Please Help - connecting/routing Focusrite 18i20 with Behringer 8000

[Darryl Ramm]

KISS. Get one thing working at a time. e.g. start with ADAT input, one Toslink cable going from ADAT out on the Berringer to ADAT input *port 1* on the 18i20. 18i20 set to clock from the ADAT in, Berringer set as clock source and correct sample rate on the back panel. No WC cable used, for now you want to see if you get clocking into the 18i20 over ADAT.

Troubleshoot stuff that can make a difference...

Make sure any/all sample rate/sync indicators LEDs etc are doing what is expected.

Do not have any mixes defined in Control, just straight through IO to the DAW. Improperly setup mixes in Control are a likely cause of analog noise. You have to get this clear/understand how to do this. (which is likely where its2loud is thinking as well)

If you are getting clocking from the external ADAT... then the optical link is working. If not solve that, try different cable, check there is not any debris in the ADAT sockets, etc.

While dealing with ADAT input, nothing matters what you have the ADAT outputs set to in the control software. Focus on one thing at a time and don't waste time messing with unrelated things.

Actually test stuff, like bung a signal plugin sine wave from an output on the Focusrite with a cable plug that into mic and line inputs on the Focusrite and see the meters move in Control (and Pro Tools) for that input, now repeat for the Berringer box inputs. You want low say -40 dBFS levels when inputting into mic preamps, -6dBFS when into line inputs. Doing this to map out physical inputs and inputs to the DAW can be very handy and can confirm or not that you understand what the hardware mixer is doing.

Failing all that connect up something else to that optical port like an old S/PDIF CD player. Anything to just try something different, simpler.

[its2loud]

Hey Darryl, I connected w TDub in a Zoom call and we went through all those steps. Focusrite Control 2 is stupid in that it doesn’t judt allow you to do a straight pass through signal without routing through that software. So dumb.
The Behringer is sending out some kind of low level hum even when everything is synced up. It’s very strange. He’s going to test out a different piece of gear to determine if it’s an issue with the Behringer or Focusrite. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Darryl Ramm]

That was really nice of you.

Yep but even where those routing apps don't allow you to set a straight pass through you need to make sure it's doing that. e.g. RME Total Mix FX allows you to set straight though but they confuse new users with three options that many won't understand. But then at least for the MADIface... there is the "disable TotalMix" option kinda hidden in USB settings. Every interface should have that "turn this **** off button". It's a perennial sore point with me... Interface vendors need to wake up that all what they think are selling features is just largely just crap they need to get out of the way for simple uses/new users.

As for troubleshooting the Behringer... some suggestions which you may have all covered anyhow... I'd start with a CD player or similar just to sanity check something works. Maybe see if the 8000's ADAT outputs work. On the Berhringer does noise depend on mic or line-in use? Does it pass though a high level signal test signal even with all the with noise or does it seem dead? If it was seeming to misbehaving on the analog side and it was mine first thing I'd do is pop it open and checkfor loose cables/connectors and check the supply rail voltages, especially for the analog side. If it's broken I'd skip Behinger and replace it with a Focusrite or Audient box.