Torpedo VB-101 wordclock question

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Pabloguitar

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Ok, this is probably a stupid question or two, but I just don't know. I searched the web and on this forum but have not found what I was looking for. I just bought a used VB-101 and I use a Digi003+ for recording. I understand the importance of clocking some pieces of equipment together. But is it that important to clock the VB-101 and the Digi 003 together?

Also, there's a big price difference in cables. As an example, I've read where tests have been performed between cheap and expensive HDMI cables (for TV's) and as long as they meet the specs, a cheap HDMI cable is as good as an expensive one (on short runs). Is it the same for wordclock cables. I've seen a Hosa that's less than $10 and others that are $45.

I'm sorry for the stupid questions. But thank you in advance for any help.
Paul
 
There is no such thing as a stupid question. ;)

If you are using the digital output of the VB-101 to go to the DIGI003, they have to be synced.

Both AES and S/PDIF formats embed their clock, so there is no obligation to use a wordclock + AES.

You will have to use Wordclock if you have, say, 10 different digital devices that have to work together, and a dedicated master clock that sends Wordclock.

Finally, if you use AES simply plug the DIGI AES Out to the VB-101 AES In (to send the clock), the VB-101 AES Out to the DIGI AES In, put the VB-101 in external sync / AES and this way the Pro Tools project will be the master of the clock.

About the cables, well, I personally use any kind of XLR cable, the first one that my hand encounters. Of course I recommend good XLR connectors like Neutrik, but the AES format is quite robust and everything will be perfect without going into crazy considerations about digital audio transmissions.

If the cable is too bad, you will experience dropouts in the signal, but it is highly unlikely.
 
Looks like the Digi 003 doesn't have AES, only S/PDIF. So it looks like I'll be going that route and no Wordclock cable required. Would I be using the S/PDIF for recording the tracks into the 003 instead of using the analog in/out? Or would the S/PDIF only be used for remiking?

From what I can see, you can use either the analog outs or S/PDIF for recording. If I use the analog outs, then there wouldn't be a need for the units to by synced, right?

Also, if my assumptions are correct about recording either the analog or digital signal, is one preferred over the other?

Thank you very much for your help!
Paul
 
if you are using analog, there is no need to sync the word clocks

if you use the digital out to daw you will save a d/a and and a/d process as the signal will get converted only once. This will (in theory) sound better and will have a shorter latency (less conversion processes).

You may want to listen to the VB-101 as a converter as well (say for vocals) ie running a mic preamp into the line level input, bypassing the entire vb processing and compare that with the result tracking directly through the 003...might just sound more 3D

Andy
 
Excellent advise. I'm off work on Tuesday and I have a feeling that I'll be playing with my new toy almost all day.

Thank you Andy!
Paul
 
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