Pro Tools Setup:
On the Pro Tools Hardware Setup page (click Setup > Hardware), select each RedNet 5 unit in turn and click the Set to Default button. This will ensure that the RedNet 5 is correctly configured for use with Pro Tools. Note that this action is not required when using RedNet 5 for the first time, as the unit was correctly pre-configured at time of manufacture.
RedNet 5 units will use the same sample rate that the Pro Tools session is running at. It is important that any devices routed to or from RedNet 5 are also set to the same sample rate. In simple systems, where the entire network is running atthe same sample rate, RedNet Control can be used to globally change the sample rate of all units. If a more complex system is in use, where different units are running at different sample rates, please ensure that the units’ sample rates are correctly set using Dante Controller.
Using RedNet 5 with other Pro Tools|HD interfaces
RedNet 5 interfaces may be freely intermixed with otherPro Tools|HD I/O audio interfaces. However, it is important to remember that each Pro Tools|HD I/O audio interface allows for 16 channels bidirectionally, whereas a RedNet 5 allows for 32 channels.
In most situations, RedNet 5 will be connected directly to a DigiLink port on the Pro Tools|HD or HDX card and will be used in Primary Mode (full 32 channel operation). However, if a free port is not available,then RedNet 5 can be used in Expansion Mode. This mode reduces the available channels in RedNet 5 to 16 and permits the connection of an existing 16 channel Pro Tools|HD interface to its EXPANSION port; therefore providing a combined total of 32 channels at the HD or HDX card’s port.
This is achieved by selecting Expansion Mode in RedNet Control. See page 18 of the RedNet 5 User Guide for more details.
When connecting devices in Expansion Mode, the Pro Tools|HD card should be connected to the PRIMARY port of the first interface. Its Expansion port should then connect to the PRIMARY port of the second interface. See below:
Setting the clock source:
IMPORTANT - The diagrams in the preceding section only illustrate the DigiLink interconnections between system elements. However, consideration must also be given to word clock source and routing. It is very important to arrange word clock routing correctly when using multiple I/O units. The rules for setting clock source depend on the complexity of the system being implemented. They are explained by the following four examples, which collectively cover almost every likely interconnection situation.
Situation 1 - Single Pro Tools system with RedNet 5s only:
In this situation, one or more RedNet 5 units are the only audio interfaces on the Pro Tools system.
1. Any of the RedNet units may be selected in RedNet Control as the network master, but it is recommended that one of the RedNet 5 units is chosen.
2. In Pro Tools, any of the RedNet 5s may be selected to be the clock source, but it is recommended that the unit set as the RedNet network master in Step 1 should also be the Pro Tools clock source.
Situation 2 – Single Pro Tools system with both RedNet 5s and other Pro Tools interfaces:
Pro Tools|HD I/O audio interfaces may be used as audio I/O on the same Pro Tools system as RedNet 5s. Choose the audio interface you wish to be the clock source. This may be either a RedNet 5 or a Pro Tools audio interface.
If a RedNet 5 is to be the clock source:
1. It is recommended that the same Rednet 5 is set in RedNet Control as the RedNet network
2. Connect a BNC cable between the LOOP SYNC OUT of any of the RedNet 5s to the LOOP SYNC IN of one ofthe Pro Tools audio interfaces.
3. Connect additional BNC cables between the LOOP SYNC OUT of the ‘first’ Pro Tools|HD I/O audio interface and the other Pro Tools interfaces, in the usual ‘daisy-chain’ manner.
If a Pro Tools|HD I/O audio interface is to be the clock source:
1. Connect a BNC cable between the LOOP SYNC OUT of one of the Pro Tools interfaces to the LOOP SYNC IN of one RedNet 5. No daisy-chaining is required, as any other RedNet 5s will be synchronised via their Ethernet connections.
2. In RedNet Control, set the RedNet 5 in Step 1 as the network master.
3. Also in RedNet Control, setthe clock source for this same unit to “Loop Sync”.
Situation 3 – Single Pro Tools system with RedNet 5s (other Pro Tools interfaces optional), where
another RedNet unit is the clock master:
In this system, another RedNet interface on the RedNet network is the clock master (i.e., not a RedNet 5). For example, this situation might arise if there is also a RedNet 3 resolving its clock from an audio input or word clock input.
1. In RedNet Control, set the relevant RedNet unit as the clock master in the Tools menu.
2. A RedNet 5 unit must be selected as the Pro Tools clock source. In the Pro Tools Hardware Setup window, set Clock Source to Internal for one RedNet 5.
3. If there are also non RedNet 5 Pro Tools interfaces in the system, connect LOOP SYNC OUT on one RedNet 5 to LOOP SYNC IN of a Pro Tools interface, and daisy-chain any subsequent units in the usual manner.
Situation 4 – Multiple Pro Tools systems, each with RedNet 5s:
The guiding rule here is:
• One of the Pro Tools systems may be configured as described for any of Situations 1, 2 or 3
• All other Pro Tools systems must be set up as described in Situation 2, with one of the RedNet 5s on each being assigned as the clock master.
It is important to note that when more than one Pro Tools system is connected to the RedNet network, all audio routing must be conducted using Dante Controller instead of RedNet Control. For audio to be transferred between Pro Tools systems, all the systems must be set to run at the same sample rate.
As always if you have any questions or concerns, please use the "Contact Us" link at the top of this page.