MOTU 828 mk3 hybrid, clocking with word clock and ADAT at the same time

[Daphunk73]

A question about clocking.

I have a Motu 828 mk3 hybrid as main interface. I also have a RME Octamic and a Digi002R BLA MOD, that I want to use as extra inputs via ADAT.

I can clock the Octamic via wordclock, but the Digi002R has no wordclock input. But I can clock it via the ADAT cable. I just need the Motu to send out clock via wordclock and ADAT at the same time, it seems that I have have to choose one or the other.

Can I get the MOTU to send out clock via both wordclock and ADAT?

[CharlzS]

You have your primary OS listed as Mac, but you are posting in a Win forum. Also, what software? Need more info because answer can be very different. One thing you need to account for is that the 002R does not have a standalone mode/mixer like the 002, which means that the analog inputs are not automatically routed to the ADAT outs. I had a 003R with an 828mkII on a Mac and had to use the 003R as the main interface if using ADAT. Check the Avid DUC forums for how folks are using 002R with different configurations.

[Daphunk73]

Sorry, just joined the forum.

I am on Windows 10, and working in Cubase 8.5 and 9.

[Daphunk73]

I can get the Digi002R to work fine as a slave/stand alone unit via ADAT. The outputs do automatically route to the ADAT out. The only problem is getting both the Digi002R and RME Octamic clocked right. And I can record all tracks from both units at the same time, but one of them will have clicks because of the lacking clock.

[CharlzS]

Not sure where you say you need to set the clock on the 828 to either ADAT or Word if it is the master. That should be Internal. Any reason you can't set both expanders to clock to ADAT? Regardless, the word clock out from the 828 should be good.

[Daphunk73]

The Octamic can only clock via Wordclock. The Digi002R has no wordclock, and can only clock via ADAT. That is why I want to get my Motu to send out clock via both ADAT and wordclock. As far I as I can see I can choose one or the other. So for now only one of the units will work correctly.
Both units work if I only use one of them.

[Daphunk73]

If I set the clock to Internal in the Motu prefs, only the Octamic/Wordclock works correctly.

[CharlzS]

Do you have both ADAT in and out on the 002R connected?

[Daphunk73]

Yes.

[CharlzS]

If I set the clock to Internal in the Motu prefs, only the Octamic/Wordclock works correctly.

That is expected if you can't set the 002R to clock to ADAT. If you set the clock source to ADAT on the 828, then the 828 is using the 002R as the system clock. In that scenario you are expecting the 828 to distribute the 002R clock to the 828 word clock output and I don't think it is capable of that - clicks. Maybe someone else has experience with that. How are you setting the 002R to clock to ADAT? I don't remember being able to do that without it connected to a computer.

[pencilina]

The 828 (and most interfaces) will generally automatically send/relay whatever the leader clock is out its optical port/s' signal. The trick, as Charlsz said, is to get the Digi to follow the signal coming into its adat input which might not be possible without the Digi having standalone settings or you telling it to do so with some driver or control SW.

Looking at this thread:
https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=168123

you might want to try making the 002 the leader clock and have the 828 and the RME follow it

[Daphunk73]

"you might want to try making the 002 the leader clock and have the 828 and the RME follow it"

That is a good solution, but I don't seem to be able to send clock from DIGI002 to Octamic, as Octamic only accepts clock via wordclock, and DIGI002 does not have that.

And thanks for all replies which are all relevant.

In the Motu control panel Clock settings I can choose between:

Internal
Word clock
(SMPTE andf SPDIF which isn't relevant here)
ADAT optical A (RME Octamic with wordclock cable)
ADAT optical B (DIGI 002R with ADAT both in and out to Motu)

Internal:
Works with the Octamic, seems to be getting word clock even though not specified. DIGI002R makes digital clicks, indicating it is not getting clock via ADAT.
Word clock:
obviuosly doesn't work for the DIGI002R either.

Both ADAT settings:
doesn't work either, as it sets the clock to external. So only works for the unit set as master clock.

So I am looking for a solutions that sets the clock to Internal, and sends out clock via both ADAT and Wordclock. But it does not seem possible at the moment.

[CharlzS]

What I just recommended to the other person with the 002 003 dilemma, get rid of the 002 and get a Behringer ADA8200 - inexpensive and works well. That way you can set the 828 clock to internal and both ADAT and word clock should sync expander units properly. I've been using and ADA8000/ADA8200 with 828mkii, 828mk3 and now 828es.

[pencilina]

Both ADAT settings:
doesn't work either, as it sets the clock to external. So only works for the unit set as master clock.

Why can’t you use this and clock the RME with the WC out of the 828? The 828 should forward the clock out it’s BNC

O02 - L optical to 828
828 - F optical from 002
RME - F BNC from 828

Or buy a behringer, but if this works I bet the digi sounds better (at least the pres)

[CharlzS]

Why can’t you use this and clock the RME with the WC out of the 828? The 828 should forward the clock out it’s BNC

O02 - L optical to 828
828 - F optical from 002
RME - F BNC from 828

Or buy a behringer, but if this works I bet the digi sounds better (at least the pres)

I think the problem here is that the 828 does not forward the ADAT clock to the word clock out. On the 828 I think it either forwards the work clock in or sends its internal to the out. That could by why they're getting clicks with this configuration - two clock sources. I don't think the 828 can act as a syncronizer.