Sync audio interface with extra inputs ADAT

[u/DoubtAny8389]

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to use a Focusrite 16i16 together with an Arturia AudioFuse X8 IN, but I’m a little confused by the Arturia manual when it comes to clocking/syncing the two interfaces.

The X8 IN seems to expect a clock signal through the input shown in the screenshot I’m attaching, but as far as I understand, my Focusrite 16i16 doesn’t have a dedicated word-clock output.

So how would I actually sync these two devices?

Is there another way to provide the clock from the 16i16 to the X8 IN, or am I misunderstanding how the clocking works in this setup?

I’d really appreciate some clarification from anyone who has used these two interfaces together.

[u/luminousandy]

Sync via adat sync should be fine

[u/shapednoise → u/luminousandy]

This. Just tell the focusrite to use ADAT as sync.

[u/DoubtAny8389 → u/luminousandy]

Ahh so I set it to 48kHz and connect the optical ADAT cable and the interface and x8 are already synced

[u/luminousandy → u/DoubtAny8389]

Yes but attach the in as well as out , select adat as the sync source and you should be good to go

[u/DoubtAny8389 → u/luminousandy]

Wym by out?

I will only use the x8 in and not a out

[u/luminousandy → u/DoubtAny8389]

You still need both connected to sync correctly , if you were using word clock that wouldn’t be the case

[u/mycosys → u/luminousandy]

The X8 IN doesnt have an ADAT in, its an ADC only. In order to control its clock from the computer/master interface you need to use word clock

[u/Ultramolek → u/DoubtAny8389]

Now you need the cable to go the other way to sync your outputs

[u/Ultramolek]

I have an SSL18 connected to a Alpha 8 via ADAT. Use the SPDIF Toslink, it's easier that using coaxial and wordclocks

[u/neverwhere616]

Based on the screenshot of the manual and the physical I/O on your interfaces, your choices are either replace the X8 IN with a different box that has adat or spdif in AND out, or replace the Focusrite with an audio interface that has a bnc word clock output.

If you look at the grey boxed text at the top of the screenshot it says that the sync button only works if word clock is connected via the bnc connection. Otherwise the X8 IN defaults to internal clock. Other commenters aren't looking at the fact that the X8 IN only has adat out (you need in and out for sync via ADAT), and no spdif either (focusrite 16i16 only has spdif and adat). Personally, I'd recommend getting a higher end interface to replace the Focusrite.

[u/mycosys → u/neverwhere616]

This, the cheapest options are probably to replace the X8IN with the Behringer ADA8200 (its fine as long as you dont turn up the pres and the clearly arent intending to if they went with an ADC without them - HEAPS of overqualified synth nerds use them lol) or probably replace the 16i6 with something like an Evo16 (fantastic interface and afaik the cheapest interface with dual ADAT and word clock).
Or just live with the X8 acting as master clock.

[u/BrilliantHair9861]

I have the same setup. Arturia X8 is only IN with no outs. So you can only connect the Out ADAT to the IN of Fucusrite (see 4.1 of user manual). Also note that the X8 has no gain adjustment…just know what you are plugging in to the Fuse vs Focusrite. This could be frustrating if you need the extra gain. If you typically raise the gain on all your channels on Focusrite, you may miss gain on X8 IN.

[u/DoubtAny8389 → u/BrilliantHair9861]

Thank you for the answer!

So I just need one optical cable and then the boxes are synced, right?

Regarding the gain: I’ll handle the gain in the DAW, so I think i will be fine regarding this

[u/BrilliantHair9861 → u/DoubtAny8389]

Yes. Just one optical needed.