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Collaboration, Voice & AV · Advanced

Audio Clock Synchronization

Ensuring all digital audio devices sample at exactly the same rate from a shared reference to avoid clicks and dropouts.

Definition

Digital audio systems require a single leader clock, distributed by word clock, embedded in AES3 or delivered over the network with PTP in Dante, AES67 and AVB. Devices running on independent clocks drift, causing periodic clicks, pops or dropouts. Dante automatically elects a leader clock, though administrators can set a preferred leader.

Example

Clicks every few seconds disappear after the DSP is set to follow the Dante network clock.

Exam tip

One leader clock per system; mismatched sample rates or clocks cause clicks.

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