Topic: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

Hi there,

(I posted this to Cakewalk support, but I thought I'd try here as well.)

When I set up my new computer late last month, I installed my RME Fireface UFX+ audio interface via USB 2.0, which gave me a limited number of tracks. I recently switched it over to USB 3.2. My Fireface GUI can now see the tracks that are coming in via my RME Octamic XTC MADI interface, and I can hear them as well, but these tracks aren't visible within Cakewalk. (They were on my previous computer, when I was connecting the audio interface via Thunderbolt.)

Going into Device Manager, I noticed that the Fireface is listed as "RME UFX+ 2.0." Do I need to reinstall the Fireface drivers to get it to show "RME UFX+ 3.2?"

Thanks,

Ed

2 (edited by ramses 2022-08-01 11:40:57)

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

Remove thunderbolt cable (if still connected) and then check whether UFX+ is really connected to an USB3 port and whether you are using an USB3 cable. The USB3 ports are usually colored blue. See examples below.

Example: USB Type A connector for the PC side, with additional pins for USB3:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Connector_USB_3_IMGP6024_wp.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/USB_3.0.png

Example: USB 3 Type B plug to be connected to the UFX+:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/USB-3.0-Stecker_%28Typ_B%29.jpg/1920px-USB-3.0-Stecker_%28Typ_B%29.jpg


If this is ok, then please check UFX+ configuration:

Push setup knob, then Options -> Hardware/Diagnostics -> Interface mode.  How is it set?

It should be set to “Auto” to automatically detect the connection, but you can also manually set it to USB3.
For this, you need to disconnect the USB cable first. Otherwise, you cannot change connection type.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

ramses wrote:

Remove thunderbolt cable (if still connected) and then check whether UFX+ is really connected to an USB3 port and whether you are using an USB3 cable. The USB3 ports are usually colored blue. See examples below.

Example: USB Type A connector for the PC side, with additional pins for USB3:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/75/Connector_USB_3_IMGP6024_wp.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/USB_3.0.png

Example: USB 3 Type B plug to be connected to the UFX+:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/USB-3.0-Stecker_%28Typ_B%29.jpg/1920px-USB-3.0-Stecker_%28Typ_B%29.jpg


If this is ok then pls check UFX+ configuration:


Push setup knob then Options -> Hardware/Diagnostics -> Interface mode.  How is it set?

It should be set to "Auto" to automatically detect the connection, but you can also manually set it to USB3.
For this you need to disconnect the USB cable first, otherwise you can not change connection type.

Hi Ramses,

I tracked down the cable that came with the UFX+, swapped out the old one, and that did the trick!

I hoping you can help me with my next problem. I can record the MADI inputs, but I'm not hearing audio from the UFX+ in the Octamic. I tried to follow your article on how to connect multiple Octamics to the UFX+, but I'm obviously doing something wrong, but I can't figure out where I went wrong.  If I have it set up correctly, which of the "STATE" lights should be lit up on the Octamic?

Thanks,

Ed

4 (edited by ramses 2022-08-01 11:36:03)

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

Hi Ed.

As you can record from the XTC, I assume that everything is fine on UFX+ and XTC regarding some basic settings, e.g.:
MADI channels (64), frame size (96k) and clock sync (UFX+ master, XTC slave – gets clock from MADI).

> I can record the MADI inputs, but I'm not hearing audio from the UFX+ in the Octamic.

On which channels of the XTC, you do not get audio? On digital outputs (ADAT, ADAT2 or AES)?

Please keep in mind, routing has two components
— routing on each of the MADI devices
— routing in TM FX

Regarding Digital Routing / Easy Setup using Delay Compensation with Auto-CA

You need to configure digital routing on each of the MADI devices using the desired 8 out of 64 MADI channels, easiest to be performed automatically using delay compensation with the feature/setting “Auto-CA”, see below.

After this has been done, you can create submixes in TotalMix FX using MADI outputs MA1-8 OUT for XTC#1.
Then it depends on the digital routing that you configured in the XTC, which digital ports of the XTC get audio from MA1-8 OUT.

Delay Compensation -> Auto-CA (automatic channel assignment)

I recommend you to configure Delay Compensation -> “Auto CA”, then the following things happen automatically:
— XTC's MADI ID will be determined/set (needed for delay compensation and automatic channel assignment/digital routing)
— XTC's digital routing will be configured according to its MADI ID, e.g.
      1st XTC, MADI ID 1, MADI ch 1…8
      …
      8th XTC, MADI ID 8, MADI ch 57…64

This makes digital routing much easier, esp. when connecting multiple XTCs.

Regarding Routing to phones outputs

Routing to the analog phones outputs is being configured separately. Either you can monitor a TotalMix FX submix or particular digital ports of your XTC (ADAT, AES) or even other channels of the MADI bus.

Example: monitoring of TM FX submix MADI1/2 OUT using “Phones1” output of XTC:
1. XTC: push channel knob, then “Phones1 -> Settings -> Source -> MADI 1/2
2. TM FX: submix mode, click to MADI 1/2 OUT, move fader of HW inputs and/or SW playbacks to get the desired submix.

The relevant manual sections

https://www.rme-audio.de/downloads/octamicxtc_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/downloads/octamicxtc_e.pdf

Chapter 8.5 - Setup Menu (Clock-, MIDI-, MADI-settings)
Chapter 8.6 - Clock section
Chapter 10 - Delay Compensation, MADI ID, Auto-CA
Chapter 8.4 - Channel menu, p. 17 for phones
Chapter 11.3 - Control via TM FX, explains to set up UFX+ and two XTC for delay compensation (Auto-CA) and Auxdevice (remote control via TM FX)

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

ramses wrote:

Hi Ed,

as you can record from the XTC, I assume that everything is fine on UFX+ and XTC regarding some basic settings, e.g.:
MADI channels (64), frame size (96k) and clock sync (UFX+ master, XTC slave - gets clock from MADI).

> I can record the MADI inputs, but I'm not hearing audio from the UFX+ in the Octamic.

On which channels of the XTC you do not get audio? On digital outputs (ADAT, ADAT2 or AES)?

Do not forget, routing has two components
- routing on each of the MADI devices
- routing in TM FX

Regarding Digital Routing / Easy Setup using Delay Compensation with Auto-CA

You need to configure digital routing on each of the MADI devices using the desired 8 out of 64 MADI channels, easiest to be performed automatically using delay compensation with the feature/setting "Auto-CA", see below.

After this has been done you can create submixes in TotalMix FX using MADI outputs MA1-8 OUT for XTC#1.
Then it depends on the digital routing that you configured in the XTC, which digital ports of the XTC get audio from MA1-8 OUT.

Delay Compensation -> Auto-CA (automatic channel assignment)

I recommend you to configure Delay Compensation -> "Auto CA", then the following things happen automatically:
- XTC's MADI ID will be determined/set (needed for delay compensation and automatic channel assignment/digital routing)
- XTC's digital routing will be configured according to it's MADI ID, e.g.
      1st XTC, MADI ID 1, MADI ch 1..8
      ..
      8th XTC, MADI ID 8, MADI ch 57..64

This makes digital routing much easier, esp. when connecting multiple XTCs.

Regarding Routing to phones outputs

Routing to the analog phones outputs is being configured separately. Either you can monitor a TotalMix FX submix or particular digital ports of your XTC (ADAT, AES) or even other channels of the MADI bus.

Example: monitoring of TM FX submix MADI1/2 OUT using "Phones1" output of XTC:
1. XTC: push channel knob, then "Phones1 -> Settings -> Source -> MADI 1/2"
2. TM FX: submix mode, click to MADI 1/2 OUT, move fader of HW inputs and/or SW playbacks to get the desired submix

The relevant manual sections

https://www.rme-audio.de/downloads/octamicxtc_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/downloads/octamicxtc_e.pdf

Chapter 8.5 - Setup Menue (Clock-, MIDI-, MADI-settings)
Chapter 8.6 - Clock section
Chapter 10 - Delay Compensation, MADI ID, Auto-CA
Chapter 8.4 - Channel menue, p. 17 for phones
Chapter 11.3 - Control via TM FX, explains setup of UFX+ and two XTC for delay compensation (Auto-CA) and Auxdevice (remote control via TM FX)

Hi Ramses,

Thank you for your recommendations -- I've implemented them, but still no such luck. (I've even tried different MADI patch chords, just to see if it could be a cabling issue.) I've never updated the firmware on the Octamic. Is it possible that could an issue?

6 (edited by ramses 2022-08-01 11:27:31)

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

ramses wrote:

Ed> I can record the MADI inputs, but I'm not hearing audio from the UFX+ in the Octamic.

On which channels of the XTC, you do not get audio? On digital outputs (ADAT, ADAT2 or AES)?

You still didn't answer what you can't hear. On what port of the XTC? Please explain the audio flow.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

ramses wrote:
ramses wrote:

Ed> I can record the MADI inputs, but I'm not hearing audio from the UFX+ in the Octamic.

On which channels of the XTC, you do not get audio? On digital outputs (ADAT, ADAT2 or AES)?

You still didn't answer what you can't hear. On what port of the XTC? Please explain the audio flow.

Hi Ramses,

I've tried numerous inputs, including MA 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, and 9/10. I've tried AES and ADAT, but would they be sending audio to the Octamic if it's only connected via MADI cables? I even tried plugging a mic into the UFX+, just to see if maybe it was a DAW issue, but despite it's passing sound to the above MA outputs on the Total Mix GUI, I wasn't able to hear anything on the Octamic.

Thanks,

Ed

8 (edited by ramses 2022-08-02 07:40:13)

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

Please become more concrete.

1. What audio (from which source) do you want to route to what port on the Octamic XTC?
2. Post a picture of TM FX (in submix mode) after selecting this submix (click to HW output MAx/y).

Later it might be required to inspect the routing on the Octamic XTC (more pictures needed).

If you do not know how to post pictures to this form: you need to place them to the cloud for sharing, paste the URL to here and then put "img" tags around the URL (use "img" button in this editor):
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … rum-en-de/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

Hi Ramses,

Here's a the TotalMix FX showing audio from the UFX+ going to multiple MADI tracks, none of which are audible on the Octamic:

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-BGB38VH/0/d03097fe/X2/i-BGB38VH-X2.jpg

10

Re: DAW Not Detecting MADI Inputs

You still haven't answered the most important question: where do you expect audio to arrive at the XTC? If you try to listen to the Phones outputs -  chapter 8.4 in the XTC manual explains how to set the source for that.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME