Pro Advice Wanted - multiple Audio Interfaces in DP11

[dhelpling]

Greetings MOTU friends. I am having a serious issue when trying to address more than one Audio Interface in DP11. My main interface is an SSL BiG Six - which is running flawlessly (and sounds amazing). I am wanting to add a second USB audio interface and when I do, I get some very strange audio happening... sounds almost like a ring modulated version of my music. It comes and goes, but is always an issue. This issue happens immediately after I Shift-Click on the second interface (so both are chosen) and the Audio System briefly rebuilds. I've tried this with two different USB interfaces from different manufacturers, but it seems like DP is just not happy addressing two. I am running DP 11.02 on Mac OS X 12.4 on a Mac Pro Rack. Is there a "tric" in the settings when attempting to do this? Thank you in advance - David.

[mikehalloran]

Look up Aggregate Device. Start with this support doc from Apple:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202000

If you still have problems setting it up, search here or contact MOTU Support by sending a Tech Link through your registered account on motu.com.

A Google search will reveal hundreds of other pages on this, many of them found here but the Apple Support page should be the only one you need.

[sayatnova]

I am using a MOTU 1248 and an Apogee Symphony IO MK2 as an aggregate device in DP 11 Ableton Live 11with no problems. I always used a single interface for years until I got the 1248 2 months ago and had to learn about all of this. Check out what Mike has sent you, aggregate devices are the way to go in this situation. Good luck with everything.

[dhelpling]

Wow... thank you so much for the swift reply both of you. I'll do this and see if everything runs smooth...

[mikehalloran]

Wow... thank you so much for the swift reply both of you. I'll do this and see if everything runs smooth...

If everything behaves, please add Solved to the title of your original post—that helps others. If there are more questions, let us know.

[dwilliams]

Do both interfaces have Word Clock? That is how I synchronize my Apollo (TB 2) and PreSonus Quantum 4848 (also TB 2). Even then I was having problems till I added a terminal (I didn't think you needed that with only two devices but it turns out, in my case at lease, that you do).

[dhelpling]

Thank you dWilliams! My main interface is the SSL Big Six which is USB with no word clock… otherwise I would be all over it (I love wires!)

[mikehalloran]

From Set up an Aggregate Device

6. Make sure Drift Correction is selected for each device that isn't the clock source.

7. If you're using separate word clock connections for devices in the Aggregate Device, here's what to do:

•Connect them together using word clock cables, then deselect Drift Correction for each device. Refer to your audio device product documentation for specific details on making word clock connections.

•For devices not designated as the clock source that don't use separate word clock connections, select the Drift Correction checkbox.

[philbrown]

I'd love to know if this was solved.

[dhelpling]

Yes, this was solved by creating an aggregate device in the Mac OS "Audio/MIDI Setup", though often I have to rebuild the device in Mac OS after each day's power-up. Not a big deal, but less than ideal.

[philbrown]

Yes, this was solved by creating an aggregate device in the Mac OS "Audio/MIDI Setup", though often I have to rebuild the device in Mac OS after each day's power-up. Not a big deal, but less than ideal.

That's helpful, thanks. Aggregate devices strike fear in me as that was the cause of the worst computer disaster I have had, ever. This was back on OS 9 and it bricked the whole machine, OS, everything. I had to wipe the HD. So even though it's been years, I still have dread about it. I may have to go that route, though. And I have Time Machine!

[dhelpling]

I feel you Phil - I use CCC to clone the boot drive once a month, have a mirrored RAID for the audio drives and a live running back up on top of that.

[Klaus]

Hope DP 9.52 behaves the same re: DP's aggregate devices...
I use it with a Motu896mk3HD and a Behringer X32Core,
both attached to the Mac via firewire.
Until now theX32Core is the master ( clock ) via firewire, my guess ?
Now if I use an ext. clock on the 896, and choose the 896 as clock master in the driver setup in DP,
DP will sync both devices via firewire ?
> anybody cares about jitter ?
Am I opening a can of worms ?


Best

Klaus

[FrankD]

Hope DP 9.52 behaves the same re: DP's aggregate devices...
I use it with a Motu896mk3HD and a Behringer X32Core,
both attached to the Mac via firewire.
Until now theX32Core is the master ( clock ) via firewire, my guess ?
Now if I use an ext. clock on the 896, and choose the 896 as clock master in the driver setup in DP,
DP will sync both devices via firewire ?
> anybody cares about jitter ?
Am I opening a can of worms ?

Find out if the X32 Core is capable of syncing wordclock via Firewire. I wouldn't assume...

Behringer made a Wordclock Expansion Card for X32, which has a WC i/o port and 4 ADAT ins and outs.

You could clock the 896HD to/from the X32 via a BNC cable, then route the audio between the 2 devices via ADAT optical. Different configuration, but it's an idea...

Have fun!

[Klaus]

Hope DP 9.52 behaves the same re: DP's aggregate devices...
I use it with a Motu896mk3HD and a Behringer X32Core,
both attached to the Mac via firewire.
Until now theX32Core is the master ( clock ) via firewire, my guess ?
Now if I use an ext. clock on the 896, and choose the 896 as clock master in the driver setup in DP,
DP will sync both devices via firewire ?
> anybody cares about jitter ?
Am I opening a can of worms ?

Find out if the X32 Core is capable of syncing wordclock via Firewire. I wouldn't assume...

Behringer made a Wordclock Expansion Card for X32, which has a WC i/o port and 4 ADAT ins and outs.

You could clock the 896HD to/from the X32 via a BNC cable, then route the audio between the 2 devices via ADAT optical. Different configuration, but it's an idea...

Have fun!

Hi Frank
nice to hear from you !
I select both interfaces in DPs hardware dialog and choose X32 UF ( the old X32 expansion card with USB AND Firewire )
as the master clock...
seems to work
I was just asking re: Jitter...

I think DP takes sync info from the firewire stream ( Core Audio ? )

Best

Klaus