1 (edited by lukas108 2024-06-01 08:18:22)

Topic: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

Hi

Is it possible using two FF800 as In/out for analog summing (16 channels) while my main interface is UFX?
My goal is using UFX in DAW that sends and receives all signals to FF800 (ADAT). 
I'm thinking about is it even possible to make it done in 2x  (or 3x) TotalMIX ( from UFX and from FF800s in one computer)
I have acces to this hardware and trying to avoid buying new DA+AD converters.

Thanks for advices.

2 (edited by ramses 2024-06-01 08:43:22)

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

Do you have Firewire on your computer? Which OS?

A) If Firewire and Windows (ASIO):

- connect both via Firewire and access both in parallel loading/using the same RME Firewire driver in the application/DAW
- clock synch both via digital link or WC
- take care in driver settings to use the same ASIO buffer size for both devices
- for Windows and applications without ASIO support: create WDM devices as needed in driver settings

B) Windows PC but no Firewire connection available - FF800 in standalone mode

Connect FF800 to a computer with Firewire and RME driver / TotalMix.
Congfigure the routing.
FF800 will remember last settings if you power it on in stand-alone mode (when no computer is connected via FW).
PC---USB---UFX<-----ADAT----->FF800 (in stand-alone mode)

Apple: sorry, not my business.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

Thank you for detailed reply.  Yes, Windows platform. I have PCIE Firewire with 2x FW800 port, and 1x FW400.
Method B, seems to be the easiest and most UFX centric.
UFX <--> FF800 ADAT 1-8    / clock sync controlled by UFX, as understood.
       <--> FF800  ADA  9-16 /

Method A
As I understood, in this setup there is no UFX in the chain? FF800 driver is considered as main ASIO driver in DAW. Right?

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

ramses wrote:

Connect FF800 to a computer with Firewire and RME driver / TotalMix.
Congfigure the routing.
FF800 will remember last settings if you power it on in stand-alone mode (when no computer is connected via FW).
PC---USB---UFX<-----ADAT----->FF800 (in stand-alone mode).

To be more precise: the routings have to be manually stored to the units first to be available in standalone mode then!
Also the further settings from the Fireface settings app (sample rate, clock, sync…) have to be stored manually.
So these are two separate actions from both the apps, Totalmix and Fireface settings.

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

5 (edited by ramses 2024-06-01 10:38:17)

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

lukas108 wrote:

Thank you for detailed reply.  Yes, Windows platform. I have PCIE Firewire with 2x FW800 port, and 1x FW400.
Method B, seems to be the easiest and most UFX centric.
UFX <--> FF800 ADAT 1-8    / clock sync controlled by UFX, as understood.
       <--> FF800  ADA  9-16 /

Method A
As I understood, in this setup there is no UFX in the chain? FF800 driver is considered as main ASIO driver in DAW. Right?


If you have firewire, then I would use option A).

Why standalone mode, if both interfaces can be easily operated by TM FX...
And .. using the FW driver the DAW (and any audio application) can access BOTH interfaces in parallel.

Don't forget to clock sync using either a digital connection (ADAT, etc) or WC.
As WC has no better quality at all, simply use an optical TOSLINK cable if you do not need ADAT for other purposes.

EDIT: I would connect both interfaces to dedicated ports of your FireWire card (no chaining).

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

6 (edited by ramses 2024-06-01 10:35:04)

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

oli77sch wrote:
ramses wrote:

Connect FF800 to a computer with Firewire and RME driver / TotalMix.
Congfigure the routing.
FF800 will remember last settings if you power it on in stand-alone mode (when no computer is connected via FW).
PC---USB---UFX<-----ADAT----->FF800 (in stand-alone mode).

To be more precise: the routings have to be manually stored to the units first to be available in standalone mode then!
Also the further settings from the Fireface settings app (sample rate, clock, sync…) have to be stored manually.
So these are two separate actions from both the apps, Totalmix and Fireface settings.

Thanks Oli, I was focusing more on the general concept.
Why telling all the details if stand-alone mode is most likely not being used anyway wink
You would loose a lot of channels, ADAT ports were completely occupied/blocked by this.

When connecting FF800 and UFX to the PC using FireWire, then you have in total 56+60=114 channels for your disposition and the 4x ADAT I/O are free for connecting external devices, which I regard generally as very attractive and the most flexible solution.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

ramses wrote:

Thanks Oli, I was focusing more on the general concept.
Why telling all the details if stand-alone mode is most likely not being used anyway wink
You would loose a lot of channels, ADAT ports were completely occupied/blocked by this.

When connecting FF800 and UFX to the PC using FireWire, then you have in total 56+60=114 channels for your disposition and the 4x ADAT I/O are free for connecting external devices, which I regard generally as very attractive and the most flexible solution.

Totally agreed. I only pointed this out to avoid confusion. For whatever reasons, many users expect these interfaces as perfectly preconfigured ADAT converters when used standalone.

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

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

Thank you guys. When I'll re-setup my gears, will let you know if everything work as you described.

Re: Fireface 800<-->Fireface 800<-->Fireface UFX-possible?#analogsumming

ramses wrote:

When connecting FF800 and UFX to the PC using FireWire, then you have in total 56+60=114 channels for your disposition ….

Even more channels since OP has two FF800 units.

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