Clock Synchronization (Clocking) is the process that ensures that all equipment in a digital audio system operates at the same "speed," synchronized by a single master clock signal.

Think of a digital system as an orchestra. Each musician (audio interface, converter, digital console) needs to play in the same time so that the music sounds cohesive.

The clock is the conductor of this orchestra.

In any system with more than one digital device, it is absolutely essential that there is only one device acting as the "master" (master clock) and all others configured as "slaves" (slaves), following the time dictated by the master.

Why is the Clock Important?

Digital audio samples are like frames in a movie. If the "projector" (the D/A converter) and the "movie" (the data from your recorder) are not running at the exact same speed, the image (the sound) will be distorted. A clock synchronization failure results in audible digital artifacts, such as clicks, pops, and noises, because devices lose the reference point for where each audio sample begins and ends.