Hello again
I posted a similar question a few months ago and never received a response so I will try again. (The MO6 is old technology now, but it’s all I have and it’s all I can afford).

My goal is to record the digital signal from the MO6 directly into Cubase.

I have been able to record the digital (sp/dif coaxial) with my Korg D3200 by placing an sp/dif -> Optical converter in the circuit.  I have never had a problem with this setup, but it requires extra time and work to get the digital stereo tracks from the Korg to Cubase (7.5).  I never had to set frequency or word clock.

I bought a Creative Sound Blaster Z series that has never worked (analog inputs are fine) - the digital *signal* has never appeared in any of the apps I have tried it with (Cubase, Sound Forge 11) yet the digital *input* shows up in Cubase and in the Control Panel Sound app.  Creative sent me a replacement, but it hasn’t worked either.

I ordered a Focusrite Saffire Pro14 last week after assurances from the Focusrite tech support that it should work.

After having such easy success with the Korg via the converter, I am more than a little frustrated.  Everything else works fine - I can record MIDI via USB, I can import MIDI files and play them back through the MO via USB, and I can record the analog signal, but I really want the digital output.

I have searched these forums but haven’t found anything that addresses this.  Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated, in particular any experience with the Focusrite sp/dif via firewire.

Thanks…
skintner

Dealing with multiple components in the chain is always a nightmare for tech support - and not ‘only’ because each wants to pass the buck! Problem is no-one except yourself really knows what you have done or not done that’s causing the problem.

We produced a MOX video which does address the generality of your set-up (though not your specific interface of course). Have you looked at that? Also, you would always be advised to make sure you have the latest drivers installed.

Try to explain exactly what you are seeing/not seeing. It’s tough to expect anyone here (nor anywhere else) will have an exact replica of your setup but the more info you can provide the more likely it’ll be that clues will emerge and you’ll be up and running.

Thank you, Mr Motif, for your quick reply.

I think I covered most of my setup in the original post.  To further clarify:

The Creative Sound Blaster Z series drivers and application installed fine.  Cubase sees the Creative ASIO drivers and the analog outputs and analog inputs (mic and line in) work fine.  The digital input and output show up in the Sound applet in Control Panel (win7pro) and in the Devices menu in Cubase 7.5, but show no signal in the Sound applet (Use this device)… the MO arpeggiator is active and sending ARPS which can be monitored on the Korg D3200 but there is no signal in Cubase or in the Sound applet (has the meter).  When I disconnect the optical cable from the Korg and plug into the optical IN on the SB Z series, NOTHING.

I ordered the Focusrite firewire interface because this is the 2nd SoundBlaster Z that I have tried.

I hope this clarifies what is (not) happening.  I will remove and uninstall the Creative card when the Focusrite gets here. 

thanks again for any attempts to help me understand what might be happening here.  I will report back in when the Focusrite gets here and I have had a chance to install the drivers and get it set up.

steve

Hello again
The Focusrite Saffire Pro14 arrived today, as well as 2 new coaxial (sp/dif) cables.

I uninstalled the Creative pos (all apps and drivers) and installed the software (Saffire Mix Control) and connected the MO6 to the Saffire, the firewire cable from it to the computer, and opened a new project in Cubase 7.5 --- went to my preferred Performance, set the arp tempo and turned on the Hold switch.  With the digital output from the MO being the only input in Cubase I was able to record the arp signal just fine.

However, the MO started sending some really scratchy sounds, like ripping cloth or paper, as well as delays in the signal.  I switched to Song mode and started playing the demo songs from the MO.  Delay in the start, scratchy static, skips etc.  (No sign of this anomaly in the analog signal).

I recorded a track in Cubase of the Song output and switched from one song to another, same stuff.  I then shut everything down and tried again, same thing going on.

My guess at this point is that something is wrong with the MO.  So, while I have (apparently) solved the digital recording interface question, I have discovered an issue with the MO that probably means a trip to the repair shop (which I am ill equipped to afford).

I am attaching an MP3 of the track for you professional folks to check out. 

Thoughts and opinions are welcome.

Thanks for all your help.
steve

digital static.mp3  (File Size: 1816KB - Downloads: 610)

skintner - 27 November 2014 12:07 AM

[...]However, the MO started sending some really scratchy sounds, like ripping cloth or paper, as well as delays in the signal.  I switched to Song mode and started playing the demo songs from the MO.  Delay in the start, scratchy static, skips etc.  (No sign of this anomaly in the analog signal).

I recorded a track in Cubase of the Song output and switched from one song to another, same stuff.  I then shut everything down and tried again, same thing going on.

My guess at this point is that something is wrong with the MO. [...]

It’s unlikely that there’s a fault in the MO. The digital output is the same signal that’s fed internally to the D/A converters - a problem with it would affect the analog output as well.

There are a few possible causes of what you described. Sample rate and clock sync possibly being incorrectly set are things to consider.
See http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/me/viewthread/472409/

Please let us know whether that helps to resolve the issue or not, since there might be other suggestions that could be made.

Hi again
Thanks for the replies.

It appears that you are correct about the sample rate.  When in Mix Control, I set the sample rate to 44.1 and synch source to sp/dif, the MO signal sounds great.

However, if I minimize the Mix Control software or bring focus back to Cubase, it changes the sample rate back to 48 and it is no longer “locked”, no signal to the monitor.

I went to the Control Panel Sound applet and set the sample rate to 44.1 and resolution to 16 but the same thing happens. 

Just went to the Sound applet again and the setting had reverted to 48 (one channel) - switched it to 2 channel 16 bit 44.1 and it remains at that setting until I open Cubase - switched everything back to 1 channel 16bit 48, so it’s looking like I need to make some changes in Cubase. 

I will keep digging and try to get this worked out.

Thanks again for all your help - you have me on the right track.  I will post results when/if I get it figured out.

steve

It appears to be solved.

Sure enough, I did some research and discovered that if the frequency and sample rate set in Cubase project settings is different than the hardware settings, it changes the hardware settings to the project settings.  So…

I went to project settings in Cubase and set it to 44.1 / 16 and it stopped re-setting the frequency and sample rate.  I can minimize the Mix Control app and everything stays where it should be.  Hopefully this is resolved now.

Thanks so much to all who responded.  I will stay in touch.

Best regards,
steve

This is starting to get old…

The MO6 digital output is 24 bit 44.1kHz (according to the manual) so I went back into the control panel sound applet and set the record/advanced tab to match exactly the MO.  Mix Control for the Saffire Pro14 allows to set the frequency but there is no apparent setting for bit depth.  I also made the same change to Cubase project settings.  Now the thing won’t stay locked, causing the monitored signal to be intermittent and very erratic.  It drops unexpectedly and then comes back.  Synch Source is set to SP/DIF (MO?) Synch Status in Mix Control goes from Locked to No Lock.  These drop offs are not audible through headphones.

I’m not sure where to go with this now… I am beginning to think I should just forget about recording digital from the MO.

Thoughts?

steve