S/PDIF interface problem, no lock

I have not been able to interface my Lexicon MPX-1 with my Aardvark LX-6 card using the S/PDIF ports provided on the MPX and The LX-6. The Lex manual states that it will only except a 44.1Kb/s clock which I have accomodated, at least I think I have. The LX-6 is handeling 44.1 audio from SONAR 3 just fine until I select the SPDIF option on the card GUI which changes audio input 3&4 to SPDIF returns. The MPX is configured to look for an external digital clock and to send digital audio out the SPDIF port. The MPX refuses to sync to the XL-6 send and indicates a no lock state message. In this state it appears that I also can not pass audio out channels 1&2 on the XL-6.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks

Thanks Dan,

I thought I was just loosing my mind, or what's left of it anyway. When I get home tonight I'll try
your suggestions out. Thank's again for your response.

Dick

Hi Jim,

I wasn't answering theoretically on this one. We have an MPX-1, and I'm very familiar with its SPDIF weirdness (I was really shocked Lexicon stumbled on SPDIF on this model), although I don't have an LX-6, so I could be wrong about its characteristics.

If both the card and FX only accept s/pdif input when in external mode, it can't work. they can't both be clock slaves, one must be master.

You're right, both can't be in external, the sound card would have to be External clock and the MPX-1 set to Internal.

It's unusual for a pro cards s/pdif input to work under the cards internal clock

Hmmm, that differs from my experience. Our MOTU 2408 has no problem being either the Master or the Slave clock, and I'd consider it a "pro card." And all of the other "pro cards" I've worked with have no problem with either mode, so I'd be surprised if the LX-6 did (but then again, I was VERY surprised that an MPX-1 would be so finicky about SPDIF as well - the MPX-1 drove us crazy until we found out everyone was having problems with its SPDIF implementation and that allowing it to generate clock almost always clears up the problem).

In fact, we use an MAudio SPDIF patchbay and have some pretty complicated SPDIF chains set up, and the the soundcards we work with have no problem in either clock mode, even in these setups. But the MPX-1 has problems in External mode whether we go through the pachbay or make a direct connection.

Dan
Cyber Zen Sound Engine
WWW.Cyber-Zen.com

I also have had issues when SPDIF doesn't have an in & an out... Wildman

Is that the problem with the LX-6? I think you are probably right, I could not find a choice for clock in the LX-6. As the manual says..the LX-6 is always sending SPDIF out the connector. It does not refer to a slave option;<

Thanks for the information, might have to work out one of those weird analog solutions.

Sorry, I think the Lynx must have a "re-clocking" circuit so it doesn't have to be set on External to recieve s/pdif input, hence no option. The M-audio, Esi etc stuff does have to be external sync. My assunption of what is "pro" is aimed somewhat low ;)

You're left with the basic fact that the Lexicon won't lock.

I'd be tempted to put a 'scope on the Lex input. Should be a sine wave at least 300mV peak-peak with no DC offset. Then you know it ought to work. - there may be a detector trimmer in the Lexicon that hasn't been set properly.