barrylane Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Hi I am using Logic Pro X on a mac mini running El Capatino. I have an RME Babyface external soundcard connecting to the mac mini via USB. It has an ADAT input. I have bought a Focusrite Scarlett 18/8 audio interface unit. Some questions about this, if anyone can advice/help. I am assuming that the Scarlett 18/8 which has 4 mic inputs on the front and 4 line inputs on the rear, is therefore able to take in a total of 8 inputs simultaneously? Is this a correct assumption? If it can, when I connect it to my RME Baby face via the ADAT output/input, will Logic Pro X then 'see' there are up to 8 inputs and allocate tracks to these automatically? What must I do to get Logic/Babyface/Scarlett linked up? I see there is an option to 'expand' the Scarlett by using a Focusrite Octopro MKII with 12 mic preamps. This connects via ADAT. My further question is whether I need to connect the Octopro to the Scarlett, then to the Babyface soundcard then to the mac mini to get all the tracks to appear in Logic Pro? Or... Can I just connect the Octopro via ADAT direct to the Babyface soundcard and bypass the Scarlett unit altogether? (in which case have I just wasted £230 on the Scarlett! ( Any advice would be appreciated about how to set this all up, and the question about Octopro. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlas007 Posted April 19, 2016 Share Posted April 19, 2016 Have you considered the Audio MIDI Setup Aggregate approach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrylane Posted April 20, 2016 Author Share Posted April 20, 2016 Thanks for this very useful information about connecting it all up. Just to return to my questions; Can the Focusrite Scarlett 18/8 record 8 tracks in Logic simultaneously? Would there be a high CPU load if I had all 8 tracks being recorded? If I bought a Focusrite Octopro MKII with 12 mic preamps could I use this DIRECT to my BabyFace soundcard bypassing the Scarlett 18/8 or do I need this to make the connection? Barry Have you considered the Audio MIDI Setup Aggregate approach? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted April 20, 2016 Share Posted April 20, 2016 Can the Focusrite Scarlett 18/8 record 8 tracks in Logic simultaneously? Yes. The '18i8' stands for 18 INPUTS and 8 OUTPUTS. That means that assuming you using all input connectors on the interface you could record up 18 simultaneous tracks in Logic. Would there be a high CPU load if I had all 8 tracks being recorded? Recording 8 simultaneous tracks shouldn't require a high CPU load, however if you start using a lot of plug-ins on those tracks then that will tax the CPU. If I bought a Focusrite Octopro MKII with 12 mic preamps could I use this DIRECT to my BabyFace sound card Yes, you could do that using an optical ADAT connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrylane Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 That's really helpful, many thanks. Just for further clarification; tthe Octopro is advertised as an 'extension' of the Scarlett 18/8 but, is it effectively standalone and not requiring the Scarlett to record direct into the Babyface and Logic via ADAT? I can use the Octopro as a separate unit? Do you know these two units? Is there any merit in keeping the Scarlett and running the Octopro through it, or is the recording quality the same in both? I could return the Scarlett as I have only just bought it. Barry Can the Focusrite Scarlett 18/8 record 8 tracks in Logic simultaneously? Yes. The '18i8' stands for 18 INPUTS and 8 OUTPUTS. That means that assuming you using all input connectors on the interface you could record up 18 simultaneous tracks in Logic. Would there be a high CPU load if I had all 8 tracks being recorded? Recording 8 simultaneous tracks shouldn't require a high CPU load, however if you start using a lot of plug-ins on those tracks then that will tax the CPU. If I bought a Focusrite Octopro MKII with 12 mic preamps could I use this DIRECT to my BabyFace sound card Yes, you could do that using an optical ADAT connection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Yes, the Octopre can be used as standalone. It if were me I would ditch the whole batch and get an audio interface that has 8 mic preamps (if that's what you need). Presonus, MOTU have such interfaces. Simplify your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrylane Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 HI I had a long online chat with Focusrite today, very helpful indeed. I already have an 'interface' in the form of my RME BabyFace sound card which has amazing low latency, ADAT connectivity, monitor outs direct from Logic etc. On balance the Octopre has 8 inputs which can be either mic or line, mixer outputs per channel if needed, as well as ADAT outputs to run into my RME and then Logic Pro. I ran this past Focusrite technical support and they confirmed this would give me a basic set up to do a bit of small scale live recording if I want to, as well as providing a nice range of potential inputs for my small studio space when I am recording demo's etc. Luckily, I found a B stock supplier of Focusrite Octopre and picked up one for £300 inc VAT and free postage, so I am going that direction and will return the Scarlett, which only offers 4 XLR mic inputs and 4 line inputs, and only two outputs. Thanks to you all for your help, it has been really good to get other views on this. Barry Yes, the Octopre can be used as standalone. It if were me I would ditch the whole batch and get an audio interface that has 8 mic preamps (if that's what you need). Presonus, MOTU have such interfaces. Simplify your life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 I already have an 'interface' in the form of my RME BabyFace sound card which has amazing low latency, ADAT connectivity, monitor outs direct from Logic etc. On balance the Octopre has 8 inputs which can be either mic or line, mixer outputs per channel if needed, as well as ADAT outputs to run into my RME and then Logic Pro. I ran this past Focusrite technical support and they confirmed this would give me a basic set up to do a bit of small scale live recording if I want to, as well as providing a nice range of potential inputs for my small studio space when I am recording demo's etc. Right. But keep in mind you could have ALL of that in one single box, rather than having to digitally sync two boxes, having one slave and one master, having to deal with clock errors etc.... if it were me, I would rather avoid having to deal with all that if can. Especially if you intend to do live recordings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrylane Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 Mmmm not a lot of dosh to spare here ... The RME Babyface is excellent at what it does and cost quite a bit when I was setting up my studio last January, I like the sound of it all being in one box and have looked at the all in one's you recommend, they are way above what I can afford right now, so I think the Octopre will at least get me going. To be honest, this is probably going to be used for just one gig for a friend in a church hall, then stay in it's box ... So I am not in a position to wipe the board and start afresh with an all in one ... But I can see why it would be a good idea if I was going to do much more live recording etc. As it is, I am just having fun in my home studio with a wee band of friends ... Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Nahmani Posted April 21, 2016 Share Posted April 21, 2016 Oh alright if it's just to record a friend then I suppose there will be less pressure. I agree the Babyface is an excellent piece of gear. Well hopefully it'll run smoothly for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrylane Posted April 21, 2016 Author Share Posted April 21, 2016 Bound to fall into the jaws of setting this all up, and will come back here should I get bitten! Barry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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