1 Topic by Raphie (edited by Raphie 2011-07-03 14:30:49)

  • Raphie
  • AES/EBU artist
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2011-07-02
  • Posts: 117

Topic: HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink + Ferrofish A16MK

I'm trying to make these 3 work together
- SSL works fine, now clocked via workclock
- the A16 gets the embedded madiclock and locks to madi
- the RME HDSPe Madi is master

now i got the follwoing issue
- the SSL has madiports 1-24 (i think this is hardwired and can't be changed?)
- the Ferrosfish should be able to work on Madi 1(1-16) Madi 2 (17-32) Madi 3 (33-48) or Madi 4 (49-64)

However i can only have it to output on madi 1 (overuling the SSL) selecting 2,3,4 provides no signal the the HDSPe's input in totalmix. both the MADI link and lock stay green on the A16MKII
(now connected as backup via the adat of my Raydat, as projects need to be finished, but this should normally work right?)

Thoughts?

www.analoguemastering.com

Raphie's Website

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,192

Re: HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink + Ferrofish A16MK

I don't believe the SSL Alphalink MADI boxes can work in a "MADI Loop" - at least not easily.  I wanted to use two Alphalink MADI AX's on a single HDSP MADI card (24 Analog I/O on both, and the remaining 16 I/O for ADAT 1-2 on unit #2), but the only way to configure it for this task was by using the SSL Mixpander Card to configure the Alphalink's MADI routing from that card sad .

I inquired with SSL if I could take my Alphalink's to a store or studio that has a Mixpander card and configure it, and I was curious if the Alphalinks would retain their settings once disconnected from the Mixpander (and use a MADI loop for both Alphalinks to the RME), but they couldn't give me a definitive answer.  I ended up buying an "ADAT only" Alpalink AX for unit #2 and I patch it into Alphalink MADI-AX #1 with ADAT - then #1 sends all 48 I/O to the RME card via MADI...

I'd love to be corrected on this as I would indeed like to get all 64 I/O operational (additional 16 channels over what I have now) with another MADI box and a MADI loop of some sort....

cool

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8
  • From: New Milford , CT USA
  • Registered: 2007-05-01
  • Posts: 347

Re: HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink + Ferrofish A16MK

Hi,
The Alphalink does not support any sort of MADI Loop/daisy chain functions like the Ferrofish, RME, Lynx type of units.
You will only be able to use one or the other.
The MADI option was added to the Alphalink after it had already been out for a couple of years. Still a good sounding AD/DA even though the front panel settings and the manual that explains them are a total pain.
Using the 2nd unit like Randy describes is the only way to add more analog I/O into the single MADI card. The 2nd Alphalink is setup as a 24 ch stand-alone AD/DA. You can only get a max of 48 channels with this setup. The other 16 ch don't exist unless you use Mixpander card.
Chris

Chris

Chris Ludwig | ADK Pro Audio
www.adkproaudio.com
https://www.facebook.com/adkmg

ChrisADK's Website

4 Reply by Randyman... (edited by Randyman... 2011-07-07 03:08:09)

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,192

Re: HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink + Ferrofish A16MK

Well pooh! :-)

Do you know if two Alphalink MADI AX's could be CONFIGURED from a Mixpander Card, and then run "standalone" in a MADI Loop after the configuration was changed (after the Mixpander is un-hooked)?  SSL never got back to me on this, but they seemed to state that the Mixpander offered full control over the Alphalink's MADI routing (and I assumed this would also allow MADI looping once the I/O's are set/routed and MADI channels are enabled/disabled correctly)?

I already bought the "ADAT-Only" Alphalink-AX for unit #2 as you saw above, but I would like to be able to use all 48 analog I/O plus the remaining 16 Channels worth of ADAT for other uses (ADAT inputs from other PC's, convenience of not needing a MADI-to-ADAT converter for ADAT gear, etc).  Swapping my "AX" to a second full-blown "MADI-AX" is an option if this possibility seems likely.  I'm sure I can find someone with a Mixpander card in Houston! :-)

Rock on! cool

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8
  • Registered: 2008-08-15
  • Posts: 3

Re: HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink + Ferrofish A16MK

It is an older thread, but I have the same setup: RME HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink MADI AX + Ferrofish A16MKII.

Only I want inform that I get to work it in a MADI-ring.

    HDSPe MADI//MADI OUT ->
-> MADI IN//Alphalink (clock: master, BNC)//MADI OUT->
-> MADI IN(RX)//Ferrofish A16 (clock: slave, BNC) //MADI OUT(TX)->
-> MADI IN//HDSPe MADI(Clock: slave, out of MADI)

Settings (without Mixpander card): Alphalink (64ch mode)
Ferrofish(by remote app, trough MIDI): Input: Analog and ADAT to MADI 49-64

So I can add 16 Channels of either ANALOG or ADAT to the MADI line without
have to change any settings.

Best regards
Martin

6 Reply by Randyman... (edited by Randyman... 2012-04-20 01:15:24)

  • From: Houston, TX
  • Registered: 2007-05-11
  • Posts: 1,192

Re: HDSPe MADI + SSL Alphalink + Ferrofish A16MK

Interesting!  Good to know as I thought the Alphalinks would "step on" MADI channels 49-64 unless you were able to specifically program/disable them with a Mixpander card.

In the meanwhile, I picked up a used ADI-648 off eBay to free up all 64 channels of my MADI <> ADAT routings and to allow me to patch in two other DAW's via ADAT (48 Analog I/O via two Alphalinks, plus two DAW's with 8 I/O's each).  The only drawback to using the ADI-648 over the Alphalink's MADI is that I lose 8 channels of AD/DA @ 96K (24 + 8 over MADI+ADAT, or 24 channels total over ADAT on the Alphalinks), but I never run at 96K anyways ;-)  I'd MUCH prefer the extra 16 ADAT I/O's with the ADI-648!  Plus, with both Alphalnks now interfacing over ADAT, their AD/DA offsets are now indentical as far as the DAW is concerned (opposed to like 6 samples offset due to ADAT vs MADI delay differences in the Alphalinks).

Thanks for the update.

cool

MADIface-XT+ARC / 3x HDSP MADI / ADI648
2x SSL Alphalink MADI AX
2x Multiface / 2x Digiface /2x ADI8