Getting maximum amount of CV outputs

[rodrigo]

Howdie all,

So I've got an ES-8, which I'm loving, but I'm always finding myself wanting more CV outs. I've looked at some of the expanders (ES-5, ESX-8CV), but it's a little confusing as to what you gain and what you lose, particularly if you start chaining things together.

What also potentially complicates things is that I'm using the ADAT I/O on the ES-8 to go to my MOTU/computer, so I don't have them available for something like an ES-3 (unless I'm missing something).

So if I'm reading things correctly, by using an ES-8 + ES-5 + ESX-8CV I would have:
6 audio rate CVs
8 gates
8 low(er) rate CVs

Is that right?

If I add another ESX-8CV would that gobble up more outputs from the ES-8?

Also, if I use an ES-9 instead of the ES-8, does the ES-5 gobble up one of the 8 CV outputs, or can it take the headphone/direct outs (which I wouldn't be using at all)?

Lastly, is there some kind of chart or graph that maps these permutations and their implications out?

[rodrigo]

Ok, found in another thread that the ES-9 has dedicated outputs for the ES-5 to use. It doesn't, however have actual ADAT connections. The SPDIF is just stereo rather than the ADAT that the ES-8 has, which makes it a deal breaker for using alongside another interface (if I want to avoid aggregating a device).

[os]

Have a look at this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=90403

It's written about the ES-3 but applies to the ES-8 in the same way.

[rodrigo]

That's super useful, thank you!

A couple follow on questions not exactly covered in that thread.

If I'm using the ES-8 via my audio interface, and I'm working at 16-bit, does that mess up some of the multiplexing? In my particular use case I'm only planning on having two total expansions (ES-5 + ESX-8CV), so I wouldn't think that would impact anything, but it's a bit unclear.

Lastly, if using an ES-8 + ES-5 + ESX-8CV, as I presently understand it I would have (presuming all 8 outputs going on the 8CV):
7x audio rate CVs
8x audio rate gates
8x 2kHz 12-bit audio rate CVs (time-multiplexed/staggered)

I guess the 2kHz would be slightly slower if I'm running at 44.1k, so 1.84kHz.

Is that correct?

[os]

The recording bit depth in your DAW has no bearing on the driver or the ADAT transport, which always work at 24 bit.

Yes, to the second part.