Ferrofish A32pro ADAT Expansion: Clocking and Channel Checklist

Before You Buy Cables

The official A32pro manual documents ADAT, MADI, BNC, and internal clock choices. Use the revision that matches your hardware and firmware.

Do not assume that an optical link is synchronized because audio is audible. The manual distinguishes detected signal from successful synchronization; confirm the device's sync indication before recording.

Commission the Expansion

1. Update the routing sheet
   Give every physical input, output, ADAT port, and DAW channel a stable name.
2. Set one clock master
   Configure all other devices to follow the selected ADAT, MADI, BNC, or internal source.
3. Confirm sync
   Verify sample rate and synchronized status on every connected device before enabling speakers.
4. Test one channel at a time
   Send a conservative tone or known source through each path and record the measured return.
5. Save a recovery copy
   Export routing, clock, firmware, cable, and DAW I/O notes so the studio can be restored after an update.

Clicks, Missing Channels, and Silence

• Clicks Recheck clock master, follower source, sample rate, and cable seating before changing buffer size.
• Half the expected channels Check whether the session rate invokes SMUX and reduces channels per optical port.
• Signal but no sync A detected carrier is not the same as a synchronized clock; inspect the device status.
• DAW mismatch Rebuild the DAW I/O map after hardware routing changes and test from the first channel again.