Hi all,

I currently have an SSL Alphalink SX 24 and a MadiXtreme64 PCIe card. I have a Lavry DA10 as the main speaker outputs connected via AES on channels 25/26.

I'm perfectly content with this set up on my Mac Pro, but I'm looking into getting rid of my MadiXtreme64 due to SSL's lack of support for it (currently on Mojave but no idea if it will run on Big Sur), but I'm confused about replacement options. SPL and RME seem to be the main options.

My main issue is with regards to latency - currently I have a simple set up when tracking - I just run at 64 sample buffer in Logic X (or 128 @ 96KHz) and it gives me a 'pseudo-DSP' system. I can give the artist a monitor mix with a bunch of plugins/reverb inserts with no issues. Or if I have to do overdubs when there are already plugins on the channel, I'll just hit the low latency mode in Logic and record. Being able to record while monitoring through a lot of reverb is a big part of my workflow.

The 64 sample buffer never caused any issues with myself or any artists. In most cases my 'old' Mac Pro can handle running at 64 buffer and I don't use any real time monitoring (the SSL doesn't offer any).

I know the RME and SPL Madicon have mixer apps, but how is the latency on USB2 vs PCIe and/or - is the CPU load considerably higher using the USB2 protocol?

I know you can use the real time mixer but I nearly always give the artist some kind of FX and don't want to use different plugins during the recording vs the mix. I'm guessing you can't insert a VST/AU/AAX plugin in the RME/SPL mixer apps, and even if you can, it seems like a bit of a clumsy workflow. I used to have an RME FF800 and I don't miss the whole 'real time mixer in-between the interface and the DAW', even if it does now have some rudimentary FX.

But maybe I'm completely wrong - so I'm looking for some user experiences on how they have their MADI interfaces hooked up to their (Mac) machines, especially if they've switched from an SSL PCIe card to a USB interface.

Cheers,

Ed

Hi There!!

I´m having the same doubt so I would like to reinforce this question in the first place.

My setup: Mac Pro 5.1 - OSX High Sierra - SSL Alpha-Link - MadiXtreme 64 (with old discontinued drivers from 2011...) - UAD Quad PCIe.
All pretty stable, but not very trustworthy. The clocks freak out if you create an aggregate device with some other interface... Last stable OSX was Yosemite.

Kind of a hassle to get this running (had to switch of Apple Software Protection SIP) to install the old driver...

I don´t get why SSL has discontinued the MADI cards and it´s drivers, since they are simple and got the work done very well by the way. Maybe because of the trashcan macs?

Thinking of selling it all and jump to an M1 Mac, Big Sur and Apollo Interfaces, but before that, I would also like to know if someone is using the Madicon or any other USB or PCIe in current Mac OS Systems with success, stability, good sound and low latency monitoring.

Sooooo... And the M1 CPU's are kicking some serious ass, and they have yet to beat a maxxed out Mac Pro 5.1... or whaddaya think?

As usb MADI interface I would definitely like to hear some feedback on the SPL Madicon, since I'm a bit skeptical about the RME stuff... they always sounded kind of "plasticky" to me.

Cheers, Crash.

Some points:

1) The RME nor the SPL have a 'sound' as they do no ADDA conversion.

2) I've never tried to aggregate the interface as 24 analog ins/outs and even more digital IO is enough for me. If I want more inputs I'd just use the digital ins and another DA. I wouldn't recommend an aggregate device in any professional environment.

3) It's been very stable for me, but SSL discontinued it because Apple killed PCIe based Mac Pros (with the trashcan), and they are notorious for killing off software/hardware when it's not going well/low values. There are now Mac Pro's with PCIe but most people have moved on and SSL don't want to offer PCIe solutions.

4) This thread isn't about M1 performance, just MADI interfaces.... but yes they really fast. I will only switch when the new generation of desktops are out.

Have a look at the RME Madiface USB or RME Madiface Pro. Be aware that the smaller Madiface USB has no analog outputs (not even a headphone jack) and it's internal virtual mixer (TotalMix) does not incorporate the effects-engine of the larger RME units (basic Reverb/Compression/EQ effects which can be printed or used for monitoring cues only). The Madiface Pro by contrast has two analog mic/line XLR inputs, two XLR line outputs, two universal TS inputs for line/instrument, and 2 stereo TRS outputs for low and high impedance headphones. Moving up from there you can look at the RME Madiface XT, which has more MADI i/o and features. (This unit can connect via USB as well as External PCIe attached to a PCIe host-card in a desktop, or an ExpressCard host-card in a suitable laptop.

The USB round-trip-latency performance of these units isn't quite as fast as PCIe, but is still tremendously good and more than usable for both VI use and live recording/overdubbing when used with a relatively powerful modern computer. RME have the best and most efficient USB drivers bar none. I use the Madiface USB with my Madi preamps (Micstacy and Octamic XTC preamps) and the Octamic XTCs have two separately addressable headphone outs. All of the preamps can also be controlled remotely via Midi-via-Madi using the RME Midi-Remote control app.

Hi, I'd love to bump this thread and see if anyone has any more feedback. I'm particularly interested in CPU usage. We know the RME can go down to 32 samples - but at what (CPU) cost?

Has anyone switched from a PCIe MADI interface to a USB one and noticed the CPU usage difference at the same buffer size?

Thanks!

I use an Alpha link. Had it upgraded by black lion and use black lion clock. Was a huge upgrade to that unit. I also had an MX4 card and moved to an RME MADI FX. That was another upgrade. at 96K the lag went from 2.3ms to 0.97 ms ASIO lag.

Moving off a PCIe card for MADI will be a disappointment. RME is the way to go.

If you really want to dig into your choices. Check this gigantic thread.

Audio Interface - Low Latency Performance Data Base

Thanks - unfortunately I'll have to go to USB as I can't afford a new style Mac Pro, and I'm a Logic X user.

I can probably hold off and maintain this system for a while longer, but I hear good things about the RME MadiFace USB and SPL Madicon. I'm just worried about additional tax on the CPU. I suppose it won't be an issue once I switch to an M1X and onwards Mac, but for the time being...

Heck, the MadiXtreme 64 PCIe card I have is so old, the USB might even be better... at least it's still supported.