R/E/P Community

R/E/P => Mastering Dynamics => Topic started by: Thomas W. Bethel on September 23, 2015, 01:04:47 PM

Title: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: Thomas W. Bethel on September 23, 2015, 01:04:47 PM
We are transferring some Mini Disc to CDs for a client. We are recording them out of our MDS-JB940 Sony Mini Disc digital using the Tosslink output into our RME 9632 audio card and recording them on Wavelab at 44.1 and 24 bits. We are getting semi regular, very short very low in intensity clicks on the files. Just to make sure we used the same setup to record a CD onto the computer off our Music Hall MMF CD-25 and no clicks or pops. On the MD player we used Tosslink and on the CD player we used SPDIF.  I am wondering if this is a clock issue or something else? Our RME card acts as the master clock and we don't have a separate word clock.

These clicks are very low in intensity and are less than 1 MS long.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance...
Title: Re: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: John Scrip - MASSIVE Mastering on September 24, 2015, 12:44:12 AM
I'd assume you'd need to slave the RME to the MD player.  Unless the mini-disc unit has an external clock connection, it's the only way it's going to work. 

The click/pop/burst thing sounds about right though (for a clocking issue). 
Title: Re: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: djwaudio on September 24, 2015, 12:51:43 AM
Yes, I would echo John's remarks.  The RME needs to sync to the Mini Disc player if you're doing a digital transfer. 

I suspect you'll only see 16 bits of activity on the Wavelab bit scope as well. 
Title: Re: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: Thomas W. Bethel on September 24, 2015, 07:37:55 AM
We do this on a annual basis for this client. This is the first time we have encountered this problem using our normal setup. I wonder why it worked for the past 10 years and now has become a problem? It would be interesting to know if the clock in the MiniDisc player has shifted slightly over time. I have to do some more investigating. Thanks for the replies.
Title: Re: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: ggidluck on October 07, 2015, 11:58:41 AM
I wonder if glass fiber cables would make any difference. Or new ones for that matter.
Title: Re: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: Thomas W. Bethel on October 08, 2015, 07:31:03 AM
I wonder if glass fiber cables would make any difference. Or new ones for that matter.

It was indeed a clocking issue and when I clocked off the Minidisc the noise went away.

Thanks for the help and suggestions.

This is a GREAT resource when having problems.
Title: Re: Noise problems when transferring from a Mini Disc player
Post by: djwaudio on October 09, 2015, 12:32:47 PM
Thanks for the follow-up, and glad it worked out well.