ADAT crackles on odd channels but not on even ones.

[dante]

I encountered a problem where I was getting crackles and pops over ADAT at 48Khz (from Scope PCI to Scope XITE ).

Seems that if I use ADAT channels 2 and 4 as a stereo pair rather than 1 & 2 or 3 & 4 the crackles disappear and I get a clean signal.

Anyone heard of this ?

[jksuperstar]

Dante,

I'm having the exact same problem. I have not tried S/MUX, but 48kHz has crackling on odd channels, 44.1kHz does not. Z-Link shows no problem with either frequency.

Have you alerted S|C to this bug?

In my case, it is using the XITE-1 as Master, and a rev1 MOTU 828 as Slave. I used the best cables I had (from JimmyV), but it made no difference.

--Justin

[dante]

No I havent alerted S|C because I always thought it was a hardware problem with my PCI cards (by now not worth bothering S|C about because I bought them from Creamware not S|C) and was happy just to work on the even channels.

But if you're having the issue on XITE that's interesting, coz it could mean the problem is on my XITE-1D rather than my PCI cards.

I work on the even channels, and sometimes have to re-sync those (by toggling slave/master switch) to get rid of the slight crackling I get on those.

And yes the issue is more prevalant on 48Khz than 44.1Khz.

[jksuperstar]

I didn't hear any problems at 44.1kHz (once the adat cable was sitting *right* where it needed to be.) I have no idea why they used a shitty plastic connector for ADAT back when it was created...it should have been more sturdy, and inside a locking XLR style connector.

I'll write to S|C tonight, with all the details of the problem, and let them know more than 1 person have seen the exact same issue.


***If anyone else can confirm this, please do!***

[jksuperstar]

Well, looks like we're stuck with only 4 channels working in ADAT at 48kHz on the XITE. If anyone has any success, please post!! I've tried with an A16 ultra, a MOTU828, and a Behringer ADA8000...with 8 cables total. It simply does not work on my box. A16 works full channels over z-link just fine. I hate to say this, but it might be a warning to those looking for more inputs and also want to run at 48kHz.

thank you for your informations. Every XITE is tested with 48 kHz which is the fastest data rate possible.
S-Mux is just sending data in a different way, but on same rate. In a small amount the phase can be compensated
between input and output. Sure we have also tested with Scope cards and A 16 and it is working here.

If not, only wordclock can help. It would be nice if it was always working, but whenever you send and receive
digital data at the same time even a bad ADAT cable can cause problems. The tolerance of incoming and outgoing clock
must be compensated, but this is not always possible.

Regards,
Ralf Dressel

[garyb]

works here...

[jksuperstar]

So you have all 8 channels over adat, at 48kHz? What are you connected to? What is master? are you using word clock?

I'd love to know if there is more to do to get my end working.

[garyb]

pci cards using wordclock in one setup and an XITE as master in another.

[dante]

I think its time I cleaned out the ADAT ports and maybe bought new (better) cables.

I should have tried this way earlier I suspect

Any suggestions for cleaning ADAT ports (on both PCI and XITE) - eg what liquid to use ?

If this works, Ill add it to the troubleshooting guide.

[garyb]

compressed air....

[jksuperstar]

I used a can..on both ports. jimmy can attest to the quality of some of the cables I have...they were his. But I also used the basic cables included with the xite, and another long set.

Next week I'll give it a another go.

[dante]

Ok will try compressed air, earmarked for next time I go to Bunnings.

[Ricardo]

I got it from mitre 10, bunnings didn't have it. $20 a can.

[dante]

I got the WD40 one from Bunnings : and it worked.

http://forums.planetz.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31066