RME HDSPe MADI [29/72] Clock modes synchronisation

User's Guide HDSPe MADI © RME

18.2 Clock Modes - Synchronisation

AutoSync

The HDSPe MADI has been equipped with AutoSync, an automatic clock source selection,

which adopts the first available input with a valid digital signal as the clock reference input. The

input currently used as sync reference is shown in the AutoSync Ref status field, together with

its current sample frequency.

AutoSync guarantees that normal record and record-while-play will always work correctly. In

certain cases however, AutoSync may cause feedback in the digital carrier, so synchronization

breaks down. To remedy this, switch the HDSP’s clock mode over to 'Master'.

Via Pref. Sync Ref (preferred synchronization reference) a preferred input can be defined. As

long as the card sees a valid signal there, this input will be designated as the sync source, oth-

erwise the other inputs will be scanned in turn. If none of the inputs are receiving a valid signal,

the card automatically switches clock mode to ‘Master’.

Thanks to its AutoSync technique and lightning fast PLL, the HDSP is not only capable of han-

dling standard frequencies, but also any sample rate between 28 and 200 kHz. Even the word

clock input, which most users will use in varispeed operation, allows any frequency between 28

kHz and 200 kHz.

The HDSPe MADI's outstanding clock control allows for a synchronization of the output signal

to the word clock's input signal not only at identical sample rates, but also at half, quarter, dou-

ble and quad sample rates. A playback of 96 kHz can easily be synchronized via a 48 kHz word

clock signal.

SyncCheck

If several digital devices are to be used simultaneously in a system, they not only have to oper-

ate with the same sample frequency but also be synchronous with each other. This is why digi-

tal systems always need a single device defined as ‘master’, which sends the same clock signal

to all the other (‘slave’) devices.

Remember that a digital system can only have one master! If the HDSPe MADI’s clock

mode is set to Master, all other devices must be set to Slave.

RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology enables an easy to use check and display of the cur-

rent clock status. The SyncCheck field indicates whether no signal (No Lock), a valid signal

(Lock) or a valid and synchronous signal (Sync) is present at each of the digital clock source

inputs. The ‘AutoSync Ref’ display shows the current sync source and the measured frequency.

In practice, SyncCheck provides the user with an easy way of checking whether all digital de-

vices connected to the system are properly configured. With SyncCheck, finally anyone can

master this common source of error, previously one of the most complex issues in the digital

studio world.