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OK - still having problems. Any help is appreciated. Here's the da facts:

1) dbx 386 stereo tube mic preamp with SPDIF output

2) Line 6 Pod Pro with SPDIF output

3) Luna 2

4) tripleboard (tripleDAT)

5) Luna software set simply: SPDIF source module connected to Luna analog out dest. module. Analog out to external mixer/amp/monitors.

When I connect the mic preamp SPDIF output to Luna SPDIF input, all I get is noise.

When I connect the Pod SPDIF output to Luna SPDIF input (same cable) it works fine.

When I connect either of the two units to tripleboard SPDIF input, they both work fine. TripleDAT is running independant of Luna and set to record mode.

Seems to indicate a problem with the mic preamp, right?

Then why does the mic pre work with tripleboard and not Luna? Tried all possible sample rate settings on the preamp and no success.

Does anyone out there have one of these dbx units? Any suggestions as to why the dbx won't work with Luna?

Could be that Luna SPDIF is more picky about the clock it receives compared to tripleBoard.

WordClock is probably the answer here (as usual with any digital sync issues), what about the idea of connecting the dbx to the Pod digitally, then the output of that into Luna?

Thanks lad.

As I mentioned to you off-line, I consider it a mute point now. That fact that it worked with something/anything was a positive sign. I'm less suspicious of Luna now but I wonder what to expect down the road. Could it be that out of all the hundreds (or thousands) of products out there in the universe, I just happened to pick the only two that don't talk to each other?

dbx seems to think it might be the card. I'm sure Creamware has a different viewpoint. No one is going to admit fault. And it's not worth the expense to pursue it further. With all the money I just spent in shipping charges, I could have put a downpayment on a brand new unit (not dbx Once I get that second Luna box - I'll be rockin' man. Thanks again for your help!

No actually there are always issues getting multiple digital devices to lock sync, and as I said, the best (only-- in some cases) solution is to run WordClock off a master clock.

However plugging the output from the DBX into the pod and the pod into the Luna, may change the clock enough for it to work. Not sure that's the signal chain you'd prefer to be using of course, nor if that idea will work, but once you get your Luna back try it.

Uhh.. OK I'm not entirely sure I understand the concept of running the dbx output through the Pod unit. First of all, neither the dbx nor the Pod have SPDIF inputs. Are you suggesting that I take the analog outs from the dbx, run them into the Pod and then take the SPDIF out of the Pod into Luna?

There's more...

The dbx has separate BNC I/O's for word clock. So, if I understand, I could use the dbx as a master (word clock out) or as a slave (word clock in). Would this help do you think? How would I make this type of connection to Luna? Am I running the dbx SPDIF output to Luna SPDIF input and then a second cable from the dbx BNC word clock output to.... what?

In fgact you would need the Wordclock i/o expansion plate from creamware.

Hmm, I figured the rack-pod would have SPDIF input, but I guess most effects boxes don't (I get spoiled with Pulsar in this respect..)

You would need the SyncPlate ($200 from your dealer) to get WordClock on your PC, and I probably wouldn't clock your studio off the DBX...

And don't forget the sync plate covers a slot so if you are using all your PCI and ISA slots you can't use it. I have two devices. The sync plate and a second set of USB ports that do this. Thus even though I have 6 PCI slots I can only use 4 of them because two are covered up by devices that don't even use a slot. There are 7 rectangular openings in my case including the the 6 PCI and one AGP. To use everything I would neen 9 retangular openings. I searched the net and I have never seen a case with more than 7 except one made for two motherboards and costs $900.00 for just the case! I am told there are 7 because that is the ATX standard. It wouldn't cost any extra to have a couple more holes. Cutting more holes in the case seems like it might be difficult. It would of been better if Creamware made the sync plate a USB device but I guess that would be more technically difficult.