Aggregate Device-Advice

Question

Level 2

365 points

Aggregate Device-Advice

I just recently switched from a MOTU 828mkII to a Digi003 Rack for the sake of being able to run both Logic and Pro Tools through the same audio interface. I was planning on selling the 828 when I realized I could likely use it as an aggregate device, which I've never tried before.

I still have a variety of outboard effects that I haven't used in a while that could be useful in my projects. If I reconnect the 828 to the FireWire chain and configure it in Audio MIDI Setup as an aggregate device, could I conceivably use that as a way of hooking up those outboard effects for processing in Logic?

In typing this I came to the assumption that I can also use the 828 to feed an alternate pair of monitors for checking my mixes. Is this true?

-droo

8-Core 3GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.5), Digi003 Rack, Avalon VT-737SP preamp, UAD Stuff, Focusrite LiquidMix

Posted on Oct 24, 2008 12:17 PM

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Answer 1

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Oct 24, 2008 2:29 PM in response to Andrew Tokuda

Andrew Tokuda wrote:
I just recently switched from a MOTU 828mkII to a Digi003 Rack for the sake of being able to run both Logic and Pro Tools through the same audio interface. I was planning on selling the 828 when I realized I could likely use it as an aggregate device, which I've never tried before.

I still have a variety of outboard effects that I haven't used in a while that could be useful in my projects. If I reconnect the 828 to the FireWire chain and configure it in Audio MIDI Setup as an aggregate device, could I conceivably use that as a way of hooking up those outboard effects for processing in Logic?

In typing this I came to the assumption that I can also use the 828 to feed an alternate pair of monitors for checking my mixes. Is this true?

-droo

Hi,

Unfortunately, the Digi gear does not allow use of aggregate devices.

BUT...

You can hook up two optical ADAT format cables between the motu and the Digi, and use it this way. your Motu will show up as inputs / outputs 9-16 in the digi003 setup.

As far as clocing the Motu, set it to accept the ADAT as the clock, and you're set.

Cheers

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Answer 2

Andrew Tokuda Author

Level 2

365 points

Oct 24, 2008 3:32 PM in response to noeqplease

noeqplease wrote:
Unfortunately, the Digi gear does not allow use of aggregate devices.

Are you sure? I don't mean to question you, but from what I understand, it's Pro Tools LE that does not allow multiple devices--not even their own hardware, but other Core Audio applications do, including Logic. So while Pro Tools enforces a limitation, Logic does not, even with the 003 Rack.

At this link there is an article by Jim Dalrymple who says this:

*+"The problem with Pro Tools is that the inputs all have to end up being plugged into Digidesign gear in order to be recorded. Unlike applications such as Logic or Cubase that can take inputs from a variety of devices, Pro Tools needs Digi gear...+*

*+Just for kicks over the weekend I took four audio interfaces and plugged them all into the computer. I made an Aggregate Device in OS X’s Audio/Midi application using all four devices. When I finished making the Aggregate Device and opened Logic Pro 8, I had 16 inputs. It was almost too easy."+*

I didn't include this in the quote, but he is using the Digi 003.

noeqplease wrote:
You can hook up two optical ADAT format cables between the motu and the Digi, and use it this way. your Motu will show up as inputs / outputs 9-16 in the digi003 setup.

As far as clocing the Motu, set it to accept the ADAT as the clock, and you're set.

This does seem like an easier solution, actually. 😉

Whether the 003 works in an aggregate device situation or not, would it be the appropriate route to take if I want to 1. use outboard fx and 2. use alternate monitors?

-droo

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Answer 3

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Oct 27, 2008 8:47 AM in response to Andrew Tokuda

Andrew Tokuda wrote:

noeqplease wrote:
Unfortunately, the Digi gear does not allow use of aggregate devices.

Are you sure? I don't mean to question you, but from what I understand, it's Pro Tools LE that does not allow multiple devices--not even their own hardware, but other Core Audio applications do, including Logic. So while Pro Tools enforces a limitation, Logic does not, even with the 003 Rack.

At this link there is an article by Jim Dalrymple who says this:

*+"The problem with Pro Tools is that the inputs all have to end up being plugged into Digidesign gear in order to be recorded. Unlike applications such as Logic or Cubase that can take inputs from a variety of devices, Pro Tools needs Digi gear...+*

*+Just for kicks over the weekend I took four audio interfaces and plugged them all into the computer. I made an Aggregate Device in OS X’s Audio/Midi application using all four devices. When I finished making the Aggregate Device and opened Logic Pro 8, I had 16 inputs. It was almost too easy."+*

I didn't include this in the quote, but he is using the Digi 003.

noeqplease wrote:
You can hook up two optical ADAT format cables between the motu and the Digi, and use it this way. your Motu will show up as inputs / outputs 9-16 in the digi003 setup.

As far as clocing the Motu, set it to accept the ADAT as the clock, and you're set.

This does seem like an easier solution, actually. 😉

Whether the 003 works in an aggregate device situation or not, would it be the appropriate route to take if I want to 1. use outboard fx and 2. use alternate monitors?

-droo

Hi droo,

Here is the quote, in which the dude states which 4 devices he actually hooked up as an aggregate device:

tried all kinds of different combinations of inputs, plugging my guitar into
all of the separate devices and they all worked just fine. At one point I had > my Guitar Rig controller, Apogee Duet, TonePort UX8, and a Pod X3 Live all
connected and giving signals to Logic Pro 8.

So, there is no mention of the Digi003 as one of the aggregate devices. the article is vague in that respect, but there it is, no Digi equipment as an aggregate device.

So far I have only found that Digi 001, and 002 devices with Core Audio only support up to 18 channels of IO, in other words only the ones that are in the actual hardware. I expect the Digi003 to follow this specification as well.

But, you can test and see if you can get a Digidesign Digi003 hardware to be used as an aggregate device. Let me know, as this can be interesting, if you do get it to work.

Cheers

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Answer 4

Andrew Tokuda Author

Level 2

365 points

Oct 27, 2008 10:49 AM in response to noeqplease

noeqplease wrote:
Here is the quote, in which the dude states which 4 devices he actually hooked up as an aggregate device:

tried all kinds of different combinations of inputs, plugging my guitar into
all of the separate devices and they all worked just fine. At one point I had > my Guitar Rig controller, Apogee Duet, TonePort UX8, and a Pod X3 Live all
connected and giving signals to Logic Pro 8.

So, there is no mention of the Digi003 as one of the aggregate devices. the article is vague in that respect, but there it is, no Digi equipment as an aggregate device.

ah, I missed that.

But, you can test and see if you can get a Digidesign Digi003 hardware to be used as an aggregate device. Let me know, as this can be interesting, if you do get it to work.

I've been reluctant to try, only because I thought I'd have to go through the rigamarole of going behind the desk to hook everything back up. It didn't occur to me that all I have to do is plug the previously removed 828 to the front FireWire port and launch Audio MIDI Setup. :P I'll try this when I'm back in the studio tonight.

-droo

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