There are many threads in the forum that deal with clocking, you could also have a look there.
Furthermore, the manual contains useful information about clock synchronization and clock status, please read ch 6.1,11.2, 20.2:
https://archiv.rme-audio.de/download/mface2_d.pdf,
https://archiv.rme-audio.de/download/mface2_e.pdf.
Only one clock master in a setup
In a setup, there is only one master clock, the clock signal can be passed to the next device via all available digital outputs (ADAT, SPDIF, AES, MADI) or via word clock.
The configuration of the clock is done in the driver settings:
For the clock master, you configure clock source = "internal”.
For the clock slaves, the port where the clock signal arrives.
So, in your case, via coax. SPDIF from Multiface II v2 to Multiface II v1.
ASIO buffer size
In the driver settings, you have to consider that both interfaces have to be set to the same ASIO buffer size. Otherwise, there will be a slight track offset when recording in the DAW.
Check clock synchronization between Multifaces
At this point, I would stop and post a screenshot of the clock status of both interfaces in the forum. Then check if the clock slave (Multiface II v1 in your setup) reaches not only the status “lock” but the status “synch” via coax SPDIF, only then the two interfaces are clock synchronized.
Word clock as an option
[Note: as an alternative, you could also use Word Clock between the two devices, if it should not work with SPDIF for some reason. Use a BNC cable with 75 Ohm].
Continue with FF800
If this works, you can carry on and pass the clock signal to the FF800 either via ADAT or Word Clock. You need a working Firewire connection to the FF800:
— RME Firewire ASIO driver installed and
— Firewire legacy driver for Windows, see https://www.studio1productions.com/Arti … wire-1.htm
Then you can fully manage the FF800:
— to configure it as a clock slave to receive the clock signal either via ADAT or Word Clock (with a 2nd BNC cable) and
— to be able to configure routing.
Proposal: use the ADAT ports of both Multiface
Since the FF800 has more than 8 channels, you could even consider using more channels by routing
— 8 channels through ADAT1 of FF800 (towards Multiface II v2), connect both directions (2 TOSLINK cables)
— 8 channels through ADAT2 of FF800 (towards Multiface II v1), connect both directions (2 TOSLINK cables)
Check clock synchronization on FF800
Again, you should post a screenshot of the clock setup and the clock status in the driver settings of the FF800. No matter if the clock arrives at the FF800 via one of the two Multiface (via port ADAT1 or ADAT2) or via Word Clock, the status must be “synch” again.
The Setup:
Multiface II v2 (clock master) --- ADAT OUT ---clock->----- ADAT1 IN ----- FF800 (clock slave, getting clock from ADAT1 IN)
| --- ADAT IN------------<------ADAT1 OUT---- FF800
| (SPDIF or WC)
|
Multiface II v1 (clock slave) ----- ADAT OUT --------->------ADAT2 IN ----- FF800
----- ADAT IN -----------<------ADAT1 OUT---- FF800
A few words on using Word Clock (WC)
An option is to use Word Clock for the whole setup, but it doesn't bring more quality, so is no must. It creates only more efforts in terms of having to use two more BNC cables, to connect them properly from device to device and to terminate it properly at both ends.
Windows – Audio for DAW and applications supporting ASIO
This is fully independent of Windows sound settings. ASIO fully bypasses the Windows audio infrastructure and gives you fastest and most reliable access to your recording interface.
In your DAW and all other applications that support ASIO, you can load the Multiface ASIO driver and access all channels of both cards. You can reach the channels of the FF800 via the ADAT interface of both cards if you have set the routing on the FF800 according to your wishes. The FF800 would also work in standalone mode, but I would prefer to be able to optimally manage the FF800 at any time via the Fireface connection.
Audio for Windows and applications NOT supporting ASIO
For Windows and all other applications that do not support ASIO, you must set up WDM-compatible drivers in the driver settings. Don't set up too many of them. Actually, you only need them for the two analog ports AN1/2OUT on the main interface (clock master), where the two active monitors are connected.
This creates a WDM device for this port AN1/2OUT in the Windows Sound settings. You set it up on Windows as the default audio device so that Windows, YouTube, and everything else that doesn't support ASIO can output audio to the Multiface.
BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
