Can I sync SPDIF to an external input?

SPYRO · Dec 19, 2007, 03:00 AM

Hey there guys! happy holidays.

One question for Eugene or any experienced users.

Can I sync my Audigy SPDIF clock to an external signal?

I work with a Firestudio Project, which is a professional interface, and I would like to set it as the master SPDIF clock instead of the Audigy...currently I have to let the Audigy to be the master cause I don't find any other way. (well, let them both run freewheel and lose sync, causing glitches)

Thanks a lot in advance.

Max M. · Dec 19, 2007, 09:21 AM

>Can I sync my Audigy SPDIF clock to an external signal?

no. no way.

dungle · Dec 20, 2007, 01:38 AM

There's no harm in making your pro interface the clock slave!
I've been using my gear this way for years. Don't bother with "freewheel".

TravelRec. · Dec 26, 2007, 01:04 PM

If the slave function of your interface is no solution for you, an external high quality sample rate converter could be used. As a DIY project you could use a CIRRUS LOGIC CS8420 Chip for example.

SPYRO · Dec 28, 2007, 01:37 AM

Well, in practice I have no problem at all having my Presonus as a slave, the only thing I noticed is, when it set to internal the sample rate is perfect 44.100hz but when I set it to slave (Audigy as master) the frequency is 44.122hz (would be perfect if the audigy sent perfect 44.100hz)

I wonder if such a difference makes any harm in terms of imaging...so far, I don't notice any performance/sound change at all...in fact, it works quite fine and of course I got rid of the tiny clicks when playing with the audigy.

I just wanted to set the Audigy as slave because obviously it would be better if the Presonus card acted as master, after all is a pro interface.

cheers!

Maddogg6 · Dec 28, 2007, 03:53 PM

Is there a reason you dont use both cards in 48Khz? - maybe the inaccuracy (44.122) is from some sample rate conversions of the Audigy .. (?? maybe I am just curious, I dont really know if thats at a perfect 48 Khz either)

Max M. · Dec 28, 2007, 05:06 PM

[color=gray]
>when it set to internal the sample rate is perfect 44.100hz

Heh, well, it just looks like perfect because Firestudio's clock is compared to ... Firestudio's clock (and this is obviously 1:1). In fact you can't say which one is "more accurate" w/o comparing both to some third, reference (atomic?) clocks.
Just a remark (in general, this is not what i'd care about at all)[/color]

SPYRO · Dec 28, 2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maddogg6

Is there a reason you dont use both cards in 48Khz? - maybe the inaccuracy (44.122) is from some sample rate conversions of the Audigy .. (?? maybe I am just curious, I dont really know if thats at a perfect 48 Khz either)

Yes at 48khz and 96khz I get perfect timing (the meter has two readings, a nominal rate showing 48khz and an "Actual Rate" showing 48.000hz), the thing is, I prefer to work at 44.1 to avoid the hassle of having to care about resampling/dithering, also the vast majority of my projects are in 44.1khz

Probably you're right, the Audigy resampling process makes it go 44.122 instead.

...but yeah, nothing holds me from start working at 48 from now on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max M.

Heh, well, it just looks like perfect because Firestudio's clock is compared to ... Firestudio's clock (and this is obviously 1:1). In fact you can't say which one is "more accurate" w/o comparing both to some third, reference (atomic?) clocks.
Just a remark (in general, this is not what i'd care about at all)

Yes that could be true, this is the first interface I have that shows EXACT 44.100hz in it's timing meter and I had other high end interfaces, ...but still have that doubt, maybe it's real and this interface timing is exact accurate...

Dec 19, 2007, 03:00 AM	#1
SPYRO DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	Can I sync SPDIF to an external input? Hey there guys! happy holidays. One question for Eugene or any experienced users. Can I sync my Audigy SPDIF clock to an external signal? I work with a Firestudio Project, which is a professional interface, and I would like to set it as the master SPDIF clock instead of the Audigy...currently I have to let the Audigy to be the master cause I don't find any other way. (well, let them both run freewheel and lose sync, causing glitches) Thanks a lot in advance.

Dec 26, 2007, 01:04 PM	#4
TravelRec. Alternative Audioproductions Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Germany / Sachsen-Anhalt Posts: 1,710 Rep Power: 0	If the slave function of your interface is no solution for you, an external high quality sample rate converter could be used. As a DIY project you could use a CIRRUS LOGIC CS8420 Chip for example. __________________ Always take a look behind.

Dec 19, 2007, 09:21 AM	#2
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,639 Rep Power: 69	>Can I sync my Audigy SPDIF clock to an external signal? no. no way.

Dec 20, 2007, 01:38 AM	#3
dungle DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 120 Rep Power: 0	There's no harm in making your pro interface the clock slave! I've been using my gear this way for years. Don't bother with "freewheel".

Dec 28, 2007, 01:37 AM	Thread Starter #5
SPYRO DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 18 Rep Power: 0	Well, in practice I have no problem at all having my Presonus as a slave, the only thing I noticed is, when it set to internal the sample rate is perfect 44.100hz but when I set it to slave (Audigy as master) the frequency is 44.122hz (would be perfect if the audigy sent perfect 44.100hz) I wonder if such a difference makes any harm in terms of imaging...so far, I don't notice any performance/sound change at all...in fact, it works quite fine and of course I got rid of the tiny clicks when playing with the audigy. I just wanted to set the Audigy as slave because obviously it would be better if the Presonus card acted as master, after all is a pro interface. cheers!

Dec 28, 2007, 03:53 PM	#6
Maddogg6 Tail Razer Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bernyurass, AZ - USA Posts: 4,027 Rep Power: 0	Is there a reason you dont use both cards in 48Khz? - maybe the inaccuracy (44.122) is from some sample rate conversions of the Audigy .. (?? maybe I am just curious, I dont really know if thats at a perfect 48 Khz either)

Dec 28, 2007, 05:06 PM	#7
Max M. h/h member-shmember Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Evil Empire Posts: 2,639 Rep Power: 69	[color=gray] >when it set to internal the sample rate is perfect 44.100hz Heh, well, it just looks like perfect because Firestudio's clock is compared to ... Firestudio's clock (and this is obviously 1:1). In fact you can't say which one is "more accurate" w/o comparing both to some third, reference (atomic?) clocks. Just a remark (in general, this is not what i'd care about at all)[/color]