1 Topic by GarlicJimmy (edited by GarlicJimmy 2026-06-23 17:24:34)

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Topic: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

Hello!

I have my unit set up for mastering, such that Output 1/2 feeds my mastering chain, Input 1/2 receives my mastering chain, and output 3/4 is my monitor path.

I currently have an analogue monitor signal leaving 3/4 and feeding my Kii Three monitors using their analogue input.

I want to use the AES output on the RME to send a digital signal out of the unit into the digital input of the Kii Three to avoid an extra step of conversion.

I can only figure out how to make Out 1/2 come out of the digital AES output, and not Out 3/4. Does anyone know how I can do this?

I'm set up in USB mode, and trying to do this by selecting "Digi out source" but the only option is "default", which selects Out 1/2 which is obviously the signal going to my mastering chain and not the monitor signal.

If you could explain as if I'm a child that would be appreciated, haha! I set this unit up a while ago and it was an absolute brain melter to get it to do somehting as simple as the above. I really don't want to hit the wrong setting and mess up the current set up. This is definitely one of the most unnecessarily confusing units I've owned!

Cheers

  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

Activate multichannel mode

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

3 Reply by KaiS (edited by KaiS 2026-06-24 22:38:38)

  • KaiS
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

AES / Coax / Optical digital out cannot be assigned to 3/4.
Best to use output 3/4 for feeding the mastering chain.
1/2 is better suited for monitoring on speakers and headphones.

Assign the balanced Rear TRSs to channel 3/4, and use TRS cables:
• I/O / Phones Out 3/4 / Settings / Rear TRS Source: Ph. 3/4.


Set ADI-2/4 to (see manual 17.4.2 for the block diagram) Class Compliant Multi-channel mode:
• Unplug USB
• SETUP / Options / Device Mode/DSD / CC-Mode: Multichannel
• Replug USB

Now you can control most of the routing in the DAW.


ADI-2/4 Pro SE is very feature-rich and extremely versatile.
This comes at a price of some complexity.

We’re here to guide you through the process of setup, just ask as precise as possible what you’re after.
The block diagrams are a key to understand ADI-2/4’s structure.

KaiS's Website

  • Registered: 2026-06-23
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

Thanks for the help KaiS

I'm not sure this will work, as in Pro Tools I'm using this as an analogue insert 1-2, meaning the audio has to leave and come back to the unit on the same in/out path.

Maybe this is possible to re-route in Pro Tools i/o, but I'm a little nervous to mess with it as it took me forever to get this thing working in both Pro Tools and Wavelab. I had to make sure everything lined up in audio midi setup and PT i/o to have the signal send and return properly.

The setup you suggest I imagine would work fine in Wavelab as I can set a separate output and return.

If you have any info on how to get the below to line up in PT, that would be amazing.

Cheers
James

5 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-06-25 11:59:16)

  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

it's not a ProTools forum here, you have to learn your DAW routing configuration before even thinking about expanding the setup (mastering-chain)

Select the RME ADI as audio device in the preferences in PT
select output channels 1/2 as master output (monitoring)
Select output channels 3/4 for the external effects gear.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • ramses
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

I don't know Protools, but sending a signal from a DAW output to different outputs should not be that hard.
That signal you see then in TM FX middle row (SW playbacks).
From there you can route it to any HW output.

I don't know the ADI-2/4 Pro SE in particular, but on my ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, I had used two different DAW outputs (TM FX: SW playback channels) routed to two different HW outputs on the recording interface to send
- the mastering output to ADAT OUT (SPDIF(o)) ---> ADI ADAT IN and
- the monitoring output to AES OUT -----------------> ADI AES IN

DAW---mastering---1/2-----SPDIF(o)-----ADI---3/4----mastering chain----Recording Iface IN--->DAW
DAW---monitoring--3/4------AES----------ADI---1/2----monitoring----------Recording Iface IN--->DAW

Basic mode: AD/DA
CC-mode: Multichannel
Main Output 1/2, AD/DA Source: AES
Phones OUT 3/4, AD/DA Source: SPDIF

"Something in that range...".

I don't know whether this helps; the ADI-2/4 Pro SE has possibly other/better options.

Good luck!

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

Totalmix ? For ADI-2 ?

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

8 Reply by GarlicJimmy (edited by GarlicJimmy 2026-06-25 12:36:54)

  • Registered: 2026-06-23
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

@waedi My question is specifically about it needing to work in an AD/DA loopback as insert, not sending from one track and recording to another. Always people with condescending replies on forums like this haha! We're all in the same boat mate, if you don't know Pro Tools simply don't answer that part of the question.

My question was aimed at anyone who has perhaps set up a similar setup inside PT, as it's specific to the RME. It should just be relatively simple to send 3/4 out of the digital output, I can't help but think that's a bit of an oversight on how this unit works!

Thanks all for the help anyways, perhaps this is too much fiddling around for the RME.

  • Registered: 2026-06-23
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

It seems you cannot use a hardware insert in Pro Tools with an i/o that doesn't match, so unfortunately this doesn't fully solve my problem.

If there is any way I can just send 3/4 to the AES out it would make life so much easier... Is that something that could be done via a firmware update? Would be happy to suggest to RME.

10 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-06-25 12:50:03)

  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

User manual page 55 :

In USB multi-channel mode the AES output becomes playback channels 5/6, see chapter 17.4.

In Protools select output channels 5/6, this signal goes to the AES output.

And honest apologize for having hurt your feelings and thanks for staying on topic and for your patience.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

@waedi, thanks so much! You have cracked it. I was focussing on routing 3/4 to the digi out, but didn't realise the AES had its own output on 5/6. This is all now set up and working, and actually sounds incredible using the Kii's built in DA, as opposed to two rounds of DA/DA

Thank you!

  • waedi
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Re: ADI-2/4 Pro SE - Route output 3/4 to AES output?

Glad you can work. The forum is always here for you.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue