How to use ADAT & Aggregate Devices For More Inputs

This video saved me from a lot of headache the I/O labels in Logic is what I couldn't find! thanks again for your clear instructions. You're a great teacher.

I already have three interfaces connected via ADAT and Word Clock and it al works fine. Can I add a fourth by creating an aggregate that includes (1) the master of the three I already have integrated via ADAT and (2) the fourth interface?

Excelent video, Chris. Thank you so much!

This is why the RME Digiface is the most underrated audio interface out there. It has 4 banks of Adat ins and outs. I can connect anything to it, another interface, pre amps,Dacs, digital mixers, etc. etc.

super helpful

Thanks Chris, this was very helpful.

When using the aggregate device, which interface is doing the A/D D/A conversion? Thanks

Thanks! 2 questions - 1) does this use more CPU power to do the drift correction? 2) Does it add latency? I'd like to record 16+ channels for a live album, and I'd like latency to be low enough to run the output to the monitors and I'd like to add very simple EQ & compression to each track, and maybe verb. Do you think this would be stable enough?

Thanks for the useful video! I do have an issue with a Behringer ADA8200 though - I hooked up a drummachine to ADAT port 1, but in Logic I can only select ADAT 1 + 2 as input source ... so I only hear the left channel. So, silly question perhaps, but how can I change it to only ADAT 1..? Thx !

Do you like the apogee ensemble? I know they’re discontinued, but does it still work well? Thinking of getting one of their last models

Thank u sir!

Hi, what main interface would you recommend best to pair up wit the Symphony Desktop ( knowing that the Apogee Ensemble is no longer being made)?. Thank you for the information in your videos.

Awesome video

What about using the i/os of the extender as inserts (for comps,eqs) to use/monitor in the main interface through logic?

Thanks.very informative

You have really saved me! My Zoom Uac 8 is routed to behringer Umc 1820 but in logic pro after 8 inputs of Zoom interface the rest 8 added input don't receive input signal because Behringer Umc 1820 doesn't have any mixer software to route input signal coming out from adat out of Behringer to adat in of Zoom interface and vice versa! Now Connecting through MAC Software Aggregate I can really have 16 channels of Analog inputs simultaneously! Thank you so very much Sir! Cheers!

Hi! Does this technique require to have both soundcards connected to the PC via USB/tunderblot/firewire or just the master soundcard should be connected to the pc? Thanks!

Thank you very much excellent video!!!

I'm connecting via software and I can't hear what I'm playing on my "slave interface" through my monitors even when I hit record in logic. I have done everything as directed.

Great video and very clear and so well presented— thanks!
As a multimedia developer and then studio producer, I used logic since it was just a sequencer, Pro Tools since it was Sound Designer. They’ve all come a LONG way. About 8 years ago I began using more specialized tools including Pyramix for DSD and high end mastering work, and Ableton and Ovation for live and interactive work, and began to see the diversity of options.

That brought me to Reaper about 6 years ago. While I keep Pro Tools, Logic and AATranslator in the studio for clients that mandate or otherwise bring-in or require those options. However, Reaper is so much more workflow efficient, has much lower latency and plugin/track count concurrency and much higher stability, is much more fluid in its interactivity, that for those reason alone, it would make no sense to stay on PT of Logic for projects.

But that’s just the beginning of why we and so many others have moved away from those other tools. The biggest reason is that the time saved due to Reaper’s workflow automation and other capabilities about doubles our productivity in terms of time saving. It provides much more flexible and easier to use creative and interface options as well.

Like Pyramix together with Merging hardware, Reaper is so many levels above tools like Logic for most types of sessions.

We have taken on several mixing, production and mastering pro’s over the years, and everyone came in thinking they were “doing just fine” on ProTools, Logic or whatever until they saw other engineers working on tools like Reaper. Whether doing NHK, Dolby ATMOS, live recording for 2.x mixes and masters or advanced experimental stuff, NONE of them have ever gone back to Logic, PT or other tools after getting exposed to tools like Reaper.

Thanks for the very useful information! I want to record a multi-miked Drumart using aggregated interfaces o. My Mac, in that case is that delay of 14 samples still occurs? Is there a difference in that regard, when I use adat vs aggregate via software? Kindest regards!

Dude, thanks so much. This video helped me a lot!

Hi! Great video! A have an old line6 interface not supported with an updated drive and it do not work by itself. Could I use as slave to an other new interface even without the line6 drive for the old one?

Thanks for so much great content Chris. You have been one of my top go-to resources for my home studio and logic development over the last year. One question I have is this: what impacts do aggregating interfaces have on the way that the interfaces are controlled both physically and on my Mac/within software? For instance, controlling input and output levels, master processing parameters on the interfaces, etc. …? Anything to be aware of here?

Shouldnt u look into adat input at ensemble for the "no audio" problem?

I've been combining a UAD Apollo and a Tascam Dyna 8p via ADAT. It has worked for a long time, but lately, the inputs from the Tascam sound thin and flanged. What's strange is that they sound normal in Ableton. It's an issue I have yet to resolve.

Excellent video. Thanks very much!

You’re doing a great service, my friend

Thanks!

What’s with the OWC thunder bolt audio device? In midi set up, Like similar to my OWC thunderbolt 4 hub?

Question. I use a Universal Audio X8 as my main interface. My goal is to use an extender for my hybrid setup. All I really need to accomplish is 8 additional inputs and outputs to route through various pieces of outboard analog gear. If I understand correctly, using ADAT, I could just add any type of interface that supports ADAT in and out, In this scenario, would I be able to route similarly as I do with the X8 where I use the IO plugin to point to the correct ADAT output and inputs (ie., have the ADAT extender ADAT 1 OUT going to hardware input and then the hardware output going into the ADAT 1 IN)? In theory, just do that for each of the extender's in/outs? My goal is to just run the ADAT extender in standalone mode and create 16ch of in/outs instead of the 8 that I have currently. Just trying to get my head wrapped around this before I order something. Considering an Arturia 8Pre or something similar. I sure appreciate your advise and time.

Thanks for this video. I’ll definitely watch it several more times to get my head around the concept. Very informative.

Let’s go!

In my setup (focusrite "main" and 8 pre-amp Behringer extender), if I used the extender as master clock, when I loaded an existing project with a different sample rate, the focusrite (main) would change to the project sample rate, but the extender would not, and they would lose sync. I needed a second toslink cable (main out to extender in) to carry clock sync so I could set the main as the master clock. Now, whatever project I load, the sample rates to both interfaces are adjusted and they stay in sync.

Separately, I use an Aggregate device to join all those input channels with two channels from digital iPad input (IDAM protocol). I use the iPad for metronome and playalong music.

Wonderful info Chris. Could you review the rme digiface usb in this context? I'd love to know if this really represents the budget way of expanding our amateur studios that it seems to. It potentially creates scope for 32 trax over adat, if I understand the concept correctly.

thank you for the wisdom. much appreciated.

Thanks for the video! I've been trying to connect my Prism Lyra 2 with my old Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 using the aggregate method, and whilst I can record audio into Logic from the Pro 24, I can't monitor it while it's recording - no audio is heard. I can however hear the audio on playback after it's been recorded. Any ideas why I can't hear the audio whilst it's recording? Any advice gratefully received!

🙏🏻🤟

Hi and thanks for the great work on your site. You should be commended on having a high quality information platform for Logic users. If you would not mind , I have a recommendation on how to improve the delivery of your info. I get the impression from your online presence that you feel rushed. This makes the delivery less clear for the listener. Technical language needs time to absorb and your target audience is probably not as experienced as you may think. I would take my time to fill in concepts that are complex. Especially ones in the routing domain. Just my 2 cents from an audio engineering teacher for 30 years. Cheers

interested in the aggregate idea. I have an old Pro Tools 002Rack, it doesn't work connected as an ADAT device to my main interface, but perhaps it will in Aggregate? Thanks for the great video!

Thank you for this! There isnt a single video on YT that explains this properly.

Thank you so much for this tutorial!

Your videos read my mind for topics I want to know more about. Thank you!!!

And next a video about the ADAT "input extenders" 😉 (those simple AD DA converters with an ADAT output you cab plug in your audio interface in order to increase your inputs)

Awesome video thanks man
Have you noticed any difference in terms of which way of connecting would be better?

Been waiting for something like this for a while, I will watch a couple times thanks Big guy

Is there also sample delay / offset when you record via aggregate device?

Wow! Awesome and insightful. Thanks Chris; all the way from 🇳🇬