this one like 5 times in the past week!)

Brandon