daisy chaining 896mk3 and 8pe in windows 7 64bit and cubase

[sybowarrior]

i have 1 motu 896mk3 and 1 motu 8pre, windows 7 64 bit and cubase 5 32 bit.

The problem is that they will not stay in sync, i have had the #25 error, i've had them near stable and connected all the ins and outs in cubase then it wont record anything, i have had them both work individually too so i know im connecting everything in the DAW correctly. i have installed the latest drivers from the motu site and the firmware update for the 8pre but still there is no improvement. my latest idea is that i could try and use optical out from the 8pre into the optical in on the 896mk3, will i still be able to use the 8pre in the same capacity (8 analogue ins)? also do you think this would cure the syncing issue? i have read on cubase.net about there being a firewire issue and there is a great fix, i haven't tried it yet as its specifically for xp, the link is below, what do you think about this matter?

http://www.cubase.net/phpbb2/viewtopic. ... 2670609547" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

basically i need a step by step guide of sorting this out as the manuals have taken me as far as i can go, so if there is anyone out there who has a similar setup please help. any help would be greatly appreciated as it aint a cheap operation and im losing hair, thank you in advance

[NazRat]

Using the optical I/O is the easiest way to go. You need to connect both the inputs and the outputs between the units in order to sync properly (4 cables). The 8Pre will sync to the optical in if it sees a clock there. You would disconnect the 8Pre from the firewire buss. The analog inputs of the 8Pre will show up on the digital inputs of the 896 in CueMix. This way you get all the bells and whistles of the 896mk3 to use on the inputs of the 8Pre, effects, EQ, etc.

[sybowarrior]

thank you, i will try this and update you as soon as possible, cheers