Slave/Sync Ultralite with a S/PDIF from a X-Station - Yes or No? Why!?

[DeepDrums]

Hello,

Connecting X-Station S/PDIF out into Ultralite S/PDIF without setting Ultralite to S/PDIF as a Clock Source sometimes results in a distorted sound.

That's normal because outgoing audio from Ultralite requires Ultralite to be slave under the X-station S/PDIF.

Setting Ultralites Master Clock Source to a S/PDIF solves the problem. In other words, it works as intended, according to the Ultralite manual.

Also, when I set the Ultralite Master Clock Source to S/PDIF, as expected, Cubase Pro shows "Clock Source: S/PDIF". Nothing wrong there.

My question: Isn't it a bit "big" step/change to set all the DAW environment (with a Cubase Pro) to S/PDIF as a Clock Source by a (X-Station) synth!?

How will the Ultralite audio inputs and sound recorded be affected by such a setup?

In my eyes, letting a synth clock the whole DAW system feels like a bit of "overkill." Mainly because I do not think it was designed for such a purpose.

There's no info online about the X-Station S/PDIF technical performance and parameters. Also, X-Station doesn't have any S/PDIF setting in its Global menu.

Also, I'm a bit puzzled as, to why Ultralite sometimes reproduces the input S/PDIF audio with distortion, regarding the Sample Rate settings, and sometimes not. That only happens WHEN the Ultralite Master Clock Source is set to Internal - but NEVER when the Master Clock Source is set to S/PDIF.

I really need some input here, as I need to "set and forget" the DAW setup because of a tight project deadline.

Thanks in advance.

[HCMarkus]

Does X Station have a SPDIF Input? Looks like not., so there are two ways to go:

1) As you've described, with the X Station connected digitally and serving as the clock master. In general, with digital audio, there must only be a single clock. You are stuck with the X Station clock and whatever sample rate(s) it spits out.

2) With the X Station analog outputs connected to a pair of your interface's analog inputs, using the Ultralight as the Clock Master. I would recommend this approach, as it will allow you to work at your desired sample rate and with the (most likely) superior, less jittery system clock - your Ultralight.

[DeepDrums]

Does X Station have a SPDIF Input?

No, just the S/PDIF out.

2) With the X Station analog outputs connected to a pair of your interface's analog inputs, using the Ultralight as the Clock Master. I would recommend this approach

I agree, thanks!

[DeepDrums]

Does X Station have a SPDIF Input? Looks like not., so there are two ways to go:

1) As you've described, with the X Station connected digitally and serving as the clock master. In general, with digital audio, there must only be a single clock. You are stuck with the X Station clock and whatever sample rate(s) it spits out.

2) With the X Station analog outputs connected to a pair of your interface's analog inputs, using the Ultralight as the Clock Master. I would recommend this approach, as it will allow you to work at your desired sample rate and with the (most likely) superior, less jittery system clock - your Ultralight.

What is your opinion about the following "half-way" solution:

I managed to connect X-Station S/PDIF out to Ultralite S/PDIF in - WITHOUT setting Ultralite Master Clock to S/PDIF - but without distorted sound as a result.

To my ears, in such a setup, X-Station sounds like Ultralite is set Slave to the X-Station. But it isn't.

?

[HCMarkus]

What is your opinion about the following "half-way" solution:

I managed to connect X-Station S/PDIF out to Ultralite S/PDIF in - WITHOUT setting Ultralite Master Clock to S/PDIF - but without distorted sound as a result.

To my ears, in such a setup, X-Station sounds like Ultralite is set Slave to the X-Station. But it isn't.

?

My opinion is: Not a Solution.

In order to work properly, a clock master is required to be sent to the X Station, and this is not possible as the X Station only provides SPDIF Out. There is no magical way the X Station can get clock in this situation. The "Half-Way Solution" is almost certainly unreliable and thus not a solution at all.

Why is this digital connection important to you? Do you need the analog inputs on the Ultralight for something else?

[DeepDrums]

What is your opinion about the following "half-way" solution:

I managed to connect X-Station S/PDIF out to Ultralite S/PDIF in - WITHOUT setting Ultralite Master Clock to S/PDIF - but without distorted sound as a result.

To my ears, in such a setup, X-Station sounds like Ultralite is set Slave to the X-Station. But it isn't.

?

My opinion is: Not a Solution.

In order to work properly, a clock master is required to be sent to the X Station, and this is not possible as the X Station only provides SPDIF Out. There is no magical way the X Station can get clock in this situation. The "Half-Way Solution" is almost certainly unreliable and thus not a solution at all.

Why is this digital connection important to you? Do you need the analog inputs on the Ultralight for something else?

I have a specific setup, but I guess it is much easier to just stack one more Ultralite on top of the one I already have. And just like that - 10 channels more to spare

Thanks.

Case closed.

[HCMarkus]

Don't forget about your Optical I/O... unless you are already using it, you could add one of the variety of 8-channel mic preamps.

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search ... rch-header