1 Topic by ramses (edited by ramses 2023-06-24 11:36:48)

  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
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Topic: RME connector - feature request regarding clock sync

Topic: clock distribution / synchronization from 44.1 - 192 kHz via WC, ADAT, MADI

Problem:
- ADAT and MADI do not have an indication whether single, double or quad speed is in place

Current solution / workaround for some devices:
- usage of SPDIF, AES "2-ch" protocols for clock distribution from 44.1 - 192 kHz

Problem:
- not all devices have such SPDIF or AES ports for the "workaround"
- RME wouldn't spend all current/new devices a special port for that

Proposed Solution via RME connector:

The idea came when thinking about TotalMix FX also being a proxy for ARC USB for all recording interfaces which have no dedicated USB port for connecting the ARC USB.

The idea is to use RME connector to distribute the sample rate information
- by polling the sample rate from driver settings in regular / configurable intervals of lets say 1–10 seconds
- by proxying / distributing sample rate to the other connected preamps and converters
- via "MIDI over MADI" or LAN.

Device support: quite a few interesting devices are already supported by RME connector (12Mic, 12Mic-D, Octamic XTC, AVB Tool). Maybe this could be an additional motivation for RME to add more devices. I think about all newer devices which are MADI-, AVB- and Dante capable.

Justification for converters: meanwhile, newer converters have also more settings, as not only trim gain but also reference levels can be configured on a per port basis.

It would be beneficial for a modern / actual environment, if the device configuration could be managed under one hood: RME connector.

For my setup: it would help a lot for UFX III as clock master and Octamic XTC, 12Mic as clock slave via MADI. ADI-2 FS R BE would learn over ADAT/optical SPDIF or AES.

This could also be a big benefit for AVB setup

Our forum colleague "mruebsamen" told me about his difficulties having to change each of the AVB devices in his AVB network one by one when switching between single and double speed in his projects.

The "nasty" thing for him he has to change this often between projects and the more devices you own, the more configuration efforts you have.

I think this could be a cool solution also for such things, a milestone forward for a better handling.

What do you think about this?

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

2 Reply by mruebsamen (edited by mruebsamen 2023-06-26 16:42:54)

  • Registered: 2019-04-21
  • Posts: 160

Re: RME connector - feature request regarding clock sync

Hi Ramses,

this sounds like a really interesting idea... thank you smile
This would definitely help us and maybe set new standards...

  • ramses
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Re: RME connector - feature request regarding clock sync

Addition. The idea, of course, does not replace clock synchronization. It should only eliminate the manual work of changing the sample rate at the clock slave(s). Because or when a clock slave via ADAT, MADI, Word Clock can't see if port multiplexing (double, quad speed) is in play or not. Or so the reconfiguration work in an AVB network.

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