ADAT Clicks and noise

[Sextant]

Hello everyone. I have a serious problem with my ADAT connections that has been preventing me from working properly for several months. When I connect an I/O ADAT interface to any of the ADAT ports on my Xite, I get a digital "noise" (crackling) at first, which gradually turns into more spaced-out "clicks" but never disappears. I’m using a Behringer ADA800 interface as well as various ADAT interfaces in Eurorack format (I’ve tried several, thinking the problem was with the interface itself, which has cost me a lot of money and transactions on Reverb for nothing).

It’s important to note that the problem only occurs at a clock rate of 44 kHz but disappears at 48 kHz. However, I need to work at 44,000 Hz; otherwise, my Xite modular patches no longer have enough resources. This is very limiting, and I feel like I’ve tried everything, including changing interfaces multiple times. Any help or solutions would be greatly appreciated!

[garyb]

which is master and which is slave?
do you have both in and out cables connected?

[Sextant]

Precision: I had already tried using the interface's clock as the Master instead of the Xite, but the problem persisted. Increasing the latency reduces the issue, but it doesn't disappear entirely.

[Sextant]

which is master and which is slave?
do you have both in and out cables connected?

Xite is Master. In and Out cables are both connected

[astroman]

Afaik some digital devices don‘t seem to like anything but 48khz.
Do you run multiple Adat IFs simultaneously ?
Considered to optimize your modular patches regarding efficiency ?
(that would be the most easy solution)

[nebelfuerst]

Make sure, you have very good ADAT cables.
I hunted crackles for a long time, and tried lots of configurations (master/slave,wordclock).
I had crackles, even if there was no audio signal, just silence feed to ADDA.
As I bought more expensive cables, everything was gone forever.

With Zlink I never had crackles, anyway.

[valis]

On the ADA8000, what is the master/slave switch set to? You most likely know this but didn't mention it, and from memory the unit has a switch that can be set to: Master 44.1, Master 48, Slave ADAT IN and Slave WC IN.

Can you post a screenshot of the Xite clock panel and samplerate settings as well?

[Sextant]

Capture d'écran 2025-01-07 191541.png (17.13 KiB) Viewed 21468 times

Thanks everyone for your help.
The screenshot...
I am sure that the problem does not come from an interaction between my different devices. I selectively turned everything off to test both interfaces. I tested each interface with the other off. With the Eurorack system off etc... I still have the problem

(PS. It's not a ada800, it's an Ultragain)

[valis]

I currently use AES/EBU with a Line6 POD XT and it syncs fine at 44.1Khz and 48Khz. Previously the Xite was closer to my PCI box which has 3 scope cards always, and clocked to that via ADAT at 44.1Khz.

Try cleaning out all of the ADAT ports with compressed air (and compressed air only), and swap cables if you have extras.

[garyb]

yes, Scope is master, BUT...
is the ADA8000 set to slave?

the ADA8000 should definitely work, if set correctly and the cables are good. did you try the other pair of ADAT ports? are you sure the cables are FULLY seated? if you are using "premium" ADAT cables, with big ends, they might not really fit the space.

[Sextant]

IMG_0002.jpg (144.09 KiB) Viewed 21452 times

UltraGain is set to slave (I guess "clocked" means slave)

It could be coming from cable but why, in this case, my two interfaces (Ultragain and Expert Sleepers ES3/ES7) has the same problem? No same cables!

[Sextant]

did you try the other pair of ADAT ports?

The two pairs are in use, with two distinct interfaces. Same phenomenon for both...

[astroman]

so you‘ve tested the UltraGain and the ES separately... keep it like that (for the moment).
Currently your clock master on Scope is Adat B (active black radio button).

Try with Adat A as master instead.
I have no details about changes over the years, but in (the very) early days Adat A was more reliable.
In theory my assumption is rubbish, but worth a try - it‘s a quick and simple change.

[nebelfuerst]

With the A16Ultra, ADAT can be used unidirectional. If I assume, your ADDA can do the same, you could try:

Connect only the output of the ADDA to the scope input. Set scope to slave, ADDA to master.
Now use some DAW or similar tool to spot crackles.

Second, only connect the scope outputs to the ADDA, but not the inputs. Scope must be master, ADDA slave.
Spot for crackles.

Even if it sounds stupid: Do you get any crackels on the analog out of scope ?

[garyb]

the reason i mentioned cables, is there isn't much space getween card slots. only the basic-style cables always fit. if the fit is tight (it's the case and the way the ports are positioned on the PCI cards) with two cables plugged into a pair of ports, it's possible that they are not perfectly aligned and all the way in.

if the cables are good and sync is set properly, then it should work. i'd say 100% of the time.

if the cables are good and sync is set properly, and it does not work, there has to be a hardware issue. either the card or the ADA8000 is broken.
there really isn't any trick involved. i've used both and setup client's systems with the same kinds of hardware. that combination was never a problem.

nebelfuerst's suggestions sound like sensible troubleshooting.

[Sextant]

I use basics cables, but from different manufacturer for the two interfacse (Ultragain and ES), that's why I'm not convince it's a cable issue. And why have I no problem when I set clock to 48 Khz if cables or slots are faulty?
I'll try nebelfuerst suggestion even if i'm not sure to really undertand it, and i'll check cables and slots. If it's an hardware issue, I guess it can only come from Xite, as the problem occur with my different ADAT interfaces...

[garyb]

clock should work in one direction or the other, if not both. i haven't seen a 48k problem from other users. you can try bnc wordclock, but you will need a clock/distributor for more than two devices. more than two devices should use bnc anyway...

[valis]

What GaryB was saying about the end connector size on the cables doesn't apply to all of the ADAT devices that I own. Some are like the Scope PCI cards and Xite, in that the amazon basics cables specifically do indeed fit rather 'snugly' and can take a good deal of force to properly seat.

[Gordon Gekko]

Try another power supply

[Sextant]

Try another power supply

For Xite or adat interfaces? (Congratulations on your signature quote )