• Registered: 2026-06-08
  • Posts: 2

Topic: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE + Fireface 802 FS

Hi All,

First time poster but long time reader! I need some help with my setup.

I have a multi ADI-2 Pro setup currently, PRO FS and Pro FS R BE that I have been using as my interfaces in USB Multi Channel Mode. Things are great but I need more I/O. I am thinking of removing the PRO FS and adding a Fireface 802 FS for preamps and more outs. I have been reading some older posts about ADI-2 Pro and UFX+, and want to make sure I am hooking everything up correctly. I have a bunch of outboard gear and patch bays and I send my mix to a RND 5060 which I have been using for monitoring and I can swap between the mix and external sources there like the main out from ADI2, phono, drum machine with ease. I am using Logic and a Mac. I'd like to able to send as many outputs as I can to the 5060, thinking I have the 8 out from the Fireface and 4 from ADI2, 1/2 and 3/4 routed out the front jack, so 12 total tracks to the 5060. All I/O will be connecting to patch bays for convenience.

I am thinking that I connect the ADI2 to the Fireface via AES, this will leave my ADAT free for things like my OX box, etc. Should I keep the ADI2 in Multi channel mode and connect both devices to the Mac via USB and make an aggregated device? Other posts have suggested ADI2 as Clock Slave in AD/DA mode and Fireface Clock Master as Interface connected to Mac. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of why I wouldn't use USB mode if I am not monitoring via the ADI2?

Thanks for reading and any suggestions.

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2026-06-08 19:29:01)

  • ramses
  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 15,801

Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE + Fireface 802 FS

Hi cb2112, welcome to the RME user forum.

The advantage of chaining 802 FS and ADI-2 Pro* is that you have more efficient audio flows for monitoring.

Scenario 1: monitoring of mic inputs on the 802 FS through the ADI-2 Pro

              +---USB-----802 FS----<---Mic inputs
             /
Apple---+
             \
              +---USB-----ADI-2 Pro FS R BE----->monitors

Audio has to go two times through USB.
If you have to work with higher buffersizes then you will get a lot of latency.
For a Windows PC with ASIO drivers the latency for one way over USB can be - dependend on buffer size - between 2 - 95ms.
For Apple it is compareable.

Scenario 2: same with different setup, ADI-2 Pro chained behind 802 FS


Apple
|
| USB
|
802 FS [cm]---AES OUT---------------->AES IN---ADI-2 Pro FS R BE--->monitoring
   ^   
    |
Mic Inputs

In this szenario Audio from the mics connected to 802 FS only have to be routed through AES.
Routing over USB through the DAW is not needed, you save by this all the latency through (2x) USB.
Routing over AES has perhaps a latency of 1-3 samples, not more.

That's a significant difference!

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
  • Registered: 2026-06-08
  • Posts: 2

Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE + Fireface 802 FS

Thank you Ramses, and I have read your other posts, I appreciate all your help and insight. That makes sense. If I do ad/da mode for adi2 and set fireface as master and connect to Mac via only the fireface I can still route out the adi2 1/2 and 3/4 outs correct? Still a noob at TM. And if I linked the other adi2 via ADAT to the fireface I could do the same and use its 1/2 and 3/4 outs correct? Both adi in slave mode to fireface clock master?

4 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2026-06-08 19:42:23)

  • ramses
  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 15,801

Re: ADI-2 Pro FS R BE + Fireface 802 FS

Thanks a lot, you're welcome wink

If you connect ADI-2 Pro via AES then you can transfer 2ch which you can route to 1/2, 3+4 or 1/2+3/4.

This is how I integrate the reference converter to my system for monitoring:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … our-Setup/

If you connect it with a 2nd digital link then you can do things like this:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/Ent … ort-DE-EN/

I prefer the first connection method with only one digital link.
I am switching channels for monitoring using the remapped I/O key in the front.
Either through phones or active monitors.
I also have a separate setup to monitor through two headphone outputs.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent