• Registered: 2014-12-27
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Topic: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Hi,

I'd like to be able to reamp from Cubase 9 through my RME FF400 into my Axe Fx II via SPDIF.
I've discussed this on the Fractal forum and they mentioned that I have to set Clock to Internal to go from the FF SPDIF out to the SPDIF In of the Axe Fx. I keep getting a NO INPUT CLOCK message on the display. I tried changing every parameter in Fireface settings but the Axe Fx II won't accept the clock from the FF?

Is there something else that could be an issue here? Maybe the cable?
BTW, SPDIF in is working fine, I have to set the clock to SPDIF because otherwise I get crackles every second or so when recording.

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Harry

2 Reply by vinark (edited by vinark 2017-05-30 12:04:37)

  • vinark
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

The settings on both the RME and the Axe have to be correct. RME is rather easy, just set to internal or spdif. The Axe which I don't have, so I am guessing the names, must be set the spdif in and spdif out for its audio and either clock internal or spdif. If you set to internal then the rme must be spdif and if you set Axe to spdif clock, RME must be set to internal.
But if you can't get it to work, why not use analogue, you will not loose anything as all used AD DA converters are way beyond any guitar signal.

And of course both must be set to the same sample rate!

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Thanks for your quick reply.
I've tried all of this already but it's still not working. Must be a hardware issue then?

I'm indeed considering going to audio because SPDIF via the Axe Fx always forces 48Khz.

  • vinark
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

If cubase is at 44k it will not work.
First try it without cubase. Can you get audio from the axe into totalmix via spdif. Just spdif out of axe rme clock to external. Guitar into the axe. If this works try getting the axe spdif in to work. Just send some audio to the spdif out from the rme at 48k clock internal and axe to spdif and listen to the axe with headphones. When those 2 things work, you have a chance of getting it to work

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

SPDIF from Axe Fx into the FF has worked for many years and is still working.
Without any DAW software running I'm trying to get a connection from the FF out to the AXE Fx in via SPDIF. I changed the IO settings of the Axe Fx to SPDIF in and clock from SPDIF (or auto). Set the FF to SPDIF Internal in the FF settings but the Axe Fx reluctantly keeps mentioning that it's not receiving a clock signal from the RME. I've changed every setting but to no avail. The FF puts the clock in Internal automatically BTW. I've changed cables with the cable I've used for years but no solution.
I don't have other devices that have an SPDIF in so can't test it the FF output is working.

  • vinark
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

And the fireface is at 48k? If yes, you can try a loopback with the rme to see if it is working. Connect the rme spdif out to the rme spdif in. Set clock to internal. Now spdif should read sync. if it does the the spdif out and in are working correctly.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Thanks for the tip. Will try that.
I also read that another user with an Axe Fx II used RCA to XLR cables into the AES input and outputs of the Axe Fx to solve this issue.
Are there specific requirements for these cables?

  • vinark
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

If there is an AES setting in the hdsp setting you can first try and toggle that, it can do no harm it just sends slightly different code, most devices accept both. I believe the wiring for the cable is in the manual, but no experience with it.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • ramses
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Seems to me the cubase projects need to be done in 48 kHz then. Did you try this already?

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

ramses wrote:

Seems to me the cubase projects need to be done in 48 kHz then. Did you try this already?

Of course, the Axe Fx forces me to use 48Khz when using SPDIF and I've used it for 4+ years recording via SPDIF in. For reamping I'm trying to use the SPDIF out which is not working because the Axe Fx keeps mentioning that it's not receiving a clock signal. This should work without using Cubase as well.
I read that a solution could be to use AES via rca to XLR cables

  • Registered: 2014-12-27
  • Posts: 31

Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

vinark wrote:

If there is an AES setting in the hdsp setting you can first try and toggle that, it can do no harm it just sends slightly different code, most devices accept both. I believe the wiring for the cable is in the manual, but no experience with it.

I will see if I can make the cables myself or to buy them. Is the ohmage still important with those cables?

  • Registered: 2014-12-27
  • Posts: 31

Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

vinark wrote:

If there is an AES setting in the hdsp setting you can first try and toggle that, it can do no harm it just sends slightly different code, most devices accept both. I believe the wiring for the cable is in the manual, but no experience with it.

I wired two RCA to XLR (Male and female) for using AES with the Axe Fx II.
I noticed that when I set the protocol to AES the connection light was green on the FF 400.
When selecting AES as input of the Axe Fx II the No Input Clock message was shown again. I'm currently out of options and might just go with using analog.

  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

ok, I still haven't found a solution to my problem.

How can I exactly test if the SPDIF Output of my FF400 is working correctly?
Put an RCA cable between IN and out? Any settings I need to use in FF Settings?

  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

I just connected a cable between the SPDIF Output and Input tried to route audio to the SPDIF output. I see the Software playback and hardware outputs showing signal in TotalMix but the SPDIF hardware inputs don't show any signal?
Any other way to try this?

  • vinark
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Is Spdif set up ok in the settings pannel? So not adat as spdif? Does spdif show sync with the loopback?

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Registered: 2014-12-27
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

vinark wrote:

Is Spdif set up ok in the sttings pannel? So not adat as spdif? Does spdif show sync with the loopback?

Yes, SPDIF is setup correctly. I tried SPDIF and Internal.
Also switched on the Loopback option in the SPDIF Output settings in TotalMix.

The Sync is not shown on the frontpanel BTW. So I assume there's a chance that the SPDIF output is broken?

  • vinark
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Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Yes could be bike.  To be sure upload a screenshot of your settings.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632

18 Reply by harmamusic (edited by harmamusic 2017-06-03 17:59:30)

  • Registered: 2014-12-27
  • Posts: 31

Re: Axe Fx II - SPDIF in not working - (No input clock)

Here are my settings:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pld1gvdgcvpww46/FF400%20SPDIF.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hejbugnihhv60k2/FF400%20SPDIF%20TotalMix.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pld1gvdgcvpww … 0SPDIF.png

https://www.dropbox.com/s/hejbugnihhv60 … talMix.png