I feel almost embarrassed to ask for guidance in this matter, so I'm pretending I'm asking "for a friend".

"My friend" just can't get two pieces working together. The trouble is ADAT. He's using an RME Babyface - but he also have a MOTU 828 mk3 Hybrid with a bunch of extra audio inputs.

Now now friend thought it would be nifty to be able to access the inputs of the MOTU through the RME, using the MOTU only for the inputs. Connecting them via an optical cable should do the trick. But no audio enters the RME.

It works of course to create an aggregate interface - but that adds a bunch of instability in the signal.

Any black-belt ADAT ninjas who can point me - sorry - "my friend" in the right direction?

/Carl

Maybe your friend needs to read this.
https://motu.com/techsupport/technot...-d-a-converter

This is the way.

What your friend will essentially be doing is setting up a really simple, dummy "mix" in the 828 using CueMix, that could be more accurately described as a "matrix patch".

This "mix" will route analog inputs 1+2 to ADAT outputs 1+2, analog in 3+4 to ADAT out 3+4, etc.

In a "checkboard" screen display like the routing grids in ProTools or more recent MOTU AVB setups, this would look like a straight diagonal line of checked boxes.

Your friend can also repeat the process to route the ADAT inputs on the 828 to the analog outputs if desired, and/or create actual mixes that combine a couple of analog inputs to a single ADAT output, etc.

Then your friend will store this "mix" into the 828's memory so it can be used without the unit being connected to the host via USB, FireWire, etc.

This will definitely work, but it's a bit fiddly to get set up the first time. Fortunately, I've had good luck with MOTU gear remembering how it's been set up and recalling that setup automatically on next power-up, so it will be as close as possible to "set and forget".

Thanks a lot to both of you. This sounds exactly what needs to be done.

/C

Just wanted to give some feedback.

This worked perfectly. Thanks again!

/C

...

If you record at 44 or 48kHz one ADAT cable can handle
8 channels but for higher SR’s, eg 96kHz, one cable can only transmit 4 channels (via S/MUX protocol).
You will want to consider these options. when setting up your system.