More sync questions. “I have a Tascam DA88, Opcode Studio 64XTC, Cakewalk Pro Audio 8, and I am planning to buy the MOTU 2408. How do I synchronize the DA88 to 64XTC and link DA88 to MOTU?”
There are actually a few ways to skin this cat. You didn’t say whether your DA88 has an SY88 in it so I will assume it does not. In that case we recommend adding the MOTU DTP when you get your 2408 system. By using it to drive the DA88 (it connects directly to the proprietary DA88 sync port) you will always have very accurate synchronization between the DA88 and 2408 (handy when transferring tracks back and forth). The DTP will handle all word clock issues and be the master clock source for the DA88 and the 2408. Remember, as we’ve said up here many times, the main concern with digital audio is that all devices be driven by one master clock. Once you have that worked out the only remaining issue is to make sure the machines locate to the same place before playing/recording. If they do, being slaved to the common word clock will keep them in sync. In this scenario your Opcode interface will no longer need to be in the sync loop. You will be able to issue MMC commands from Cakewalk, which will trigger the DTP to cause the DA88 to locate and play from any spot you specify. Since the DA88 and 2408 are slaved to the master clock in the DTP they will stay in sync.
If you do have an SY88 installed (perhaps you were using it to drive your Studio 64XTC), you don’t really have to have the DTP. You can simply connect MIDI between the SY88 and the interface. You will be able to issue MMC commands from Cakewalk as above and have Cakewalk and the DA88 sync via MTC. The extra wrinkle of the 2408 is pretty easy to deal with at this point. By connecting the 2408 to the DA88’s TDIF (for digital transfer) and slaving the DA88 clock to the 2408 you effectively have a similar scenario to the one above. As long as the clocks are tied together the machines will play in sync. The MMC and MTC data will take care of locating them properly.
The solutions vary somewhat if you’re using a DA38 or DA98, but the principles are the same. I remember when it took a physics degree and $15,000 of hardware to sync two devices together (and not all that accurately). This was not all that long ago. It’s amazing how simple it has become.