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using 2 sound cards with ableton

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 11:46 am
by electro-square
Hi
I think about using a second sound card with my MOTU ultra lightMK3 to separate guitars leads on my mix. I mean i nead more leads. Is anyone have ever worked live with 2 sound cards with ableton live 8/Mac ? I
Thanks in advance for your advices :)

Re: using 2 sound cards with ableton

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:07 pm
by Tagor
According these:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=200162&p=1573593&hi ... s#p1573593
it is not recommended because of latency.

I`ve heard with RME its possible via ADAT.
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=11827

Re: using 2 sound cards with ableton

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:35 pm
by fishmonkey
on a Mac you can easily create an aggregate device that cobbles multiple interfaces together. it may create more latency, which might be a problem (or might not). maybe borrow another interface and give it a whirl...

Re: using 2 sound cards with ableton

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:58 pm
by electro-square
Thanks for your advices ! My plan is to play live and not to record using this kind of installation . So I think latency wouldn't be a problem. As i sing live too, my voice is separated through an effect (hardware ) and goes into mixing table.
What do you think if it's only to play and not to record ?

Re: using 2 sound cards with ableton

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 1:43 pm
by doghouse
As fishmonkey wrote, Mac OS supports aggregate devices. The only requirement is they must share a common clock. The aggregate shows up as a sinlge device, you can also select each of the aggregated devices individually if you need to.

I use the FW interface on my Motif XF workstation aggregated with a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40. The XF has a SPDIF output so I patch that to the Pro 40 and select that as master clock for that device, then select XF as master clock inside the Mac. This aggregate gives me 36 inputs and 26 outputs...more than I will ever need 8)

Works fine, no extra latency. I get my buffers down to 64 with no pops and clicks.

Re: using 2 sound cards with ableton

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 7:28 pm
by electro-square
ok thanks doghouse :) i think i have to make a choice. i'll let you know if i buy a second Motu ..
thx very much everyone ! ;)