• Registered: 2008-05-23
  • Posts: 93

Topic: MFace2 and Digiface Sync Questions

Into unchartered territory: adding a Digiface to my Multiface 2 setup.

I had an existing PCIe for the MF2, but had to add a PCI for the DF, as I had run out of PCIe slots.

1. Does it make any difference which card is connected to which device? In other words, would the DF be better connected to the PCIe as it will have more through put?

2. Are all the sync options equally reliable/ preferrable, or not? I'd prefer to use Word Clock as I don't want to give up any possible channels as I would with S/PDIF.

3. If using Word Clock, do I need to set any termination between the DF (interna/ master) and MF (Word Clock/ slave), internally or with external termination, or is that unneccesary if I'm just using these two?

(BTW the DF will be hooked up to the ADAT on a Allen & Heath ZED R16, which only has the ADAT i/o and no other sync connection option. I must presume that this will sync through the DF.)

4. If I run a third bit of digital gear using the BNC T Terminals, what is the best way? Set the other item between the MF2 and DF, or after with termination?

5. Why would I (or would I not) want to use Single Speed with Word Clock? I read what it does, prevent doubling on SMUX, but I don't understand when I should or shouldn't use it.

Thanks for the help!

bienpegaito

UFX+, ADI-648, Win 10, i7 10 core 3Ghz 64 Gb, Cubase 9, PT 12.8
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,854

Re: MFace2 and Digiface Sync Questions

1. No
2. Yes
3. Preferrable, but might work without on a short cable run - just try
4. Whatever works, no strict rule or preference.
5. Only applicable when using higher sample rates (88/96).

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2008-05-23
  • Posts: 93

Re: MFace2 and Digiface Sync Questions

Daniel,

Thank you for your prompt reply!

RME Support wrote:

3. Preferrable, but might work without on a short cable run - just try.
RME

So, if the RME slave is shwing 'Sync' for ADAT, S/PDIF and Word Clock, I'm good? That's what "just try" means?

Or were you referring to using the ADAT from the R16 mixer?

Finally, I am ignorant. I didn't see any specs for terminators. Can someone suggest?

RME Support wrote:

5. Only applicable when using higher sample rates (88/96).

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

So, if you were running at higher sample rates, I still would like to know why someone would choose to lock the Word Clock to the single speed?

Thank you.


Bienpegaito

UFX+, ADI-648, Win 10, i7 10 core 3Ghz 64 Gb, Cubase 9, PT 12.8

4 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,777

Re: MFace2 and Digiface Sync Questions

Older devices use SMUX only in single speed. With SPDIF single speed makes no real sense when in Double Speed mode. With ADAT Double Speed word is useful to detect that a double speed signal is expected, but: A reliable sample-accurate synchronicity between multiple devices having digital interfaces in S/MUX technology at sample rates in the Double Speed and Quad Speed range is only possible when all units are synced by Single Speed word clock. Because of the S/MUX method the device else can not know which of the incoming 2 (DS) or 4 (QS) word clock edges is the right one. This will lead to a very small delay, not a big deal though.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website