Synchronization

Before you proceed, you need to make sure that the clock signals on your ASIO cards are synchronized correctly. This is essential when cabling any kind of digital audio system, not just VST System Link.

About This Task

Important

All digital audio cables by definition always carry a clock signal as well as audio signals, so you do not have to use a special word clock input and output for this (although you may find that you get a slightly more stable audio system if you do, especially when using multiple computers).

The clock mode or sync mode is set up in the ASIO control panel of the audio hardware.

Procedure

  1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
  2. In the Devices list, select VST Audio System.
  3. In the ASIO Driver pop-up menu, select your audio hardware driver.
  4. In the Devices list, select the your audio interface.
  5. Click the Control Panel button.
  6. Open the ASIO control panel on the other computer as well.

    If you are using another VST System Link host application on that computer, check its documentation for details on how to open the ASIO control panel.

  7. Now you need to make sure that one audio card is set to be the clock master and all other cards are set to be clock slaves, that is, they listen for the clock signal coming from the clock master.

    The naming and procedure for this differs depending on the audio hardware – consult its documentation if required. If you are using Steinberg Nuendo ASIO hardware, all cards default to the AutoSync setting. In this case you must set one of the cards (and only one) to Master in the Clock Mode section of the control panel.

Result

Typically, the ASIO control panel for an audio card contains some indication of whether or not the card receives a proper sync signal, including the sample rate of that signal.

This is a good indication that you have connected the cards and set up clock sync properly. Check your audio hardware’s documentation for details.

Important

It is very important that only one card is the clock master, otherwise the network cannot function correctly. Once you have set this up, all the other cards in the network will take their clock signal from this card automatically.

The only exception to this procedure is if you are using an external clock – from a digital mixing desk or a special word clock synchronizer, for example. In that case you must leave all your ASIO cards in clock slave or AutoSync mode and make sure that each of them is listening for the signal coming from the synchronizer. This signal is usually passed through your ADAT cables or word clock connectors in a daisy chain fashion.