Okay...silly me.

I know where I went wrong and now realise I can have a maximum of 3 HDSPe systems.

What would be best for me - An additional MulifaceII, or an ADI-8 DS hooked up to my current MulifaceII?

2 x MultifaceII Scenario
In a hardware patchbay, I would be able to route outputs from MultifaceII#1 to MultifaceII#2's inputs. This is great assuming I'm correct? However, wouldn't there be routing complications between the 2 MultifaceIIs within TotalMix?

If so, then wouldn't the MulifaceII + ADI-8 DS option be the best choice until my input/output requirements increase beyond 16 inputs/outputs?

Regards

LiD

Hi Chris

Thanks for that. By the way, I'm a happy ADK customer here in Scotland with one of your Quad Xtremes :-)

I normally use 44.1k. For future reference, what would my limit in terms of sample rate using a FF400/UC viat adat to a MultifaceII set as master?

I must say Chris, I'm intrigued by the flexibility in which a Fireface400/UC may bring to my setup. Not sure which I'd go for as I'm not too sure if my laptop's firwire is TI chipset. I'd need to check somehow.

I'd never thought of a FF400/UC for some reason. I'm not sure how the headphone output of the FF400/UC figures as anologue outputs 7/8 and how these can be used as anything but headphones (insert cable perhaps?). However, I reckon 14 routable outputs in my patchbay would suffice. Also, the unit would be directly below my patchbay which comfortably enables me to patch into the 4 line inputs on the FF400/UC's front.

Thanks for putting me onto this. I have a couple questions which I hope can be cleared up before I order.

1. In the setup you described Chris, would I basically have a FF400/UC's analogue inputs and outputs brought into my MultifaceII's TotalMix via adat 'without' having to hook up the FF400/UC to my PC using its IEEE 1394/USB cable? Therefore, assuming this is correct, the only connections a FF400/UC would require would be the 2 x toslink cables from its adat I/O >>> MultifaceII adat I/O? Apologies for being over descriptive, I just want to be sure.

2. In another setup scenario, would I be able to use a FF400/UC hooked up to my PC using its IEEE 1394/USB cable alongside my MultifaceII, both as separate sound cards working side by side (albeit in separate TotalMixes)? The reason I ask is that their manuals each state that up to 3 HDSP or 3 FF400/UCs can be used. However, the manuals do not state whether or not 'one of each' can be used in a given setup. Incidentally, I use Sonar X1 64.

If my second question is dooable, this would expand my capacity further (if/when needed) by then having 16 x analogue I/Os, 16 x adat and 4 x s/pdif. Fingers crossed. HeadScratch

Kindest Regards

LiD.

HI LiD,
Yes 2 Multiface's will give 16 line level analog I/O and 16 ADAT and 2 SPDIF I/O to work with so if later you wanted to add even more analog I/O you can add them to the ADAT and SPDIF. You will have 36 channels of I/O with this with setup. As long as you system has the available slots and sources. you can add 3 of any combination PCI or PCI-e HDSP cards. I would look at getting the HDSPe PCI-e card for the 2nd card. This will give more choices with slots to install it on. Also if/when you get a new system it very likely will not have PCI slots at all so the PCI-e would be a better future proof choice.
You can use the Fireface units or some other stand alone AD/DA converters on you ADAT ports at some point if you need add even more analog I/O.

Chris

Not really, the HDSP ASIO driver and FF ASIO driver are separate. You can combine devices from the same family easily.

Yes, a splitter/insert cable will give you two unbalanced outputs.