Topic: Fireface 400 monitor control

Hi this is probably a really basic question so apologies in advance if it’s eye-roll obvious. 

I’d like to set up my Fireface so analogue outputs 1 and 6 act as a stereo pair (rather than 1/2, 3/4 etc.) with their level controlled via the rotary controller on the front of the unit.   

Is this possible?

(this might seem bizarre but my stop-gap xlr to trs adapters are too fat to plug into adjacent holes)

Thanks in advance,

James

2 (edited by oli77sch 2023-08-23 19:12:17)

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Hi
It’s not possible in a easy way.
I think the most simple solution is to buy TRS to XLR cables (or TRS extensions).
More complicated but without the need to buy something is to configure the channels in Totalmix as single mono ones, panned hard left and right.
EDIT: ah no, of course it wouldn’t be possible to control this channels over the rotary knob then.

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

oli77sch wrote:

Hi
It’s not possible in a easy way.
I think the most simple solution is to buy TRS to XLR cables (or TRS extensions).
More complicated but without the need to buy something is to configure the channels in Totalmix as single mono ones, panned hard left and right.
EDIT: ah no, of course it wouldn’t be possible to control this channels over the rotary knob then.

Thanks Oli, sounds like new cables are the only option.  Before I order some I noticed one last thing. 

I’m quite new to totalmix, but I saw in the Main module, bottom right, in the Assign drop-down there’s an option for Main Out B.  Is there a way to use this to control two (or more) pairs of hardware outputs simultaneously?

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Yes, you may link outputs. So, you could use your setup, but two stereo outputs would have to be used. And you would use L from one stereo output and R from the other one. If those two stereo outputs linked together, it should work for you.

But better to buy cables that fit correctly.....

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Kubrak wrote:

Yes, you may link outputs. So, you could use your setup, but two stereo outputs would have to be used. And you would use L from one stereo output and R from the other one. If those two stereo outputs linked together, it should work for you.

But better to buy cables that fit correctly.....

Thanks Kubrak - I have ordered some XLR-TRS cables.

While I wait for them to arrive, it would be great to link the outputs as you suggest, so both 1/2 and 5/6 play simultaneously and are controlled by the rotary knob.  Then I'd use 1 for the left channel and 6 for right. 

I can't see a clear way to do this from the Fireface 400 manual - are you able to help me with this?

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

I think the best way to do that is to mirror the main out (assign out 1-2 there) to the other output pair (5-6). I didn’t have this option in mind before.
To my knowledge, 'Speaker B' would not work. Isn’t it to switch between two pairs of speakers, so you can only hear either the main or the 'B', but not both at once. Am I wrong?

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Probanbly you are right, either MainOut or SpeakerB can get output, not the both at the same time. But one could mirror MainOut and PhonesXY and output "phones" to output pair 5/6.

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

I just verified one good solution which is:
Assign analog output 1-2 to main out. So on the 'Main' channel click on 'assign' and select 'Main Out' > 'AN 1/2'.
Then right click (or on Mac ctrl-click) somewhere on the 'Main' channel strip to open the context menu and select 'Copy/Mirror Output Main'.
Now right click on the channel strip of hardware analog out 5/6 and select 'Mirror of Output Main' (last item in the list).
You now have the exact same mix on both output pairs, AN1/2 and 5/6.
But a further step is still needed: to group the faders to have synced control.
So first set both output faders - 'Main' and 'AN 5/6' - to the exact same level. I would suggest to double click to bring them to zero dB.
On the right side in the TotalMix window you have the 'Groups' field. Click on 'Edit' (all numbered buttons begin to blink), click on 'Fader' > '1' (top right) then on each fader knobs of both outputs 'Main' and 'AN 5/6'. The faders now should be coloured. A last click on the blinking 'Edit' in the 'Group' field and it should be fine so far.
Note: I don't have access to my Firfeace 400 at the moment. I (successfully!) tested it on my Mac with a Babyface pro. I hope it's working with the hardware rotary knob on the Fireface to control the synced volume of both the output channels (when 'main' out is selected).

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

oli77sch wrote:

I just verified one good solution which is:
Assign analog output 1-2 to main out. So on the 'Main' channel click on 'assign' and select 'Main Out' > 'AN 1/2'.
Then right click (or on Mac ctrl-click) somewhere on the 'Main' channel strip to open the context menu and select 'Copy/Mirror Output Main'.
Now right click on the channel strip of hardware analog out 5/6 and select 'Mirror of Output Main' (last item in the list).
You now have the exact same mix on both output pairs, AN1/2 and 5/6.
But a further step is still needed: to group the faders to have synced control.
So first set both output faders - 'Main' and 'AN 5/6' - to the exact same level. I would suggest to double click to bring them to zero dB.
On the right side in the TotalMix window you have the 'Groups' field. Click on 'Edit' (all numbered buttons begin to blink), click on 'Fader' > '1' (top right) then on each fader knobs of both outputs 'Main' and 'AN 5/6'. The faders now should be coloured. A last click on the blinking 'Edit' in the 'Group' field and it should be fine so far.
Note: I don't have access to my Firfeace 400 at the moment. I (successfully!) tested it on my Mac with a Babyface pro. I hope it's working with the hardware rotary knob on the Fireface to control the synced volume of both the output channels (when 'main' out is selected).

Oli thanks so much, this works perfectly.

Really appreciate you taking the time to investigate this, then write such a clear set of instructions.

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Jas0_0 wrote:

Oli thanks so much, this works perfectly.

Really appreciate you taking the time to investigate this, then write such a clear set of instructions.

Can’t tell exactly why, but I simply like to do that.

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

oli77sch wrote:

Can’t tell exactly why, but I simply like to do that.

Well I’m very glad you do, thanks.

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Jas0_0 wrote:
oli77sch wrote:

Can’t tell exactly why, but I simply like to do that.

Well I’m very glad you do, thanks.

As long I find some time…
Question: what option do you have selected on the unit for the rotary knob?

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

Thanks, Oli. Great idea!

MB Pro - 2 X FireFace 400, FF800 & DigiFace USB
ADAT gear: Korg, Behri, Fostex, Alesis...

Re: Fireface 400 monitor control

oli77sch wrote:
Jas0_0 wrote:
oli77sch wrote:

Can’t tell exactly why, but I simply like to do that.

Well I’m very glad you do, thanks.

As long I find some time…
Question: what option do you have selected on the unit for the rotary knob?

Hi Oli, sorry for the slow response, I only just saw this. 

I have L1 selected for the rotary knob