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RME User Forum → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series → ADAT expansion advice
Hi,
I am loving my 2/4 Pro so much. But I am looking to expand some analogue IO and wondered if I could use the ADAT on the 2/4 to accomplish this?
Q1) is this possible?
Q2) which device would you recommend for this task?
I have been looking at the new Ferrofish 8 channel to add… would it work? Or maybe the Babyface Pro with breakout cable?
Many thanks!
Tim
Page 56 in the user manual :
Only two channels are sent via ADAT, the same that are still
available at the coaxial output.
Therefore, sorry no, it's not possible for more than 2 analog outputs.
This device can transform the spdif optical into 2 analog ports :
https://www.thomann.de/de/swissonic_con … 24_192.htm
If you want more analog connections, you may get a real interface or a combo Digiface USB + ADA8200
You have a Babyface Pro ? Then use this via USB to the computer as your interface, there you can connect an 8 channel Ferrofish or any Adat-8-channel converter.
Ah yes…. Ok thanks for the reply. A “real interface” is funny man. Well maybe I can make an aggregate device on Mac OS with a babyface or similar?
Yes, good idea with the aggregate device.
Thanks I’ll look into it more. Ideally I would like to stay with RME all the way. I like the look of the RME Fireface 802 FS AE in black. I wonder how it compares sound wise to my 2/4?
Also from page 56 user manual ADI-2/4 Pro :
Digital Through mode, where only channels 1/2 can be monitored, but
all 8 channels are passed through to the output if set to ADAT
That means you can use the Babyface pro as the computer interface and connect the ADI to the Babyface for the monitor loudspeakers and connect a 8-channel Ferrofish to the ADI for having 8 analog output ports, and 8 analog input ports when connected correctly to the Babyface in a daisy-chain. Babyface clock-mode internal (master).
Also from page 56 user manual ADI-2/4 Pro :
Digital Through mode, where only channels 1/2 can be monitored, but
all 8 channels are passed through to the output if set to ADATThat means you can use the Babyface pro as the computer interface and connect the ADI to the Babyface for the monitor loudspeakers and connect a 8-channel Ferrofish to the ADI for having 8 analog output ports, and 8 analog input ports when connected correctly to the Babyface in a daisy-chain. Babyface clock-mode internal (master).
Of course the ferrofish will have only 6 usable outputs since 2 are used for monitoring through the ADI.
If you’re on Mac, an aggregate device is the way to go, definitely.
Everything else is a lot more hustle.
Thanks all. I think I will just get another usb device and aggregate them.
I did not know about the ADAT through but I love it in USB mode as it is. Thanks everyone.
waedi wrote:Also from page 56 user manual ADI-2/4 Pro :
Digital Through mode, where only channels 1/2 can be monitored, but
all 8 channels are passed through to the output if set to ADATThat means you can use the Babyface pro as the computer interface and connect the ADI to the Babyface for the monitor loudspeakers and connect a 8-channel Ferrofish to the ADI for having 8 analog output ports, and 8 analog input ports when connected correctly to the Babyface in a daisy-chain. Babyface clock-mode internal (master).
Of course the ferrofish will have only 6 usable outputs since 2 are used for monitoring through the ADI.
I came looking for this type of scenario - an aggregate configuration on a Mac. I have a Babyface Pro FS and a Ferrofish Pulse 16. So I can only use one bank of 8 channels 1-8, or the other 9-16, at a time.
In a similar scenario to what you described in the quote, is there a way I could use 8 channels (Babyface) + 6 channels additional with a 2nd RME interface - such as a 2nd Babyface or, possibly a MADIface?
I came looking for this type of scenario - an aggregate configuration on a Mac. I have a Babyface Pro FS and a Ferrofish Pulse 16. So I can only use one bank of 8 channels 1-8, or the other 9-16, at a time.
In a similar scenario to what you described in the quote, is there a way I could use 8 channels (Babyface) + 6 channels additional with a 2nd RME interface - such as a 2nd Babyface or, possibly a MADIface?
In both cases Aggregate Devices is the straight forward solution.
The alternative, daisy-chaining multiple devices, is more complicated and comes with unnecessary limitations.
From the ADI-2/4 Pro SE manual page 65:
27.3 Multi-interface Operation
OS X supports the usage of more than one audio device within an audio software. This is done via the Core Audio function Aggregate Devices, which allows to combine several devices into one. All units have to be in sync, i.e. have to receive valid sync information via a digital input signal, then all channels can be used at once.
If one of the devices is set to clock mode Master, all others have to be set to clock mode Slave, and have to be synced from the master by feeding AES, SPDIF, Word or ADAT. The clock modes of all units have to be set up correctly in their Settings dialog.
Thanks. I’m trying to figure out what I can use for the 2nd interface. The Ferrofish Pulse is only a converter. I use it to connect a 10 slot 500 series rack, an 1176, a Neve Pre-Amp, and a UA preamp. 13 ins and 11 outs, currently. My goal is to be able to use any combination of those. Currently I can only use 8 channels (at 48k) at a time.
Can Babyface and MADIface work as an aggregate device for this?
Can Babyface and MADIface work as an aggregate device for this?
Yes.
Thanks. I’m trying to figure out what I can use for the 2nd interface. The Ferrofish Pulse is only a converter. I use it to connect a 10 slot 500 series rack, an 1176, a Neve Pre-Amp, and a UA preamp. 13 ins and 11 outs, currently. My goal is to be able to use any combination of those. Currently I can only use 8 channels (at 48k) at a time
The RME Digiface USB can add full USB connectivity to your Ferrofish.
But I guess you need a proper recording interface as central unit for your studio.
Have a look at the RME UFX series.
TheNextInsect wrote:Thanks. I’m trying to figure out what I can use for the 2nd interface. The Ferrofish Pulse is only a converter. I use it to connect a 10 slot 500 series rack, an 1176, a Neve Pre-Amp, and a UA preamp. 13 ins and 11 outs, currently. My goal is to be able to use any combination of those. Currently I can only use 8 channels (at 48k) at a time
The RME Digiface USB can add full USB connectivity to your Ferrofish.
But I guess you need a proper recording interface as central unit for your studio.
Have a look at the RME UFX series.
Yes, I need a central unit. I’m also trying to keep the cost reasonable. So keeping the BBF and adding more ADAT… and/or use MADIface to handle analog gear with Ferrofish. This could potentially mean spending “only” $999 more vs. UFX full price + then having an unused BBF (which essentially just adds $1000 to the price of UFX). My concern is that TotalMix might not allow these two particular RME interfaces to be aggregate - if TM only allows one or the other to function at a time, for example.
So my idea is, connect Ferrofish 16 channels to MADIface via MADI. Create aggregate device in Mac settings; by selecting BBF first with Drift Correction selected for MADIface.
Assuming TotalMix works with both interfaces operating in tandem, the result should be that all inputs on the BBF are unused… except Analog 1, which I would still use for vocals. I just don’t know if it’s possible
Yes possible, but the cheapest option is the digiface usb, which adds 2x4 adat ports (and a headphones out).
The beauty of Digiface USB:
It handles 32 channels in and 32 channels out on ADAT in one unit.
So it could serve as the central unit if you don‘t need the FX part of TotalMix (it has no DSP processing built in).
It has the full TotalMix routing capability, just no reverb, echo, EQ and the like.
MADIface USB is similar in this regard.
It would be an option if you want to run the Ferrofish at sample rates higher than 48 kHz, where it‘s ADAT interface maxes out.
BabyFace can take the FX part BTW, if needed.
If he has (or planned) the purchase of a thunderbolt-based Sonnet extension case, then also the RayDAT PCIe card would be possible.
Compared to the Digiface USB, the RayDAT is a full digital card (without headphone output) with a good mix of different types of I/O: 4x ADAT, AES, SPDIF, 2x MIDI. As an option, additional modules like Word Clock or TCO can be purchased.
This would give him the possibility to deploy e.g. the optional WC module just in case he would need that in the future.
@vinart @KaiS @ramses
Thanks so much for your replies
This is great info and very good news
For my 500 series rack, I want to purchase a 2nd Neve 542 and a bus compressor. Currently I’m only able to use my gear in mono. If I can set this up with one of the options you mentioned, this will give me stereo as well 
> Currently I’m only able to use my gear in mono
> If I can set this up with one of the options you mentioned, this will give me stereo as well
???
My 500 series modules are all mono and consume ADAT 1-8
Since adding the DIGIface will give me access to all 16 ADAT channels all the time, I can use additional 500 chassis slots (and/or outboard gear) to expand my setup to include stereo units and/or pairs of modules
Ok, now I understand.
RME User Forum → ADI-2 & 2/4 Pro series, ADI-2 DAC series → ADAT expansion advice
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