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Author Topic: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?  (Read 3109 times)

VoxBoston

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Hey Brad et. al -

I'm trying to understand the practicalities of jitter.

If I have multi-track son recorded using 'ordinary' AD converters into Logic (without the benefit of an awesome external clock)... and now I'm ready to either

a) mix-in-the-box  or
b) mix to 1/2" analog

...should I bother worrying about jitter / reclocking at all?  

Or in other words, is jitter mostly an "on-the-way-in" phenomenon, or is it important at mixdown also?

Thanks!
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hollis

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Re: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2004, 01:59:21 PM »

Jitter matters for real world audio purposes on AD and DA conversion--"on-the-way-in AND on the way out."

There are an infinite number of other factors that will more apparently affect your sonics than jitter--like analog tape vs. in-the-box. I wouldn't stress jitter as the crucial first problem that must be overcome.

That said, you will likely notice the difference between a high quality jitter immune converter compared to your Sound Blaster/etc.
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lucey

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Re: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2004, 04:53:55 PM »

hollis wrote on Tue, 04 May 2004 12:59


There are an infinite number of other factors that will more apparently affect your sonics than jitter--like analog tape vs. in-the-box. I wouldn't stress jitter as the crucial first problem that must be overcome.



for mixing ITB, a better clock will be heard not as much as if you had used the better clock/converter for AD, but it will still be heard.

your soundcard can probably only follow clock on the SPDIF, AES or Lightpipe in.  yes?  so if you have an AD/DA combo box, it can master clock the system.  

for DA only, something like a DAC1 reclocks anything you send it.  this does not change what you have ITB but can make the transfer much better in the mud range and on top
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Brian Lucey
Magic Garden Mastering

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VoxBoston

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Re: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2004, 07:09:44 PM »

Hello, and thanks for the replies.  

Yes, I fully understand the differences betwen in-the-box vs 1/2' mixdown.  Wink

(and I'll probably try summing stems through an external class-A device and see if that makes an appreciable difference vs straight to 2-track).


I guess another way to summarize my question is, do you think it wiser to:

- add a good clock to an average converter (MOTU 2408) OR
- scrap the average converter and get a better one, blow off external clock

Thanks!

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Bob Olhsson

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Re: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?
« Reply #4 on: May 05, 2004, 10:47:57 AM »

VoxBoston wrote on Tue, 04 May 2004 18:09

 ...do you think it wiser to:

- add a good clock to an average converter (MOTU 2408) OR
- scrap the average converter and get a better one, blow off external clock


Scrap the average converter. What you hear determines how you'll set the dials. How you set the dials makes a bigger difference than ANY gear.

dcollins

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Re: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2004, 02:33:37 AM »

Bob Olhsson wrote on Wed, 05 May 2004 07:47

VoxBoston wrote on Tue, 04 May 2004 18:09

 ...do you think it wiser to:

- add a good clock to an average converter (MOTU 2408) OR
- scrap the average converter and get a better one, blow off external clock


Scrap the average converter. What you hear determines how you'll set the dials. How you set the dials makes a bigger difference than ANY gear.


Jeez Bob, can you use more than 25 words to sum up the whole thing?

DC

davidc

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Re: Does jitter matter as much at output (vs. input / recording)?
« Reply #6 on: May 06, 2004, 06:28:24 AM »

dcollins wrote on Thu, 06 May 2004 07:33

Bob Olhsson wrote on Wed, 05 May 2004 07:47

VoxBoston wrote on Tue, 04 May 2004 18:09

 ...do you think it wiser to:

- add a good clock to an average converter (MOTU 2408) OR
- scrap the average converter and get a better one, blow off external clock


Scrap the average converter. What you hear determines how you'll set the dials. How you set the dials makes a bigger difference than ANY gear.


Jeez Bob, can you use more than 25 words to sum up the whole thing?

DC


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