To connect a Focusrite 18i20 to 18i8 (both 3rd gen) via optical cable, you will need a TOS Link optical cable, which can be purchased from music and hi-fi shops. This cable should be connected from the optical output on the external preamp unit to the optical input on the Focusrite interface. With the addition of a third-party digital optical to coaxial S/PDIF converter, you can connect your external devices to these Focusrite interfaces.
The Scarlett OctoPre can transmit eight channels of audio at sample rates of 44.1, 48, 88.2, or 96 kHz, or four channels at 176.4 or 192 kHz provided. These channels can be represented any way you like, but in most computer connections they are encoded as voltages. The optical ADAT connections on the back of the Scarlett 18i20 can be used to send or receive an additional 8 channels of digital audio.
In this video, we will look at three popular ways you can use ADAT to expand your studio. Sweetwater sent me a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20, a Cranborne Audio 500ADAT, and a few optical cables so that I could walk. The optical output on the 18i20 is ADAT only, not SPDIF. You can choose what is routed to the 8 ADAT output channels with the included routing software. Connect the S/PDIF output of the interface to the S/PDIF input of the external device using a coaxial S/PDIF cable, such as a CD recorder.
ADAT is a digital format carried using optical (sometimes referred to as “TOSLink”) cables. The number of channels transferred between two TOSlink ADAT cables can be relatively fragile due to their glass nature. Intel chose to use electrical cables for Thunderbolt because they can deliver power as well as data. In summary, connecting a Focusrite 18i20 to an 18i8 with an optical cable is a simple and effective way to expand your studio’s audio capabilities.
📹 Focusrite 18i20 ADAT/Optical Tutorial Faster
My first video about this was kinda bad– this one clears more info quickly!
Can you use optical cable for audio?
An optical cable is a popular method for connecting external audio to a TV, allowing for high-quality audio transmission. It is a physical connection that transfers digital signals through light, converting light pulses into electrical pulses containing audio information. These electrical pulses are then converted to an analog signal through a compatible device and amplified for hearing. Optical cables have lower transmission loss than metal cables, making them suitable for long-distance transmission and can be used semi-permanently. For more information on how to connect an optical cable, refer to the article on how to connect an optical cable.
What USB-C cable for Scarlett 2i2?
All Scarlett 3rd units, Solo and 2i2 4th Gen interfaces come with a USB-C to USB-A cable included in the box. If your computer has a USB-A port, use the included cable. If your computer has a style USB-C port, use a USB-C to USB-C cable (not supplied). We recommend using one of the following cables, which have been tested with the Scarlett 3rd Gen interfaces and found no connectivity or performance issues.
Is arc or optical better?
HDMI ARC, or Audio Return Channel, is an HDMI feature that allows audio signals to be sent from a TV back to an audio device using a single HDMI cable. This eliminates the need for additional cables and allows for high-quality audio signals, including multi-channel audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. HDMI ARC also allows for the transmission of video signals, making it a versatile choice for entertainment setups.
Optical Audio uses fiber optic cables, making it less vulnerable to interference from high-powered appliances. HDMI ARC, on the other hand, can transmit video signals in addition to audio. Optical Audio’s technology makes them suitable for the best possible audio experience, but if interference is not a concern, HDMI ARC is a better choice.
Compatibility is another key difference between HDMI ARC and Optical Audio. HDMI ARC was introduced in 2009, while Optical Audio was introduced in the 1980s, making it compatible with more devices. However, more recent sound systems may provide both options when building a setup.
How do I get my headphones to work on my Focusrite?
In order to modify the monitor outputs in Focusrite Control, it is first necessary to open Settings and then set the Monitor Controls option to the monitor outputs that are to be used. In Scarlett Mix Control, right-click on the headphone output channels and select “Make Grey” from the context menu. The monitor dial exerts control over the aforementioned elements when they are displayed in dark blue. To prevent the full output level from being reached, it is advisable to reduce the volume on the headphone dial initially. Should further assistance be required, please contact Technical Support.
Can I use 250 ohm headphones with a Focusrite Scarlett?
The Focusrite Scarlet Solo 4th Gen Power Set of 250 ohm headphones is suitable for use in the context of music, audio, and video editing. In addition, the headphones provide adequate hearing protection if all settings are set up correctly.
Can you use an optical cable instead of HDMI?
HDMI and optical cables are both affordable and capable of passing higher-resolution audio formats, such as Blu-ray formats, which cannot be transmitted across optical. HDMI is the preferred choice for a single cable between two devices, but may not be available for older receivers or sound bars that require optical connections. Optical cables are suitable for audio output to sound bars, but HDMI is not always compatible with these setups. Sound quality is generally the same with both cables, except for a potential issue with sound bars that benefit from surround sound signals.
Is optical better than HDMI ARC?
HDMI ARC is a superior audio cable compared to optical cables, offering enhanced 5. 1 channel surround sound and support for Dolby Digital, DTS, and Stereo. However, it cannot support 7. 1 channel surround sound like HDMI eARC. HDMI ARC also offers better video transmission capabilities, with resolutions up to 4K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz. It simplifies home theater setup by requiring fewer cables for installation.
The running length of cables can impact the quality of the output audio signal. If your TV is close to the AV receiver, the cable length isn’t a problem, but if you have a separate home theater room, it’s important to consider the cable length.
Can you use USB-C for audio interface?
It should be noted that USBC adapters are available for use in conjunction with the aforementioned setup, obviating the necessity for utilisation of the official Apple Gadget for the purpose of expansion.
Can you use any headphones with Focusrite?
Closed-back headphones are optimal for vocalists or performers situated in close proximity to microphones, as they effectively mitigate the phenomenon of bleed. Conversely, open or semi-closed headphones are well-suited for control room applications and extended sessions. The loudness of the equipment is contingent upon a number of factors, including the loudness of the source material and the surrounding environment. The impedance, defined as the ratio of the input to output, affects the volume of headphones.
Can optical be converted to HDMI?
The Optical Digital-to-HDMI Adapter is a device that converts a TV’s optical output to an HDMI jack, allowing it to connect to Sonos Amp, Sonos Beam, and other soundbars that only have an HDMI ARC jack. This adapter is not compatible with a Samsung TV with an optical input, as the Sonos Playbase only has an optical input. To connect to a sound bar or receiver with an HDMI in, a device that can convert the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC to optical is required.
Another user with a 2023 Sony Bravia TV and a 2019 Sonos Soundbar has an optical cord, but the sounder does not have an HDMI input. To adjust Sonos volume using the TV/Cable remote, the user can use an optical cord instead of an HDMI ARC cable.
Is optical better than aux?
An optical connection provides superior audio quality and is compatible with Dolby Digital audio from an HDTV. Nevertheless, it should be noted that not all TV apps are capable of transmitting audio through the digital optical output on the TV. In such instances, it is therefore necessary to utilise the analog AUX connection.
📹 3 Ways To Use ADAT To Expand Your Audio Interface | ADAT Explained
How can you expand your audio interface and studio using ADAT? In this video, you’ll learn how to add inputs, outputs, and …
So with my main interface off my focusrite control is not seeing the octopre. Because it is connected to my 18i20. I got the ADAT out and connected even the world clock with a locked connection. However, my DAW is not seeing the extra 8 websites from my octopre. It drove me crazy for hours last night.
Actually, it would be best to utilize two opticals for in/out with the BNC for the WORDCLOCK setting the Main interface as that master (internal clock). In this configuration, you can take advantage of both inputs and full outputs (16 in/out). Otherwise, your configuration will NOT allow outputs from your slave (ADAT).
Looks like I’m using the same configuration that you’re showing: 18i20 3rd gen and 18i20 2nd gen. Is there a reason you’re using the 2nd gen as the master instead of the 3rd gen? I set mine up with the newer 3rd gen as the master. The only other difference is I have dual TOS cables. My units were working perfectly together until last week. The power blinked while the computer was on and after that, the 2nd gen slave unit wouldn’t talk to the 3rd gen master unit. I thought I had been smart by saving config files for both units but had no joy when I reloaded them. What finally solved my issue was already built into Focusrite Control. While setting up the slave unit, I selected File>Output Presets>Standalone Preamp, converted the outputs from stereo to mono, saved it as backup config, and powered off the unit. I then connected the 3rd gen master unit, powered it on, went into Focusrite Control, selected File>Output Presets>Analogue + Digital, converted the outputs from stereo to mono, and turned the slave unit back on. The master unit instantly recognized all the new inputs and I was back in business, so I saved that config file, too. Hooray for presets!!! In retrospect, I think my biggest mistake was not powering down the slave unit and leaving it off until after setting up the master. Thanks for putting this helpful article out!
When you turn on the master unit you pause for a brief second, and then you switch on the slave. In the previous step, you just configurated the slave and therefore the USB cable was connected to your computer. When turning on the master and then turning on the slave both units, have a USB cable plugged in if I am not mistaken. Will the whole configurations work if I take out the USB cable from the slave unit just before powering it on?
So you don’t have to change either word clock from internal? Also, I followed each of your steps but at the end. In my DAW I can’t seem to see where these websites would be coming in, the mixer is different on ableton live and I can’t seem to find the place where you would select the optical websites. Sorry if you don’t know much about ableton
At the 1 minute mark did you make an error as to which interface you were meaning?? You said “Only one interface is on; the slave interface.” Didn’t you mean the master or main interface??? If I had only the slave interface on at this time, it loses contact with the computer as the main interface is off… At the 1:20 mark you say close out Focusrite Control and restart your device. Which device are you referring to? The master (main) interface or the slave?
Hi. Your article is great. I have a question: I have my master connected via thunderbolt. The slave is connected via adat to the master, but needs to be also connected to the computer. When I disconnect the slave interface from the computer, even it receives audio, I cannot see the control panel. How did you manage to see the Focusrite control panel with the slave disconnected from the computer?
Hey – i have a scarlet 18i20 2nd gen and want to expand with 96khz OUTPUTS. Is that possible and how? I record only one Stereo In from my mixer. And want to route out outputs to the mixer. I do have now 1 Main Speaker Stereo out, with 3 Stereo Ch. Out. That works well. But i would love to get all 5 Stereo Out from the clarett 8Pre. Is that even possible???? Do i need to conect the Clock??
Great tutorial. I mistakenly purchased the Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre which as a mistake for connecting hardware to it as an expander for my 18i20..I emailed Focusrite and they informed me that adding external hardware to the Scarlett Octopre will not work because there is no ADAT IN Ports on the device. I then read an Article from SOS Magazine and they reported the following., “As before, the basic model offers only one-way (analogue-to-digital) conversion. That’s fine if you simply wish to hook up an additional bank of preamps to your interface to, say, record a rock band with a multi-miked kit. However, it does mean you’re unable to use the Scarlett OctoPre to hook up extra outboard to your DAW. To do that, you’d need the Dynamic model, because as well as the obvious addition of the analogue compressor on each website, this features both A-D and D-A conversion — you can route your DAW outputs to the Scarlett OctoPre Dynamics’s line outputs, as well as route its line inputs back to the DAW”. Now I am selling my Scarlett OctoPre for a Dynamic OctoPre!! ~~> Read yourself underneath the INS and OUTS section of the article >~~~~> soundonsound.com/reviews/focusrite-scarlett-octopre-dynamic
Question for you. I currently have the focusrite software sending each track to an external mixer. Now, I want to send those websites back into my daw, so I can record the external mix. What chords go where on my external mixer, from what to what? Where to where on the virtual mixer in my daw,scarlette 18i20, etc? I am new, and waaaay over my head it seems..
Hey! Great article very informative. Im still struggling to connect my 18i8(master) to my 18i20(slave) both 3rd gen. They’re both set to 44khz, out from 18i20(1-4) to the in on the 18i8. Im using clock source Internal on the 18i20 and ADAT on the 18i8 as the Focusrite site says. I did the setup on the 18i20 like you said, adat 1 = analogue 1 and so on. I’m able to select the websites on my daw, but there’s no signal coming through although I can see the meter working on the slave interface. Any tips? I’ve already tried a bunch of setups, any help would be much appreciated!
Hi Shawn, thank you for the tutorial. I got one 18i20 (3rd gen). Is it possible to use a second 18i20 and connect both via ADAT? If yes, have both, master and slave, to be connected to the PC via USB, or only the master? I got lots of hardware synthesizers and want to use 16 websites permanently. Thank you a lot, ADAT is new for me and I have a hard time understanding it. The Focusrite manual didn’t help me unfortunately. PS, I broke my 18i8 (1st gen) when I connected it with the 18i20. I switched 18i18 off and on again and it didn’t work any more. Can a wrong configuration cause such severe damage? They where just connected via the optical cable, ADAT out on one and ADAT in on the other.
thanks for sharing ! I have just followed the instructions on this with both Apollo Twin and the Scarlett 18. It works however when I click record on any device that is connected through the Scarlett in my DAW (ableton) it records all the other tracks simultaneously playing in Ableton. I have gone through both the Apollo twin and Scarlett preferences to try and work out whats being re-routed but I cant work anything out yet…. any ideas would be greatly appreciated at this stage, thank you
Hey Shawn! I followed your article and found that my inputs are now working!! However, I’m planning to use outboard gear in my setup, and unfortunately, it appears my 18i20s outputs are not going through the ADAT to use in my outboard gear. My master device is my Audient iD44, if that matters at all. I experimented and tried using every possible output option to figure this out, but I have unfortunately come up with nothing. I do only have one TOSlink cable connected, so I’m not sure if I’d need a second to send the outputs through? Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks!
Great info and well explained article. I am considering buying 4 Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rd Gen 18-In 20-Out models. I want to be able to play 32 websites of an analog signal (coming from my DAW) into my Allen Heath 32 TRS balanced line inputs. (So I can mix old school with my vintage outboard gear) It seems I would need 4 of the Scarlet units to achieve 32 websites of balanced analog as 3 Scarlet units only get me to 30 TRS line outputs to run into the Allen Heath… Would you know of a better way to do this that might use less interface units and be more cost effective? Thanks for your time in advance and again well explained article. Phil NYC / Jersey Shore Area
Hi Shawn having a time sorting out my adat using focusrite 18i20… I am trying to connect audient asp800 to the focusrite as master…the audient has no on off switch to follow steps in your article. If I turn of the focusrite I have no way to sort out the audient.. using reaper as my daw… there is no control type software for the audient Thanks!
Hey Shawn. Great thx I am struggling with the following I have the 18i20 as a Master and the Octopre as the Slave (both Focusrite:)) Recording and everything with all XLR Inputs are working fine But In my Situation I am using on the 18i20 Outputs 1+2 for my Monitor-Speakers and Outputs 3+4, 5+6, 7+8 and 9+10 for custom mixes so that we are using this setup for playing with my Band in-ear while jaming But now I also need a 5. custom mix. I want to use the Outputs from the octopre for this. But nothing is coming out of it, and also the Control says that the maximum count of custom mixes is reached Isnt it possible to use the Outputs from the octopre for custom mixes? Or am i doing something wrong here? Regards from Germany Niklas
My interface is Behringer UMC1820 – which is full. I got a couple of new desktop synths yesterday and bought the Behringer ADA8200 to allow them to be connected. They are connected to ADAT1&2 and 3&4. The ADA8200 is the slave and connected to the UMC1820 by Toslink cables. Everything appears correct. The synths receive midi and the interface receives audio from them – I can see the green leds flash! However there is no audible output! If I connect these synths to the UMC 1820 all is as it should be. Just no audio output when connected via the ADA8200. Latest drivers installed in the UMC1820. I have a feeling it’s probably something very simple I’m missing – but it’s driving me mad. Any and all help appreciated. Thanks!
Hi, I’ve been struggling trying to connect my Clarett October to my Scarlett 18i20 for a few weeks now. Does it matter that the Master interface stays on while adjusting the settings on Focusrite Control? According to the article, you say to have the master interface off and only have the slave on. By doing so, Focusrite control reads “no hardware detected.” I still can’t get signal into my DAW from the octopre. Thank you
I have those same exact interfaces. I did exactly what you did, but the problem was that when I had the main interface turned off like you did…my “slave” interface was not showing up on mix control.. why is that ? Also, when I saved a snapshot to make an I/O template it shows up as an option on my ProTools session, but it won’t let me click on it for some reason..
I know this is an older thread, but if anyone knowledgeable is still out there…I have this set up like the article, but my Adat 1 is showing up in Pro Tools as Digital 3. Adat 2 is digital 4, and so on all the way to Adat 8 corresponding with Digital 10. I would like them to match up (Adat 1 from Focusrite to be Digital 1 in the pro tools input select). Anyone know the solution? Thanks
One Question is left for me: I heard that I can connect two 18i20 with each other and it would work out as well to get my 16 mic inputs. So what is the deal to get a (for example) octopre instead of a second 18i20? BC i want Air mode to work on my slave Interface as well, and that is not covered in the newest version of scarlett octopre. I would need to go for a clarett+ octopre for that, which is damn expenicive. Thanks for the awnser
Thanks a lot for the article! I am thinking about buying the Scarlet OctoPre to add 8 ins via ADAT to my Scarlet 18i8 3rd Gen (that only has 4 mic pre), and wanted to ask if you’d recommend this combo? Also I was wondering if the use of external ADAT devices is going to affect the CPU significantly? Thanks in advance
Found this looking for something else— trying to compare scarlett gen 3 and clarett 8pre to figure out which to buy. Saved me a trip. I’ve been wondering about the functionality of this. I was hoping you might have the time for an off-topic question about some routing I’m having trouble with. I’m finally getting all the equipment I’ve been wanting for a decade, and I’m having trouble figuring out how to route sound with a compressor. Seems more difficult to find info than I anticipated. To clarify, my main problem was that my old interface is an Eleven Rack, which cannot receive from two inputs at the same time. I could use the ER as a separate preamp if I needed to, but just out of curiosity, is there a way I can use just the scarlett and get it to understand that I want a mic to go in to one preamp, be routed out to the compressor, and be accepted into another input? Could I do it with another track armed to record in protools with the right i/o setup where one track would be recorded dry and the other with compression? Or— is there any reason I couldn’t record a track dry, send it out of the output connected to the compressor and have it sent back into the scarlett while recording a compressed copy to a new track after the original has already been recorded (in case I want to tinker with the amount of compression without it being permanent on a good take)?
LOL. I have a Scarlett 18i20 as master and clarett octopre as slave both set to internal. Locked. that’s 16 websites of physical inputs routed to 4 behringer powerplay personal headphone mixers that accept 16 websites to mix per each 4 piece rock band member. DAW = reaper. Focusrite mix controls. Wanna talk about complicated? lol! The reaper output matrix, then focusrite controls, along with routing all live instruments for recording studio takes on the fly then a diff playback routing in repear AND focusrite mix controls? lol. Wanna talk about confusing and complicated? Newb to understanding slightly then stumbling on something that eventually works good enough 1+years of constant messing and headscratching. Yeah, everything will eventually come together and make sense cause the 18i20/ 16 website powerplay scenario works but holy hell it’s complicated to figure out… That’s why this dude is all serious and stressed in this vid. He’s put so much time into understanding the routing matrixes and focusrite routing and plugging stuff in. Using ADAT and OUTPUTS with 2 “interfaces” is very complicated. The computer / DAW only sees one so the slave is basically a mystery phantom websites. Trust me, everything you imagine could work w/ the 18i20 and clarett octo pre works, getting there is a very complicated extensive journey. This dude finally got there alive. Lol
Topic suggestion: I’d really like to see an thorough tutorial on connecting a pair of 18i20 interfaces via ADAT and/or SPDIF, and how to set up Focusrite Control for multiple monitors/headphone mixes. Bonus points for explaining how I managed to push the right buttons to keep live mics out of my playback. Thanks!
Perfect – I have an 18i20 and added a Behringer ADA8200 – this was super easy. The only thing I did different was set the digital input to ‘Dual ADAT’ in the Focusrite Control software. The other options were SPDIF, so I figured that was wrong. I am running Reaper as well, but the inputs came across as Digital 1-8 (the manual for the 18i20 showed them as 3-10). Tested it – worked great! Glad it wasn’t offset too. Thanks dude – you really helped me out. And I bought the ADA8200 from Sweetwater too!
Your audience might be interested to learn that not all “clocks” are the same. My pal (Amateur Music Studio” was having problems with his setup and so we put my oscilloscope onto the clock signal derived from his Apollo I/F. We then compared the signal with a dedicated pro-audio clock device and were shocked at the difference in signal quality. Switching all the gear over to the dedicated audio clock stopped the audio artifacts in his productions.
Great, another thing you can do with either optical or coaxial digital outputs is to just expand the amount of websites so you can mix and monitor surround sound. Maybe you have a small interface with only 4 outputs you can use the digital outputs to add an extra 2 or 4 outputs and mix 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound this way.
This article was so unintriguing when I first saw it until I bought a 18i20 yesterday and realized I only had 8 inputs on the unit 😅 and then I also realized I can have Windows and other software output to Playback 1+2 and DAW outputting to 3+4 and have much better control over the two volumes. Thanks for this. It’ll be a couple of months before I can burn more money on the extra external 8 inputs 😂
1:16 “All it does, is allows me to use a higher sample rate… ➡️ if needed” ⬅️ To me that was all the juice in learning and understanding the difference between 1 ADAT cable (limiting the capacity of my interface) vs 4 (matching the max capacity of my interface). Brilliant info expertly put together and presented! 🙏
Thanks – this is useful. I am going to use the Scarlett OctoPre to add eight more inputs to my 18i20 3rd gen. Per Focusrite support (excellent) the OctoPre preamps match my 18i20 so no reason to spend more for the Clarett. I want all 16 preamps to match. Hopefully I will be able to configure the 18i20 control panel so that it sees the eight new inputs. I have an eight website rig with splitter and cables – so I will have a new rack case with the Octopre and another splitter. I wonder if once I have all sixteen inputs set up for 16 track recording, that if I record a small gig where eight inputs is sufficient, can I just leave the new expansion rig at home and my DAW will ignore the unconnected eight inputs from the OctoPre or will I have to set the configuration back to it’s original setting…
Since I am still using a PCI Interface (Delta 1010lt), I was wondering if there will be any benefits whatsoever of ever using the S/PDI in & Out inputs. But judging from this article, I think I can safely assume that the ability to connect additional headphones could be a good reason for me to one day invest in a device such as this ADAT piece of gear. This website is indeed a University to me, many thanks for great articles as per usual.
Thank you for the article, I have two focusrite saffire pro 40. One doesn’t connect to the computer, I guess the FireWire ports are dead. Is it possible to use it(the one that doesn’t connect to my computer just as a mic preamp and use the one that is able to connect as the primary clock? I’ll appreciate your feedback Thank you!
Forgive me if this is a dummy question and just works off of the same principal. Say if i want to route several bits of outboard effects like mic pre’s, a bus compressor, a culture vulture and several synthesizers all into an audio interface without having to plug anything in or out every time I wanted to use something optionally, would I be able to just daisy/signal chain everything how I want it to permanently be and then route it into the interface directly and it would all work cohesively ? OR, Would i need a patch bay with enough inputs and outputs routed into an audio interface ?
Great article as always, been following since last month when I found the website. Quick question, audient id24 only has click out. That means it can only control the other device, correct? In this case with the id24, is it a better clock than the cranborne or should I look for a better device with better clocking capabilities to either control or receive? Thanks in advance.
Would it be possible to run long distance optical cable runs? For example 70 or 100 feet? I have a Clarett 2pre with optical in. I would like to extend the number of preamps with Focusrite Scarlett OctoPre to additional 8 inputs(preamps) but I would like for the OctoPre to be in the attic about 70 or 100 feet away from my Clarett 2pre…
Can any body help me on this ? I am Investing on Good Interface so I am Currently User Of focusrite 18i20 2nd gen and I am upgrading to the ” prime sound Lyra 2 ” which has Brilliant AD/DAs But lyra 2 is not cheap and is really expensive, but It has only Two IN and Outs, So It is something i really worried about because, I am also Going to Outboard Gears with Interface upgrade, Before it i have Done every mix ITB . So this year I am Also will invest on Mastering Grade Gears such as SSL Fusion or Thinking to Get Summing mixer. i know Lyra 2 isn’t good choice for outboard gears But what about Using ADAT expansion because my Focusrite has one too Also both has worldclock . so if i EXpand my Lyra 2 ( master ) with focusrite ( Slave ) & connectiong outboard gears with my focusrite ? & keep my monitor speakers connected with the Lyra 2 to hear from Great DAs of Lyra . is it good choice ? i hope it will Bypass The CHeap AD/DA of focusrite and i only utilize the quality AD/DAs of Prism Lyra, Or i am going to hurt the quality of Lyra with such setup, sorry if this setup sounds stupid, actually just stepping in Analogue . i don’t want to spend more on titan, becuase i want to buy outboard gear as well with it. ( also please don’t suggest me get room treatment and great Pair Of Monitors first before going analogue, i have good room and good monitors, if i want to use analogue i just want to,thats how i will learn. lol )
Hello, How would I daisy chain 3 interfaces?? Im using a focusrite 1st gen and its a slave to the UMC1820. Connected via ADAT. Now, my question is, I bought a ADA8200 because I want to leave my drums and synths ready to record all the time so I need more than 16 websites. Can I link the ADA to the UMC1820, that is linked to the FR 18i20???? do I need both ADAT cables connected from the UMC to the FR? if I leave as it is, I have no free ADAT in and out! How can I work around this!? I see no one asking this on other forums or comments. Im at a loss. It seems people are not connecting more than 2 interfaces or not needing more than 16 inputs or they spend 3k on an interface, which I cant do. How do I get what I have to get me to 24 inputs!? I was looking at some RME products and came across the RME Digiface USB which seems to be what would work for me? but its 400$……f** that………….
Hi there! Great article and website, congrats and thanks for all the wonderful content. I still have a doubt on this subject though, so I’d really appreciate it if you could please provide some additional guidance. I was trying to connect via ADAT an audient id44 interface with an id14 (both MKI), only to expand my analog I/O. As the id14 just have an optical input, I understand this has to be the master device and the one connected to my computer via USB. If this is the case, is there any way to monitor my DAW output through the headphone outputs of the id44 (slave) instead of the id14 (master)? The reason is pretty simple: id44 has 2 headphone outputs while id14 has only 1. On the other hand, is it possible to use the three headphone outputs from both interfaces combined for the same purpose? Thanks a lot for your help!!
Hi I’m having a bit of a problem. I running Clarett 8pre with a FR Octopre Mk II not the Dynamic version. So my connection is correct which there’s only one way of connecting. Clarett only has one in one out, the October has two outs no in. When set to ADAT I get no sound, when I switch to internal I get static. I’m so confused about this whole thing that seems so simple.
Does anyone know of any devices out there that process 8 website ADAT and then OUTPUT 8 websites of digital optical audio? It would simplify things cuz many active monitors process optical signal. Im a noob and haven’t found anything on the internet describing this sort of thing. Everything usually relies on ADDA conversion or analog breakout cables.
Great tutorial! It would be also really good to show us how to connect monitore control, I want to connect analogue preamp Warm Audio 73 to Clarett+ OctoPre. I would use Clarett+ OctoPre just as an AD/DA converter. But none of these two equipment has monitor or headphones control. And another question, do I need world clock if I connect analogue preamp to Clarett+ Octo Pre. Thank you!
I feel like I’m the only one that’s having a difficult time sending adat from my 500r8 to another interface. I have the sample rate the same in the interface, pro tools, and 500r8 and I have the clock set to internal on the 500r8 and set to optical 1 on the interface. No matter what I do it will not pass signal through adat.
I’m using a scarlett octopre into a scarlett 18i20, recording into reaper. Adat out of octopre is into adat in on 18i20, I have focusrite control set to adat clock source, sample rate 48khz (same as octopre), the octopre sync is set to internal, digital I/O is set to dual adat, but I cannot get anything to record. I noticed that when I switched the focusrite control clock source to adat, the sync light at the top of the window turned red, which I’m guessing means it’s no long synced. What am I missing?
I have both of these interfaces and I’m having trouble getting the Scarlett to accept the audio from the cranborne. I want the Scarlett to be the main interface. I have the output Adat running into the Scarlett. I have it at 4400 sample rate but the Scarlett interface isn’t catching the audio coming out of the r8 can you please help I thought I solved this issue before but I’m having issues again
Would sending information from the ADAT output on an interface to the ADAT input on the preamp allow you to choose what website inputs on the PREAMP you want to send audio to from the interface? I’m thinking I want to try sending individual websites inside my DAW to individual websites on my Tube Opto-8 Preamp so I can use the Preamp as a mixer/ distortion unit and then send the audio back out the ADAT out of the preamp into the ADAT input of the interface and into my DAW, essential doing a loop. Would this be possible?
Question -Dolby atmos ; I want to turn my room into a 7.1.4 setup .. I am leaning towards the Avid Mbox studio and using an adat connection to pair it with to handle that load (which additional equipment or focusrite piece would you recommend ? ( the faderport 8 is a mixer that would accompany it in my head as well all thoughts are welcomed please help
This is a wonderful endorsement for something like a MOTU 24 i/o. What could be easier? You hook up 1- 24 i/o and you instantly have 24 ins and out TRS connections. No need for setting clocks etc. I wish audio interface manufacturers would get back to something easy like that. The equipment demoed in this article is really confusing.
Ethernet is the new ADAT.. Yamaha Tried, But was dismissed.,..just to early for the tech time. (Yamaha’s Protocol, Literally a networked system using Firewire Called mLan…..) Its simple… Ethernet (RSJ45) It needs to be on all interfaces, from now. A Standard, like Midi… a Consortium. (Dante, AVB ect…….) Then we will have “cheaper” ADAT to Ethernet (vice versa) boxes for Backwards compatibility… Not that hard really. The ADAT optical protocol needs to hang up its gloves… Otherwise the future is just held back. Let me reiterate…As a analogy. Time to remove the SCART and move on to a HDMI standard.
Thanks for the information. If I remember correctly, those fiberoptic cables are a pretty penny. They are also easy to break. Be sure the rack the equipment together to avoid movement and stressing the fiberoptic cables. Coaxial cables for digital audio are generally less expensive and more robust, but take up more space on the device.
Man I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed this, and always forget what’s what, due to lack of use over the years. Cause when you learn about something 20 years prior to actually using it 1 time over said 20 years, your recollection might be sub-par! More content like this is needed, and appreciated!