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Symphony I/O Dante – clocking errors reported or clicks & pops heard

Check Clock Source and Sample Rate Configuration

Check the clock source and sample rate configuration of Symphony I/O as described in the KnowledgeBase article below. Carefully verify the Enable Sync to External box as described in the document; if clock source is Dante Network, the box should be unchecked; if clock source is Internal or any external source, the box should be checked.

Symphony I/O Dante Clock Source & Sample Rate Configuration

Check Your Network Switch

Check that all Ethernet cables are firmly connected at both the Symphony I/O and network switch ends.
Make sure you’re not using an “Energy Efficient Ethernet” (EEE) or “Green” switch. If your switch does include these features, consult the switch documentation to determine if they may be disabled.

Reset Symphony I/O

Reset Symphony I/O by pushing and holding the front panel power button for at least 10 seconds, then powering the unit back on.

Symphony I/O Dante Routing

Dante Audio Interface Mode

In Symphony I/O Dante audio interface mode (AIM), routing is simple between Symphony I/O modules and the Dante network. In Dante AIM, the Pro Tools HD connection is inactive.

To set Symphony I/O to Dante AIM from the front panel OLED:

1.Tap Settings (gear icon).

2. Tap the Setup tab at the top of the screen.

3. Tap the Audio Interface Mode button, then tap “Yes” in the on-screen prompt. If the Thunderbolt option card is installed, the button toggles through the available AIMs in the order Dante – Dante + PTHD – Thunderbolt. Thus, it may be necessary to set the Audio Interface Mode twice to arrive at the desired AIM.

Routing Between I/O Modules & Dante Network

Routing is straightforward – Symphony I/O module inputs are routed to Dante Transmit channels, and Dante Receive channels are routed to I/O module outputs. Routing is fixed.

Custom Labels In Dante Controller

It’s recommended to create custom labels for the Dante Controller Routing grid based on installed I/O modules. This will make routing between the Dante network and Symphony I/O modules simple to implement. The labels shown below are based on 2 8×8 I/O modules installed.

If only one I/O module is installed in the Symphony I/O, then Dante Receive/ Dante Transmit channels 17-32 have no connection.

Symphony I/O Dante + Pro Tools HD Routing

Dante + Pro Tools HD Audio Interface Mode

Symphony I/O Dante + Pro Tools HD offers powerful routing options between Symphony I/O modules, Pro Tools HD and your Dante network.

To set Symphony I/O to Dante + Pro Tools HD audio interface mode from the front panel OLED:

1.Tap Settings (gear icon).

2. Tap the Setup tab at the top of the screen.

Routing TO Pro Tools HD

When Symphony I/O is set to Dante + PTHD audio interface mode, it’s possible to route up to 32 channels to the Pro Tools session inputs. The source of these inputs may be routed from either Symphony I/O’s 32 I/O module inputs (when 2 modules are installed) or from 32 Dante Receive channels.

Routing from I/O modules inputs or Dante Receive inputs is set on the front panel OLED in Settings (gear icon) > Setup tab, using two buttons labelled To PTHD 1-16 and To PTHD 17-32. Each button sets two banks of 8 channels: To PTHD 1-16 sets the source for Pro Tools inputs 1-8 and 9-16, while To PTHD 17-32 sets the source for Pro Tools inputs 17-24 and 25-32.

In the example shown below, To PTHD 1-16 is set to Analog 1-8, Dante 9-16 and To PTHD 17-32 is set to Dante 17-24, Dante 25-32. With this setting, the first 8 I/O module analog inputs are routed to Pro Tools inputs 1-8 while Dante Receive 9-32 is routed to Pro Tools inputs 9-32.

To route all Dante Receive channels to Pro Tools inputs, set To PTHD 1-16 to Dante 1-8, Dante 9-16 and To PTHD 17-32 to Dante 17-24, Dante 25-32.

To route all I/O module inputs to Pro Tools inputs, set To PTHD 1-16 to Analog 1-8, Digital 9-16 and To PTHD 17-32 to Analog 17-24, Digital 25-32.

If only one I/O module is installed, then To PTHD 17-32 defaults to Dante 17-24, Dante 25-32.

Routing FROM Pro Tools

Audio FROM the Pro Tools session is routed simultaneously to I/O module outputs and Dante Transmit channels. This routing is fixed.

Custom Labels in Dante Controller & Pro Tools HD

Once To Pro Tools routing has been set, it’s recommended to create custom labels for both the Dante Controller Routing grid and Pro Tools I/O Setup. This will make routing between your Pro Tools session, the Dante network, and Symphony I/O modules simple to implement.

The Dante Controller Routing grid custom labels are shown below based on the To Pro Tools settings shown above.

The first 8 Dante Receivers are set to N.A, or not available. With To Pro Tools configured so input 1-8 are sourced from Symphony I/O modules, Dante Receivers 1-8 aren’t routed anywhere.
All Pro Tools outputs are simultaneously transmitted to the Dante network and routed to I/O module outputs.

In Pro Tools I/O Setup, the custom Input labels shown below are based on To PTHD 1-16 is set to Analog 1-8, Dante 9-16.

Custom Output labels shown below are based 1 I/O module installed – Outputs 1-16 are routed to Dante Transmit and I/O modules outputs simultaneously.

Symphony I/O Dante Clock Source & Sample Rate Configuration

Clocking and the Dante Network

A Dante network offers several unique clocking features that differ from traditional concepts of digital audio system clocking.

For example, rather than requiring the user to select a static clock master, the Dante network dynamically elects the clock master based on a variety of considerations. This is a great advantage when devices may be added or removed from the network – if the elected clock master isn’t connected, the network elects a new clock master seamlessly with no interruption to the system.

The user does have an opportunity to influence the master selection by designating one or more devices as Preferred Master in the Dante Controller application. This permits a specific device to be assigned the role of clock master while preserving the system’s capacity to elect another device as master if necessary.

Also, the Dante network master is able to sync devices at all sample rates, meaning that they can be in sync and co-exist on the network. Note that device sample rates must match to route audio between them.

The Symphony I/O Dante interface offers two audio interface modes (AIM) – Dante and Dante + PTHD. Configuration of clock source & sample rate differs between the two AIMs, as described below.

The Simple Answer: Choose Dante Network Clock Source

Given the special clocking features offered by a Dante network, the simple answer to choosing a clock source, regardless of AIM, is the Dante Network clock source. See instructions below to set clock source in Dante and Dante + PTHD AIMs.

Carefully consider the consequences of choosing other clock sources, as this could complicate system sync and the network’s ability to dynamically elect a master device. If it’s necessary to clock Symphony I/O to the Internal, word clock or digital input clock sources, it’s crucial to make two settings in Dante Controller – choose Symphony as Preferred Master and check the Enable Sync to External box (even when choosing Internal clock source). These settings are made in the Dante Controller > Network View > Clock Status tab.

Configure Clock Source & Sample Rate - Dante AIM

When Symphony I/O is set to Dante audio interface mode (AIM), the following displays and controls appear on the front panel OLED:

1. Clock Source – Set Symphony I/O clock source from the front panel OLED Home View. Tap the Clock Source button, choose the desired clock source in the displayed dropdown menu, then tap OK.

2. Symphony I/O Sample Rate – The rate of the Symphony I/O chassis, i.e. the Main board and I/O modules. The Symphony I/O sample rate is set in Dante Controller > Device View > Device Config tab.

If Clock Source is set to an external source such as word clock, the external source sample rate must match the rate selected in Dante Controller.
A flashing sample rate indicates a mismatch between these rates.

3. Ethernet Port Status Icons – These icons display the configuration and status of the Option card Ethernet connectors.

1 icon displayed – the Ethernet ports are configured in Switched mode – connect either port to the Dante network, then use the remaining port to daisy-chain additional devices.
2 icons displayed – the Ethernet ports are configured in Redundant mode – connect the Primary port (displayed on the OLED to the left) to the Primary network, connect the Secondary port to the Secondary network.
Icon color – when the icon is blue, the port is connected to a network; when the icon is orange, the port is not connected.
Set the Ethernet port configuration in Dante Controller > Device View > Network Config tab. Be sure to power-cycle Symphony I/O after a port configuration change.

4. Dante Sample Rate – The rate of the Dante Option card. If Symphony I/O clock source is set to an external source, the external rate and the Dante rate must be manually matched.

5. Master Status – indicates when Symphony I/O has been elected as the network clock master.

Configure Clock Source & Sample Rate - Dante + Pro Tools HD AIM

When Symphony I/O is set to Dante + Pro Tools audio interface mode (AIM), the following displays and controls appear on the front panel OLED. Note that sample rate and clock source selection operate differently than in Dante AIM.

1. Clock Source, Loop Master – Set Symphony I/O clock source from the Pro Tools application. Unlike Dante AIM, it’s not possible to set the clock source from the front panel OLED. In Pro Tools, choose Setup menu > Hardware. The diagram below shows the correspondence between Pro Tools Clock Source dropdown menu items and Symphony I/O clock sources. For example, to choose Dante Network, select the Optical [Encl] menu item.

Clock Source, Loop – when multiple interfaces are connected Pro Tools HD, one interface is designated the Loop Master. All other units switch to Loop clock source automatically.
If Clock Source is set to an external source such as word clock, the external source sample rate must match the Pro Tools sample rate and the Dante sample rate.
A flashing sample rate indicates a mismatch between these rates.

2. Symphony I/O Sample Rate – The rate of the Symphony I/O chassis, i.e. the Main board and I/O modules. The Symphony I/O sample rate is set by the Pro Tools system.

If the Pro Tools application has been launched but no session is open, the sample rate may be set in Pro Tools > Setup menu > Hardware.
If a Pro Tools session is open, the sample rate is determined by the session and cannot be modified.

3. Option card DigiLink (Pro Tools) Port Status – displays the connection status between Symphony I/O and the Pro Tools HD system. Blue indicates a working connection, orange indicates no connection.

4. Pro Tools Sample Rate – The current rate of the Pro Tools system. If Symphony I/O clock source is set to an external source, the external rate and the Pro Tools system rate must be manually matched.

5. Master Status – indicates when Symphony I/O has been configured as the Pro Tools system Loop master. In a multi-Symphony I/O Pro Tools rig, one interface is configured as the Loop Master – all remaining interfaces automatically switch to Loop clock source and should remain so.

Symphony I/O Dante Troubleshooting

How can I "ID" my hardware Symphony I/O from Dante Controller?

To identify Symphony I/O hardware from the Dante Controller application:

Open Dante Controller, then choose Device > Device View or double-click on a Symphony I/O device label anywhere in Dante Controller.
In the Device View, click the eye icon. Symphony I/O’s front panel power button will rapidly blink for several seconds.
When multiple Symphony I/Os are connected to your Dante network, the ID function allows you to match each Symphony I/O detected in Dante Controller to a specific hardware Symphony I/O.

Symphony I/O loses communication with Dante Controller - Hardware Reset

If settings such as ID and sample rate are made in Dante Controller but not reflected by the Symphony I/O hardware, reset Symphony I/O by pushing and holding the front panel power button for at least 10 seconds, then powering the unit back on.

Once Symphony I/O is recognized in Dante Controller, use the Dante Controller’s ID function to verify that communication has been re-established.

Symphony I/O parameters such as calibration and monitoring aren't recalled when changing between Audio Interface Modes.

Each Symphony I/O audio interface mode has independent non-volatile memory, so parameters changed in one AIM won’t affect the same parameter in other AIMs. In those instances where a consistent setting is required across all AIMs, it’s recommended to note them manually then re-enter them in the remaining AIMs.

The front panel chassis sample rate (displayed in white) is flashing

Flashing of the the front panel chassis sample rate (displayed in white) indicates that an external clock source rates doesn’t match the Dante network rate (in Dante AIM) or the Pro Tools system(session) rate (in Dante + PTHD AIM).

In Dante AIM, ensure that the external clock rate matches the Dante network rate, as set in Dante Controller > Device View > Device Config tab.
In Dante + PTHD AIM, ensure that the external clock rate matches the Pro Tools system (session) rate.

If you’re not using an external clock source but the sample rate is flashing, set Symphony I/O clock source to Dante Network:

In Dante AIM – Set Symphony I/O clock source from the front panel OLED Home View. Tap the Clock Source button, choose Dante Network in the displayed dropdown menu, then tap OK.
In Dante + Pro Tools AIM – Set Symphony I/O clock source from the Pro Tools application: In Pro Tools, choose Setup menu > Hardware. In the Pro Tools Clock Source dropdown menu, select Optical [Encl]. This corresponds to Dante Network clock source on Symphony I/O.

After toggling to Thunderbolt AIM, Symphony I/O isn't recognized by your Mac

On Symphony I/Os equipped with both the Dante + PTHD Option card and Thunderbolt card, it’s possible to toggle between three audio interface modes: Dante, Dante + Pro Tools HD and Thunderbolt.

After toggling to Thunderbolt AIM, it’s necessary to hotplug the Thunderbolt cable before Symphony I/O is recognized by your Mac.

Getting Started Step-by-step with Symphony I/O Mk II Dante

What You'll Need

Symphony I/O with Dante + PTHD Option card installed
Mac or PC Computer running the Dante Controller application – free download at https://www.audinate.com/products/software
Apogee Network Control – optional application for remote control of Symphony I/O via Dante – register to download at https://apogeedigital.com/support/register

Step-by-step

1. Install the Dante Controller application on your computer by clicking on the download package and following on-screen instructions.

2. Using a Cat 5E or 6 Ethernet cable, connect the Symphony I/O Dante option card Primary port to a network switch or directly to your Mac or PC computer. If you’re using a Mac laptop, you’ll need an Ethernet to Thunderbolt or Ethernet to USB adaptor.

3. Power on Symphony I/O.

4. Set Symphony I/O to Dante audio interface mode (AIM) – On the front panel OLED, tap the Settings icon, then tap the Setup tab.

5. If Audio Interface Mode is not set to Dante, tap the Audio Interface Mode button, then tap “Yes” to confirm the change of AIM. If a Thunderbolt card is installed, repeat until Audio Interface Mode is set to Dante.

6. Launch the Dante Controller app – after a few moments, Symphony I/O should appear in both the Transmit and Receive lists.

7. If Symphony I/O doesn’t appear, click the “Reload Device Information” button in Dante Controller.

8. If Symphony I/O still doesn’t appear, click the “Choose a Dante Interface” button and choose another network. If multiple networks are present in the Primary Interface dropdown, choose the first 1G network available.

9. In Dante Controller, click the Routing tab

10. Click the + icons to expand Symphony I/O Receivers and Transmitters lists. Keep in mind that transmitters are signals TO the Dante network from Symphony I/O module inputs, while receivers are signals FROM the network to Symphony I/O module outputs. Audio flows in the direction indicated by the arrow below.

11. Connect an audio signal to Symphony’s I/O module inputs 1-2, then connect speakers to I/O modules outputs 1-2.

12. On the Dante Controller routing grid, click at the intersections of Transmitter 1-2 and Receiver 1-2. Once the subscription (connection) has been established, audio flows from the I/O module inputs 1-2 to I/O module outputs 1-2.

13. Once you’ve verified that audio is passing from inputs 1-2 to outputs 1-2, you’re now ready to connect Symphony I/O to other devices on your Dante network!

14. To set the sample rate, choose Device > Device View or double-click on the Symphony I/O transmitter or receiver label.

15. In the Device View, click the Device Config tab. Set sample rate with the Sample Rate dropdown. You can also change the label of the Symphony I/O in this window.

16. Symphony I/O Transmit and Receive channel labels may be customized in the Device View > Receive and Transmit tabs. Routing is easier when you label transmit and receive channels with their corresponding I/O module input and output names.

On Skype for Windows, I’m getting the message “Your mic isn’t working. Try another one”.

If you’re using Skype for Windows with an Apogee USB interface and see the message “Your mic isn’t working. Try another one”, this most likely indicates a sample rate mismatch in the Windows Sound Control Panel.

Ensure the selected sample rate is the same in these two locations.

Control Panel > Sound > Playback > (Select Apogee Interface) > Properties > Advanced
Control Panel > Sound > Recording > (Select Apogee Interface) > Properties > Advanced

See this Knowledgebase post for more details:

https://knowledgebase.apogeedigital.com/windows/configure-windows-computer-play-youtube-spotify-audio-via-apogee-interface/

How can I get rid of clicks and pops on my Apogee-equipped Windows system?

Follow these steps to eliminate audio clicks and pops on your Apogee-equipped Windows system

Use the LatencyMon utility to check the performance of your Windows computer, as described in this link: http://www.apogeedigital.com/pdf/Windows-LatencyMon-Guide.pdf
ONCE LatencyMon displays the message “Your system appears to be suitable for handling real-time audio and other tasks without dropouts”. Until issues indicated by LatencyMon are resolved, no other measures will resolve clicks and pops.
In Apogee Maestro’s System tab, set the Preferred Buffer Size to a higher value until the problem is resolved.
If the DAW session is stored on the same hard drive as Windows, connect a second high-speed drive and move the DAW session to it.

How do I set up Audacity on Windows for use with ONE, Duet or Quartet?

Since Audacity doesn’t support ASIO drivers without advanced modification of the program, using Apogee ONE, Duet and Quartet with Audacity requires these specific steps:

SAMPLE RATES MUST BE MATCHED MANUALLY in:
1. Control Panel > Sound > Playback > (Select Apogee Interface) > Properties > Advanced
2. Control Panel > Sound > Recording > (Select Apogee Interface) > Properties > Advanced
3. Audacity App > Project Rate
In Audacity, set Audio Host to MME.
In Audacity, click input meters to start monitoring of the input. If no audio is heard, choose Audacity > Transport > Rescan Audio Devices.

My Youtube video won’t play on my Windows computer and Apogee interface, how can I resolve this?

If Youtube or other audio/video playback apps don’t work while your DAW is open, then there is most likely a sample rate mismatch between the DAW session and the WDM sample rate (i.e the System sample rate set in the Control Panel > Sound > Playback > Properties > Advanced). Set the System sample rate to match the rate of your DAW session.