Six BNC output sockets to the right-hand side of the back plate carry separately buffered standard word-clock outputs. The Big Ben carries a lot of socketry on the rear panel to enable easy connection with a wide variety of equipment, although, unlike many master clocks, there are no front-panel interfaces to make it easier to accommodate temporary equipment. An extension of this de-jittering functionality is that, when using a reference input carrying audio (in other words AES, S/PDIF, ADAT, or Firewire), the data is automatically de-jittered before distribution to all the other audio-capable clock outputs.
Apogee claim that any jitter on an external reference clock is removed to such an extent that it is usually impossible to tell the difference between Big Ben's operation slaved to an external clock or running from its internal clock generator. Many master clocks are designed to run independently, but the Big Ben can be slaved to an incoming clock reference signal (including video), if required.
BIGBEN MINI STEREO MUSIC CENTER GENERATOR
Firewire compatibility is already available, and a video generator card is expected shortly. There is also an option-card slot which can be used to extend the unit's compatibility with future interface standards. Two of the word-clock outputs can be configured to provide DSD, Super Clock, or various other multiple-rate references. It provides six word-clock outlets, two AES outputs, a coaxial S/PDIF socket and a configurable optical port for S/PDIF or ADAT interfaces. The Big Ben is fundamentally a Grade 1 master clock generator able to operate at any of the standard rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz.
The name is derived from the widespread association of Britain's Big Ben with accurate time keeping - even though the name actually refers to the large hour-chime bell in St Stephen's Tower at the Palace of Westminster, rather than to the clock mechanism itself! Grade 1 Master Clock Daisy-chaining clocks between equipment can work in small systems, but propagation delays can become a serious problem in larger installations, and a star distribution of stable time-aligned clocks is a much better solution.Īpogee's latest contribution to this area of the market is the 1U rackmounting Big Ben, which is claimed to represent the state of the art in master-clock design, with clock distribution and a range of interesting features built in. As the level of complexity rises, the role of a high-quality, central master clock becomes increasingly important, both to keep everything in synchronisation and to act as a central clock distribution point. The vast majority of home studios these days will undoubtedly have some digital equipment, and many already have quite complex configurations of hardware and computer-based digital audio equipment. “At the present rate, it will be 10,000 years before we reach that,” he added, referring to comparisons with the tower in Pisa, Italy.Įven so, the tilt might now be just about visible to the naked eye.Apogee's new master clock includes their latest clock-regeneration technology, which can synchronise to even very poor-quality clock sources. “We’re talking about unbelievably small movements,” said John Burland, an engineering professor at Imperial College London who has been involved in the study on the tower. Like many old buildings, its position has been shifting imperceptibly for years due to environmental factors such as seasonal temperature and moisture level changes. The clock tower - colloquially known as Big Ben after its massive bell - has been slightly off centre since it was erected in the mid-19th century. It would take thousands of years before the London landmark’s tilt matches that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The 96-meter tower is leaning in the northwest direction at an angle of 0.26 degrees, according to a report from 2009 that was recently obtained by the Sunday Telegraph through a Freedom of Information request.īut there’s no cause for alarm, experts said. Documents recently published by Britain’s Parliament show that the top of its gilded spire is nearly half a meter out of line. Experts say the neogothic clock tower - one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks - is gently leaning to one side.
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