MTRX2 word clock v Sync X word clock

[Goombot]

I have a MTRX2 and a Sync X and I'm wondering if there is any information about the different clock sources. I'm assuming the MTRX2 has the DAD clock and the Sync X is an Avid design. Is there an optimal or preferred master clock in this situation? I'm assuming most would generate word from the Sync X and distribute it but in this situation with just an Avid MTRX and Sync X should the MTRX be the master? Or... does it just not matter? :)

[its2loud]

Sync X should be the master. Otherwise there’s no point in having it.

[Darryl Ramm]

Is there any point in having it? What are you using the Sync X for? Or is this an extension of a don't have DigiLink so can't get edge sync discussions? If so then toss the Sync X.

[BScout]

Sync X pretty much exists only for satellite link/frame edge.

For the MTRX/MTRX 2, I would use the internal clock and feed the Sync X the signal as the master. OR, set the MTRX to internal and have it only reference the word clock input coming from the Sync X.
Either way.
(In both cases, the MTRX runs on its own clock)

Personally, my systems are set to internal clock on the MTRX, MTRX reference clock is digilink, SyncX/SyncHD get their clock from the MTRX word clock output.
That way the whole system adjusts depending on the sample rate of the session I open. I can flip to a 48k session or a 96k session and all the devices change together.

[gives]

Originally Posted by Goombot

I have a MTRX2 and a Sync X and I'm wondering if there is any information about the different clock sources. I'm assuming the MTRX2 has the DAD clock and the Sync X is an Avid design. Is there an optimal or preferred master clock in this situation? I'm assuming most would generate word from the Sync X and distribute it but in this situation with just an Avid MTRX and Sync X should the MTRX be the master? Or... does it just not matter? :)

SYNC X is an excellent master clock and video reference generator + positional reference peripheral. It’s a great solution for locking multiple Pro Tools workstations (re-recording), digital devices (reverbs and external converters), and various video devices together. It’s essential when using multiple Pro Tools Ultimate (HDX) systems locked together and especially those that need Satellite Link. Also, video peripherals can be handy, especially if you intend on splitting / multing the video signal to talent in a booth for ADR / etc, and also need to playback to a large projector in the room. Besides your primary MTRX device, are there any other devices you need to resolve to the same clock? It doesn’t seem like this is something you need in your current environment.
I have an MTRXII now and had an MTRX and the clock it very accurate. Needing Sync Edge is the key, which most people don't. I found this article that might explain it more possibly: https://www.production-expert.com/pr...%20edge%20sync.

[Frank Kruse]

Originally Posted by gives

I have an MTRXII now and had an MTRX and the clock it very accurate. Needing Sync Edge is the key, which most people don't. I found this article that might explain it more possibly: https://www.production-expert.com/pr...%20edge%20sync.

The article is helpful but the illustration is missing the completely essential cable connection from the clock generator to the video hardware. Without it the whole setup is pretty much pointless as only the audio side is being clocked/locked but not the picture.

[Goombot]

I have a Blackmagic Ultra Studio mini 4k for that.

[gives]

Originally Posted by Frank Kruse

The article is helpful but the illustration is missing the completely essential cable connection from the clock generator to the video hardware. Without it the whole setup is pretty much pointless as only the audio side is being clocked/locked but not the picture.

My bad, I should have read thru it. But was on a 5 EPI show and had no time last week. It's a speedy thing to upgrade and one I have avoided here for now. For my room I did plan this, but in the end did not really see the need quite yet. My stuff all gets done somewhere else.

When using an external renderer, you would be using the Sync X to output Word Clock to the MTRX (as it doesn’t have loop sync), the MTRX would also be master of the Dante Network Clock, or provide WC to an external renderer that uses MADI. the Video peripheral would receive Video Reference from the Sync X.
The advantage is that all devices are now resolved to the same clock, running at the same speed (speed reference).
LTC would be sourced from the Sync X for the external renderer (positional reference)

In this setup, all parts of the system will run at the exact same speed, and video playback will not drift.
When using the internal renderer, as you are now, using the Dolby Audio Bridge, will not allow you to use your HD Native Thunderbolt as playback engine, which also disqualifies the Sync X from being used. So there is no way of getting video and audio playback to stay in sync. They will drift out of sync eventually.

One solution could be to use the send & return plugins, which would allow you to use the HD Native and Sync X and a connected Video Peripheral to get frame edge aligned video playback, but the drawback is that there is no Automatic Delay Compensation…
If you are mixing channel based formats, such as stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 where video and audio can’t drift apart, getting the sync X and a video peripheral is great. To be able to use a similar configuration with Dolby Atmos, however, will be VERY expensive as you’d need all of this:

2 HDX cards to output 128 channels of audio
128 channels of MADI or Dante on your MTRX
1 RMW with 128 MADI or Dante channels
Avid Sync X
Video Peripheral .. I like the AJA stuff!

https://www.aja.com

The inexpensive way is using the internal renderer.

If most of your work is channel based Post, where perfect sync between video and audio is critical, I’d be looking at Sync X and a Video peripheral. When mixing odd projects in Atmos, I’d use the Dolby Audio Bridge on an internal renderer.
IF you do a lot of work for example in Dolby Atmos, you might need to start thinking about an external renderer, and then you’ve got the sync x and video peripheral in place.

G

[Goombot]

Originally Posted by gives

My bad, I should have read thru it. But was on a 5 EPI show and had no time last week. It's a speedy thing to upgrade and one I have avoided here for now. For my room I did plan this, but in the end did not really see the need quite yet. My stuff all gets done somewhere else.

When using an external renderer, you would be using the Sync X to output Word Clock to the MTRX (as it doesn’t have loop sync), the MTRX would also be master of the Dante Network Clock, or provide WC to an external renderer that uses MADI. the Video peripheral would receive Video Reference from the Sync X.
The advantage is that all devices are now resolved to the same clock, running at the same speed (speed reference).
LTC would be sourced from the Sync X for the external renderer (positional reference)

In this setup, all parts of the system will run at the exact same speed, and video playback will not drift.
When using the internal renderer, as you are now, using the Dolby Audio Bridge, will not allow you to use your HD Native Thunderbolt as playback engine, which also disqualifies the Sync X from being used. So there is no way of getting video and audio playback to stay in sync. They will drift out of sync eventually.

One solution could be to use the send & return plugins, which would allow you to use the HD Native and Sync X and a connected Video Peripheral to get frame edge aligned video playback, but the drawback is that there is no Automatic Delay Compensation…
If you are mixing channel based formats, such as stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 where video and audio can’t drift apart, getting the sync X and a video peripheral is great. To be able to use a similar configuration with Dolby Atmos, however, will be VERY expensive as you’d need all of this:

2 HDX cards to output 128 channels of audio
128 channels of MADI or Dante on your MTRX
1 RMW with 128 MADI or Dante channels
Avid Sync X
Video Peripheral .. I like the AJA stuff!

https://www.aja.com

The inexpensive way is using the internal renderer.

If most of your work is channel based Post, where perfect sync between video and audio is critical, I’d be looking at Sync X and a Video peripheral. When mixing odd projects in Atmos, I’d use the Dolby Audio Bridge on an internal renderer.
IF you do a lot of work for example in Dolby Atmos, you might need to start thinking about an external renderer, and then you’ve got the sync x and video peripheral in place.

G

Thanks for the detailed response. So what I'm planning on adding to my MTRX2 is the thunderbolt option card and the new Focusrite PCIe Dante card. I was planning on having the thunderbolt be the main playback engine and the Dante card as the routing to the renderer 128 back and forth and having the sync setup left alone. Is there any reason that won't work? Sorry for not being clear about my future purchases.

[its2loud]

Goombot,

If you’re using the MTRX via Thunderbolt you don’t need the rednet PCI Dante card. You just route everything through DADMan if you’re using a Dolby Renderer on the same system.