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dobro · Posted - Fri Jul 27, 2001 8:07 pm

I had this problem a year ago, couldn't solve it, and gave up for a while. Okay, I'm going to solve this problem now, or I'm going to sell some gear and replace it with something that works.

I can't my Gadgetlabs spdif add-on card to work. Gadgetlabs no longer exists, of course, so I can't contact them. I want spdif so I can process my CEP tracks with my Lexicon reverb unit. The Lexicon unit works (I took it back to the shop and had them test it in front of me). Cool Edit works. It's the Gadgetlabs soundcard spdif add-on card that's the problem.

Here's what I've tried. I did a loop test (spdif soundcard out to spdif soundcard in). I can get Cool Edit to record a new track from an existing track, but the new track has loads of clicks and pops. Each click occupies either the top or the bottom half of the onscreen waveform, but not both. Plus, this only works with the soundcard clock set as master, never as slave. Finally, and interestingly, if I switch the clock setting, I get a CEP error message that says I'm using the format is unsupported and I should convert the sample type to something compatible with the soundcard. If I switch the clock back to where it was, I get the same error message. Reloading the session doesn't change things. Reloading CEP doesn't change things either - I have to reboot the computer, then I can get it to work, although still with the clicks and pops. This suggests to me that it's definitely the soundcard. When I try using my Lexicon unit, I only get the error message, nothing else.

If somebody can help me with this, I can continue to use the Gadgetlabs soundcard, and save myself a lot of money. Otherwise, I'm going to have to ditch the Gadgetlabs card and replace it, or ditch the Lexicon and go with plugins.

jonrose · Location: USA

Hi dobro -

Not sure I can help here, except to give a quick example from my setup...
Using the S/PDIF's on my cards requires that the clock be set to see the incoming S/PDIF signal, which makes sense for proper sync. Since you said you can't even do this, I'm at a loss for suggestions.

All the best... -Jon
:-)

dobro · Posted - Sat Jul 28, 2001 1:38 am

jon, I can set my clock for either internal or external clock, but for some reason, the Lexicon unit absolutely requires than any spdif input to it have external clock - the Lexicon slaves to the incoming digital signal.

jonrose · Location: USA

sbcrockett · Posted - Thu Aug 16, 2001 2:31 pm

dobro-

i will tell you what those GadgetLabs techs told me when i couldn't get my s/pdif card working with my 4/24:

"sometimes the digital I/O just doesn't work on the 4/24. if you send the daughterboard back we will gladly refund your money..."

after trying everything under the sun to get it to work in my system, i came to the realization that it is problably a driver issue and not a hardware problem. i tried every driver available and would notice varying degrees of crappiness. the best i acheived was pops/clicks every 2-3 seconds with very low signal levels.

crazy thing was i could get my SB Live s/pdif working without any difficulty at all! so much for "high end" soundcards.

check out www.rme-audio.com . i bought the digi2496 PST and the sp/dif is rock solid. no pops EVER! goto www.bayviewproaudio.com right now to get it for $299.