Saffire Pro 40 and Echo Digital Audio Layla

leadgtrplayr


I am new here and just bought a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 after using Presonus,Motu,Line 6 UX8 I have finally found something thats working perfectly for me.However I am wondering if anyone has ever linked these 2 units via ADAT? I have not installed the PCI card from the Layla and heard that it can just be used via the ADAT is this true,if so how? I have tried to hook these 2 together but I am thinking thew PCI Card as well the the Layla's drivers would need to be installed as well in order to tell the Layla to use the ADAT connection.I did try to just connect the Saffire and the Layla via ADAT and never saw any sound coming from the Meters in the Focusrite's Mixer software.I am also just learning the new Mixer Control panel that comes with the Saffire and it's way different than any of the units I have used to date so I am also wondering if I just don't have the ins and outs set properly if these 2 do in fact work together.
Thanks in Advance

Yes, if you use the ASIO driver type you can at lest use the Layla to get 8 more inputs to the Focusrite via ADAT lightpipe. If you use WDM you might even be able to use all the inputs on both, but if will complicate your setup so unless you just need that many I would just use the Layla for the 8 extra ins. Here is what I would do.

Get two optic fiber cables and hook up the in to out both directions. Only enable the drivers in your software for the Focusrite. Use the Layla control panel to and set it to get sample rate clock from the ADAT in.  That's should be it. The Layla will just look like external converters to the Focusrite. The Layla driver will be there but not used for your recording software.  Then you can use the software mixer for the Layla to route 8 inputs to the ADAT out going to the Focusrite. 

The reason you set the Layla to get sample rate clock from the Focusrite is so when the software changes sample rate the Layla will also. That's why you need the second cable, just to get clock back to the Layla.  Just connect in to out and out to in. Let me know if you have any questions.

leadgtrplayr


VERY Helpful BUT I have 1 more question do I need to install the Layla's PCI card as well?
I am pretty much good to go otherwise BUT I have heard that people have used this method with the Layla and did not need to install the PCI card as well..Could you please confirm or deny that part?
Thank you so very much in advance!!!

Yes you will need the PCI card, I don't think the thing works without it. At the very least you need it to be able to adjust the control panel software for the Layla. 

Yes you will need the layla. It does not work without the PCI card. Wish it did though...