Running two audio interfaces for playback only

[Bruce Wahler]

I'm using ASIO to run VSTIs in Cakewalk in a live rig.  I also play wave files in some cases.  Right now, I'm using a Focusrite 4i4.  It has 4 audio outs, which is OK but not ideal.  I'd like to have 6 dedicated analog outs for flexibility, but the only USB audio interfaces with that many outputs also have 8+ audio inputs.  I don't need the cost, size, or weight of such an interface in my gigging rig.  Is there any way to run one ASIO interface, and another one with a standard Windows driver?  I'm OK if the second interface isn't synced to the first one.  I'm even OK if it has poor latency, as I can simply move the wave files a few (or many) ticks earlier in the song to compensate.  Anyone have a solution?  I considered ASIO Link, but it's been discontinued.

 

[tecknot]

Hi Bruce,

You can certainly run two interfaces at the same time as long as they are not both using ASIO at the same time.  However, there are manufactures who make interfaces with which you can run multiple interfaces all using ASIO specific driver at the same, for instance RME.

Kind regards,

tecknot

Edited June 12, 2022 by tecknot

[Bruce Wahler]

Thanks for the confirmation.  How does one set it up, though?  I looked in CW, and I only see one audio interface, my Focusrite 4i4.  I know that the laptop has its own interface, because I can play my standalones for VSTIs through the laptop's speakers (with dreadful sound).  How do I get CW to recognize it?

 

[Byron Dickens]

That will not work. You can only do that with certain manufacturers whose drivers let you aggregate devices and then only devices from that same manufacturer. RME is the only one I am sure of.

Edited June 12, 2022 by bdickens

[scook]

ASIO Link is still available

 

 

[msmcleod]

Either ASIOLink or WASAPI Exclusive will allow you to use all devices.

However, unless you have their wordclock's sync'd you may find they record/playback out of sync.