DL1608/806 Record and playback MF5.1.1

[WK154]

Before I get into the DL1608 Record/Playback let me explain the various DL's and the significant differences for this function for the many DL's. The DL32R uses third party electronics and software for this function nothing like the other DL's. The DL S series is also different in that it uses a USB B port for recording to a computer, nothing internal (with once again a outdated product that at least handles V2 high speed (480)). That leaves the DL1608/806 another implementation based on a PSoC 3 (Programable System On a Chip) from Cypress, a chip I missed identifying in my Autopsy eight years ago of the DL1608. This product in fact handles many functions but as I have always discovered is underutilized in this mixer. It does however only implement the USB 2.0 12Mhz specification not the 480 Mps part, a year 2001 part and USB 3 was already released when the DL was designed (probably around 2010 and released 2012). As such it could not handle 16 channel recording that requires at least 20 Mps. Had the 480 Mps part of USB 2 been implemented that would not have been an issue, at least not by hardware. Stereo recording is certainly not a problem one would think at about 2.5Mps. Unfortunately the reliability of the docked link was and apparently still is questionable. I have not used this for recording and playback for other reason as well as the reliability. Mackie may have over the years improved on this so what is the results.
Using MF 5.1.1 and a standard Lightning connector I recorded 6:38 hrs. of pink noise and stopped it since it was beyond Mackie's published time for 16 bit-44.1Khz CD quality (6:17 hrs.). No disconnect and inspecting the recording with Audacity  looked clear although on playback I noticed a couple of spikes (clip led and meters picked up). Another recording with a 3ft. Lightning extension ran to the end for 7:03 hrs. (4.2 GB)**. Playback worked fine but when completed it disconnected the iPad (2018 Version 100% charged). I did encounter disconnects on a few other tries  with and without the extension. Conclusion nothing has really changed since the 30 pin, the problem now can be narrowed down to the Cypress PSoC 3 code and the LT1938 buck converter (courtesy of the schematics). Any chance of maintaining a connection depends on a full charge of the iPad. My recommendation is to simply forget the iPad channel and move on to something reliable for recording or playback. Some recordings are only a one time opportunity and if its for a client well you know the rest.
Here are some of the past discussions on the docking problem.  http://cacophony.aspinock.com/index.php?topic=498.msg3796#msg3796
and more here.  http://cacophony.aspinock.com/index.php?topic=498.msg3796#msg3796


** As I discovered later it stopped due to a disconnect.
Cheers

[WK154]

A continued overnight recording revealed that the recording limit is far beyond the manual stated one. Apparently someone at Mackie removed the imposed file limit (maybe iPads file system, a deep dark Unix secret called APFS) and allows file sizes to go beyond FAT32 4 GB limit (the manual described one) to 8 EIB (exbibytes). The 11:52 hrs (7.3GB) recording clearly shows that  It did have a few spikes in the recording (not a good thing). It also indicates that the 7:03hrs prior recording above was terminated by a disconnect.

[James91104]

Hi William, myself having been absent for some time from this known safe haven for DL/MF enthusiasts and prisoners alike, it is reassuring to know that you are still on the beat, holding the fort, and still the town crier with authority & creds, all for the benefit of the greater good.
So about the spikes, I am curious to know more about these. Possible link to info or further description of type, possible cause, pic, fix. Cheers

[WK154]

Hi William, myself having been absent for some time from this known safe haven for DL/MF enthusiasts and prisoners alike, it is reassuring to know that you are still on the beat, holding the fort, and still the town crier with authority & creds, all for the benefit of the greater good.
So about the spikes, I am curious to know more about these. Possible link to info or further description of type, possible cause, pic, fix. Cheers

Thanks  James91104. The spikes are the minimal problem compared to the disconnects. They aren't audible on playback. The latest problem that reared its ugly head is Bonjour from Apple's latest iTunes (Ver. 12.10.7) that I downloaded so that I could transfer and look at the recordings it unfortunately kills a reconnect to the DL1608 (reinstall of MF5.1.1 and restart of DL did nothing to fix this problem on W10). Other W10, Android (V6) and the iPad 6gen without iTunes all work fine (MF version of Bonjour). The MF install recognized the newer version of Bonjour and accepted it. As to the spikes there is no determinable pattern and in 11+ hrs recording only had 4 single points per Audacity out of 7.03 GB. This was also recorded with the extension in place and I terminated the recording so no disconnects  .

[WK154]

Maybe Mackie engineers should not only read this app note but also implement its advice on the PSoC 3. Then they might have a reliable product.
https://www.cypress.com/file/74566/download
Cheers

[WK154]

Digging deeper into the PSoC functionality I found security features if implemented would make changes impossible. Firmware unchangeable is like shooting yourself in the foot and could explain unfixable disconnect problems. A problem that has existed as far back as MF V1.4 or earlier.

[WK154]

As a summary of the record/playback function for the DL1608/806 using MF5.1.1 here is the list:
Only an iPad can be used in docking, no Android, PC, or Mac can be used for this function.
The manual is in dire need of correction on record/playback and import/export, not useful for first time DL1608/806 users.
File size references are incorrect. Size is now larger than any current iPad can accommodate. Manual needs to be updated.
Disconnects are the real problem in record/playback since it will terminate recording/playback randomly. Listed in Mackie's known issues for MF 5.1.1.
Current iTunes Bonjour from Apple breaks reconnect on PC.
No indicator when recording on other than the docked iPad.
From my point of view these are more than enough reasons to not use the MF 5.1.1 Record/Playback function. You roll your own dice.

[WK154]

I checked back on this subject here and hopefully there is a solution until Mackie gets around to fixing it if ever. Here is the new post.
http://cacophony.aspinock.com/index.php?topic=1580.msg18583#msg18583
Cheers