Connecting the 1212 I/O to an ADAT system
Setting the word clock source on an ADAT system
S/PDIF devices (DAT, effects, etc.)
Setting the word clock source in digital audio software
The 1212 I/O will work equally well in a system with only one ADAT, or in a more complex system with multiple ADATs and a remote controller, such as the Alesis BRC. When the 1212 I/O is used in a system with multiple ADATs, it should always be connected to the last ADAT in the chain.
In the instructions below, the term ADAT refers to any ADAT-compatible multitrack recorder, such as the Alesis ADAT and ADAT XT, the Fostex RD-8 and CX-8, and the Panasonic MDA-1.
1. Connect the ADATs together as usual, with the sync and optical outputs from ADAT #1 going into ADAT #2, from ADAT #2 to ADAT #3, and so on.
2. Connect the ADAT Timecode Conditioner to the 1212 I/O's ADAT sync input.
3. Connect the sync output from the last ADAT to the 1212 I/O's ADAT Timecode Conditioner.
4. Connect the optical outputs from the last ADAT to the optical inputs of the 1212 I/O.
5. Connect the optical output of the 1212 I/O to the optical input of ADAT #1.
6. If using an Alesis BRC, connect the BRC's sync output to ADAT #1's sync input, and then connect the Word Clock output of the 1212 I/O to the 48kHz Input of the BRC.
This connection is necessary when recording from the 1212 I/O's S/PDIF input.
7. For general use, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to ADAT, and the ADAT system's word clock source to Internal.
For more information, see Setting the word clock source on an ADAT system.
The 1212 I/O's ADAT Timecode Conditioner is a small device which fits between the ADAT 9-pin sync cable and the 1212 I/O's ADAT timecode connector. This device pre-conditions the ADAT timecode, enhancing the 1212 I/O's timecode sync capabilities.
If you will be using ADAT timecode with the 1212 I/O, please make sure that the ADAT Timecode Conditioner is connected between the ADAT sync cable and the 1212 I/O's ADAT sync input.
ADATs have three settings for word clock source: "Digital," "Internal," and "External."
Digital means that they sync to an external clock through their optical or 9-pin inputs, if they are connected to another ADAT optical device (such as the 1212 I/O); if there are no other devices connected, then they use their internal clock.
Internal means that they use their internal clock, regardless of any signal at the optical input.
External will only appear if the ADAT is connected to a BRC, or another ADAT sync master (such as the Mark Of The Unicorn MIDI Timepiece AV).
In a multi-device system without the Alesis BRC, the first device (the unit that displays "Id 1" at startup) will have been designated the word clock master at startup, and this is the only one you need to change. The rest of the devices will automatically be set to slave to the master through their digital inputs.
When using the Alesis BRC, you do not need to make any settings on the ADATs themselves (they'll automatically be set to External); instead, the BRC controls the word clock of the connected ADATs. See below for instructions on working with the BRC.
On the ADAT XT, Fostex CX-8, and Panasonic MDA-1, both the word clock source and the sample rate are set using the Clock Source button on the front panel. The current Clock Source setting is shown in the lower right-hand side of the fluorescent display. Pressing the button repeatedly toggles through the four choices: INT 48kHz, INT 44.1kHz, DIG 48kHz, and DIG 44.1kHz. "INT" is Internal, and "DIG" is Digital.
If the ADAT is providing the master clock source, the sample rate (48kHz or 44.1kHz) will control the entire system, including the 1212 I/O. If the tape is not formatted for the current sample rate, the sample rate may flash in the display, and the front-panel clock may not be correct, but otherwise everything will be fine; please see your ADAT manual for details.
If DIG is selected, the on-screen "DIG" indicator will flash if there is a problem with the signal at the ADAT's optical input (such as no cable connected, or invalid word clock).
On the original ADAT, hold the "SET LOCATE" button, and then press "DIGITAL IN." This toggles the ADAT between "int" (Internal) and "dig" (Digital). This is a little tricky, since you cannot see the setting without changing it. Press the buttons until you see the desired setting.
NOTE: The original ADAT defaults to "dig" at power-on.
When using the BRC with either original ADATs or ADAT XTs, the BRC supplies the word clock to the ADAT system. The BRC can use its internal word clock, or word clock from its 48kHz input. This is controlled by the Clock Source parameter, under the EXT SYNC button. Once the Clock Source has been set, you can enable or disable external sync by pressing the EXT SYNC button, and the button's light will toggle on and off accordingly.
To set the BRC to use its internal clock, simply make sure that the EXT SYNC button's light is off. (EXT SYNC also controls SMPTE synchronization; if you need to use this feature, make sure that the Clock Source is set to Internal.)
To set the BRC to use a word clock from the 1212 I/O, set the Clock Source to 48kHz Input, and then turn on EXT SYNC. Connect the word clock output of the 1212 I/O to the 48kHz Input on the back of the BRC.
For more information on working with the BRC and the 1212 I/O, see Clearing Track Routing on the Alesis BRC.
When using ADAT timecode sync with the original ADAT (without BRC), the ADAT must be the master clock source (1212 I/O set to ADAT, and ADAT set to Internal). The 1212 I/O clock source cannot be set to either S/PDIF*Word Clock or Internal.
With using ADAT timecode sync with the ADAT XT, the 1212 I/O's clock source may be set to either ADAT or S/PDIF*Word Clock. If the 1212 I/O's clock source is set to ADAT, set the ADAT to Internal; if the 1212 I/O is set to S/PDIF*Word Clock, set the ADAT to Digital.
When using ADAT timecode sync with a BRC-controlled ADAT system (with either original ADATs or ADAT XTs), it is the same as with the ADAT XT: the 1212 I/O's clock source may be set to either ADAT or S/PDIF*Word Clock. See the notes under "BRC (with either original ADAT or ADAT XT)," above.
These restrictions apply only to digital audio recording using ADAT timecode.
Recording and playback without ADAT timecode work well with all 1212 I/O clock settings.
This setup combines the 1212 I/O with the Korg SoundLink DRS 168RC digital mixer. The 1212 I/O provides the word clock source; the 168RC slaves to the 1212 I/O.
1. Connect the 1212 I/O's optical cables to the 168RC's Dig A ports.
2. On the 168RC, press the MISC button, and scroll down until you reach the CLK Source parameter. Set this to DIG-IN-A (the 1212 I/O).
This selects the 1212 I/O as the word clock source for the 168RC.
3. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to Internal.
This setup combines the 1212 I/O and an ADAT with the Korg SoundLink DRS 168RC digital mixer. The ADAT provides the word clock source; the 168RC slaves to the ADAT, and the 1212 I/O slaves to the 168RC.
1. Connect the ADAT's optical cables to the 168RC's Dig A ports, and the 1212 I/O's optical cables to the 168RC's Dig B ports.
2. On the 168RC, press the MISC button, and scroll down until you reach the CLK Source parameter. Set this to DIG-IN-A (the ADAT).
This selects the ADAT as the word clock source for the 168RC.
3. Connect the ADAT Timecode Conditioner to the 1212 I/O's ADAT sync input.
4. Connect the sync output from the ADAT to the 1212 I/O's ADAT Timecode Conditioner.
5. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to ADAT.
6. Set the ADAT's word clock source to Internal.
For more information, see Setting the word clock source on an ADAT system.
7. If using an Alesis BRC, connect the BRC's sync output to the ADAT's sync input, and then connect the Word Clock output of the 1212 I/O to the 48kHz Input of the BRC.
This connection is necessary when recording from the 1212 I/O's S/PDIF input.
The 880A/D provides the 1212 I/O with an additional 8 high-quality analog inputs. The 880A/D connects directly to the 1212 I/O's ADAT optical input, so setup is very simple.
First, connect the cables:
1. Connect the Word Clock output of the 1212 I/O to the Word Clock input of the 880A/D.
2. Connect the optical output of the 880A/D to the optical input of the 1212 I/O.
Next, make all the word clock settings:
3. On the 880A/D, set the CLK. SOURCE to EXT.WCLK.
This makes the 880 A/D sync to the word clock output of the 1212 I/O.
4. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source as desired.
If you are using the 1212 I/O and 880A/D as a stand-alone system, set the word clock source to Internal. If you are using the 1212 I/O in combination with other digital audio devices, see the appropriate instructions for those devices.
The 880D/A provides the 1212 I/O with an additional 8 high-quality analog outputs. The 880D/A connects directly to the 1212 I/O's ADAT optical output, so setup is very simple.
1. Connect the optical output of the 1212 I/O to the optical input of the 880A/D.
You don't need to make any word clock settings on the 880D/A; it will automatically slave to its ADAT optical input.
2. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source as desired.
If you are using the 1212 I/O and 880D/A as a stand-alone system, set the word clock source to Internal. If you are using the 1212 I/O in combination with other digital audio devices, see the appropriate instructions for those devices.
This setup combines the 1212 I/O with the Korg SoundLink DRS 880A/D and 880D/A to create a system with 10 analog inputs and 10 analog outputs. The1212 I/O provides the master word clock, and both the 880A/D and 880D/A slave to the 1212 I/O.
First, connect the cables:
1. Connect the Word Clock output of the 1212 I/O to the Word Clock input of the 880A/D.
2. Connect the optical output of the 880A/D to the optical input of the 1212 I/O.
3. Connect the optical output of the 1212 I/O to the optical input of the 880A/D.
Next, make all the word clock settings:
4. On the 880A/D, set the CLK. SOURCE to EXT.WCLK.
This makes the 880 A/D sync to the word clock output of the 1212 I/O.
You don't need to make any word clock settings on the 880D/A; it will automatically slave to its ADAT optical input.
5. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source as desired.
If you are using the 1212 I/O, 880A/D, and 880D/A as a stand-alone system, set the word clock source to Internal. If you are using the 1212 I/O in combination with a S/PDIF device, see the note below.
If you like, you may also record simultaneously from a S/PDIF device (such as a DAT, or an external A/D). This will allow you to record up to 12 tracks simultaneously from an S/PDIF source, the 880A/D, and the 1212 I/O's analog inputs.
You may or may not need to change the 1212 I/O's word clock source to S/PDIF*Word Clock; the 880A/D and 880D/A can remain as described above. For more information, see S/PDIF Devices, below.
There are two broad classifications of S/PDIF devices: those which can use an external clock to control their digital output, and those which cannot. These two types require different settings on the 1212 I/O.
Many S/PDIF devices don't have a separate setting for the word clock source. For instance, many DAT machines automatically use incoming digital audio data as the word clock source when recording, and automatically use the internal clock source when playing back. Some stand-alone A/D converters also may not accept an external word clock.
When recording from such devices, all the other devices must slave to the S/PDIF device's clock.
1. Connect the digital audio cables between the S/PDIF input and output of the 1212 I/O and the S/PDIF device.
2. When recording from the S/PDIF device into a digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to S/PDIF*Word Clock.
3. When playing back into the S/PDIF device from a digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to Internal (or ADAT, if you generally use an ADAT system as the master clock source).
Some S/PDIF devices, on the other hand, may allow you to freely select between internal and external word clock. Some may use a dedicated word clock input; others may use the clock signal received at their S/PDIF input.
When using the 1212 I/O with these devices, you don't need to change word clock settings between recording and playback. Instead:
1. Connect the digital audio cables between the S/PDIF input and output of the 1212 I/O and the S/PDIF device.
2. If the S/PDIF device has a dedicated word clock input, connect the word clock output of the 1212 I/O to the word clock input of the S/PDIF device.
3. Set the S/PDIF device to use the external clock source.
4. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to Internal or ADAT, as desired.
You can also use a dedicated word clock source as the master for the 1212 I/O. In this case, connect the word clock output of the master device to the word clock input of the 1212 I/O, and set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to S/PDIF*Word Clock.
The 1212 I/O and the Yamaha 02R digital mixer can be connected in many different ways, depending on the rest of your studio setup. Either the 1212 I/O or the 02R can be the word clock master, each using either the ADAT optical cables or a dedicated word clock cable.
Whatever configuration you decide upon, you'll need to set all the word clocks accordingly. One possible setup is to sync the 02R to the 1212 I/O, using the 1212 I/O's ADAT output. In this case:
1. Connect the 1212 I/O's optical input and output to an ADAT I/O card on the 02R.
2. On the 02R, Press the Digital I/O button.
3. Go to the Word Clock Select page.
This page shows a list of all the installed I/O cards, and allows you to select a pair of channels from any card as the master clock source. You can also select the dedicated word clock input, or the internal clock.
4. Set the 02R to use the ADAT 1/2 channels from the card connected to the 1212 I/O.
5. In the digital audio program, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to Internal.
The Mark of the Unicorn MTP-AV includes capabilities for MMC control of ADAT systems, similar to the BRC. Unlike the BRC, the MTP-AV features only word clock output, and not word clock input. This means that the MTP-AV must be the word clock master of the digital audio system.
To use the 1212 I/O with the MTP-AV:
1. Set up the MTP-AV and ADAT system as described in the MTP-AV and ADAT manuals.
2. Connect the optical outputs from the last ADAT to the optical inputs of the 1212 I/O.
3. Connect the optical output of the 1212 I/O to the optical input of ADAT #1.
7. For general use, set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to ADAT.
If desired, one could also connect the MTP-AV's word clock output to the 1212 I/O's word clock input, and then set the 1212 I/O's word clock source to S/PDIFWord Clock.
When using the 1212 I/O with digital audio software which directly supports the 1212 I/O, the clock source, sample rate, and other parameters are controlled directly by the digital audio software (and not by the 1212 I/O Utility).
Some programs refer to the word clock source as "Sync."
In Deck II, the word clock source is set by the Sync Mode parameter, in the Options menu's Hardware Configuration dialog. Deck's "Digital" setting is equivalent to the 1212 I/O's "S/PDIF*Word Clock."
In Cubase VST, the word clock source is set by the Audio Clock Source parameter, in the Audio menu's Audio Setup dialog.
In Digital Performer, the word clock source is set in the Configure Hardware Driver dialog, in the MOTU Audio System options sub-menu of the Basics menu.
In Logic Audio, the word clock source is set in File > Preferences > Audio Extensions.
When using Sound Manager software with MacOS computers, or standard MME-compatible software with Windows 95 computers, the word clock source is set using the 1212 I/O Utility.
For other digital audio software, please refer to the program's manual for more information.
When you record or play back audio data using external clock sources (such as the S/PDIF, ADAT, or Word Clock inputs), the sample rate is controlled entirely by the external source, and not by the digital audio program's sample rate parameter. Because of this, you must make sure that the external clock source is actually set to the same sample rate as the digital audio program. If the two are different, it can result in audio playing back faster or slower than expected.