Topic: RME UFX+ and a big old analog console: Max number of outputs at 88k?
So, as the title suggests, I generally mix out-of-the-box on an old analog console, and work almost exclusively at 88k. I've been looking to expand the console to a higher channel count, which means I'll need more output channels. However, I'm a bit at a loss as to the best way to expand my UFX+ to a higher channel count- I know things get a little bit more complicated at 88k.
Here's the current situation. I have a UFX+, a Ferrofish A32, and an RME ADI 2 Pro FS R Black that I am using as a set of mastering converters.
I'm using Analog In 1-12, and Analog Out 1-8 on the UFX+.
I'm using Inputs 1-32 and Outputs 1-32 on the Ferrofish A32, and this is plugged into the UFX+ via optical MADI.
The ADI 2 is plugged in via AES. I use these inputs and outputs as mastering inputs and monitor outputs.
(This is unrelated to my current predicament, but I am also plugging in the ADI 2 directly to the PC via USB, and routing the USB's audio signal out of PH 3/4, which effectively makes the ADI 2 a "2 in, 4 out" converter. Outs 1/2 go to my monitor controller, while outs 3/4 go to my mastering chain. The PC sees both the UFX+ and the ADI 2 as an aggregate device, which is great, although I do occasionally get some odd clocking glitches. That's an issue I'll probably ask about on a separate post, though.)
For the sake of clarity, I've attached a crudely drawn MS Paint diagram to show what my current setup looks like:
So, altogether, excluding the ADI 2's inputs and outputs, which are used solely for mastering purposes, I have inputs 1-12 on the UFX+ and inputs 1-32 on the A32, giving me 44 inputs total at 88k. I am using outputs 1-8 on the UFX+ and outputs 1-32 on the A32, giving me 40 outputs total at 88k.
I'm all set with inputs. 44 inputs is plenty. Although, since I will be expanding my console soon, I will ideally need an additional 16-32 output channels, 16 being the bare minimum and 32 being the ideal. I'd like to stay at 88k, if at all possible.
My first thought was ADAT, since those ports are currently unused, but I know that, at 88k, I'd only get an extra 8 channels of outputs. I also know that it is possible to use the headphone outputs on the UFX+, but since these headphone outputs provide an unbalanced stereo signal, I'd need to balance these first (likely just using a pair of Jensen transformers, which is how I balanced the ADI2's PH3/4 outputs), although this is a slightly expensive and non-ideal solution.
The only possibly good solution I can think of is using the UFX's coaxial inputs/outputs as MADI inputs/outputs rather than word clock. In the UFX+ manual, it explains that these coax jacks can be used for MADI, although in this case, I won't be able to use them for word clock, so I'm not sure if this is an ideal solution.
So, considering all this:
Will the UFX+ allow me to use both optical and coax MADI connections at the same time?
If using both MADI connections is simultaneously possible, will I be at any disadvantage by not using word clock connections between my UFX+ and my A32 converts? Is the word clock connection unnecessary?
Thanks for the help, it's appreciated!