Aggregate device

[tiz9000]

Hi - someone suggested I make this post here instead of another forum.

I want to use my DM-3200 with IF-FW mk II with another audio device as an aggregate device in OS X. I've tried this with the MOTU 828, but I got a lot of dropouts. I was wondering if any of you had success with this and if so which interfaces you are using.

I'd like to use a cheaper interface like the Tascam US-4x4 as the second interface.

Thanks!

 

[Gerk]

Is there a reason it needs to be an aggregate device? I've asked this before but have never gotten a response that made sense to me ... OSX can easily handle them as separate devices without having to aggregate them and add a lot of potential headache. I do this with my setup, I have a UAD Apollo Twin (2 inputs) and my DM-3200 with the IFFW mkII running as separate devices and can use them both at once in my DAW without any issue.

 

[tiz9000]

The reason I need an aggregate device is the DAW I'm using supports only one device

 

[Gerk]

Fair enough.

 

[AudioWave]

Not all audio device drivers play well when used together with Apple Aggregate device mode and the specific OS X version can also add another variable so the right combo is also usually required. Also keep in mind that you will most likely have increased latency to deal with even if you get it working reliabily.

I now rarely use the IF-FW driver as I now most often use my DM-4800 as a controller (and patchbay) with 4-UAD Apollo's. I also have the MU-1000 meter bridge that since switching to the Apollo's was mostly idle as it can only used for DM I/O or via the IF-FW driver which I don't normally use as I now mostly use the Apollo driver in the DAW.

But then a few months ago it occurred to me that I might be able to use Aggregate device mode with the IF-FW and UAD and route signals to both outputs at the same time. So I now route 32-audio ouput channels from the DAW to the DM-4800 IF-FW and keep them muted and unassigned from the Stereo buss and now have DM-4800 DAW metering and mix using the Apollo I/O for all my outboard.

Since I mix and do developer testing much more than I record (at least using the DM-4800) these days, it's not likely that I would need to use the inputs of both the DM-4800 and the Apollo units at the same time as I would have some reluctance doing that until I had a chance to test for phase anomalies and jitter between the two.

 

[tiz9000]

Thanks. I've had mixed results in the past and am looking for a solid combo I can use with the IF-FW mk II.

 

[tiz9000]

So I decided to bite the bullet and give it a shot. So far, it works! I'm using a DM-3200 with the IF-FW mkII and a Tascam US-4x4. The 4x4 is the resample slave in this configuration. I'm not using the 4x4 for audio at all; rather I'm using it as an interface for the sync and SMPTE signals I want coming out of the computer. I'm cautiously optimistic... but so far, it works!

 

[darkjoint]

I have just upgraded my motto 2408 to the ssl alpha link AX with the mad extreme 64 and aggregated that with the IF-FW. All is working ok with Logic Pro X as I use the DM4800 as a mixer/controller. As i only use 24 i/o from the Alpha link and all 32 i/o from the if-fw, how do I limit the number of channels available natively to OS X 10.10.5 from 64 to 24 so that Logic Pro X does not list all 64 i/o from the madixtreme but only 24? The madi software crashes when i tried to limit it from 64 to 32. Can this be done natively on OS X 10.10.5? thanks guys