How to Connect Digi003R to VRM Box

[Brian in Charlotte]

I'm running PT10 on MacPro with Digi003R - Is anyone using this Focusrite VRM Box? I can't get it to work for the life of me. The guide's very limited instructions are terrible at best. I usually do fairly well on connecting gear etc., but quite unhappy with the Focusrite at this moment.

Since I'm using my Digi003R, I'd come S/PDIF Out to the box...soon as I try that I get a high pitch whine, it goes away if I don't have 003R selected in the AudioMidi Setup window. Anyway, I can't get it to work - anyone know where I can find directions?

[nst7]

Did you make sure the Spidf signal of the VRM box is locked to the Spidf signal from the 003 (the little lock icon in the bottom right corner)? And make sure the 003 is set to internal clock.

[Brian in Charlotte]

I sure did - it locked on just fine. I'm sure the issue is in the ProTools configuration - or lack thereof, since the User Guide gives no directives at all.

[nst7]

Looking through the VRM users guide, it seems pretty straightforward. I don't think there's much more they could have mentioned, other than a trouble shooting section.

I did not see anything about going into the audio midi setup. Is it possible that you've selected the VRM as the computer's default output, and so it won't work with the 003 because it's being occupied with the other task?

I did see that it recommended having your buffer set at 512 or higher. If it's too low the VRM box may not receive audio.

Also, when using the Spidf output on the 003, it's easy to miss something when setting up all your outputs correctly, and I would double check that.

There's apparently a way to have Spidf on the 003 just mirror the main analog outs, which might be easier. I used to have a 003 but I never knew about that feature, so I don't know where it's set up.

Other than that, perhaps double check your Spidf cable.

[dtmprod]

What OSX are you running? There is a known bug with 10.8. What I need to do to get it going is to go to the audio/midi set up and select VRM box. Then toggle the sample rate between 44 & 48k several times til it works. Works 90% of time. If not, restart computer & try again.

[Brian in Charlotte]

OK, got it working - but I still have the high pitch buzz in my studio monitors - happened as soon as the S/PDIF was plugged in. So, some sort of grounding issue. I'll work on that. Thanks a ton for you help!

[Brian in Charlotte]

Yes I'm on 10.8.2. I had it working, but it was very crackly and static filled. I changed the HWBuffer size from 512 to 1028, no help. Now, I've got nothing. Geeeez, it's like the thing is turned off. Back to the drawing board.

[elliot@focusrite]

Hi Brian, If you are still experiencing problems with your VRM box please dont hesitate to contact us via the link below;
http://global.focusrite.com/contact-support

[Brian in Charlotte]

Tech Support at Focusrite was good. Turns out all the noise I'm hearing is a bug and they are about to release a fix for it. So, I'll have to wait to use the VRM BOX a bit longer. Thanks to all who helped get this connected correctly.

[elliot@focusrite]

We now have an update available for the VRM box that fixes this problem with using the S/PDIF input on Mountain Lion. You will need to download VRM Box 1.3b2 from beta.focusrite.com

Elliot // Focusrite Technical Support