Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

Hello,

I am recording in a studio with Pro Tools HD 10.3.10, six TDM cards on a Magma Chasis, three 192IO and a SYNC HD.

All three 192 are connected to a separate TDM card, and the system is synced using Loop Sync. Mac Pro running 10.8.

The problem is the system works perfectly, but the highest sample rate available is 96kHz. The upper options are not even available on the drop down menu when creating a session.

We’ve tried using as the main source both the internal clock of the main 192IO and the SYNC unit, but 176.4/192kHz are not available. SYNC shows leds Locked and Remote on.

Any idea why this could be?

Thanks in advance!

Best,
Roger.

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

No idea, but when TDM systems misbehave break them down into parts until they works. Can you create a 196 kHz session with one 192 IO connected to one TDM card, everything else disconnected. If so add to that until it breaks. If not swap components to see if that can work, unseat all but one TDM card if needed. Just plow through this until it works then add stuff back.

And you can try running Digitest and see what it reports. Trash prefs, because, well you always do.

This may be God saying she thinks you should not be recording at 192 kHz...

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

And what are you slaving the Sync to? AES/EBU will not support these faster rates. That’s the most likely finger/user error.

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

Hi Darryl,

Thanks so much for your help. There's no external clock, just the SYNC HD and the 192s connected via Loop sync. We've tried using both the SYNC or one of the 192s as master, to no avail.

There's a wordclock cable running out of the SYNC connected to an external ADA, but that ADA is powered off. Maybe this has something to do with it?

We're going to follow the approach you mentioned of reducing the system to its smallest components and take it from there.

I'll report back if we find the solution.

Thanks again!

Best,
Roger.

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

If there is no input connected to the Sync the you don't even need it.. first thing I'd pull out of the loop.

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

The thing is an external DA is used to record the mix from the SSL, so it is synced using a word clock out of the SYNC, and connected to the AES/EBU input of one of the 192IOs.

(It is switched off for the time being to help troubleshoot the problem at hand)

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

Why? You don't need a Sync box. Each 192 IO has a Word Clock output and input and whatever way the SSL needs to connect to a word clock do it. Or just sync off the AES/EBU or ADAT or whatever signal from the SSL. (the Sync will not make stuff sound better...).

I appreciate how lots of Studios have Sync boxes sitting at the top of their Digilink stacks... and need them there to use them for video sync etc. But here I don't see why you need it, so yep I'd yank it out and leave it out. If it solves any issues great, if not keep going. And personally I'd just leave the sync out going forward.

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

That's great, thanks! I believe the studio does not use the SYNC for any other purposes, so we'll try taking it out of the loop altogether.

I really appreciate your help Darryl, thank you.

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

Are the 192's located close to the computer, or in a machine room? With long Digilink cables, you are limited to 96K(not positive on the length, bu I suspect its either 50 or 100'):o

Re: Can't create 192kHz session on Pro Tools HD 10
 

Thanks Dave! They are located close to the computer, connected using digilink cables shorter than 1m.

We'll be able to do some new tests tomorrow!