• Registered: 2009-04-21
  • Posts: 18

Topic: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

Hello everybody,
I really need an help!
I need to use two soundcards at the same time, precisely two identical fireface 800.

They will be connected to the same computer (mac OsX 10.6.4), running Max/Msp 5 software.

I created an aggregate audio device, following these instructions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3956


Now I have two problems.
The first is how can I understand how to use the two soundcards input and output from max/msp.
Where can I tell to the Mac that the output from 1 to 8 are those of the first soundcard and
from 9 to 16 are the output of the second soundcard? Where can I set such information?

The second problem concerns the RME drivers. Indeed, when I connect both the two soundcards
to the computer I only see the driver settings and mixer corresponding to the first soundcard.
How can I see also the driver settings and mixer corresponding to the second soundcard? I need
to set in the mixer of the second soundcard a particular preset of outputs, while in the first
soundcard it is ok the default one.



Furthermore on the link http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3956 where it is explained how to create
an aggregate audio device, I noticed the following two points:

"6) If your audio devices all work with word clock, connect them together using a word clock cable. Connect the cable from the device you designated as Clock Source in step 5 to the input of each other device. Refer to your audio device product documentation for specific details.

7) If any of your devices do not work with word clock, enable the Resample checkbox for the devices that are not designated clock master."


I don?t know what "word clock" means. What do you suggest me to do concerning these issues?


Moreover, when creating the aggregate, I don?t understand why Mac sees on each soundcard 28 input and 28 output.
There should be only 8 input and 8 output on each soundcard right?


Finally, maybe this can help, I don?t know, I use a 800 to 400 firewire 9-6 pin cable from Mac to Fireface,
as you suggested me in this previous topic http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5234


Thanks in advance


Best regards

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,776

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word_clock

Each FF800 has 28 I/O channels, not only 8.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,665

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

See this video, if you still have questions after let us know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oibj81QIq4s

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2009-04-21
  • Posts: 18

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

Thanks a lot, I will try!

Cheers

  • Registered: 2009-04-21
  • Posts: 18

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

Dear all,
help! I followed the guidelines in the youtube tutorial.

The soundcards are connected properly, and I also created the aggregate on my mac.
I am doing a max/MSP patch to send the sounds to the 16 channels, 8 for each of the 2 soundcards.

The problem is that when I select from the DSP status of Max/MSP the aggregate device I created,  and  I deliver the sounds on the 16
channels nothing happens. The fireface mixer seems to not receive any output signal at all ;-(

Maybe have I something wrong in the settings of the fireface mixer? Something about the parameter UNIT? I don?t know.

I saw the total mix tutorial on youtube but it did not help me in solving this problem.

Please let me know!

Thanks in advance

Best regards

  • Registered: 2009-04-21
  • Posts: 18

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

Maybe it can help to know that the name of the FireFace Mixer displayed on the mixer itself is "FireFace Mixer (1C7)", which is relative to
the first soundcard (the master one, i.e. the one connected to the computer). The other card is indeed indicated with the name 85E

Any suggestion?

Thanks in advance

  • Jeff
  • Jeff
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-21
  • Posts: 4,665

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

You can switch mixers with the Unit button on the right side panel. Ctrl + click the Unit button opens a second window.

If you don't see any meters in the middle row during playback then audio device setup in max/MSP is configured wrong. Maybe this helps: http://www.cycling74.com/docs/max5/vign … tatus.html

Regards,
Jeff Petersen
Synthax Inc.

Jeff's Website

  • Registered: 2009-04-21
  • Posts: 18

Re: Using 2 Firefaces 800 simoultaneously

Hi all,
I solved the problem.

First of all I downloaded and installed the last firmware and the last driver versions.

Then I understood that the problem was the mapping in max/MSP between the
logical outputs to the physical outputs. Indeed I had to map the logical channel 9
to the physical channel 29, which is the first channel of the second fireface.

All the best