Digi 003 / Focusrite digital jitter

[averysandack]

I own a digi 003 and a focusrite ISA 828. I've connected the two devices through the optic and BNC word clock connectors. I am only using 1 BNC cable that goes from the 'out' on the the ISA to the 'in' on the 003. I believe the 003 has a self canceling word clock thus making the ISA my 'master clock'. maybe I do need two BNC cables? logic 7 recognizes the ISA but I'm still getting jitter, it appears that the two are obviously not sync'd. If anyone could shed some light on the subject it would be greatly appreciated. I'm stumped. thank you for your time.

[brandondrury]

I'm still getting jitter,

I thought "jitter" was something that was inaudible but effects the quality of the digital signal. I admit that my understanding of the real technical digital stuff is very limited.

it appears that the two are obviously not sync'd.

That means they are not, then.

What kind of digital output does the Focusrite use? ADAT? I know know that ADAT can include the workclick signal within the cable itself. I want to say the same is true with ADAT.

I'll move this thread to the Pro Tools section so many someone with a 003 can chime in.

Brandon

[averysandack]

the ISA 828 is connected to the 003 through ADAT and it does connect the two together, logic 7 recognizes the 828 through my 003 (input 9-16).. however I get digital clicks and pops (jitter) due to the fact that the 'digital coding' between the two devices need to be sync'd. I'm not sure what you mean by 'work click' but the device that syncs this 'digital coding' is called a 'word clock' and it comes in the form of a BNC connector. unfortunately my clock doesn't seem to be working. maybe I need to change my sample rates in logic 7's preferences? maybe I should just buy a master clock. any further input from anyone would be awesome...

[brandondrury]

I'm not sure what you mean by 'work click' but the device that syncs this 'digital coding' is called a 'word clock' and it comes in the form of a BNC connector.

That was a typo. I know what wordclock is. I've used it for years with my Mytek converters until I discovered that I could sync them with the S/PDIF signal.

I was able to sync up an ADAT output 8 channel preamp thing with a Yamaha 01V96 console for a live sound gig. It did not require and BNC connectors for wordclock. I'll be hooking up an additional 8 inputs to my Firestudio tomorrow via ADAT so I should know for sure then.

maybe I need to change my sample rates in logic 7's preferences?

Are you using different sample rates with the different converters? Obviously, this would lead to mayhem in a hurry.

Are you experiencing clicks and pops in tracks recorded on inputs 1-8? Do you experience the pops with if unhook your Focusrite box? Do you experience the pops if you only record tracks on 9-16?

Brandon

[averysandack]

thats interesting that you use S/PDIF over BNC. I've heard that BNC's better. too bad my Focusrite doesn't have S/PDIF or else I would most definitely try em out. okay, so if you were to look at the front of the focusrite ISA-828 you would see a selector button that says 'Ext', with this button you can select from LOCK / WORD CLOCK / 256X .... above this section is another selector button called 'clock select', you can select samples all the way from 44.1 to 192. I have tried all of the positions possible while matching them to the sample rates in logic. nothing seems to work. as for 1-8, they sound great! only if a track is set to record (in logic) from 9-16 will it pop. these pops are random but occur at around the rate of about 40 bpm. if I disconnect the BNC cable while this popping occurs, nothing happens. if I disconnect the light pipe cable of course my computer doesn't recognize 9-16.

so lets say I were to buy another piece of equipment, something that I could light pipe both the 003, ISA, (and maybe more) to and then connect it into logic (firewire) and at the same time I would be able to use it as my master clock. what companies should I look into? I would like to keep in mind that in the future I will have multiple digital devices and would want to run them all in together into the computer at once.

[brandondrury]

Wait a minute. Are you using a Digi 003 with Logic? I didn't know you could 3rd party software with Pro Tools hardware. In fact, I've never heard of this.

if you were to look at the front of the focusrite ISA-828 you would see a selector button that says 'Ext', with this button you can select from LOCK / WORD CLOCK / 256X

I don't know what 256X is. However, I'm assuming that "Lock" means slave and "word clock" means master. Of course, for the ISA-828 to be the master (which would be my first instinct, but would require testing) you'd need BNC out of the Focusrite going into the Digi 003 and vice verse if you wanted the Digi 003 the master and the ISA-828 the slave.

You may want to pay attention to the way the BNC connectors terminate. I know this can be a factor. There are sometimes DIP switches that allow you to set this.

so lets say I were to buy another piece of equipment, something that I could light pipe both the 003, ISA, (and maybe more) to and then connect it into logic (firewire) and at the same time I would be able to use it as my master clock

All you are suggesting here is using the exact same rig, but one that actually works. I was in a very similar situation just last week. One of my Delta 1010s went out (I think...that's complicated) so I decided I needed a new setup and I wasn't paying $600 for a new Delta 1010.

I went with the Presonus Firestudio because it had 8 analog in, 2 S/PDIF in, and (2) ADAT 8 channel inputs. So I could get up to 26 inputs simultaneously if necessary. Because of some MAJOR computer issues, I just got back on my feet yesterday so today is my big day to hook everything up. I got a M-Audio Octane as the 8 channel input (I wasn't exactly thrilled about buying that piece. No Mid-Grade 8 Channel AD Converters With ADAT Lightpipe | Home Recording Blog
I would have MUCH rather put that cash into gear upgrades. Oh well.

It sounds to me that there is simply a malfunction in the way your equipment is working. I'd be contacting tech support for both companies. It's going to be a pain in the ass though because I'm sure each company will blame the other.

As for other good companies, the only audio interface company I've never heard a compliant about is RME but that is probably due to the fact that they have a little higher quality control and less people use them.

Brandon

[Andrew07]

yup, you can use Pro Tools hardware with other sequencers. I use a 002 with Cubase


In 'Hardware Setup' did you set the clock source to ADAT?

[averysandack]

not sure exactly where 'hardware setup' is in logic 7.

[brandondrury]

yup, you can use Pro Tools hardware with other sequencers. I use a 002 with Cubase

Thanks for clearing that one up. I've heard conflicting stories, but now I know.

In 'Hardware Setup' did you set the clock source to ADAT?

With my new audio interface, I can select the input clock from various sources (Wordclock, ADAT, S/PDIF, internal, etc).

[Jroye82]

if your getting clicks n pops - make sure that the pro tools is set to read optical