pcix-424 is getting silence from 2408

[JonLennox]

Hi, all --

I have a MOTU pcix-424 card which is hooked up to a MOTU 2408, which I'm using to import 8-track digital tapes from a Tascam DA-78 over the TDIF interface.

This was working fine for most of a year, but then I had to take my DA-78 in to be repaired, and when I got it back and hooked it up again, I'm only getting digital silence capturing from the card in Windows.

This card is installed in a modern Windows 10 machine (I managed to find a modern motherboard with an old-style PCI slot for the pcix card). I didn't change anything about the machine while the DA-78 was out for repair other than install a new graphics card, and the problem still occurs if I take the new graphics card out. (Windows has been doing its usual updates in the meantime, though.)

The 2408 is definitely receiving audio from the DA-78 - I see its level lights flashing in time with the levels on the DA-78. The computer sees that the 2408 is there -- it shows up in the console when I go to select banks for it to import.

I get digital silence whether I try to import the audio as 8 tracks using ASIO, or just capturing two tracks from one of the synthetic Windows devices.

Does anyone have any idea why this would have changed, and how I can fix it? Thanks!

(One thing that might be relevant? The CueMix console had odd settings, e.g. its default window was far off the screen and had to be forced back on-screen. Does this affect audio import? If so, how can I reset it to sensible defaults?)

[JonLennox]

One further note - the green "meter" light on the 2408 is flashing, which it looks like might mean that it's not communicating properly with the pcix-424? Is there any way to diagnose what's wrong?

[CharlzS]

Is it clocked correctly?

[mikehalloran]

I'd go through the manuals—remember there are two including a 424 supplement—set everything to Default and set up as if new.
https://motu.com/en-us/techsupport/manuals/

I had to take my DA-78 in to be repaired, and when I got it back and hooked it up again, I'm only getting digital silence capturing from the card in Windows.

Your problem might lie there. Is the optical outputting properly?

[JonLennox]

I'd go through the manuals—remember there are two including a 424 supplement—set everything to Default and set up as if new.
https://motu.com/en-us/techsupport/manuals/

Your problem might lie there. Is the optical outputting properly?

The output from the DA-78 to the 2408 is TDIF (DB-25), and from the 2408 to the 424 is AudioWire (physically Firewire), so I don't have any optical anywhere.

The TDIF is working correctly, since I see the levels on the 2408 matching the DA-78. Clocking may have gone wrong between the 424 and the 2408? I'll try the reset you mention.

[rickorick]

It’s been a long time since I synced up my DA 88. But I used my MOTU Digital Timepiece for sync,there is no clock in TDIF so you have to clock it somehow or let it run free.
In the PCI audio app make sure you are in the right bank and have clicked on the check boxes for the in and out. I’m on a Mac but I would think you could get it to work. Keep poking at it try anything.

[JonLennox]

As far as I can tell, everything is configured properly in the PCI Audio Console - it's set to use the PCI-424 internal clock, and the DA-78 is set to use the external word clock, coming over the BNC cable from the 2408.

One note - the only manual I can find is for the 2408mk3, whereas I have an original 2408. Does anyone have a link to a copy of the manual for the original 2408? I don't know if it would make a difference, but I'd like to look to see if it says anything useful.

[mikehalloran]

As far as I can tell, everything is configured properly in the PCI Audio Console - it's set to use the PCI-424 internal clock, and the DA-78 is set to use the external word clock, coming over the BNC cable from the 2408.

One note - the only manual I can find is for the 2408mk3, whereas I have an original 2408. Does anyone have a link to a copy of the manual for the original 2408? I don't know if it would make a difference, but I'd like to look to see if it says anything useful.

The original manual was print only. The original 2408 shipped with a PCI-324 card and did not have CueMix (built into the 424 card), It supported a slower max sample rate. Otherwise, the functionality is the same.

As I originally replied, there are two manuals—the other being a supplement for the PCI-424e card. Since yours is 424x, I don't know if it's of any use.

https://cdn-data.motu.com/manuals/pci-a ... de_Win.pdf