1 Topic by matta (edited by matta 2025-07-20 16:36:03)

  • matta
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Topic: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

Previous setup:

Mac Studio (built in ethernet) <--> Presonus AVB switch <--> RME 1610 Pro
- This worked mostly ok but relied on Apple's buggy system software that would regularly crash (and was tedious to configure).

Interim setup:

macbook pro (Sonnet Thunderbolt AVB adapter) <--> Presonus AVB switch <--> RME 1610 Pro
- This is not working - I can see my 1610 and eveything looks correct (IPs are in the same range) but there are no AVB streams
- I'm using Milan Manager to try to make stream connections but there are no streams running
- I do not see the 1610 in my AudioMIDI settings/network device
- what am I missing?

Desired setup:

macbook pro and mac studio <--> Presonus AVB switch <--> RME 1610 Pro + 1620 Pro
- What do I need to make this work reliably?
- Do I need one or even two digiface AVB interfaces?


Any help and advice greatly appreciated

  • waedi
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

matta wrote:

- I do not see the 1610 in my AudioMIDI settings/network device

Did you try connect it directly to the Mac without the Presonus ?

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  • matta
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

waedi wrote:
matta wrote:

- I do not see the 1610 in my AudioMIDI settings/network device

Did you try connect it directly to the Mac without the Presonus ?

I didn't but I shouldn't have to as that has always worked.

Update: After a reboot I was able to get the mac atdecc controller to work - actually it seems marginally more stable than before - maybe they fixed some bugs?

I can currently connect 4x 16ch 48kHz streams in and out of my macbook pro but I haven't actually tried to route audio yet.

- the macos atdecc matrix looks good (the boxes are ticked)
- the rme web controller is green for the connected streams

Is 4x streams what I should expect? I'm pretty sure my mac studio had 8 streams available (at 96kHz) but perhaps that was a lower channel count (can't remember).

Onto the Milan Manager: T
- This looks like a mess - I have flashing orange indicators, missing streams, and other warnings.
- My 1610 has been upgraded to the latest firmware via the web interface - I believe this asserts Milan support

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2025-07-20 08:30:57)

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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

Wasn't the best option to operate AVB by using a RME AVB recording interface as the operation of AVB in macOS is cumbersome?

AFAIK, if you have only one AVB device connected to such a Digiface AVB, then you wouldn't even need the Presonus AVB switch.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 14, Win10 IoT Ent
  • matta
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

ramses wrote:

Wasn't the best option to operate AVB by using a RME AVB recording interface as the operation of AVB in macOS is cumbersome?

AFAIK, if you have only one AVB device connected to such a Digiface AVB, then you wouldn't even need the Presonus AVB switch.

You are correct, historically. What I'm trying to find out is whether things have moved on since I bought into that config 2 years ago.

I need the presonus switch to be able to connect other (non-AVB) network devices such as a second switch. I have multiple network devices that also need to see my mac studio via wired ethernet.

Bear in mind my desired setup is at least 4x AVB devices all connected to each other (macbook pro, mac studio, RME 1610 and 1620) - so there's no avoiding an AVB switch.


Let me clarify my questions a bit:

1. Does Milan Manager replace the need for a Digface AVB (at least, in theory)?
2. What is the most bullet proof and reliable config (I assume this is using the Digiface AVB, but perhaps Milan Manager can be good once debugged?)
3. If I have 2x macs on my AVB network, do I need  2x Digiface AVBs?

  • waedi
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

1 Digiface AVB is an audio interface with Totalmix. Milan Manager is not.
2 A real audio interface connected to the computer directly with the correct driver installed.
3 Yes, if you want Totalmix on each computer, otherwise AVB network is implemented in MacOS, no need of other devices.

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  • matta
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

waedi wrote:

1 Digiface AVB is an audio interface with Totalmix. Milan Manager is not.
2 A real audio interface connected to the computer directly with the correct driver installed.
3 Yes, if you want Totalmix on each computer, otherwise AVB network is implemented in MacOS, no need of other devices.


Yeh re. 1 - I understand the difference between Milan Manager and the Digiface - my question is whether I need the Digiface given that Milan Manager now exists and should handle the ATDECC routing configurations.

8 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2025-07-20 20:18:07)

  • waedi
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

The main benefit of the Digiface is Totalmix.
You never did work with Totalmix and feel no need for it then nothing stops you from trying out Milan manager.

https://www.l-acoustics.com/products/mi … n-,Manager

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  • Marc S
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Re: Issues upgrading my setup to multiple machines - what do I need?

Hi matta,

as Apple's AVB implementation is not Milan compliant/certified (yet?), Milan manager might not be the best choice to control such a heterogenous network. Moreover, MacOS has an AVB controller (that's what Milan manager is, not more, not less) on bord, that works quite ok with both MacOS AVB and our Milan/AVB devices.

The most important question is: Are you mainly using one sampling rate, or do you have the requirement to change sampling rates often between your projects?

Once we've sorted that out, we can take a look at the issues about Apple's software you mentioned above.

Best regards
Marc