1 Topic by TheMisanthropist (edited by TheMisanthropist 2022-10-11 16:59:36)

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Topic: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

Hi guys, i have a problem: i purchased an Octamic ii to go with my UFX ii via ADAT.

I read the manual try every combination possible and for some reason the Fireface UFX ii doesn't lock with the Octamic when i'm setting the Clock as Internal (the way it should be the master for what i understand) and pushing the switches of the Octamic to External.

When i'm connecting the ufx slave they lock, but i don't think it's the best use. There's a strange thing happening in the ufx where the ADAT 1 flashes and it shows 32khz or 64khz for very brief moments trying to lock the octamic.

I'm coming from the MAIN of the Octamic ii to the IN of the ADAT1 of my UFX II, am i missing something?

Thank you

  • ramses
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

There are meanwhile so many threads in the forum about clocking.

Either use WC or
use UFX II as clock slave because the Octamic II has no ADAT inputs to receive a clock signal through ADAT from master.

UFX II with SteadyClock can perfectly act as clock slave by SteadyClock technology, as it will remove any clock jitter and refresh the clock signal by using its own internal clock.

An option would be to use the AES input of Octamic II for receiving a clock signal, but needs special cable
from UFX II (AES output) to Octamic XTC (AES input / DB-25 plug).

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

3 Reply by MC

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

Both units have word clock, so basically there is zero problem to follow the manual and use it that way.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

ramses wrote:

There are meanwhile so many threads in the forum about clocking.

Either use WC or
use UFX II as clock slave because the Octamic II has no ADAT inputs to receive a clock signal through ADAT from master.

UFX II with SteadyClock can perfectly act as clock slave by SteadyClock technology, as it will remove any clock jitter and refresh the clock signal by using its own internal clock.

An option would be to use the AES input of Octamic II for receiving a clock signal, but needs special cable
from UFX II (AES output) to Octamic XTC (AES input / DB-25 plug).

I searched in the threads trying to find something similar to my problem, i'm sorry i have not much experience. So basically the Octamic is not designed to receive clock from a Master?

MC wrote:

Both units have word clock, so basically there is zero problem to follow the manual and use it that way.

I'll try word clock, but i think already tried.

Thanks guys

  • ramses
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

> I searched in the threads trying to find something similar to my problem, i'm sorry i have not much experience.
> So basically the Octamic is not designed to receive clock from a Master?

No, please read again.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

ramses wrote:

> use UFX II as clock slave because the Octamic II has no ADAT inputs to receive a clock signal through ADAT from master

Is not what you said here?

ramses wrote:

> An option would be to use the AES input of Octamic II for receiving a clock signal, but needs special cable
from UFX II (AES output) to Octamic XTC (AES input / DB-25 plug)

I think this could work.

Please be patient, i know i am not very skilled. Tried with word clock and still flashes 32 khz Optical 1.

If i select Octamic external and UFX ADAT 1 they lock.

7 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2022-10-12 07:30:58)

  • ramses
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

What I mean, this statement is not correct, I never said this.

>So basically the Octamic is not designed to receive clock from a Master?

Instead of this, I told you two options (WC, AES) for the device to receive a clock signal,
where using WC, what also MC told you, will be the easiest and most cost-efficient variant for you.

You only need a Word Clock cable, 75 Ohm.
Just an example: https://www.thomann.de/de/sommer_cable_ … ohm_1m.htm

You need to terminate on both devices, UFX II and Octamic II, if these are the two only devices that use WC.

Octamic II: A push switch allows activating internal termination (75 Ohms), see manual.
UFX: WC termination can be activated in the RME driver settings.

On both devices you need to configure clock source.
UFX: driver settings, clock source = "word"
Octamic II: see manual for the two DIP switch settings to use Word Clock via BNC:
1 External synchronization source AES (D-sub) or word clock (BNC)
2 Clock internal (Master) or external (Slave)

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

8 Reply by MC

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

> you need to terminate on both device

That is not correct. The OctaMic II does not have a WC output, only an input. A second line to WC In of the UFX II is not needed at all, and thus also no termination at the UFX II.

Still I wonder what the OP is doing wrong as this is really easy to set up.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

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  • Registered: 2009-06-30
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

It sounds to me that the dip switches on the back of the Octamic are not set correctly.  Dont you have to set them not only at external WC, but also match the samplerate? Maybe there is a mismatch.
Georg

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

ramses wrote:

>You only need a Word Clock cable, 75 Ohm.
Just an example: https://www.thomann.de/de/sommer_cable_ … ohm_1m.htm

Octamic II: A push switch allows activating internal termination (75 Ohms), see manual.
UFX: WC termination can be activated in the RME driver settings.

MC wrote:

>The OctaMic II does not have a WC output, only an input. A second line to WC In of the UFX II is not needed at all, and thus also no termination at the UFX II.

Ok, sorry i misunderstoood. So MC the BNC cable shouldn't be required?

georgob wrote:

> Dont you have to set them not only at external WC, but also match the samplerate? Maybe there is a mismatch.

At the moment is set to 44.1khz, tried both 44.1 and 48.

  • vinark
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

Easiest is to set UFX to clock to adat and set the sample rate correct at your octamic. If you never change sample rates that is easiest and stable.

Vincent, Amsterdam
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12 Reply by MC

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

TheMisanthropist wrote:

Ok, sorry i misunderstoood.

Indeed.

TheMisanthropist wrote:

So MC the BNC cable shouldn't be required?

A SECOND BNC cable is not required...you need ONE from UFX II WC Out to OctaMic WC In. Without a valid digital input signal (here word dlock) that OctaMic does not get any external clock information, so it's no wonder your setup did not work.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

MC wrote:
TheMisanthropist wrote:

Ok, sorry i misunderstoood.

Indeed.

TheMisanthropist wrote:

So MC the BNC cable shouldn't be required?

A SECOND BNC cable is not required...you need ONE from UFX II WC Out to OctaMic WC In. Without a valid digital input signal (here word dlock) that OctaMic does not get any external clock information, so it's no wonder your setup did not work.

Thank you. I read ADAT was able to carry the clock, that's why i assumed i didn't need a BNC cable, i'll do that.

Thank you again.

14 Reply by MC

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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

Obviously the ADAT clock is carried from OctaMic to UFX II - not the other way. How should that be possible without any connection transporting data that way? So how can the OctaMic sync if it doesn't see any digital input (!) signal?

Regards
Matthias Carstens
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Re: UFX II + Octamic ii ADAT problem

MC wrote:

Obviously the ADAT clock is carried from OctaMic to UFX II - not the other way. How should that be possible without any connection transporting data that way? So how can the OctaMic sync if it doesn't see any digital input (!) signal?

You're right, i apologize for my ignorance, but i solved my problem and that's what forum are here for. Thank you for the help and the patience.

Cheers