Nov 02, 2008 02:36 pm I should clarify, that initially I Have tried connecting the interfaces via firewire. I don't understand ADAT -- but maybe that is the way to go?
Nuendo 3/Cubase, multiple firewire interfaces. How should I connect them?
Posted on Nov 02, 2008 02:27 pm
dbirchmier
Member Since: Nov 02, 2008
Hey everyone!
I decided to post at this forum as you guys seem very knowledgeable, so first off, thank you for taking the time to help so many!
My question may be very simple, but I'm not sure the correct route to take.
First, here is my setup:
Nuendo 3.2
Windows XP Pro SP3
4gb RAM
2 x 10,000RPM Velociraptor's in RAID0
AMD 9950 Black CPU
--
INTERFACES:
Tascam FW1884 (has firewire 400 connection, and 1 ADAT in /1 ADAT out | Coax Word Clock In/Out)
RME Fireface 800 (has firewire 400 & 800. 2 ADAT in / 2 ADAT out | Word IN / Word OUT)
Mackie Onyx 400f (Has Firewire 400 connection. Word IN, Word OUT. NO ADAT)
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My question is, how do I use all 3 of these interfaces at one time? The Tascam FW 1884 has a controller, so I'd prefer to use it as the "primary" unit, as far as sound going out. (Connect the monitors to it)
I've gotten the units to work individually, by chaining them together with Firewire. The problem is that Nuendo doesn't seem to allow me to select more than one Firewire interface at a time. (Under Devices, Device Setup, VST Audiobay)
Ideally, it would make sense that I could "enable" all 3 units. I'd then set my ins and outs. The In's would be spread across the 3 boards. The outs would ALL go to the Tascam controller.
Is this possible? If you need more information just let me know.
I sincerely appreciate your help on this matter!
-david birchmier
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Nov 02, 2008 02:36 pm I should clarify, that initially I Have tried connecting the interfaces via firewire. I don't understand ADAT -- but maybe that is the way to go?
Nov 02, 2008 04:17 pm They only thing I can think of is using the Tascam and the RME together via ADAT and Firewire.
Use the Firewire to connect to the PC with the Tascam and connect the RME to it by ADAT. I think that's the best way to.
Nov 02, 2008 04:18 pm I just realized the Tascam FW 1884 ALSO has a SPDIF connection, as so does the Mackie.
Can I use the optical ADAT for the RME, and the SPDIF for the Mackie?
I've connected the Mackie via SPDIF and the "D IN" light on the Tascam comes on. But when I go to add more inputs -- it only has "S/PDIF L" and "S/PDIF R"
Thanks for the help!
Nov 02, 2008 04:29 pm SPIDF only sends a stereo signal. And I've never used it so I don't know much else about it. I suppose you could with the setup I suggested but not sure how it will work.
Nov 02, 2008 04:34 pm Ahh okay.
Well SPIDF wouldn't be ideal then... since I wouldn't have the ability to multi-track on the Mackie Onyx, right?
Is there another way to do this? Perhaps I should make the RME the master instead of the Tascam?
Nov 02, 2008 04:42 pm Essentially, this could all be solved if the Mackie had an ADAT interface, right?
It appears that the Tascam can handle up to 8 inputs via ADAT. (I don't understand ADAT at all, so I don't know how this works)
Hypothetically, would it be possible to run the Mackie ADAT (if it had one!) out to the RME, then the RME ADAT out to the tascam, and then the Tascam INTO the computer via Firewire.
If i'm nuts, you can tell me, lol :)
Nov 02, 2008 05:14 pm Ideally, the RME should be the main interface. And connecting the Tascam and the Mackie to it via ADAT since it has 2 inputs. But, your Mackie doesn't seem to fit in the equation. Since it doesn't, using the Tascam (since it has the controller) as the main and ADAT the RME into it seems to be the best.
RME*ADAT*->Tascam*Firewire*->PC
Most amount of inputs possible with your setup and most effective.
EDIT:ADAT always carry's up to 8 signals.
Nov 02, 2008 05:28 pm Okay. Thank you for clarifying!
The Tascam doesn't have the best Preamps, right?
The Mackie Onyx has 8 1/4" line outs. Would it be a good idea to run the first 4 of these (the XLR inputs) out to the Tascam? -- and turn the Tascam's gain down. Would this allow me to use the quality of the Mackie preamp, instead of the Tascam?
Does that make sense?
Nov 02, 2008 05:44 pm What I'm wondering, is if by running from one interface's line out, to another interfaces line in, am i degrading the signal quality? Or in this case, is the Tascam's crappy preamp coloring the Onyx's better preamps?
Nov 02, 2008 09:08 pm If something is Line level you don't need a pre, so if something is going into it's line level input, you are not using the gain of the preamp.
So, yes, if you like the sound of the Onyx better, line out into the Tascam will not use the Tascam pre's because it's already at line level.
So, Onyx*line out*->Tascam->PC.
Nov 03, 2008 11:05 am Thank you so much! You've been incredibly helpful.
In conclusion, I'm going to run my setup like this:
TASCAM + Firewire > PC
RME + ADAT > TASCAM
Mackie + Line Outs > Tascam Line Inputs
I'll wind up with 12 inputs, and 8 of them will be pretty good. (4 RME, 4 Mackie) and the last 4 will be the Tascam's. Which will not be so grand :)
I do have a 2 channel tube preamp though. So I'll run that into the Tascam as well. thus cutting down my cheap, crappy preamps, to only 2!
How does this sound? Is this the best use of equipment in your mind?
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