You are hilarious. I loved this review. A few comments if I may. Your audio interfaces internal clock can also be used as a master clock. Using an external clock simply allows you to use a dedicated external clock instead. As a result of the better clock the sound improves. It does not (or rather should not) color the sound. I saw how you struggled to explain the value and indeed trying to explain the benefit is very difficult especially if the person you are speaking to has not used one before. Your explanations about how it impacts the low frequencies was pretty darn accurate. In my experience because the low frequencies are punchier and better controlled the mid and higher frequencies are more defined and I would thin that they also benefit due to jitter being reduced, which affects all aspects of the frequency spectrum. Really nice video. I am using the micro clock MKII.
So I guess the clock improves the performance of your prism converters going D/A for processing and again printing back through the prism. So the improvement in the last six tracks in the album had the clocking magic doubled up over the first six he was hearing. I have struggled to get my head around clocking altering the sound of converters. I’ll have to get my hands on a clock and try it out.
I've been mixing with an Antelope external clock for about 9 years. Despite everyone saying it does not make a difference when mixing in the box I can tell you it absolutely does. A simple test, bounce a mix with your d.a.w. clocking itself and then bounce a mix with the external driving it. The difference is exactly the way you describe it. In short, it just sounds a bit better. Is it several thousand dollars better? Over time , yes. Certain records won't make much difference but when your doing big pop mixes with tons of plug ins it shows. My theory is that you free up your aax or dsp cards for plug in proccessing and the actual audio clocking syncing of trillions of 1 and 0s is done by the external. it's resource management.
yup people fail to understand how important converters and clocking are it makes mixing faster because you can hear things clearer cleaner the plugins sounds better like reverb and eq when i started to use my clock on my lynx hilo to clock my antelope discrete 8 sc i was blown away how much better it sounded more 3D like full and less jitter also analogue gear sounded better going back into the daw some people just cannot tell the dif their lost tho
Past week I've started using a Mytek 8x192 as master via AES with my Apogee Symphony MK2.. bass is massive & tight, mid is clean with lots of depth and the top is silky airy smooth (no harshness). I used to just use the Apogee's internal.. big, big difference very chuffed !!
ok... so you need to have an A to D and a D to A in separate boxes for this to help? Or would it help if you used this in a lower-end all-in-one interface? i was told years ago to pick this up, but i couldn't figure out why it would help me in my current setup... interface, computer, synths, controllers (no compressors or eqs). I didn't go to school for this, so forgive my naiveté, but when you say digital outboard gear, what are some examples of the gear that's getting this clock. and what even is the clock, if not midi tempo--is it the bit depth or sample rate? i want another video elaborating on exactly how this works!
In our testing, with mogami cabling, a quiet good ground, low studio noise floor, a tuned room, and listening in 24 bit, for sure, the clock makes a difference and can be heard. In fact, our testing showed that clocks create different sounds. Yep. And Streky's finding is what we found. A better tighter bass. More transparent. And better stereo imaging. We found some clocks sounded better for guitar based music and others sounded better for acoustics instruments such as piano and acoustic guitar. It's worth testing several to see for yourself. Your ears get used to whatever clock you have, Remember, familiarity is your worst enemy. Listen and compare.
It sounds like some hi-fi madness…. Cables? Are you talking about those WC cables? If you’re talkig about analog cables you should definitely do a “null test” and to Streaky, if you think it sounds different do a null test, with clock and without it and put tracks in same starting position and flip polarity, everything you hear - is the difference you’re talking about. I think clocks are important if you have few converters you need to put in sync together + if you have any digital Fx devices you want to sync together with converters that’s it. I personally have clock and i don’t hear any difference you’re talking about. All i have is stable sync of all my devices like 2 converters and 3 fx processors. And i did “null test” and no dofference.
Hey Streaky, you mentioned not going above 96k in this video (now a few years old). I wondered if you still feel the same way in 2021. I’ve never seen the advantage of going to 192 myself, but I notice the likes of Apple are now streaming up to this sample rate in their higher quality subscription tier, so wondered if it’s likely to become a new standard/expectation when delivering masters. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Hey Streaky! Just a small correction: Its the Mk2 that is about 250£/300$. You are talking about the Mk3’s where the cheapest is 800$, and your XB is 999$, if im not mistaken..
Streaky hey Streaky, would love you to review the focal solo 6be. I’m a big Focal fan and would appreciate your opinion. Keep up the good work. Cheers Matt.
Antoine chabert use them in his studio in Paris, sounds perfect for mastering job, you should contact him. www.google.fr/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.chabmastering.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiF_o6rhurcAhUI6KQKHQ0CCRIQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2HoFIpkxBBamCcQk5KCEV9
I have a universal audio apollo 8 , 16 both unit thunder bolt with upgrated by black lion audio as well as a universal audio 4-710d. Do o still need a clock source and what model brand would you refer. I most track keywords amd drum machine amd some vocals here and their.
Streaky, I'm using an Apogee Symphony 16/16 with 2 x Rosettas 8/8 linked via Toslink & BNC. Are you saying that the Black Lion Clock will improve that set-up? Not to use the Symphony Clock? Thanks
Does it make any difference in the final mix considering that I do not record live but only use samples? Also, I am just wondering if you can test it against a Lynx Aurora (n)'s clock? Truth is I am just wondering if I really need an external clock?! Meanwhile, well explained.
If you are doing the final mix for your projects, and definitely if you master, you'll hear more information in the low-end and much richer stereo image. It's just easier to hear what doesn't belong.
What effect can be if rendering/bounce is just total in the box process, that processor makes. For sure it is only affects DAC/ADC and interconnections between gear.
I would love to hear your thoughts on drum and bass tracks and how powerful they are, i dunno if its the metering i use (studio one, ozone ) but Noisia hold your color remix has short term rms reaching postive numbers which is outrageous right! In general analyzing artists such as mefjus, disprove etc the standard seems to be -3 to -1 rms. Can i expect a mastering engineer to even attempt to achieve this?
Clliipz when client's select the output type from my website. This loudness can be done but at cost of there being artifacs introduced . It's more about sheer clipping rather than limiting. I offer 3 types of loudness when purchasing mastering Streaming. Club playback Loudness wars. 9 out of 10 choose club playback . . But again it's What the client wants and if loudness war is what u desire then I'd suggest creating the track from scratch with lots of soft n and hard limiting.
Basically just food for thought, but if you dont reference making the the mix at these levels then expect a me to achieve this then your probably not gonna like the end result. Im just more curious how this finished product is perceived to a me, im pretty sure ive heard streaky say -6 is "really loud" and then i see my meter's reach -1 , -2 ? Maybe a video on loudness war
I dont understand why poeple hate on this company. Especially gearslutz. I got the xb just to give them a chance and love it. Made my converters sound better.
Wow, perfect timing! I've been looking into this clock. Have been unsure on whether or not I need a dedicated clock. I do plan on adding an extra analog piece (dedicated DAC) in the near future, in which this clock might be very necessary! I already have a 32 channel audio interface, as well as a dedicated ADC. I think this clock would make sense????? Thanks Streaky. Love the review!
SoundWave Trax Yes, but unfortunately my UAD Apollo 16 doesn't hold a lick to my Burl Audio B2 Bomber ADC. I bought these years apart because something was lacking in my Apollo (in my opinion). If I were to buy an audio interface over again I wouldn't go with the Apollo. In which case I probably wouldn't feel the need to piece all of these dedicated pieces together.
Apogee's clock and converters are kind of a matched to give their unique character and sound. If you use any external clock with them, it will change the sound, which you may or may not want. Many high end studios have similar combinations (Antelope 10MX particularly - £6k+ tho) so it may work with your legacy ad16x. AD is best for going into your computer from the analogue world and DA goes the other way. Depends on your set up but usually you need both.
Zab Spencer thanks for your detailed answer, so regarding my setup, would you say clocking the apogee with something like the BLA MK3 is an overkill? Or can it give me better results with the low frequency? Tnanks
External wordclocks are the greatest BS I have ever heard. If you want to link two digital devices, there is always the WC out of one device, and the WC in on the second device. If someone thinks it changes the sound, he should have his ears checked...
Sorry but this is most probably audiophile nonsense, If you didn't test it blindly A/B/C multiple times your "stroy" is nice but it means nothing.You will also need to do measurement of the signal to understand what the clock does or not. I guess all this brands count on it that you want. I'm not surprised people pursued themself to hear changes that don't exist but i will never stop being surprised by how people who call themself engineers excuse themself from being critical thinkers. If there is diffrence in sound it can be Measured, why no master clock brand ever publish tests that shows the improvements?
I love my Prism Converters with the BLA MKIII XB Clock. Fantastic review as always.
Im thinking of buy one for my apogee element and focusrite. Should i buy it or not.
You are hilarious. I loved this review.
A few comments if I may. Your audio interfaces internal clock can also be used as a master clock. Using an external clock simply allows you to use a dedicated external clock instead.
As a result of the better clock the sound improves. It does not (or rather should not) color the sound.
I saw how you struggled to explain the value and indeed trying to explain the benefit is very difficult especially if the person you are speaking to has not used one before. Your explanations about how it impacts the low frequencies was pretty darn accurate.
In my experience because the low frequencies are punchier and better controlled the mid and higher frequencies are more defined and I would thin that they also benefit due to jitter being reduced, which affects all aspects of the frequency spectrum.
Really nice video. I am using the micro clock MKII.
So I guess the clock improves the performance of your prism converters going D/A for processing and again printing back through the prism. So the improvement in the last six tracks in the album had the clocking magic doubled up over the first six he was hearing. I have struggled to get my head around clocking altering the sound of converters. I’ll have to get my hands on a clock and try it out.
Please Streaky,can you share e few bars with Black Lion clock and without it.
Thank you
Streaky what differences in sound could you hear between this clock and the antelope clocks?
I've been mixing with an Antelope external clock for about 9 years. Despite everyone saying it does not make a difference when mixing in the box I can tell you it absolutely does. A simple test, bounce a mix with your d.a.w. clocking itself and then bounce a mix with the external driving it. The difference is exactly the way you describe it. In short, it just sounds a bit better. Is it several thousand dollars better? Over time , yes. Certain records won't make much difference but when your doing big pop mixes with tons of plug ins it shows. My theory is that you free up your aax or dsp cards for plug in proccessing and the actual audio clocking syncing of trillions of 1 and 0s is done by the external. it's resource management.
yup people fail to understand how important converters and clocking are it makes mixing faster because you can hear things clearer cleaner the plugins sounds better like reverb and eq when i started to use my clock on my lynx hilo to clock my antelope discrete 8 sc i was blown away how much better it sounded more 3D like full and less jitter also analogue gear sounded better going back into the daw some people just cannot tell the dif their lost tho
Past week I've started using a Mytek 8x192 as master via AES with my Apogee Symphony MK2.. bass is massive & tight, mid is clean with lots of depth and the top is silky airy smooth (no harshness). I used to just use the Apogee's internal.. big, big difference very chuffed !!
Really please tell me more?
Yes please do tell !
Those rack ears look like wings, that clock can be airborne if there's a breeze about. Time really does fly
What do you think of the new Black Lion Audio Revolution EXP 8x8 AD/DA Converter
ok... so you need to have an A to D and a D to A in separate boxes for this to help? Or would it help if you used this in a lower-end all-in-one interface? i was told years ago to pick this up, but i couldn't figure out why it would help me in my current setup... interface, computer, synths, controllers (no compressors or eqs). I didn't go to school for this, so forgive my naiveté, but when you say digital outboard gear, what are some examples of the gear that's getting this clock. and what even is the clock, if not midi tempo--is it the bit depth or sample rate? i want another video elaborating on exactly how this works!
In our testing, with mogami cabling, a quiet good ground, low studio noise floor, a tuned room, and listening in 24 bit, for sure, the clock makes a difference and can be heard. In fact, our testing showed that clocks create different sounds. Yep. And Streky's finding is what we found. A better tighter bass. More transparent. And better stereo imaging. We found some clocks sounded better for guitar based music and others sounded better for acoustics instruments such as piano and acoustic guitar. It's worth testing several to see for yourself. Your ears get used to whatever clock you have, Remember, familiarity is your worst enemy. Listen and compare.
It sounds like some hi-fi madness…. Cables? Are you talking about those WC cables? If you’re talkig about analog cables you should definitely do a “null test” and to Streaky, if you think it sounds different do a null test, with clock and without it and put tracks in same starting position and flip polarity, everything you hear - is the difference you’re talking about. I think clocks are important if you have few converters you need to put in sync together + if you have any digital Fx devices you want to sync together with converters that’s it. I personally have clock and i don’t hear any difference you’re talking about. All i have is stable sync of all my devices like 2 converters and 3 fx processors. And i did “null test” and no dofference.
Hey Streaky, you mentioned not going above 96k in this video (now a few years old). I wondered if you still feel the same way in 2021. I’ve never seen the advantage of going to 192 myself, but I notice the likes of Apple are now streaming up to this sample rate in their higher quality subscription tier, so wondered if it’s likely to become a new standard/expectation when delivering masters. Thanks for any advice you can give.
Hey Streaky! Just a small correction: Its the Mk2 that is about 250£/300$. You are talking about the Mk3’s where the cheapest is 800$, and your XB is 999$, if im not mistaken..
Does the MKII sound the same or is the MKIII a different clock?
Thanks
any 2022 updates on clocking?
Would you use that clock to clock a Hilo
Beautiful looking speakers, Focals? Any review on those coming?
SoniclayersMusic yep will review after I’ve let them settle in...they look mega in here.
Streaky hey Streaky, would love you to review the focal solo 6be. I’m a big Focal fan and would appreciate your opinion. Keep up the good work. Cheers Matt.
Antoine chabert use them in his studio in Paris, sounds perfect for mastering job, you should contact him. www.google.fr/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.chabmastering.com/&ved=2ahUKEwiF_o6rhurcAhUI6KQKHQ0CCRIQFjAAegQIAxAB&usg=AOvVaw2HoFIpkxBBamCcQk5KCEV9
I have a universal audio apollo 8 , 16 both unit thunder bolt with upgrated by black lion audio as well as a universal audio 4-710d. Do o still need a clock source and what model brand would you refer. I most track keywords amd drum machine amd some vocals here and their.
I use Antelope Audio Isochrone OCX
Too bad Antelope refuses to print their jitter specs. Probably cuz people would stop buying their clocks.
How do you think Dangerous audio Convert-AD+?
Do you think the black lion is better than the antelope ocx v. I’m still on the Big Ben. Lol
Hey streaky ,, do you like the Hilo or the black lion
Those speakers look absolutely gorgeous. I'm taking you are reviewing them?
Now I gotta grab this too
If I buy this clock to my Old motu 24io, would i have the same improvement?
clocking externally not improving anything. no test ever supported this. it's all sank oil
Where did you get those rackears? I can't find any.
Hello Streaky. You changed speaker often on youtube channel. Did you use all of them for your work? If yes, would they change your perspective?
Streaky, I'm using an Apogee Symphony 16/16 with 2 x Rosettas 8/8 linked via Toslink & BNC. Are you saying that the Black Lion Clock will improve that set-up? Not to use the Symphony Clock? Thanks
Yes, it will improve if you use it with bnc cables, which have the lowest jitter from the rest of the connections.
Hi, BLA MK3 XB or Grimm CC2, any advise? Thanks.
Have you ever tried using your smart TV HDMI as a clock 🤫?
Does it make any difference in the final mix considering that I do not record live but only use samples? Also, I am just wondering if you can test it against a Lynx Aurora (n)'s clock? Truth is I am just wondering if I really need an external clock?! Meanwhile, well explained.
If you are doing the final mix for your projects, and definitely if you master, you'll hear more information in the low-end and much richer stereo image. It's just easier to hear what doesn't belong.
a piece of music comparaison would have been a good idea don't you think..
Can you make a video about your Top 10 Loudspeaker ? (from the Pro Audio & Hifi scene)
does it have any effect on 'in the box' bounces or only when using a DAC? Great video again!
What effect can be if rendering/bounce is just total in the box process, that processor makes. For sure it is only affects DAC/ADC and interconnections between gear.
infosmartsound thanks
Any major sonic difference between the cheaper BLA Mk II and the BLA Mk III according to you ?
Can you put a sample track up
you use the sopras for mastering / mixing?
Chris W just mastering for me
@@Streaky_com Do you use a prism or Lynx Hilo for mastering
I would love to hear your thoughts on drum and bass tracks and how powerful they are, i dunno if its the metering i use (studio one, ozone ) but Noisia hold your color remix has short term rms reaching postive numbers which is outrageous right! In general analyzing artists such as mefjus, disprove etc the standard seems to be -3 to -1 rms. Can i expect a mastering engineer to even attempt to achieve this?
Clliipz when client's select the output type from my website. This loudness can be done but at cost of there being artifacs introduced .
It's more about sheer clipping rather than limiting.
I offer 3 types of loudness when purchasing mastering
Streaming.
Club playback
Loudness wars.
9 out of 10 choose club playback . . But again it's What the client wants and if loudness war is what u desire then I'd suggest creating the track from scratch with lots of soft n and hard limiting.
Basically just food for thought, but if you dont reference making the the mix at these levels then expect a me to achieve this then your probably not gonna like the end result. Im just more curious how this finished product is perceived to a me, im pretty sure ive heard streaky say -6 is "really loud" and then i see my meter's reach -1 , -2 ? Maybe a video on loudness war
-6 is loud .. and is more than enough to kick ass in a club but there's people out there that feel the need to go stupidly loud ...
I dont understand why poeple hate on this company. Especially gearslutz. I got the xb just to give them a chance and love it.
Made my converters sound better.
They never publish test that shows the improvement. it's snake oil but whoever spend the money will never believe it.
nice focal sopra's :- )
Short answer is, no, you don't need one because most people won't use more than one digital interface. Which is fine.
Wow, perfect timing! I've been looking into this clock. Have been unsure on whether or not I need a dedicated clock. I do plan on adding an extra analog piece (dedicated DAC) in the near future, in which this clock might be very necessary! I already have a 32 channel audio interface, as well as a dedicated ADC. I think this clock would make sense????? Thanks Streaky. Love the review!
Yeah would be good for sync'ing it all together down the line
It would be smarter to just use one interface for everything. That shouldn't constitute a reduction in sound quality these days.
SoundWave Trax Yes, but unfortunately my UAD Apollo 16 doesn't hold a lick to my Burl Audio B2 Bomber ADC. I bought these years apart because something was lacking in my Apollo (in my opinion). If I were to buy an audio interface over again I wouldn't go with the Apollo. In which case I probably wouldn't feel the need to piece all of these dedicated pieces together.
Damn, new studio setup ? Are you still in London ?
BoilingJD I now have a space at Pinewood Studios just outside West London...
when did you move? I just found your channel and understood you had come to be very certain of the sound of your old room- how's the new place?
Hi, I use Apogee ad16x, does it convert less better? Do you need DA or AD to get results?
Thanks
Apogee's clock and converters are kind of a matched to give their unique character and sound. If you use any external clock with them, it will change the sound, which you may or may not want. Many high end studios have similar combinations (Antelope 10MX particularly - £6k+ tho) so it may work with your legacy ad16x. AD is best for going into your computer from the analogue world and DA goes the other way. Depends on your set up but usually you need both.
Zab Spencer thanks for your detailed answer, so regarding my setup, would you say clocking the apogee with something like the BLA MK3 is an overkill? Or can it give me better results with the low frequency?
Tnanks
Hahaha told ya! BLA are geniuses and the absolute best value!
Thank you, no clock for me, my Casio works just fine. 😎
External wordclocks are the greatest BS I have ever heard. If you want to link two digital devices, there is always the WC out of one device, and the WC in on the second device. If someone thinks it changes the sound, he should have his ears checked...
Found the troll.
i dont need no clock, michael schumacher LOL
Sorry but this is most probably audiophile nonsense, If you didn't test it blindly A/B/C multiple times your "stroy" is nice but it means nothing.You will also need to do measurement of the signal to understand what the clock does or not.
I guess all this brands count on it that you want.
I'm not surprised people pursued themself to hear changes that don't exist but i will never stop being surprised by how people who call themself engineers excuse themself from being critical thinkers. If there is diffrence in sound it can be Measured, why no master clock brand ever publish tests that shows the improvements?
6 minutes of a guy talking. 🙄
Robert Wright You must really hate podcasts or audiobooks.