Mackie Digital 8Bus D8B v5.1, Owner'S Manual

Page: 138 / 198

D8B Manual • Chapter 4 • page 132
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 synchro-
nization must be addressed; the master and slaves
must be established; the clock rate must be consis-
tent 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.