Digital Audio Workstation Setup

Connecting the Digital 8•Bus to a Digital Audio Workstation (Digital Performer, Studio Vision Pro, Cakewalk Pro, etc.) shares considerations with the ADAT and TASCAM hookups. Word clock synchronization must be addressed; the master and slaves must be established; the clock rate must be consistent throughout; and the audio path into the console must be intelligently configured.

Note: A Pro Tools system works best when referenced to Superclock sync source, or when connected to a PDI•8 card through AES/EBU with SRC engaged.

Let’s consider a common computer-based setup utilizing:

•A combination digital audio/MIDI software package

•A MIDI interface

•A digital audio interface with lightpipe audio connections

Cabling and Hookup

1.Connect the Digital 8•Bus lightpipe output, from the DIO•8 or OPT•8 card, to the digital audio interface lightpipe input. Likewise, connect the lightpipe output from the digital audio interface to the D8Bs lightpipe input.

2.Connect the digital audio interface to the computer per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Settings

D8B

1.Open the Setup window.

2.Click “Digital I/O” to open the Digital I/O dialog box.

3.Click each Tape Input and Output box and select the appropriate setting for each card installed.

4. Set the Digital 8•Bus “Samplerate” to match the

computer’s sample rate (typically 48kHz or 44.1kHz). Selecting “Internal” in the Apogee Clock pull-down establishes the D8B as the master. Everything else in the digital chain must be capable of slaving to the Digital 8•Bus.

DAW

1.Set the digital audio interface to follow ADAT optical at the interface input (from the D8B lightpipe output).

2.Connect the DAWs MIDI/digital audio interface to the Digital 8•Bus inputs and outputs.

Note: Be sure to turn on the D8B before any of the other digital components. In addition, if your setup uses TDIF connections, refer to the previous setup scenario for TASCAM-specific settings.

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 124