Need quick help - DA98 and sync..

[Kelly M. Pieklo]

PT HD2 Accel/6.2.3/AV|XL|Sync I/O - need to load in 5.1 tracks from DA98 to PT via TDIF in TC sync w/previously loaded video (29.97DF). Tried 9 pin machine control w/serial tc, found out that it's a problem with 6.2.3 and up. Gotten myself pretty confused - when DA98 is ref'd to video, digital audio is choppy, when ref'd to wordclock, all is well. Can someone just post a reply with what should be hooked up where - tried just about everything and running out of time to go through all this again. Many many thanks in advance.

[DigiTechSupt]

There should be more info on this in the Answerbase here on the Digidesign website. Here's the jist...

The Tascams requires a Word clock that is 90º (I think) out of phase with the rest of the world, sounds crazy but true.

What you need to do is take the Word clock output from the 192, NOT your Sync I/O, and connect it to the Tascam. In the Pro Tools hardware setup window there is a popup menu called "Ext. Clock Output" that will allow you to choose between outputting a standard Word clock (48k) or a Word Clock (TDIF). You would want to choose Word Clock (TDIF) for your Tascam device.

This will only change the wordclock output on the 192 and will NOT affect the wordclock output on the Sync I/O.

The Sync I/O can be resolved to video black and the Tascam should then be resolved to the Pro Tools system via the 192 word clock.

Check the Answerbase ID: 7981* I've pasted it in below...

I also saw some info, as you mentioned, with machine control issues in 6.2.x, I'm assuming you're using a later version of Pro Tools and the problem is sync related not an issue with Machine Control per se (although the two are closely related).

Hope this helps,

Jon Connolly
Digidesign Product Specialist


Distortion or noise when transferring via TDIF from Pro Tools to Tascam DA-88

Tascam DA88 requires a word clock that is 90 degrees out of phase from the word clock output of the Sync I/O or the 192 I/O.

Performing a TDIF transfer from the 192 I/O to a DA-88 with Pro Tools 5.3 will result in full code displayed across all 8 channels on the DA-88 and distorted signal. It is possible to transfer via TDIF from the DA-88 into the 192 I/O. This problem does NOT exist with DA-98R transfers (even with the DA-98 set to emulate a DA-88).

Updating to Pro Tools 5.3r4 and higher resolves this problem. Pro Tools 5.3r4 also requires that the following software be updated to version 5.3r4: DHS.shlb, DSI.shlb, Digidesign Direct I/O, and DAE.

The 192 I/O is capable of outputting this "out of phase" word clock wth version 5.3r4 and later versions of Pro Tools by setting the "Ext. Clock Output" setting in Pro Tools hardware setup window to "Word Clock (TDIF)".

IMPORTANT: It is also required that a 75-ohm shunt terminator be placed on the Word Sync Input of the DA-88. (The DA-88 will not lock to the Word Clock output of the 192 Digital I/O or 192 I/O without a terminator in place.) Terminating the Word Sync Input of the DA-88 can be accomplished by using a T-connector (one of the "t's" has the terminator on it, the other the Word Clock cable from the 192/192 Digital I/O) or by using an in-line terminator.

As of this date the Sync I/O is not capable of sending out the 90 degree phase shifted TDIF Word Clock that the DA88 requires. (5/19/03)

Platform: n/a*** ID: 7981*** Created: 04/26/2002

[Kelly M. Pieklo]

Thanks Jon, but my ext clock output on hw setup is grayed out - any ideas?

[TVPostSound]

He stated he had a DA98 (TDIF II) not a DA88 (TDIF I)
The resolution you quoted was for a DA88.

[TVPostSound]

Try using LTC not serial code, I have found this to be better on DA98s