• Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Topic: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

Hello All,

I’m fairly new to RME and I appreciate all of the answers and information on this forum.  I’ve tried searching quite a bit and I’ve been through the manual. Thanks for all of your help, both on prior posts and this one. 

I’ve recently picked up this ADI 2/4 Pro and my goal is to use it for an analog mixbus chain while being able to alternately monitor via headphones and speakers.  I’ve got the ADI 2/4 connected through an RME Digiface USB via ADAT along with a Ferrofish Pulse8 for the rest of my i/o.  Since I’m going through the Digiface, I’m using the ADI 2/4 in AD/DA mode.  I’m not sure if USB Multichannel mode changes anything here, but this isn’t my only converter so I’m running it through the Digiface via ADAT.

Originally, I thought that the XLR Outputs 1 & 2 and the TRS Outputs 3 & 4 on the back meant that there were four ADAT output channels and that I would be able to route sound from the computer through XLR Outputs 1&2, go back into the analog i/o, back into the computer (plugins!), then back out through TRS Outputs 3&4 to the speakers and Headphone 3/4 (HP3/4) to my cans for monitoring. 

But that’s not how this is set up to work.  This is really a 2x2 i/o with a second DAC for HP 3/4. The saving grace seems to be that instead of exclusively having TRS Output 3&4 use the same signal as XLR Output 1&2 from the ADAT (the default), I can switch TRS Output 3&4 to use the HP3/4’s second DAC (which I currently have set to monitor directly from Analog Input 1&2).

So my current ADI 2/4 Pro Mixbus Chain and Monitor setup is: 

CPU → ADI via ADAT → ADI XLR Out 1&2 → Analog Chain → ADI Analog IN 1&2 → Directly Monitor HP3/4 & TRS Output 3&4 from the Analog IN while recording the mixdown on two new tracks in the DAW from that same signal via ADAT. 

Is there a better way to do this? I saw a post where someone said that the TRS Output 3&4 should feed the chain instead of the XLR Output 1&2, but I can’t figure out how to get an independent signal from the XLR Output 1&2 to feed my monitors. 

Thanks very much for your help!

RoboDon

  • KaiS
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Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

I would suggest to switch channels 1/2 and 3/4:

• Out 1/2 is better suited to be used for monitoring.
It can switch between headphones and speakers, each with their own full set of parameters (volume, EQ etc.), which is not possible on 3/4.


• Out 3/4, feeding the Rear TRS, can drive the analog chain.


To use independent feeds for monitoring and mastering out, connect an additional AES Digital cable to the breakout cable supplied with ADI-2.


If you’re on Mac, you can use USB for ADI-2 and create an “Aggregate Device” from both Digiface + ADI-2, which makes the handling much easier.
Read manual chapter 27.3.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

Thanks for the response!

Yeah, the way I figured out has problems but I was just so happy to find a way that COULD work after messing with it all day.

I don't have monitors with AES so that won't get me anywhere. 

I am on Mac though! I read through ch 27.3 real quick and I'll give that a try later today and check back in.  Just so I understand, I'll set up the Aggregate Device in the Mac Core Audio and then run the ADI 2/4 in USB Multi-channel mode after connecting the USB cable to the computer and leaving the ADAT connections to share the clock (ADI is master). Is that the basic set up?

  • KaiS
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Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

Correct.

BTW: I meant to use ADI-2/4 Pro SE‘s AES Input to get a second signal path into it.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

Oh ok, that makes sense on the AES.  All I've got is the Digiface so I'm stuck on ADAT. 

I think I'm going to stick with the way I have it and just live with it for a little bit and see how angry it makes me lol.  I've got other things that I want to focus on and the negatives of my setup might not be fatal (or at least annoying enough for me to do something about it in the short term).  It's a shame that the ADI 2/4 is handicapped on the ADAT i/o.  I'm not sure why ADAT gets the bad treatment while AES and USB is more flexible on a $2500 two channel converter, but it is what it is.  I doubt they will "fix" it now that it is discontinued, if they even could.

To attach the USB and set up an aggregate device means that I'll need two separate TotalMix windows and I read at least one statement that using aggregate devices adds 0.3ms latency per device (although I also read that this is not the case, so I'm not sure).  Plus I waste a USB port on my Mac.  What I would gain is the ability to control the headphones and speakers separately.  I don't switch back and forth a lot and I can use Morphit for headphone correction and crossfeed.

I'll probably set up the aggregate device at some point when I have some downtime, and I will update this post when I do so that someone who needs it can find it in the future.

I appreciate the help!

6 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2026-03-12 00:42:37)

  • KaiS
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Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

There’s a reason only ADAT channel 1/2 is used: sample rate.
ADI-2 works up to 768 kHz.
ADAT can still go up 192 kHz, but only for 2 channels (“SMux”).


To gain a 2nd signal path Digiface-to-ADI-2 (AES in), a second Digiface optical out, running through an Optical-to-Coax converter, with a Coax to AES cable can be used:

https://www.amazon.de/Converter-Bidirek … iewsAnchor

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ttqDYVwJL._AC_SX679_.jpg

The relevant Digiface outputs need to be switched to SPDIF for that.

The secondary signal path would allow independent feeds of the analog mastering chain and the monitoring.

The advantage: everything would run through the same Digiface’s TotalMix panel.


SIDENOTE: ADI-2’s AES input can take an SPDIF Coax signal if a fitting RCA-to XLRm cable is used.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

I thought that running it at 96k or 48k would have opened up the channels. It is what it is.

In any extent, I super appreciate you spelling out the AES converter work around.  I would have never figured that out.  I’ve never even looked at AES, and ADAT has always just worked for me, so I didn’t even consider the converter possibility. I will definitely try that first when I get back into it as I still have one open ADAT i/o on the Digiface.

  • Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

--------------UPDATE------------------

I'm just swinging by to give an update while it is fresh in my mind in case it can help someone else.

When I started this journey of creating an analog chain with the RME ADI 2/4, I had three options:

(1) The one outlined in my first post (doesn't work b/c the Digital signal f/ the DAW combines with the Analog analog chain return signal and I can't get them to be separate),

(2) Using the AES method explained by KaiS to get an alternate signal 3/4 into the ADI 2/4 (I bought all of the necessary bits, but I couldn't get it to work), or

(3) Also explained by KaiS:  Run the ADI 2/4 via Multichannel mode under USB mode and clock the rest of my converters attached to my Digiface USB from the ADI 2/4 via an ADAT toslink cable.  In order to do this, I have to set up an Aggregate Device (ADI 2/4 + Digiface USB) in Mac OS (I don't think this works on PC).

So, I just got option (3) set up.  I had some initial quirks.  I put the unit in USB mode but it wouldn't let me select "Multichannel" under Options -> Device Mode/DSD -> CC-Mode.  The option was greyed out and stuck on "Stereo".  Rebooting and Factory reset didn't work.  Luckily, unplugging the USB cable and the Toslink cables and rebooting seemed to shake whatever was going wrong there.  Then it wouldn't let me change the sample rate even when I set the unit to Internal, but I got it done by putting the Clock Source on Auto and changing the sample rate on the Mac in the ADI 2/4 Audio Devices setting menu.  Now everything looks like it is playing nice.

I need to redo the Aggregate Device (pretty easy) now that I've got the ADI in Multichannel mode, rewire the audio connections to the analog chain, and figure out how the actual routing works now that I'm not on TotalMix. 

Hope this helps someone.  I'll check back in if with an update if anything wonky happens, but I'm feeling pretty good that I've at least got a working solution.  Maybe they'll update the ADI 2/4 one day to unlock this functionality via ADAT.  It doesn't need to be fancy.  Just let me send channels 3/4 separate the way I can on USB Multichannel mode.  It would make a world of difference for people like me.

Thanks again for your help KaiS!

  • Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

---------------UPDATE 2 lol----------------

I'm going to type out the routing and settings just in case.  Please tell me if I'm missing anything.  Thanks!

Flow is:   DAW HW SEND: Phones 3/4 -> Feed Analog Chain from Rear TRS 3/4 -> Back into ADI via the XLR Analog 1/2 ->
DAW HW Return: Analog 1/2.  Once back in the DAW, Master channel is routed back out for monitoring via Analog 1/2.

Settings:

I/O -> Phones Out 3/4 -> Source:  USB 3/4
     -Set Ref Level to Hi-Power and Auto Ref Level to OFF
     -Set Rear TRS Source to Ph. 3/4 (Turn up PH 3/4 Volume to feed the chain).

SETUP -> Phones:  Set Dual Phones to ON. 

Monitor on Headphones 1/2 and drive speakers with XLR Outputs 1/2

10 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2026-04-20 09:47:33)

  • KaiS
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Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

RoboDon wrote:

------Maybe they'll update the ADI 2/4 one day to unlock this functionality via ADAT.  It doesn't need to be fancy.  Just let me send channels 3/4 separate the way I can on USB Multichannel mode.  It would make a world of difference for people like me.

ADAT Multichannel limits the sample rate to 48 kHz (8-channels) or 96 kHz (4-channels).

Not quite up-to-date these days.


Only USB can unlock ADI-2’s full capabilities.

With USB connected the host computer mandatorily dominates the clock setting.
This is why the according setting inside ADI-2 is greyed out.

Still, ADI-2’s internal “Steady Clock FS” synchronizes quasi jittery-free to USB for best quality.


BTW: For technical reasons switching to Multichannel Mode needs to unplug the USB-cable, else the function is locked.
This is outlined in the manual.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2023-06-30
  • Posts: 422

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

KaiS wrote:

With USB connected the host computer mandatorily dominates the clock setting.

Only if USB is selected as the current input source.

Fireface UCX II + ARC USB > ADI-2 Pro FS R BE > Neumann KH 750 DSP + MA 1 > KH 120 A

12 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2026-04-20 13:26:58)

  • KaiS
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Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

unpluggged wrote:
KaiS wrote:

With USB connected the host computer mandatorily dominates the clock setting.

Only if USB is selected as the current input source.

Which is the case in USB / Class Compliant Multi-channel mode.

But, even in other “Modes”, a plugged USB cables greys out the sample rate selection.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2026-03-09
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME ADI 2/4 Pro Analog Mixbus Chain Routing

KaiS wrote:
RoboDon wrote:

------Maybe they'll update the ADI 2/4 one day to unlock this functionality via ADAT.  It doesn't need to be fancy.  Just let me send channels 3/4 separate the way I can on USB Multichannel mode.  It would make a world of difference for people like me.

ADAT Multichannel limits the sample rate to 48 kHz (8-channels) or 96 kHz (4-channels).

Not quite up-to-date these days.


Only USB can unlock ADI-2’s full capabilities.

With USB connected the host computer mandatorily dominates the clock setting.
This is why the according setting inside ADI-2 is greyed out.

Still, ADI-2’s internal “Steady Clock FS” synchronizes quasi jittery-free to USB for best quality.


BTW: For technical reasons switching to Multichannel Mode needs to unplug the USB-cable, else the function is locked.
This is outlined in the manual.

Without starting yet another tedious sample rate argument (which has been done to death over the years across the internet), a tremendous amount of people work at 48-96K and use ADAT. The cost of allowing multichannel mode over ADAT does not seem prohibitive from a design perspective. It’s right there. There are 4 to 8 ADAT channels available at 48k and 96k respectively. It already works over USB. All I want to do is open up the other two channels over ADAT. I still can’t understand why that’s not available. To me, the value of using a premium converter isn’t just about access to high sample rates. It’s about access to high quality on the lower sample rates as well. Plus the headphone amp. There’s absolutely nothing stopping this extreme premium product from being more flexible except for stubbornness.

But it is what it is.  It’s a great unit otherwise. I’ve set up two presets. One is for the analog chain via USB, and the other is for tracking and day to day use via ADAT.

I appreciate you, and I appreciate RME.

Of course I found the clock settings and note about unplugging the USB in the manual after I figured it out by trial and error lol, only then to remember reading it before. I’ve been through the manual several times figuring this all out, but it’s overwhelming in the heat of the moment.  That’s why I circled back to document how I did it. It’s a map for other people to follow.