I might be wrong but I'm not sure that's possible with the ADI 2/4, I think you can only monitor post ADC.

Hi Waedi,
Headphones

None of these devices have internal preamps....

All are digital only so the sound quality comes from your ADI!

In this case my mentioned hardware (“hack”) adapter cable would be the most cost-efficient solution, if you have headphones with balanced connections option.

All you need is an inexpensive replacement cable (to mod) for the headphones, plus 2 pc. 1/4“ TRS jacks, and some minor soldering skills.

A typical balanced headphones cable consists of 4 wires internally, that will be connected like this:
• Hot left, hot right –> Tip, Ring 3/4
• Cold left, cold right –> Tip, Ring 1/2

This combines the signals of output 1/2 and 3/4 without causing the short that a simple y-cable would.
Now you can play the Studio One music track on 1/2 while additionally monitoring the analog input on 3/4, adjust each individually.

There's no direct interaction as such...

The adapter wouldn’t have the potential to break anything.
ADI-2’s headphones outs are protected against all odds.

If you go the DigiFace USB route you need an additional Optical to Coax converter to address ADI-2’s second input/channel.

Totalmix is self-contained and can be used independently as such, and even has the option to interact with DAWs.

Yes, and I have to correct myself:

No Optical to Coax converter for a 2nd signal path needed, as you mix all to one single headphones output with TotalMix.

Yes, in the same way as with every other DAW.

Route the analog input signal to the main mix out, in TotalMix (with no latency) or your DAW (with ASIO latency, if the DAW has a record monitor function).

Some DAWs like Magix Sequoia and Samplitude, Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo, and some others, have ZLM via Totalmix built into their interface too.
This means, the DAW is steering the TotalMix routing, coupled to the DAW’s record monitoring function.

Only for me to understand things right: in what mode do you use the ADI 2/4 now?

USB modes can’t send the analog input’s signal to the Optical Out.
USB Mode makes sense with the ADI-2 connected via USB only, but you do use optical i/o only.

Try AD-DA Converter Mode, look at manual page 43 to see the routing options.

The always reappearing question for ADI-2’s studio-like usage is:

Do I need RME TotalMix?

In most cases the answer is: No!
This answer simplifies a lot.

Only if very low latency monitoring is needed, the answer is: yes.
Then one has to decide which interface to add that includes TotalMix, as ADI-2 itself doesn’t have it.

The most cost-efficient solutions are:

• For laptops: DigiFace USB and, only optional, an Optical to AES converter to access both of ADI-2 Pro’s outputs independently if needed.

• For desktop computers: HDSPe RayDAT, or again Digiface USB.

@MC:
I suggest to think about making ADAT channel 3/4 accessibly in both ADI-2 “Pro”- versions.
This would simplify the interfacing with Digiface USB and other RME solutions a lot.

I’m aware about the 96 kHz sample rate limitation, and possibly quite some effort to implement this.

Is the hardware hack KaiS recommended the easiest solution?
If so, I might just return the DigiFace.

I can solder
I just might need some assistance with figuring out how to construct the hack
I’m using DT770 pro’s as far as headphones go

It looks like I can get headphone cable from Sweetwater:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail … irect=true

In Totalmix, select the hardware out 3/4 by clicking on it to make it the active mix, then close the faders on hw inputs 1/2.

Or, would it be possible to have you send me a list of components that would work and then I can purchase and assemble them?
I just want to make sure that whatever I buy will work properly.

I tried to find out the cable config of this specific Sennheiser, but couldn’t find any information.

This one would be perfect, with the least of extra work.
https://www.ebay.de/itm/133037062026
Get it with 6,3 mm jack, unsolder the two wires that go to sleeve and solder them to tip and ring of a second 6.3 mmm jack.

Or this one:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/295641281923?ep … R8S5gaf3YQ

Sennheiser HD25 stock has the perfect cable config for the mod too, and sounds great IMO.

Hi KaiS,

The headphones just arrived and all I am seeing is 3 wires.  Will this still work?
Can I split out the wire attached to the sleeve?

Thanks,
Vince

+1

The idea is, to route the analog input signal directly, ADI-2/4 internal, to PH 3/4, while the DAW output, with the music to play along, goes to PH1/2.

As the special cable “mixes” PH1/2 and PH3/4, you can now listen to both at once - even set individual monitoring levels for each with ADI-2’s controls.

A fitting ADI-2/4 setting is:
USB-, Class Compliant Stereo- Mode, see manual page 42.

The source selection for both outs is under:
• I/O / Phones 1/2 / Settings / Source: USB (1/2)
• I/O / Phones 3/4 / Settings / Source: Analog

That’s correct and no problem.
If you look at the block diagram on page 42 PH1/2 is already connected to playback channel 1/2, without a source select option.

Then the two TRSs are not wired like I suggested.

Unsolder the left Ring and the right Tip connection, and re-solder in reverse.

This is how it should be then:
• Hot left, hot right –> Tip, Ring 3/4
• Cold left, cold right –> Tip, Ring 1/2

Exactly, if you have 2 TRSs it’s the ADI-2 Pro connection scheme for regular balanced operation, which we DON‘T want.
We even DON’T operate ADI-2 in balanced mode then!

Follow my instruction above.
Hope you can solder

BTW:
It might be better to reverse the connections in the Mini-XLR, if it makes sense to keep the mechanical cable arrangement including the splitter on the TRS side.

Only that in Mini XLR’s contacts are densely arranged, not a solder job for shaky hands.

1. Open both TRS.
2. Note down the wire colors for left Ring and right Tip connection.
3. Open the Mini XLR, take some photos how parts fit together.
The orientation of the metal strain relief is critical.
4. Reverse the two wires found in 2.
5. Check function.
6. Close Mini XLR.

It is the same for ADI-2 Pro and ADI-2/4 SE.

The idea is to combine (= mix) the sound of both PH1/2 and PH3/4 outs into one ‘phone.
The signal runs from one amp to the other through the headphones.
This way the headphones serve as correct load for the amps, and the amps can work quite normal.

Just to hard wire the amps outputs directly together would not work, as one amp would load the other like a short circuit or worse.

ADI-2’s ‘phones outs have a lot of protections built in, so even in case or shorts nothing breaks.
Anyway, the proposed scheme doesn’t short anything, go for it.