I'm a d8b newb and need some help please

[Rockroach]

Ok, I purchased one of these, and I want to use this with my Mac and Protools 9. I have a Motu 896 interface, which I think I read somewhere I can use to plug it, but I don't know. What do I need to make this work out? If it's at al possible?

Thanks!

[Crash]

What I/O cards are in your d8b? Looks like ADAT optical is the protocol for the MOTU that will jive with the d8b. You will need to suss out your clocking which means you need an Apogee clock card for the d8b. They are out there but can be spendy if you didn't get one with the console. These were an upgrade card so it is possible that you don't have it. As I recall you can clock with embedded clock through light pipe so you could use the stock clock card but I have found that to be sketchy.

Hopefully someone with more MOTU knowledge will pipe up in a few to give you more info.

[Rockroach]

Looking at it now, the I/O cards show as follows:

Digital I/O 1 aes/ebu digital I/O spdif
Tape 1-8 PDI 8 aes/ebu
Tape 9-16 PDI aes/ebu
Tape 17-24 analog I/O

It has 2 unused I/O bays show named sync, and alt I/O

That's pretty much all I can tell

[FrankH]

It has 2 unused I/O bays show named sync, and alt I/O

Are you absolutely sure there is no card whatsoever in the SYNC slot? The D8B will not operate without this slot populated with at least one of two cards: (1) the "stock" sync card: which limits the D8B's ability to be clock sync'd to an external "master" source, like your 896 or (2) the Apogee Sync card...which has clock I/O connectors available on the back panel.

[csp]

The slot marked "Sync".

If there are BNC connectors showing then you have the Appogee card.

If you can not see the BNC connectors, take off the screws on the cover plate and see if there is a card behind the plate.

If when you remove the cover plate there is a card installed, then you have the standard stock card.

If there is no card in the slot, then you are in big trouble as the console will not work without one of these cards.

Let us know what you have.

David

[Rockroach]

Lol thanks for the info, I haven't taken that cover off to see if there's a card in there, but from what you guys are saying, it's pretty apparent there's got to be one in there.

So then, what do I do? I need a new card? Any suggestions? Or can I plug this card to the 896? Is that what you meant?

Thanks again, I really really appreciate it.

[Rockroach]

Ok i just opened that little sync panel and there is a card in there, however, it shows no plugs or connectors, which I'm sure is ok, but then, how do I conect this to my 896? Aes/ebu? Do i need another card for the connection? Lol sorry for the dumb questions, i just havent seen anything like this, it's usdually something withjust firewire or something, so, i'm completely lost lol

[Crash]

Welcome to 1998 technology.

Your life becomes eaier with one of these cards.

[Rockroach]

Lol nice! How do I find one though? Searched, but nothing

[Casey_Pittman]

Lol nice! How do I find one though? Searched, but nothing

They're kinda rare, so you just have to keep a look out on ebay. And by kinda I mean that sometimes there will be like 3 or 4 for sale at one time then nothing for awhile.

Use this time to study the manual and the database. Especially the part on how to route your signals to and fro. This seems to be the pits for new users. Also I see you said you would like it to work with protools, but you didn't mention what software version you were on(at least I didn't see it if you did). To work with PT you will need V5.1 for it's HUI function. Also read up on that, it's in the V5.1 manual.

Or even better, stick with your motu as your interface don't worry about a sync card or upgrading the software and check out marc's d8bridge software that goes well beyond the capabilities of the HUI mode but doesn't give you any audio functions on the board. The cost of d8bridge will be cheaper than having to buy a sync card for 300.00-400.00, depending on the seller, and new software for 174.00. Just sayin. You can read up on that in the d8bridge portion of the forum.

Now you have even more homework...

-Casey