The remaining interface sockets can all carry digital audio in various formats, and are provided as both inputs and corresponding outputs.
#BIGBEN MINI STEREO MUSIC CENTER GENERATOR#
A forthcoming X-Video card will allow Big Ben to function as a master video-sync generator in sync with its digital word-clock outputs. The X-Firewire card was the first to become available, potentially enabling keyboards, synth modules, and other Firewire-based devices to provide stable clock references.
This is a nice idea and in theory enables the Big Ben to provide reference clock signals for any future format. Moving further left, there is blanking panel for the slot-in option card. The socket is permanently terminated with 75Ω, and the input format is determined by a front-panel menu selection. To the left of these outputs is a seventh BNC socket which accepts an external word clock or a video reference input signal.
#BIGBEN MINI STEREO MUSIC CENTER PLUS#
The first four operate at the unit's selected clock frequency, while the last two can be configured independently to output clocks at some multiple of the clock rate (quadruple, double, half, or quarter the selected sample rate, plus Super Clock or DSD references). Six BNC output sockets to the right-hand side of the back plate carry separately buffered standard word-clock outputs. The Big Ben carries a lot of socketry on the rear panel to enable easy connection with a wide variety of equipment, although, unlike many master clocks, there are no front-panel interfaces to make it easier to accommodate temporary equipment. An extension of this de-jittering functionality is that, when using a reference input carrying audio (in other words AES, S/PDIF, ADAT, or Firewire), the data is automatically de-jittered before distribution to all the other audio-capable clock outputs. Apogee claim that any jitter on an external reference clock is removed to such an extent that it is usually impossible to tell the difference between Big Ben's operation slaved to an external clock or running from its internal clock generator. Many master clocks are designed to run independently, but the Big Ben can be slaved to an incoming clock reference signal (including video), if required. Firewire compatibility is already available, and a video generator card is expected shortly. There is also an option-card slot which can be used to extend the unit's compatibility with future interface standards. Two of the word-clock outputs can be configured to provide DSD, Super Clock, or various other multiple-rate references. It provides six word-clock outlets, two AES outputs, a coaxial S/PDIF socket and a configurable optical port for S/PDIF or ADAT interfaces. The Big Ben is fundamentally a Grade 1 master clock generator able to operate at any of the standard rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz. The name is derived from the widespread association of Britain's Big Ben with accurate time keeping - even though the name actually refers to the large hour-chime bell in St Stephen's Tower at the Palace of Westminster, rather than to the clock mechanism itself! Grade 1 Master Clock
Daisy-chaining clocks between equipment can work in small systems, but propagation delays can become a serious problem in larger installations, and a star distribution of stable time-aligned clocks is a much better solution.Īpogee's latest contribution to this area of the market is the 1U rackmounting Big Ben, which is claimed to represent the state of the art in master-clock design, with clock distribution and a range of interesting features built in. As the level of complexity rises, the role of a high-quality, central master clock becomes increasingly important, both to keep everything in synchronisation and to act as a central clock distribution point. The vast majority of home studios these days will undoubtedly have some digital equipment, and many already have quite complex configurations of hardware and computer-based digital audio equipment. Apogee's new master clock includes their latest clock-regeneration technology, which can synchronise to even very poor-quality clock sources.
0 kommentar(er)
