Problem with Scarlett 18i8 "ADAT" Inputs

[mcknigs]

I have a Scarlett 18i8. It has an optical input to take in 8 "ADAT" channels. In the manual they talk about using it with other Scarlett products but I'm assuming I can use it to input audio, via Toslink cable, from an actual blackface ADAT deck, for the purpose of transferring old ADAT tapes.

I'm playing a tape. I've verified that I can bring audio in from the ADAT analog out to the Scarlett analog in. When I tell the Scarlett Mix Control program to use the ADAT (optical) inputs I get nothing. The Toslink cable is brand new, untested, could be bad I suppose. Other than that, is there anyone with familiarity with the Scarlett Mix Control program and/or ADAT decks who has suggestions as to what I can do to get this to work?

Thanks,
-Scott

 

[boz_h]

I have the Saffire PRO 24, which is a similar product (uses Firewire instead of USB), I have an ADA8000 (ADAT interface) connected to it. Have you set one of the devices to be the Master clock source (in my case the ADA8000) and the other to Slave?

 

[mcknigs]

I've tried that. It doesn't have any effect. What I'm getting now is little pops corresponding to loud signals on the tape.

 

[jammybastard]

I've tried that. It doesn't have any effect. What I'm getting now is little pops corresponding to loud signals on the tape.

That means you don't have word clock sync.
Which device did you select as the master clock?

So you have 2 issues.
Routing your signal from the adat through the Scarlett
and getting them in sync.

My suggestion:
Google: "Scarlett 18i8 to adat sync"
Visit the Focusrite forums/customer service.
Ask on a recording forum, not a guitar forum, where people actually deal with things like this day to day.
www.gearslutz.com or the forum at Tapeop.com: http://messageboard.tapeop.com/

Good luck.

 

[jmoose]

I can probably walk you through whatever it is... the focusrite mix panel is NOT the most intuitive thing so it may take some back & forth here. Did you solve the audio problem? Its there now but with clicks & pops?

The ADAT sample rate default is 48kHz & most likely your tapes were recorded there... on boot the Focusrite defaults to 44.1kHz. In the Mix Control panel (focusrite software) on the lower right side in the 'master' section, scroll through the synch options & try slaving to the ADAT/lightpipe inputs. You may also have to manually reset the clock to 48kHz but that should alleviate the issue.

If it IS a clock issue you'll get ticks & pops even with no signal... be sure they weren't recorded like that!

If there's no signal in general, going to the DAW we'll have to examine the routing and channel assignments in both the focusite mix and the DAW software and setup the virtual patchbay...

 

[jetubb]

I too am having this issue. The 18i8 does not have an adat out to send time clock. Never had the problem on my old digi01. Both are set at 44.1k and still have the issue. Even tried 48k. I do have it set to lock master though since it can't get a TC in. Any ideas? Using a behringer 8000 and its useless

 

[mcknigs]

I too am having this issue. The 18i8 does not have an adat out to send time clock. Never had the problem on my old digi01. Both are set at 44.1k and still have the issue. Even tried 48k. I do have it set to lock master though since it can't get a TC in. Any ideas? Using a behringer 8000 and its useless

I don't recall what I did to solve this problem but I think I ended up just going analog out of the ADAT to the analog ins of the 18i8.

 

[Astronaut FX]

Need to use 48k. That's what I had to do with my Behringer to get it to work.