adat clock question (for the gurus)

I am running a Tascam FW-1884 and have the clock set to external ADAT,
I am running a Behringer ADA-8000 adat out to the adat in on tascam for the extra pre's.

I am guessing this means I am using the Behringer as the master clock.
Is there a way, and would it be any better to do this but use the Tascam as the master clock??
Would the Tascam be a better clock?

Thanks

ORIGINAL: stratoj

I am running a Tascam FW-1884 and have the clock set to external ADAT,
I am running a Behringer ADA-8000 adat out to the adat in on tascam for the extra pre's.

I am guessing this means I am using the Behringer as the master clock.
Is there a way, and would it be any better to do this but use the Tascam as the master clock??
Would the Tascam be a better clock?

Thanks

You can use a second ADAT lightpipe the other direction or you could hook a word clock cable from the Tascam word clock out to the Behringer word clock input. If it were me I would use the word clock cable.

If the Tascam normally responds to a sample rate change from Sonar it can't if it's clocking from an external source. There is no way for it to tell the Behringer "Hey.. we need to switch rates !". So that's one reason to use the Tascam clock. If the Tascam doesn't do that anyway then no big loss there. However, I would think the clock in the Tascam would be better quality and if you use it then only the Behringer converters have to get the clock from a wire.

ORIGINAL: stratoj

Thanks
Lets make sure I am straight.
If I hook another lightpipe cable the other direction between the two, I can then set the Tascam to internal clock instead of external ADAT and the Tascam will be master?

Yes. You don't have to use any of the audio channels going that direction if you don't need them you can just use it for clock. Just set the Behringer to get clock from the ADAT input. That way you can set the sample rate at the Tascam and the Behringer will automatically start using that rate.

Just a quick comment about word clock source (which might presumably apply to ADAT clock as well??). In Bob Katz book, he says that most A/Ds (except for the very high $$$$ units) do not have the capability in their phase lock circuits to follow an external clock with high accurately. He claims that you are better off on all but the best A/D equipment, to use the internal clock and forgo external clocking to the A/Ds. It appears that the internal clocking in most A/D units is somewhat better than their ability to track an external clock source with their phase lock circuitry. I presume this requires making the A/D system the master in most cases. This isn’t always the best solution (in my experience) for robust synchronization, but it is probably best for audio quality if your equipment permits it (unless you’re in a different economic bracket than I am). ADAT clocking may be a second option when word clock isn’t available. I assume word clock should be the first choice though. Not all ADAT interfaces support embedded clocking (like some Yamaha gear I own), and there is a lot of other info streaming in amongst the clock info in the ADAT serial stream.

That is exactly what I am doing, ADA8000 for drums, and the FW-1884 for vocals, bass, guitar, etc.
It is rock solid system, I have had this set-up for several years and never had any trouble.
While i know there are "better" pres out there than the ones in either of these units, they work great for me.
I have never used upper-end pre amps, so maybe I just don't know what I am missing?
These seem just fine and clean!

GOod luck