Lucid Clock Distributors User’s Guide

Word Clock is the timing reference that keeps the sampling rate constant. If, for example, we were recording at CD quality which means the A/D converter has to take 44,100 measurements of the incoming sound wave every second. If the clock isn’t as stable as it should be, then some seconds will have 44,100 samples while others might have more or less. The end result is a less than perfect digital representation of the wave. The clock frequency is the same value as the sampling rate.

Lucid Clock Distributors Data Sheet

All digital audio gear requires some kind of timing reference in order to accurately maintain the sample rate. Because of this, every piece of digital gear has an internal clock. When digital communications are desired between devices, allowing each subsequent unit to control its own clock can and will result in degraded audio performance. This can be heard as “smearing” of the audio, loss of accuracy in the high end, degraded stereo imaging, and even clicks & pops. Controlling all of the sample clocks from one master timing reference eliminates jitter (timing irregularities) and assures the integrity of the sample rate, yielding better sounding audio.

CLKx6 AutoCAD file

In an ideal world, yes. You cable the system up with equal length cables to avoid any delays in getting the clock signal to the target devices. Using mismatched cables could potentially negate the benefits of setting up a central clock system.

Word Clock cables should be kept as short as possible, not to exceed 15 feet.

You can put “T” splitters in, but due to the reflections and increased jitter this may defeat the purpose for having an external clock. Ultimately each device with a clock input should have its own direct connection to a clock output.