Tech Section > Technical Problems

BNC or optical/ADAT?

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stainless:
My RME has arrived and I'm going to use it as the master clock and slave the D8- is BNC better than using the optical?

RawDepth:
The word clock generator sends digital pulses to the other device so that it can keep in sync with the incoming digital audio samples. In other words, so that it reads the samples at the same rate/speed as they are being sent. The word clock pules are read completely independently of the incoming stream of samples. If the receiving device was allowed to read at a different speed, it would likely miss a "bit" here and there which would cause errors to occur.

I don't believe it makes any difference which type of cable you use, as long as it is in good condition and clean. BNC cables are basically the same as RCA audio cables but with different ends. It can be used for either digital or analog signal.  TOSlink (optical) delivers simple pulses of light which are converted into digital signal. It must also be kept free of dust at the ends and never folded or knotted.

If you already use optical for the digital signal itself, that is one less cable you need to plug in, if the word clock comes through the same cable.

I believe both work equally well as long as the sending clock has a good strong and stable signal.

stainless:
well OK then!  I

I do understand the problems of not being synched (pops, clicks, etc)- just wasn't sure if the BNC being a dedicated 'port' with no digital audio would have an advantage over sending 8 channels of ADAT along with the clock being sent in basically the opposite direction.

Up to now, I've used the D8 as the master as it's better than the Digi 002R, so it has been sending (and I don't believe receiving, as there's a setting for internal (which I take to mean send) and external... uh to mean accept/receive)

I was so looking for a reason to fight the crowds at GC to buy another damn cable!?!   :(

RawDepth:

--- Quote from: stainless on December 23, 2010, 01:10:02 PM ---...I was so looking for a reason to fight the crowds at GC to buy another damn cable!?!   :(

--- End quote ---

LMAO!

I have been syncing through the ADAT cables for years with no noticeable problem. Once in a blue mood I may get a little pop or blip in a recorded track, but it's rare and not that bad. (And I don't even know if it came from the clock. It may have been static somewhere in the system.) I also think the RME units all have good clocks regardless. Let us know how it works out for you.

Enjoy the new toy.

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