“Word clock” is a high-resolution digital signal used to control the sample rate of a piece of gear, or the speed at which digital words are transmitted. It is an essential component in digital audio systems and is used to synchronize the timing of different devices in the system.
In digital audio systems, the sample rate refers to the number of times per second that a device samples the audio signal. Each device in the system must be operating at the same sample rate in order to avoid audio artifacts such as clicks, pops, and phase inconsistencies. The word clock signal is used to ensure that the sample rate of all devices is perfectly in sync, resulting in high-quality audio.
The word clock signal is typically transmitted using a BNC cable, which is a standard cable used in professional audio equipment. Devices that are equipped with word clock inputs and outputs can be connected to each other using this cable. Some devices also have the ability to generate their own word clock signal, which can be used to synchronize other devices in the system.
Additional uses
In addition to synchronizing sample rates, word clock can also be used to control the speed at which digital words are transmitted. This is particularly important in systems that use digital audio over Ethernet (AoE) protocols, as it ensures that all devices in the system are able to receive and transmit data at the same speed. This guarantees that there is no delay or jitter in the data transmission which is essential for high-quality audio.
The word clock signal is a very precise digital signal, with a frequency of around 44.1kHz or 48kHz. This high precision is essential for ensuring accurate synchronization of the sample rates in the system. The word clock signal also needs to be very stable, with minimal jitter, as even small variations in the timing of the signal can cause audible artifacts in the audio.
Conclusion
In summary, a word clock is a high-resolution digital signal that is used to control the sample rate of a piece of gear, or the speed at which digital words are transmitted. It is an essential part of any digital audio system, as it ensures that all devices are perfectly synced, resulting in high-quality audio. The word clock signal is typically generated by a master clock, distributed to all other devices in the system, and transmitted using a BNC cable. It is also used to control the speed of digital words transmission in digital audio over Ethernet protocols and is a crucial element in achieving high-quality audio in digital audio systems.