Pulsar, Cubase, O1v, MOTU MTP A/V, ADAT, BRC---ideas

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Thu Feb 28, 2002 4:49 am

Is there anyone out there using ADATs, Pulsar and a BRC? I'm wondering several integration issues?
Is anybody out there using a similar setup?

1. What's the best way to set up all the different clocks?

2. Does the ADAT lightpipe on the ADAT work as a 'through' so that I can send a TOSLINK to the ADAT, and then on the ADAT optical outs send it right through to Pulsar or do I need to get one of those TASCAM splitter boxes that will send it to the ADAT and Pulsar at the same time via lightpipe?

3. Sync and Machine Control! This looks like a nightmare. I'd like to use the BRC to trigger tracks off the ADAT and in Cubase if possible. I'd like the little start, stop and what not to assist me in making the rest of life easier. Can this be done effectively? Tell me or show me where to how?

Thanks.

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Thu Apr 18, 2002 7:39 pm

No one is responding to this thread. Not good. I guess I'm original

astroman · Post by **astroman** » Fri Apr 19, 2002 2:53 pm

though I don't own an ADAT I once had a similiar setup with the Fostex VR800.
It really worked in through mode: Pulsar optical out -> Fostex in, Fostex out -> Pulsar in, so there wasn't even need for a monitor routing, if the recorder was in record standby. With MMC (the Fostex supports this, but I had no sequencer that time) this would have been a nice setup, but manual operation of the Fostex wasn't so hot.
Strangely the manual stated one should avoid this kind of connection because of 'digital feedback' and instead plugin/out the appropriate cable - ridiculous.
My clock setting was simply Pulsar as slave as there was only this one digital device.
Maybe a real Adat works in the same way.
With the prices of the Fostex fallen close to nothing it might be worth a try as an adat replacement - but I wouldn't recommend it untested.

[ This Message was edited by: astroman on 2002-04-19 15:55 ]

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Thu May 02, 2002 7:06 pm

Hello All,

I've finally got all my ducks in a row. I'll be installing it all this week-end and I'll post my findings, trouble spots and everything on this post. If you've ever wanted to know how to integrate ADAT's with Pulsar and Cubase---this will be the post!

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Sun May 19, 2002 6:33 am

Routing Configuration:
(kind of boring but important)

Pulsar I:
Adat1 I/O: To/From Alesis ADAT XT1
Adat2 I/O: To/From Alesis ADAT XT2
Spdif Out: To Yamaha O1V-1 SPDIF In
Midi In/Out: To Yamaha O1V-2 Midi In/Out
Analog I/O: Not in use.

Scope I:
Scope Adat A I/O: To/From Yamaha O1V-1
Scope Adat B I/O: To/From Yamaha O1V-2
Scope Adat C I/O: To/From Alesis AI-3
Midi In/Out 1: To Yamaha O1v-1 Midi In/Out
Midi In/Out 2: To Roland XP-30 Midi In/Out
Midi In/Out 3: To General Music Midi In/Out

Midi Time Piece A/V:
Adat Out: Not in Use
SMPTE: Not in Use
MTP Midi 1 I/O: To Roland JV-1080 Midi I/O
MTP Midi 2 I/O: To Alesis D4 Midi I/O
MTP Midi 3 I/O: To Behringer Ultracurve Midi I/O
MTP Midi 4 I/O: To Behringer DSP Ultradyne Midi I/O
MTP Midi 5 I/O: To Digitech Midivocalist
MTP Midi 6 I/O: To Alesis BRC Midi I/O
MTP Midi 7 I/O: Not in Use
MTP Midi 8 I/O: Not in Use

Alesis BRC:
ADAT Sync Out: To Alesis ADAT I Sync In
Midi I/O: To MTP A/V #6
SMPTE: Not in Use

Alesis ADAT XT I:
Sync In: From Alesis BRC
Sync Out: To Alesis ADAT I Sync In
ADAT Digital I/O: To/From Pulsar I ADAT I/O 1

Alesis ADAT XT II:
Sync In: From Alesis ADAT I Sync Out
Sync Out: To SCOPE Sync Plate In
ADAT Digital I/O: To/From Pulsar I ADAT I/O 2

Yamaha O1V-1:
ADAT I/O: To/From Scope ADAT A I/O
Tracks 1-8: XLR In from Recording Snake
Tracks 9-16: Roland JV-0180 (4), Alesis D4 (4)
Phono In: Tape deck
Phono Out: not in use
Aux Out 1-4: To Behringer head phone amp
SPDIF In: From Pulsar SPDIF out
SPDIF Out: to Yamaha O1V-2

Yamaha O1V-2:
ADAT I/O: To/From Scope ADAT B I/O
Tracks 1-8: XLR In from Recording Snake
Tracks 9-12: Open for Misc.
Tracks 13-16: Roland XP-30 (2), General Music SK880 (2)
Phono In: From CD Deck
Phono Out: To Tape Deck Record
Aux Out 1-4: To Behringer head phone amp II
SPDIF In: From Yamaha O1V-1
SPDIF Out: not in use

Alesis AI-3
Channel 1 I/O: Joe Meek VC1
Channel 2 I/O: Behringer Ultradyne L
Channel 3 I/O: Behringer Ultradyne R
Channel 4 I/O: Behringer Ultracurve L
Channel 5 I/O: Behringer Ultracurve R
Channel 6 I/O: Midivocalist L
Channel 7 I/O: Midivocalist R
Channel 8 I/O: BBE Sonic Maixmizer 862
ADAT Digital I/O: To From Scope I ADAT C I/O

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Sun May 19, 2002 6:38 am

Synchronization Configuration:

No word clock I/O usage from MTP A/V, BRC, or Scope/Pulsar.

ADAT Sync Config:
Alesis BRC 1
Alesis ADAT XT 1: Dev 2
Alesis ADAT XT 2: Dev 3
Scope Sync Plate: Dev 4

Digital I/O Config:
Yamaha O1V-1: Master
Yamaha O1V-2: Slave to SPDIF from Yamah O1V-1
Pulsar/Scope: Slave to Scope ADAT I/O A

MOTU Midi Time Piece A/V:
Not in use for Sync

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Sun May 19, 2002 6:43 am

Still looking for the following solutions:

1. How to get Cubase to sync/chase ADAT's.

After a trial run of the studio in supposed full set up glory, this is not happening. I was able to get them both to run/record asynchronously but this will create problems in the long run. I followed Brian's advise on this matter and still was unable to get Cubase to lock to ADATs.

2. What devices to use inside Pulsar/Scope for ASIO I/O for Cubase and ADAT's coming in. Remember I have a Pulsar I (5 DSPS) and a SCOPE 1 (15 DSPs) set of boards.

I have this tidbit squared away and have a Pulsar set-up scheme that seems to look like its set up just fine. The ADAT's and the O1vs are all in operation in Pulsar. Additionally, I've got the syncplate module set up with clock going to the ASIO module and to Midi sequencer destination.

3. I'll pacth synths and other plug in devices as needed into ASIO channels through a mixer if required.

Not really important on this part of the post.

4. Furthermore, no one here or on the Cuabse forums seems to know if the Alesis BRC can be used to activate tracks from its work surface for Cubase and the ADAT's. This would be a nice function if I can find out how to do it? Any experts out there doing it? Please plase help.

[ This Message was edited by: ohmelas on 2002-05-19 07:45 ]

[ This Message was edited by: ohmelas on 2002-05-23 03:25 ]

brain1 · Post by **brain1** » Sun May 19, 2002 10:17 am

1.BRC sync out to adat 1 sync in
2.Adat 1 sync out to Adat 2 sync in
(and so on for as many external adat's you have)
3.Sync out of last external Adat to sync in on Sync Plate
4.Open Sync Plate Source module and VRC-S module in SFP.
5.connect Midi out from sync plate source module to Midi in on VRC-S module.
6. connect Midi out of VRC-S to Sequencer. Midi Dest.
7.Open SFP Manual and Scroll to Studio Chapter/VRC-S.
8. read about synchronizing adat's with your sequencer.
9.Follow the Cubase sync instructions.
10. your done- it should work.

brain1 · Post by **brain1** » Sun May 19, 2002 10:31 am

11. you might also want to see if you can directly run Sync plate source Midi out into Sequencer Midi Dest.(skip the VRC-S but -still follow the Cubase sync instructions) and see if it works.
let me know- i don't have a BRC anymore.

12. You Can Also Control The External Adat's from cubase to dump files back to tape using your Sync Plate Dest.module. **(you will have to save a different project for inputing and outputing because you can't use Sync Plate Source and Sync Plate Dest. modules in the same project)

[ This Message was edited by: briank on 2002-05-19 11:35 ]

ohmelas · Post by **ohmelas** » Thu May 23, 2002 2:31 am

In trial runs I've been able to accomplish the following:

1. I've been able to operate the ADAT's separately of the Cubase system. I can patch tracks into Pulsar and then into the O1V's and hear what I'm playing.

2. I can patch a sound into the O1V send it to Pulsar and get the ADAT meters to bounce and prepare for a recording.

3. I can asyncrhonously activate Cubase and record 16 channels if I patch it inline inside Pulsar.

4. I can't do it synchronously.

5. I can't do any of this with the BRC. It has to be the master (or lock up through MIDI or Wordclock) and I can't sync that with the O1V's. Any advice? I've emailed Alesis and they are not helpful. They won't email me back.

6. I've had thoughts about buying a house clock and making EVERYONE sync to it.

MOTU Digital Time Piece. The BRC (word), the Pulsar (word), The ADATs and O1V (ADAT) and everyone could be happy but would this easily and truely solve my problem. I don't want to spend more money than I have to.

7. SYNCH PROBLEMS ARE A BITCH!

jupiter8 · Post by **jupiter8** » Thu May 23, 2002 6:12 am

A house clock is a REALLY good idea. It gets rid of audio related problems such as clicks, drop outs and such. However it will not solve the other problems such as getting the BRC to run Cubase etc.