Since the iD14 Mk II has no word clock and no ADAT OUT connector, the only option is to configure the FF400 as clock master.

But since you don't have a Firewire connector on the PC, you can't switch the sample rate on the FF400 between 44.1 and 48 kHz. For that, you would need a FW400 port and an installed Firewire driver to be able to change the sample rate in the driver settings dialog (and of course, you need to connect the FF400 via FW to the PC).
So you would have to connect the FF400 to another computer with Firewire for each sample rate change, it couldn't be more cumbersome. And to hope that you would only get 44.1 kHz is probably a "nice wish".
In the end, you would have to install a FW400 card in your PC.

No problem, however, would be the combination of iD22, 24 or 44 Mk II and FF400 standalone connected via ADAT.
You won't need WC, the FF400 can get the clock via ADAT.

Clock                                                        Clock
master                                                     slave
Audient---ADAT OUT--------------->ADAT IN---FF400
          \-----ADAT IN<----------------ADAT OUT--/

By SteadyClock technology, the RME device is anyway the perfect clock client, which removes any potential jitter to a very high degree. The application on your PC determines the sample rate and Audient as clock master would pass the clock signal either via ADAT or WC.

Alternative: selling Audient iD 14 and FF400 and getting a UCX II. Ok, the price is higher, but it would certainly be a better solution. Then you have the proven RME drivers, TotalMix FX and plenty of useful options.
With the UCX II, you get so many useful features that were previously only found on the flagship devices, e.g., mic preamps with 75 dB gain and DURec (either backup or standalone recording on a USB stick).

Regarding the latency question: the latency is not significantly increased via ADAT, maybe 3 samples delay as with MADI or even less, but not more. This is not a problem at all.

You would still have the problem explained by Ramses above: to configure your Fireface400 you need the connection to a computer. It’s about the clock settings but also about the proper channel routing.

Thanks a lot for explanation.

Luckly I didn't buy iD14 yet, was just considering one, but after all info I gathered I will probably buy used RME either UC, UCX or Babyface pro FS. Now that's another topic about differences between them.

Thank you for all help.

OP cannot configure the FF400 because he has no FW port on his computer.

Yes, it’s possible to store the Totalmix state and the clock settings. Maybe kosmatoo can find a computer with FireWire to do that once…

This is the user manual :
https://archiv.rme-audio.de/download/fface400_e.pdf

Page 32 :
Store (in Flash Memory)
A click on this button transmits all current settings into the flash memory of the Fireface. Those settings then become active directly after power-on, and also in stand-alone operation.

The user manual doesn't show a store option for this, I think the button from the settings will store both.

It was not a guess from my side! I have a FF400 since many years and it simply is exactly how I wrote. In difference to newer units there is only one single memory place instead of six, but otherwise it’s the same 'store current state into device' in 'options' menu of TotalMix. And since with these older devices there are many more settings to do via the 'Fireface Setup app' (preamp gain, line level and such), it’s not possible to combine both, Totalmix routings and other settings.

@Kubrak Regarding Digiface USB I see there are 2 versions of this device.
Now that's a newbie question but there is cheap version --> RME Audio Digiface (Blue) / 24 Bit, 96 kHz, Now, is this 96kHz instead of 192 kHz a big issue if I would like to use Digiface USB just as a connection device between my PC and Fireface 400? Or 192kHz version is the only way to go?

Hello!

Can you post a link of this "second" DF Usb?
There is only one, as far as I can tell, and I 'm using it!

This one: https://www.rme-audio.de/digiface-usb.html
192/KHz

Its a very old device from the hammerfall series, doubt that drivers for it still exist.
You should ask RME support.

One more question. Can I connect RME fireface 400 to SSL 12 interface if it has only one ADAT IN (no ADAT out)?

Thank you.

1st solution is desired as I can not connect FW400 directly to PC (which is in 2 solution).

Does that mean that 1st solution is also not possible because SSL12 has no Word Clock so FF400 can not get it as slave?

Does that mean that in 1 solution RME Ins and outs will not work via adat?

I'am reading it as both options fail.

Thanks a lot for clear explanation. Now I get it .

Hello,

Bit off topic to ADAT issues but considering Babyface 1st gen. as my main interface (for PC) that would also allow to still use connected FF400.

Now, would I get same sound quality on Babyface 1st gen. as I have on Fireface400 considering preamps perfomance and monitor outputs?

I've checked motu m4 inteface and sound quality on monitors, listening to youtube songs only is for me far worse than my sound from FF400, that makes me think that switching from RME even in terms of just listening to music is impossible which is suprising and even funny. Listening to music via FF400 is much more balanced and pleasant than via motu.

One more question here if I may.

If I would use RME Digiface USB as a USB connector by ADAT between my FF400 and laptop, how would I connect 2 monitors?
Would I still use 2 outputs from FF400 and connect them via 2 jack /XLR cables?
Digiface doesn't have jack outputs apart from 1 phones output so I wonder how do I connect monitors.
Thanks.

Thank you.
With that being said does it mean that I can use FF400 outputs for monitoring sound from DAW, also using different interfaces with ADAT connected to FF400? For example Audient id22?

The idea is to use not only inputs from FF400 but also outputs sound to monitors as I like it more from RME. I had motu M4 for tests and returned it because sound from monitors while using motu was way worse than sound from FF400. They were not connected to each other as motu has no ADAT so I tested motu just for reference so I wonder if Audient would be used just as connector via ADAT, can FF400 still keep it's quality output sound to monitors or Audient will affect it in most likely negative way?

So... Babyface 1gen. is on the board ready to connect via ADAT with FF400.

I have read most threads on forum regarding such connection and I'am still confused how to do that and rout in TM.

1. BF will be master clock connected via 2 ADAT cables with FF400 as slave

2. I would want to see and use in BF TM: 8 FF400 inputs but also use FF400 outputs for sound from monitors

3. As for now I have stored (by Store button) FF400 settings set to Clock Mode: Autosync, Prefered Sync Ref: ADAT but I haven't done any routing settings on FF400 matrix. Do I need to do this on FF400 TM matrix and if yes what needs to be done there?

4. On BF I need to set in TM - Main Out to AS 1/2, is that correct? What other settings need to be done?

I've watched whole series of films regarding Totalmix and routing but still it seems mission impossible for amateur like me to do all the settings right on both ends from BF and FF400, especially matrix setting part seems like horror for me now.

This film from minute 4:00 shows stand alone connection between 2 FF800 units connected via ADAT, however how it would look with BF 1 gen?? Similar? What would be different?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfexKXS7wNk

Also I found this ramses replay (pasting below) at some point that seems to be most helpful but still too many questions how to make it work. If there is by any chance any step by step tutorial for dummies on this or youtube film please link it if possible.

From below ramses replay I assume FF400 needs to be totally preconfigured and "Stored" for Stand alone, yes?

"Either you preconfigure the FF400 on another computer with FireWire 400 for standalone operation, or you connect the Fireface 400 to a FireWire port of your computer. Then you can fully operate it, then you would load the USB ASIO driver of the BBF Pro in the application/DAW and access the FF400 ports through ADAT.

The physical setup (connect BBF Pro and FF400 with two TOSLINK cables):

PC-----USB2-----BBF Pro (clock master) ---ADAT OUT-------->-----ADAT IN------FF400 (Clock Slave)
  \                                                                                                                    |    standalone operation or
   +----FW400------------------------------------------------------------------------------+    operation through TM FX (2nd instance)
                                                                                                                             via FireWire ASIO driver
                         BBF Pro----------------------ADAT IN---------<----ADAT OUT---FF400  audio from FF400 to BBF Pro

You need at minimum one TOSLINK cable from BBF Pro as clock master towards the FF400, as clock signals can only be transferred on an ADAT output. But best would be to use two TOSLINK cables:
a) from BBF Pro ADAT OUT to FF400 ADAT IN
    to route audio from BBF Pro through ADAT to outputs of the FF400 and for transmission of clock signal
b) from FF400 ADAT OUT to BBF Pro ADAT IN
    to route audio from ports of FF400 through ADAT to analog outputs.

The configuration in the driver settings dialog for
a) BBF Pro as clock master: clock source “internal”  ---> how/where to set it on BF 1 gen.?
b) the FF400 as clock slave: clock source “ADAT”     ---> I did set Clock Mode: Autosync, Prefered Sync Ref: ADAT and Stored it.

Thanks, will try playing around

But as starting point FF400 should be configured first separately in it's own Totalmix before connecting it via ADAT to BF?
Or I can connect FF400 via 2 ADATs and do the routing both ways from BF TM?

As for -->"4. When your main monitor loudspeakers are connected at the Babyface analog outputs then assign the main-out to AN1/2, nothing else to prepare, just be aware to use the correct Adat channels to use other monitor speakers at the FF400."

No, I want only 1 monitors from FF400 outputs so I guess main output on BF TM should be ADAT 3/4?
There is no ADAT 1/2, only AS 1/2 which i thought was standing for ADAT 1/2, I don't get it as BF has only 1 in/out ADAT. So it should be maybe AS 1/2 (not AN 1/2 as you wrote)

ADAT's on BF have no description which is IN, which OUT, I assume grey color is OUT, black IN... LOL - see what I'am going through.

"On the FF400 the monitors will be connected on the analog outputs 1/2 ? Let's say yes !" --> YES

You will do the routing logical one to one, then the Adat channels 1/2 will feed the speakers.

Now with above this means on FF400 the routing of inputs should be like:
AN1 and AN2 -->output ADAT 1/2
AN3 and AN4 -->output ADAT 3/4
AN 5/6 --> out ADAT5/6
AN 7/8 -->out ADAT 7/8
correct?

then FF output Main out --> assign AN1/2 ??
correct?

Not sure what doest it mean in terms of routing on FF400 that "Adat channels 1/2 will feed the speakers"?

"assign the Main-out in the Babyface Totalmix control room to AS1/2" -->That's done, what else on BF routing side needs to be assigned?

Miraculously it slowly starts to work thanks to your help.. I can hear sound from PC through BF then FF400 outputs to monitors.

Now how do I see and control FF400 2 mic inputs and 6 line ins in BF Totalmix?

As for now in hardware inputs I see only 4 channels AN1, AN2, AS1/2, ADAT 3/4, how to view and reach FF400 inputs here?

In hardware outputs I just see AN1/2 and ADAT 3/4 as AS 1/2 is assigned to Main Out so that's all OK here.

That's a bit confusing again in terms of recording in DAW from FF400 inputs.

So if I want to record two mic inputs (in 1 and in 2) from FF400 at the same time with one dynamic mic, second condenser on input 2 with 48V on, then I need to configure mic gains for both and 48V for input 2 separetely on FF400 via firewire, than "Store" it and then plug it back to BF?

Than how do I setup inputs in DAW for both so that track 1 records input 1 from FF400, track 2 records input 2 on FF400. What would be the inputs for that so I record two tracks  from ff400 at the same time? ADAT1/2 for both? How Daw will distinguish input 1 from input 2 in FF400? Maybe I need to split channel AS 1/2 into mono mode? AS1 will be IN 1 on FF400, correct?

Also mic gain has to be adjusted infront and can not be changed via BF....that complicates smooth workflow on BF while setting up mic's is every time via firewire connection only.

It's not possible to add screenshots to forum? Only links from web i see. Would be easier to show matrix or totalmix.

YES

In Totalmix you can split the stereo channel into two mono channels. Use the wrenchtool button.

Yes. Newer devices like 12Mic or OctamicXTC have remote and digital control over the Mic pres.

You can click into that field and hold and drag up with the mouse, it will increase the value up to zero.

I would do the routing this way :