Synchronizers

The M-Audio Midiman Syncmamn Plus is a box for converting time code for video and audio. I've used it for syncing up MIDI and SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) time code, which is probably what most users will be using this for. We have one at the studio where I work, as we do some post production work and need it for these ocassions. I was only there on one session where we were using it, but we have it on hand all the time for when those sort of sessions come up. However, we're primarily a music studio and it really doesn't get used very often. For the session that I did use it on, it did the job just fine for MIDI and SMPTE syncing, but I can't really speak to it's other features since we just used it simply for this. It's easy enough to set up for use like this, but there are definitely some things that I don't know about it. Having said this, if you know what you want to use the M-Audio Midiman Syncmamn Plus for, you should be able to set it up and get it going pretty easily. You're not going to see these in too many music studios, but I would imagine that most post production and audio houses for film and television have something like this going most of the time or when necessary. I don't know the price of this, but if you need it, you need it so it shouldn't make too much of a difference. I can't compare this to any other products in the same vein since this is the only one of it's type that I've used. I'll personally never need something like this at home, but I'm glad I got the chance to use it as I'll know what to do with it in the future...

The Antelope Audio Isochrone Trinity is a next generation master clock. It has 3 separate SD generators and a smooth easy to use interface. But the interface could take a few times to get use to if you are coming from a different type of unit. This is perfect to use with a Pro Tools system because of the Superclock support. You will get sample Rates up to 384 kHz in this rackable unit. This unit does take up two rack spaces though. The appearance of the Isochrone is very modern and up to day looking. It has a sort of stainless steel look to it that will look great in your rack. All of the knobs on the face of the unit are well made and have a nice resistance to them when you are turning them. You can tell why these unit costs so much after you use it just one time. I have only used the Antelope Audio Isochrone about a total of 4 times in a studio that is close by. It is set up to run with Pro Tools Digidesign. It gets its power from a 12V power supply wall plug. The unit does seem to get a little warm if left on for long periods of time, but not dangerously warm and nothing that should cause any concern. It has Atomic Click compatibility along with 3 separate HD generators that each have up to 16 separate formats. You will have jitter free control while keeping everything synced up, not just audio but video as well. I would purchase this unit for my home set up if I truly needed it. I would invest the couple grand that it cost if I needed it. But my home set up is too small for this. But working with it at the studio is great and it has never given us any problems. I do recommend purchasing it if you can afford to have it. The quality of it is amazing and after using so many other models that claim they can do the same thing as the Isochrone, I now understand why the Isochrone is so good and highly sought after.

The Apogee Big Ben is a rackable unit taking up 1 rack space. It will offer up to 192 kHz sample rates and simple real time conversions between any audio digital formats. While using Big Ben you will not have any issues with popping noises or cracking sounds and though this unit might look easy to use because of how smooth the front interface is, it could still take some getting use to and some time to understand just how everything works. It comes with a manual that is easy to understand and comprehend if you want to go that route and read it. The Big Ben analog converter is made to last you a long time, and not to mention it has a flawless design that is made to be shown off. I am very happy that I purchased this unit over a year ago and I still use it very much today. The quality of audio you can get with the Big Ben is outstanding. Most of the products that Apogee makes are well built and stable. I have used many other analog converters, some good and some not so well. But with the 1 video BNC, 1 ADAT optical and 2 AES clock inputs with 6 word 2 AES and 1 S/PDIF outputs you will have all of your clock options to keep everything working together and in synch. A normal issue with some other analog converters that I have used in the past is the popping and jittering sounds it can give you when converting. With the Big Ben I have not had any unwanted noise at all. This unit came out long before I purchase it, but after hearing another local musician talk about the Big Ben I knew that I had to give it a shot. If something were to ever happen to the one that I purchased I would purchase another one right away.