Question about I/O on D8B...

[anyhorizon]

Ok Peter, I found a d8b close to me that's for sale, was used in a studio for years but was assured its all in working order. The writing on the STOP and PLAY buttons is worn off, and theres a spot of the white scribble strip that's peeled off, but looks to be in otherwise good shape. It has the apogee word clock card, as well as 3 Opt-8 cards like you suggested.

Now, since I'm not real familiar with them yet, what should I be looking for when I go to get it? Is there a test I can do? Maybe a demo mode or something to verify if everything is working as it should?

Any info you could give me on checking the unit would be greatly appreciated...! Thanks again !

Brian

Gee, that's a biggie! Is it set up and functional at the moment? If so and it has an MTC source that can feed it, I'd recommend getting a hold of "Frolicking Faders" from the database and run it to observe fader performance etc. It's also quite a joy to watch.

Check talkback button to see if it's sunken or not.

Wow, there are so many things and I don't have time right now. Hopefully, the crew will jump in and recommend other things.

Peter

[BrianJ]

Ok Peter, I found a d8b close to me that's for sale, was used in a studio for years but was assured its all in working order. The writing on the STOP and PLAY buttons is worn off, and theres a spot of the white scribble strip that's peeled off, but looks to be in otherwise good shape. It has the apogee word clock card, as well as 3 Opt-8 cards like you suggested.

Now, since I'm not real familiar with them yet, what should I be looking for when I go to get it? Is there a test I can do? Maybe a demo mode or something to verify if everything is working as it should?

Any info you could give me on checking the unit would be greatly appreciated...! Thanks again !

Brian

Gee, that's a biggie! Is it set up and functional at the moment? If so and it has an MTC source that can feed it, I'd recommend getting a hold of "Frolicking Faders" from the database and run it to observe fader performance etc. It's also quite a joy to watch.

Check talkback button to see if it's sunken or not.

Wow, there are so many things and I don't have time right now. Hopefully, the crew will jump in and recommend other things.

Peter

He has it up and running just to show me everything works. MTC, "midi time code"? I doubt it's hooked up to that degree as he's not using it personally. It came out of the studio when they did an upgrade. It has the original box, manuals, disks, etc.etc. but I wouldn't even know how to setup the MTC you're talking about! Also, he did tell me the talkback button is sunk, but does still function when you push it (I don't need this in my setup).....is that a big problem? Like is that a sign of a bigger issue?

Thanks for your time!

Brian

[Crash]

You can operate your talk back with a foot switch so you don't have to use the button. That is how I am set up as I didn't want to wear the button out. It is not a sign of a bigger issue, the sunken TB is fairly common on a console that has some use on it. You will want to get the MIDI stuff up and going if you want to take advantage of the automation on the console side.

[BrianJ]

You can operate your talk back with a foot switch so you don't have to use the button. That is how I am set up as I didn't want to wear the button out. It is not a sign of a bigger issue, the sunken TB is fairly common on a console that has some use on it. You will want to get the MIDI stuff up and going if you want to take advantage of the automation on the console side.

Ok...what would be the easiest way to provide that MTC signal? Could I do it with a laptop and a USB to midi convertor? I could take my laptop along for this purpose...will it work? Any idea on how to make it work?

[Crash]

Hmmm. I am using an HDR and I have had Reaper chase with a MOTU MIDI Express XT which interfaces with my MAC via USB. It has been ages since I did that trick but that was how I did it when I screwed with it.

[BrianJ]

Hmmm. I am using an HDR and I have had Reaper chase with a MOTU MIDI Express XT which interfaces with my MAC via USB. It has been ages since I did that trick but that was how I did it when I screwed with it.

Well, theoretically, would it work? If I hook up the M-audio UNO to the midi in and out of the D8B, could I then use Reaper to send whatever MTC is needed to make the frolicking fader program work? If so, what do I need to setup in Reaper? Is there just a setting of "send MTC" and that's it?

[Crash]

I am not in front of my rig at the moment but I am sitting here wondering why you couldn't just take the MIDI out to the MIDI in on the CPU and see if it starts counting off time code.... You would just loop the MIDI card into itself. Not sure that would work but I would think it might.

[BrianJ]

I am not in front of my rig at the moment but I am sitting here wondering why you couldn't just take the MIDI out to the MIDI in on the CPU and see if it starts counting off time code.... You would just loop the MIDI card into itself. Not sure that would work but I would think it might.

Hmm...are you talking about on the rackmount pc/power supply? Just take midi in to midi out on the pc itself? Don't run any midi cables to the d8b board itself? I have no idea if/how that would work...does the pc have the capability to generate the MTC?

On a side note, this really is just to check to see if everything is working as much as possible. Problem is that not having owned one yet I'm not familiar enough with how it operates. Other than the fader program, is there another way to test things? For example, if I click on the screen to move the fader, it should move the appropriate fader on the board, no? I could check them individually like that. Also, turning all the v.pots and they should show as moving on screen, yes? Those things would give me an indication that they were working ok, at least I think?!

[Crash]

I am talking about the MIDI in and out on the d8b CPU, just to test that the MIDI card is working. You are correct that it can't generate MTC but it can send and receive MMC, so at least you could try the loop to itself to see if it works....I think.

Yep, you can move a fader on the screen and the physical fader should move with it. You can run a fader calibration test as well to see all the faders move to the top and bottoms of their throw. Turning the channel V pots will show on the GUI as well. Look through the manual and get familiar with the basics if you can.

[anyhorizon]

I dunno about the out to in thing. Same device ID and all. Maybe but I'd be wary, particularly with MMC. Sending an on/off code like record ready would just be negated.

Peter