^ i figured this was the issue.

admittedly i have spent no time configuring an appropriate template inside ableton since having the RME device. thanks for the explanation, will attempt to put the instructions into practice later.

yeah i mean ideally i'd like to get it set up neatly, but it doesn't look like ableton is permitting me to. i can't figure this out. i still have the dry signal. currently my set up (with all the configurations set as above on the RME device) are such:

track 1) audio for processing > TRS 3/4 > chain > back in through analog inputs 1/2 and appropriately set on another audio channel.

i mean it shouldn't be that complicated. i have done it with the external audio effect too. and also, attempting to use a channel as a sub-mix prior to the masterbus. nothing is quite as irritating as this lol!

yeah if i unplug my chain the dry signal is still there. i understand it's a problem inside ableton. but to my knowledge, the settings are correct. the audio should not sound with out set to 3/4, but for some reason it's audible. monitor is also set to off as should be, sound... persists...

apologies for the absence KaiS; routing electronics is my kryptonite, i had to take a pause and focus on other things

i have followed your instructions-- it doesn't appear in 1/2 at all during any stage of the process on the RME device

on the volume/balance menu it says phones 3/4 muted

could this be due to using the bal input for headphones?

OK, and for the moment don‘t use the balanced ‘phones out.

In theory it shouldn’t make a difference in ADI-2/4 Pro SE.
The balanced ‘phones out occupies channel 3/4 only on the ADI-2/4 Pro SE (opposed to ADI-2 Pro where it uses 1/2 AND 3/4).

Still, just to keep the test simple, basic.

Phones on 3/4 isn’t meant to be used at all anyway in what you intend, as is 3/4 part of the analog mastering chain.

For headphones use PH 1/2.

there is sound intruding from elsewhere too. damn me and my limited knowledge.

so, i have the external audio effect set up on a return channel inside ableton. now, even if i do not send audio to the return channel for the analog chain processing, if it is active, audio that i do not wish to be processed *is*

1/2 as master in Ableton is correct.
If you see a small signal on Ableton’s input it might just be random noise from your analog devices, might even be you’re mistakingly on the PC’s analog input.
At this point we don’t care.

I‘d ask you to thoroughly go through EVERY STEP one by one.
Don’t skip anything.

On ADI-2, set:

• Do a Full Factory Reset again, to avoid any unknown misconfigurations:

While powering up, push and hold the VOL button (NOT the VOLUME dial) and Encoder 1 and Encoder 2, until you see the message: “Reset done“.

• SETUP / Options / Device Mode/DSD / Basic Mode: USB

• For Class Compliant Multi-channel mode:
Unplug USB cable.
SETUP / Options / Device Mode/DSD / CC-Mode: Multichannel
Replug USB cable.

• I/O / Phones Out 3/4 / Settings / Source: USB 3/4.

• I/O / Phones Out 3/4 / Settings / Rear TRS Source: Ph.3/4,
to use the rear TRS outs as send into the hardware chain.

• Make sure ADI-2’s outputs are not muted (would be visible in the main screen’s bottom line).

DAW checklist:
• Start with a fresh project, 2 tracks and master.
Track 1: Dry track with music, routed to ADI-2 output 3/4.
Track 2: Record track, input from ADI-2 analog input 1/2, routed to DAW master, input monitoring active.
MASTER: routed to ADI-2 output 1/2.

Play the project, check:

• Can you select ADI-2’s output 1/2 AND 3/4 (and 5/6, 7/8 which we DON’T use!) in your DAW?
• Can you select ADI-2’s input 1/2 (and 3/4, 5/6 which we DON’T use!) in your DAW’s record track?
• If not, configure the DAW accordingly.
Some need to activate ins and outs in a menu.

This is the final routing config, to double check:
• Dry track -> ADI-2 analog out 3/4 -> hardware chain input.
• Hardware chain output -> ADI-2 analog in -> DAW record track.
• DAW record track monitoring -> DAW master -> ADI-2 channel 1/2 -> monitors and/or headphones.

• Dry track should NOT be routed to DAWs master (ADI-2 1/2).

Check your signal path one by one, in order of signal flow:
(Temporarily break the chain by unplugging analog cables, to verify what exact signal you see).

1. Dry track to ADI-2 3/4:
Does ADI-2’s main screen (meter/analyser) for Phones Out 3/4 show the signal?
You can scroll up/down through ADI-2’s main screens by pushing Encoder 1/2.

2. ADI-2’s main screen (meter/analyser) for Line Or Phones Output 1/2 SHOULD NOT show the (dry) signal.

3. Do the analog mastering devices’ meters show the signal?

4. Is ADI-2’s main screen (meter/analyser) for Analog Input showing the analog return signal?

5. Does the DAW record track show ADI-2’s Analog Input signal?

6. Does this signal (and nothing else) go to DAW’s master?

7. Does the master out signal show up at ADI-2 Line Or Phones Output 1/2 ?

Hint:
For a quick overview there’s a Global Meters main screen in ADI-2, showing all in’s and out’s levels at the same time.
Push Encoder 1 or 2 until you see it.

“Off” in the DAW? Maybe not activated, but if it works …

You can hear the DAW Master now, with only the wet signal as intended?!

If yes, all good now, Happy New Year!

At which output do you hear the dry track if Line Output 1/2 shows OFF, meaning quiet?
Have you plugged phones into 3/4 to hear the dry track?

You should hear the wet track on your studio monitor speakers, plugged into Line Output 1/2, the rear XLR male connectors.

Currently I’m a bit lost on what‘s going on.
I have no more idea, even checked my own “checklist” again if I missed something.

There are several ways to set Line Output 1/2 “ON” again - I assume factory default setting other than the settings I described, and no ‘phones plugged:

1. Push the VOLUME dial until the square at the bottom of the display is around 1/2, then turn volume up, it will unmute automatically.

2. Press VOL, then push Encoder 1.

3. On the remote app.

Here’s the culprit:

BAL ‘phones on ADI-2/4 Pro SE alway is output 3/4 and mutes 1/2 in default settings.

Don’t use balanced ‘phones, use single ended phones connection on PH 1/2 only and leave PH 3/4 and BAL connector alone.

3/4 front and rear in the intended configuration is reserved to feed the mastering chain, therefore dry!

praise the lord. i had to start from the beginning, but i have the operation underway with speakers. i will have to buy a new adaptor for my headphone cable to insert into the unbal. channels.

thanks so much for your patience and help KaiS ! ! !

i do have one more query, now that we are here, and i am having to return some faulty items. is there any way to run the operation in mono? say just through channel 4? i will be without stereo until my replacement items are here, and have some things that don't require stereo in the meanwhile i could crack on with.