• Registered: 2022-11-16
  • Posts: 6

Topic: FireFace 802 with M-16 AD (via ADAT)

Hello!
Can I get 16 analog channels more with getting an M-16 AD for my Fireface 802 via ADAT?
RME states that "Two 8-channel ADAT I/Os allow for a connection of two additional AD/DA converters." so I wonder if I will only get 8 more channels per ADAT connection and not 16 channels the M-16 AD is capable of. Thanks for reading I didn't use adat expanders before!

UFX II, FF 802, UCX, MacBook Pro, OS10.15 & Win7/10 (Bootcamp), Cubase12

2 Reply by oli77sch (edited by oli77sch 2024-03-05 12:28:09)

  • Registered: 2016-06-14
  • Posts: 990

Re: FireFace 802 with M-16 AD (via ADAT)

Hi
One optical ADAT connection = 8 channels at once at 44.1 or 48 kHz.
But at 88.2 / 96 kHz you only have half the channel count.
The M-16 has four ADAT outputs. That means it can send all the 16 channels out even at 88.2 / 96 kHz but of course the Fireface 802 only can receive eight of them. At 44.1 / 48 kHz you can have the full channel count and two of the ADAT output ports on the M-16 are not used.

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

3 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-03-05 12:51:07)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,112

Re: FireFace 802 with M-16 AD (via ADAT)

Yes you can connect the M-16 AD to the two ADAT ports of the FF802.
All you need are two TOSLINK cables.
This gives you the needed 2x8=16 channels at single speed (44.1/48 kHz).

FF802----ADAT1 IN<--------------------ADAT1 OUT---M-16 AD
        \----ADAT2 IN<--------------------ADAT2 OUT---M-16 AD

Regarding clock synchronization, see my new blog article, the link to it you find in the forum here:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=39041

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • Registered: 2022-11-16
  • Posts: 6

Re: FireFace 802 with M-16 AD (via ADAT)

Thank you oli77 & ramses for the help and clarifications! I understand better now how it works.

UFX II, FF 802, UCX, MacBook Pro, OS10.15 & Win7/10 (Bootcamp), Cubase12