Intermittent midi sync fault

[440Hz]

Hi,

Thanks for the email.

Latest version list as requested.

Tue 16 Dec 2008 09:43:56 EST


Pro Tools Version
__________________________________________
Pro Tools M-Powered.app





Plug-In Versions
__________________________________________
Addictive Drums.dpm


BF Essential Clip Remover.dpm


BF Essential Corr.dpm


BF Essential Meter.dpm


BF Essential Noise.dpm


BF Essential Tuner.dpm


Chorus.dpm


Click.dpm


D-Verb.dpm


DigiReWire.dpm


Dither.dpm


Dynamics III.dpm


EQ III.dpm


Elastic Audio.dpm


Flanger.dpm


Funk Logic Masterer.dpm


Invert-Duplicate.dpm


Mod Delay II.dpm


Multi-Tap Delay.dpm


Normalize-Gain.dpm


Ping-Pong Delay.dpm


Reverse-DC Removal.dpm


Signal Generator.dpm


SignalTools.dpm


Structure.dpm


Time Comp-Exp-Pitch Shift.dpm


Time Shift.dpm


TimeAdjuster.dpm


Trim.dpm


Xpand!.dpm


bombfactory BF76.dpm






Plug-Ins Unused Versions
__________________________________________
Dynamics II.dpm


EQ II.dpm


Plug-Ins (Unlicensed)

Toolkits







Toolkits and Digitranslator Versions
__________________________________________

Music Production Toolkit is not installed


DV Toolkit 2 is not installed


Digitranslator 2 is not installed


Digitranslator 1 is not installed


Cheers

Nic

P.S.

This behavior seems to come and go. For example when working on a session yesterday morning all was fine. After an hour or so (and a bit of a break from the session), computer still running, the session was doing the afore mention strange behavior.

Is my external drive to blame?????

Cheers Digi

Nic

[440Hz]

Hi,

Something I have just noticed..........

I am running my POD X3 through the Fast Track Pro via S/PDIF.
Every time I boot up the system defaults to S/PDIF Input (stereo) UNCHECKED forcing me to go into SYSTEM PREFERENCED > OTHER > M-Audio FAST TRACK PRO.
In the 5 check boxes; OUTPUTS 1 & 2 -CHECKED; OUTPUTS 3 & 4 (S/PDIF ETC) -CHECKED; S/PDIF INPUT -UNCHECKED; BALANCED INPUT 1 -CHECKED; BALANCED INPUT 2 -CHECKED
I have to change this EVERY TIME i want to use the POD X3

However...........
I have noticed that when I leave the S/PDIF INPUT Unchecked the strange behavior is absent and the session plays without faulting. I am still experimenting with this phenomena, but so far seems to be the case.

I cannot find a way to set a master clock on the FAST TRACK PRO.

Is this my problem??

By the way, I have started using the Firewire 800 port on the LaCie d2 Quadra.

Looking forward to some input....

Cheers

Nic

[JrummerJ]

Originally Posted by 440Hz

Hi,

Something I have just noticed..........

I am running my POD X3 through the Fast Track Pro via S/PDIF.
Every time I boot up the system defaults to S/PDIF Input (stereo) UNCHECKED forcing me to go into SYSTEM PREFERENCED > OTHER > M-Audio FAST TRACK PRO.
In the 5 check boxes; OUTPUTS 1 & 2 -CHECKED; OUTPUTS 3 & 4 (S/PDIF ETC) -CHECKED; S/PDIF INPUT -UNCHECKED; BALANCED INPUT 1 -CHECKED; BALANCED INPUT 2 -CHECKED
I have to change this EVERY TIME i want to use the POD X3

However...........
I have noticed that when I leave the S/PDIF INPUT Unchecked the strange behavior is absent and the session plays without faulting. I am still experimenting with this phenomena, but so far seems to be the case.

I cannot find a way to set a master clock on the FAST TRACK PRO.

Is this my problem??

By the way, I have started using the Firewire 800 port on the LaCie d2 Quadra.

Looking forward to some input....

Cheers

Nic

Usually when running another premp into your interface via spdif or adat, you need to set that second device up to match your session specs, ie: bit depth 16 or 24 and sampling rate 44.1, 48, etc. Once that device is setup, you need to go into your M-audio control panel and select external sync via spdif. You sample rate box should turn green and the lock should appear in locked position. You shouldn't have to do anything else in pro tools M-Powered.

Also, there are known issues with running external drives off the 800 port and interfaces off the 400 ports on the imacs and macbook pros. You are better off running both @ 400 speeds. This can be accomplished lots of ways depending on the ports on you HD, but chaining them using the 400 ports is common.

J

[440Hz]

Originally Posted by JrummerJ

Usually when running another premp into your interface via spdif or adat, you need to set that second device up to match your session specs, ie: bit depth 16 or 24 and sampling rate 44.1, 48, etc. Once that device is setup, you need to go into your M-audio control panel and select external sync via spdif. You sample rate box should turn green and the lock should appear in locked position. You shouldn't have to do anything else in pro tools M-Powered.

Also, there are known issues with running external drives off the 800 port and interfaces off the 400 ports on the imacs and macbook pros. You are better off running both @ 400 speeds. This can be accomplished lots of ways depending on the ports on you HD, but chaining them using the 400 ports is common.

J

Hi JrummerJ,

Thanks for the input;-)
I do have my X3 set up to match my system specs (otherwise I wouldn't be able to get any input from it.... right?)
On the M Audio control panel (specific to the Fast Track Pro I am assuming) there is no reference to 'sync via s/pdif'.
There is however on the Audio Midi Setup window when looking in 'Properties for: M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Here it is possible to select the input source as S/PDIF.

I am starting to wonder if the Fast Track Pro isn't so PRO after all......

Cheers

Nic

[JrummerJ]

Originally Posted by 440Hz

Hi JrummerJ,

Thanks for the input;-)
I do have my X3 set up to match my system specs (otherwise I wouldn't be able to get any input from it.... right?)
On the M Audio control panel (specific to the Fast Track Pro I am assuming) there is no reference to 'sync via s/pdif'.
There is however on the Audio Midi Setup window when looking in 'Properties for: M-Audio Fast Track Pro. Here it is possible to select the input source as S/PDIF.

I am starting to wonder if the Fast Track Pro isn't so PRO after all......

Cheers

Nic

So, i use the firewire 410, maybe the control panels are different. But mine has 3 or 4 tabs, input, output, hardware, and About. If you click the hardware tab (if yours has this) then there is a box that shows the sample rate, internal or external sync, etc. Do you have that?

J

[JrummerJ]

From the Fast Track Pro Manual:

Using the Coaxial S/PDIF Inputs
Connect the S/PDIF output of your external audio device to the Fast Track Pro’s rear panel S/PDIF In. The signal level that you receive at
the S/PDIF In will be the signal level that you record. Any adjustments to that signal level must be made at the source. If you have an
output level control on the device that you’ve connected to the Fast Track Pro’s S/PDIF inputs, adjust that output level control to change the
recording level. Most recording software will allow you to add gain to a recorded track that was made at a level that is initially too low,
but be careful that the recording level is not reaching digital clipping (signal over 0dB—going into the red) while recording.
You will then want to route the input signal to your audio software’s inputs. Refer to the section below on “Monitoring Your Inputs For
Recording,” and your software’s documentation for more information.

Setting the Sample Rate
You will want to set the sample rate from within your audio software. When the input source is an S/PDIF signal, the Fast Track Pro will
receive the sample rate from your audio application.

Not sure if that helps at all, but thought I would post it.

J

[440Hz]

Cheers JrummerJ,

I think this thing is just too basic......

It has no real control over setting system sync clock or anything like that.
Must be designed for the Garageband kids.

[JrummerJ]

Originally Posted by 440Hz

Cheers JrummerJ,

I think this thing is just too basic......

It has no real control over setting system sync clock or anything like that.
Must be designed for the Garageband kids.

Maybe time to jump to the 2626? That is what I plan on doing in the next few months.

[440Hz]

To be honest, I'm thinking of getting rid of the M Powered mish mash and going straight for a new 003 Factory Rack.

[440Hz]

Hi all,

I have had a reply from M-Audio on this matter.
They seem to think it is most likely a Firmware fault with the Fast Track Pro and are suggesting a replacement.

On further investigation.... every time I try to use the S/PDIF INPUT on the Fast Track Pro my sessions go out of sync.

I am looking forward to putting this to bed and actually getting some WORK DONE!!!!!!