Traveler and 8pre sync problem

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Discussion related to installation, configuration and use of MOTU hardware such as MIDI interfaces, audio interfaces, etc. with Windows
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lemon
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Traveler and 8pre sync problem

Post by lemon »

Hi!

I've connected the Traveler and my new 8pre with two FW cables to my PC. On the Motu Audio Console the Clock Source is set to "Traveler: Internal". After ~ 1 min. both are synced, when I change the sample rate in the Motu Audio Console it will be changed on both interfaces. Good till here.
But when I start a sequencer (I've tried Cubase LE 4, Sonar LE and Reaper) the 8pre starts blinking again and the sequencer crashes.
When I set the Clock Source to "8pre: Internal" and start the sequencer it will be the Traveler to start blinking and the sequencer crashes again.

What's wrong here?

Greetings from Italy

Lemon
wickedgtr1
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Post by wickedgtr1 »

Try this and see if your sound improves.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/885222

Also disable any firewire network adapters.


I've had the same issue, and have still not been able to get 2 896HD's to work properly together...

Please let us know if this help at all.
lemon
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Post by lemon »

No, I've installed this patch and disabled any FW network cards, but nothing changed :-(

Lemon
lemon
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Post by lemon »

Here's the "solution":
the 8pre unfortunately at this time won't work together with ohter Motu interfaces. That's what I could find out together with some other 8pre users. We've informed Motu about this problem and hope to get a real solution soon.

Greetings from Italy

Lemon
Worship Maestro
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Post by Worship Maestro »

I purchased 4 8Pre's only to find that 2 or more would not sync up. I scoured the forum, applied or checked every solution I could find recommended, and still no luck. I put in a Techlink w/MOTU last Thursday, but to date have not heard anything.

Yesterday Matt in tech support at Sweetwater, where I purchased the units, called to tell me that MOTU states they do not support multiple units under Windows XP SP2! They officially support only SP1. I know this sounds crazy since SP2 has been out for quite a long time now, but that is what I was told.

I'm going to post this in a new thread also to warn others who might be looking to build a multi track system using more than 1 MOTU Firewire unit.
lemon
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Post by lemon »

Hi!

I was in contact with Joseph from Motu about 2 weeks now and he didn't mention that at all.
Shame on them!!!! :evil:

Lemon
Worship Maestro
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Multiple 8Pre Success!!

Post by Worship Maestro »

Well, I had success with my 4 8Pre's today! Here's what I had to do to make it happen:

MOTU said they didn't support WinXP SP2, but did support multiple interfaces with SP1. I found an old WinXP install disk that was SP1, and did a fresh format and clean install. After all that, I had the same issue when I plugged into the firewire interface on the motherboard. I was totally frustrated and ready to ship everything back to Sweetwater. About that time I received the firewire PCI card I ordered last week from NewEgg, hoping it would be the solution. Even though WinXP SP1 didn't seem to do the trick, I thought, "what the heck, I'll try one last thing," and put the card in, booted the computer back up, and turned on the first 8Pre. It seemed to lock up quicker, but I wondered if that was just wishful thinking. I plugged the second 8Pre into the 2nd firewire port on the card, and it locked right up! Booted up Cubase, the front of the interfaces blinked briefly, then stayed locked.

I decided to cut to the chase and daisy chained all 4 8Pre's to one firewire port, booted Cubase back up and they locked up. I set the control panel to 88.2 kHz, 24 bit and recorded 32 tracks simultaneously for 2 and 1/2 hours to an internal RAID array. Nary a burble or glitch, and the front panel LED's stayed solid green, indicating a stable lock.

I hope this helps someone who would like to use more than one MOTU firewire interface at once. BTW, the PCI card was $7.99, and had an AGERE controller chip.
lemon
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Post by lemon »

Hi!

Ok, SP1 is the solution but a not acceptable one. Who has a computer with SP1 on it? Nearly nobody, I suppose. And I will not re-install my computer and any applications just because Motu isn't able to prepare a working driver for this unit.

Greetings fro Italy

Lemon
harrison
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Post by harrison »

I wonder why one would not use the lightpipes for connect a couple 8pre's but I am thinking out loud without thinking.... I used a Focusrite and a Presonus device on two occasions and recorded 16 tracks with no trouble.
Mark Harrison
Mtracks
lemon
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Post by lemon »

I need to use also the 8pre's outputs, so the ADAT solution will not work for me.

Greetings

Lemon
Worship Maestro
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I was wrong-it doesn't work!

Post by Worship Maestro »

Ignore the post I made a few days ago. I still can't get more than one 8Pre to reliably stay in sync. The front panel LED's of the 2nd one don't flash at me, but now that I am passing audio through I get stutters and shrieks on it.

I'm looking for another solution now, and MOTU's credibility is pretty much down the toilet with me - and this after years of using and loving their products!
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BradLyons
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Post by BradLyons »

What are you using for a master word clock?
Thank you,
Brad Lyons
db AUDIO & VIDEO
-Systems Advisor, CTS
lemon
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Post by lemon »

I've tried with Traveler as master also as with 8pre, having always the same problem with sync.

Greetings

Lemon
Worship Maestro
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Post by Worship Maestro »

BradLyons wrote:What are you using for a master word clock?
Brad, I don't know if you were asking lemon or me or someone else, but I have tried ALL of the word clock options in the MOTU control panel to try to get 2, 3, or all 4 of my 8Pre's to stay locked. Nothing works! This is all on a clean WinXP install with only SP1.
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