Need More Inputs! Saffire Pro 40 Daisy-Chained to Saffire Pro 24?

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2:43AM
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2015/01/30 07:20:42 (permalink)

Need More Inputs! Saffire Pro 40 Daisy-Chained to Saffire Pro 24?

Help! I suffer from IAS, "Input Acquisition Syndrome!"
 
For those Focusrite users out there, I have a question in regards to chaining devices together to achieve more input channels, mainly in the ADAT realm.  Overall, can a Saffire Pro 40 be daisy-chained to a Saffire Pro 24 to achieve more channels?  The Saffire Pro 40 would be the first in the chain via Firewire.
 
So the connection would be: Computer--> Pro40 ---> Pro24.  Of course, the latest MixControl would be used.

Basically, I am looking for an affordable solution to have more input channels to what I already have with my Pro24.  I should mention that the intention would be for both the Pro40 and the Pro24 to utilize their ADAT input lightpipe connections, where an 8-channel ADC device (Alesis Ai3 specifically) would be used on each.

I think the only affordable (but still too pricey for me) setup/device that will can handle 16 channels of ADAT is the Liquid Saffire 56, and the discontinued RME Fireface 800.  However, if the Firewire chaining ability can work with a "lesser" interface, then that would be great.  The end result would be a very effective solution, with room for growth, of 28 input channels (16 ADAT and 12 analog).

A search on the Internet didn't turn up much except for a post on Gearslutz that mentioned a Liquid Saffire 56 connecting to a Pro 24.  The OP stated that a Sweetwater rep was "90% sure it would work," but of course the thread died with no resolution.
 
The alternative, if this would not work, is to cough up the bucks to get an old RME Fireface 800, which is basically a proven workhorse that is ultra-reliable and stable. Or get two Pro 40's and chain them together, but I still wonder if both can each do an ADAT connection.
 
And finally, to achieve this many input channels on Firewire, does it need to be Firewire 800, or will 400 handle it?  The Focusrite Saffires only have Firewire 400 connections, where the RME Fireface 800 has an 800 connection. Sample rate would be 48kHz.
post edited by 2:43AM - 2015/01/30 07:26:43
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    Ham N Egz
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    Re: Need More Inputs! Saffire Pro 40 Daisy-Chained to Saffire Pro 24? 2015/01/30 09:42:06 (permalink)
    I have a Saffire Liquid 56 and a Pro24DSP that I can daisy chain for analog inputs, I haven't tried the addition of ADAT because I dont have a light pipe device.
     
    Yes you need the latest MIX software, it seems to work OK, one of the devices is the sync master

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    2:43AM
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    Re: Need More Inputs! Saffire Pro 40 Daisy-Chained to Saffire Pro 24? 2015/01/30 17:52:12 (permalink)
    Thanks musicman100!  I appreciate the reply.
     
    I did also get a timely response back from Focusrite confirming the daisy-chaining as well.  Sounds good!  Well, it definitely increases my options!
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