Synchronization and Signal Routing in Hybrid Studio Setup
I hope you’re doing well.
I am an independent music label, and I am in the process of integrating my Allen & Heath Xone:96 into my recording and mixing studio. My goal is to route four stereo buses from my DAW through the Xone:96’s audio interface to take advantage of its analog processing. I then plan to sum the analog signals and send them back to my RME audio interface.
The RME interface also serves as my main interface for outputting tracks, re-recording through external hardware compressors, and capturing instrument and vocal recordings.
My main question is regarding Word Clock synchronization:
Is it possible to synchronize these devices using Word Clock?
Is it necessary or essential to do so? Will I experience a loss of clarity if I don’t?
Should I completely separate the processes, or do you have experience or a better recommendation for this type of setup?
I understand that I could test it myself, but in this case, I wouldn’t have a direct comparison between the two approaches.
I appreciate your insights and look forward to your response.
Hi Romain
The Xone:96 routes and sums audio in the analogue domain. It’s not possible to synchronise the mixer with other devices using Word Clock. In practice, it’s not necessary to do so and you won’t experience any loss of clarity.
Al
What is the role of the word clock in this situation? I am at a loss why it would be needed.
You may need to calculate and adjust for any added latency that the external insert audio path introduces, but that is done regularly without relying on a word clock. But you don’t even need to worry about the added latency if you aren’t going to sum two identical audio signals where one goes through the external inserts and one does not (which would cause phasing issues).
“Yes, my mistake. I may not have been precise enough.
Here’s my question:
If I link both interfaces (96 and RME) together—
• On one side, I use the USB converter of my 96 to route audio into the mixer.
• Meanwhile, I use the I/O of my RME Fireface to send compression/effects as inserts in my DAW.
This setup allows both interfaces to work simultaneously.
Will I experience any degradation in audio quality?
That’s why I was wondering if I need to synchronize them via Word Clock. I’m also using an Apogee AD via ADAT, which I do sync via Word Clock. I’ve heard that synchronization always improves sound quality.
On Mac, I’m going to aggregate the devices to use both interfaces simultaneously. There’s an option called ‘Drift Correction’.
• Can this option replace synchronization?
• Which device should be the master clock?
• Which one should have drift correction enabled?
In Scenario 2, I only use the RME:
• 8 audio outputs into the mixer’s send/return.
• Audio summing and recording done within the RME.
Senario 1
add
12 audio channels daw to mixer ( the 96 da converters)
8 audio out (the rme da converters )
I can use to send/insert hardware
gear in direct into my daw
So big workflow difference
Would this approach be more stable in terms of clocking and audio integrity?”
Do you see a better setup ? Even if it implies buying stuff?
Yes, you can aggregate the Xone:96 and RME in macOS to make use of all I/O on both interfaces simultaneously.
In this case, it’s your call on which device you select as master. Typically for your scenario, use the RME as master and enable drift correction for the 96.
Drift Correction doesn’t ‘replace’ word clock synchronisation, but matches the 96 sample rate to the master clock source audio device settings (i.e. the RME). So, when you aggregate two devices, changes implemented for the master are reflected for any other device included in your aggregate.
Adjustments for the interfaces (e.g. changing sample rate or buffer size for a particular project etc) can also be made holistically within the host DAW’s audio device settings, and will then update the soundcard settings of the RME & 96. In the same way - if you use just the 96 or select this as the aggregate master - changes made to the Xone:96 settings from its Control Panel should be reflected by the DAW’s device options).
Other potential signal latency - i.e. any that might be introduced by routing audio from the mixer into a DAW and plug-ins in your project, and back to the mixer - is normally mitigated by selecting PDC (plug-in delay compensation) within the DAW. PDC determines the delays of all plug-ins, automatically adjusts for them and offsets in-the-box audio paths by the required amount so all tracks maintain the correct relative timing.
Most DAWs include this option, if you use a DAW that doesn’t, third-party plug-ins are available to do so.
It should not be necessary to purchase additional equipment to achieve an optimal setup.
Thank you so much for your time and expertise! I’ll run some tests and follow your advice. It’s great to know we’re not alone on this journey. Have a great day!