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Yes, you can daisy chain audio interfaces, and it’s a clever way to expand your recording setup without splurging on a brand-new, massive mixer.
Daisy chaining audio interfaces lets you connect two or more units together so your computer sees them as one bigger interface with more inputs and outputs.
If you’ve been asking can you daisy chain audio interfaces because you’ve run out of mic preamps or line inputs, the short answer is a solid yes, but there are some important rules to follow.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how daisy chaining audio interfaces works, which setups are compatible, and what you need to watch out for so you don’t run into clocking headaches.
Let’s dive in and get your rig sounding bigger and better.
How Daisy Chaining Audio Interfaces Actually Works
Before we get into the “yes” and “no” of it, let’s talk about the mechanics behind daisy chaining audio interfaces.
The whole idea is that you link multiple interfaces together using a digital connection like ADAT, S/PDIF, or Thunderbolt, and then your computer treats them as a single device.
When you daisy chain audio interfaces correctly, the first unit acts as the “master” and sends a clock signal to the second unit, which is the “slave.”
This master-slave relationship keeps everything in sync so your recordings don’t have clicks, pops, or drift between channels.
Most modern interfaces that support daisy chaining audio interfaces use ADAT lightpipe, which carries eight channels of audio over a single optical cable.
Thunderbolt-based units are even cooler because they can pass data at lightning speed, and some allow you to stack multiple interfaces in a real chain.
But here’s the catch: not every interface is built to be chained.
USB-only interfaces often lack the digital I/O needed, so you’re stuck with just one unit unless you get lucky with a model that has ADAT outs.
So, the real answer to can you daisy chain audio interfaces is “only if your gear has the right ports and the manufacturer supports it.”
1. ADAT Makes It Easy to Expand
ADAT is the most common way people daisy chain audio interfaces because it’s affordable and widely supported.
Say you have a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 and you need more inputs.
You can connect a second 18i20 via an ADAT optical cable, and bam, you’ve got 16 more channels without any fancy software tricks.
The beauty of ADAT is that it’s purely digital, so you don’t lose audio quality when you daisy chain audio interfaces this way.
You just need to make sure your computer’s driver sees both units, and you’ll see all the inputs and outputs appear in your DAW.
2. Thunderbolt Offers Rock-Solid Stability
If you’re on a Mac, Thunderbolt is the gold standard for daisy chaining audio interfaces.
Thunderbolt allows you to chain multiple interfaces together in a true serial fashion, where each unit passes data to the next.
Univers Audio, Apogee, and PreSonus all make Thunderbolt interfaces that support this kind of setup.
With Thunderbolt, you can daisy chain audio interfaces and even connect a monitor or external drive at the end of the chain, which is super handy.
The latency stays low, the bandwidth is plenty, and you don’t need to mess with separate clock cables because the connection handles it all.
3. USB and FireWire Are Trickier
Older FireWire interfaces could be daisy chained, but USB is a different beast entirely.
Most USB interfaces don’t have a second port to pass audio data along, so you can’t physically link them in a chain.
The workaround is to use a USB hub, but that still doesn’t make your computer see them as one device.
So, if you’re stuck with USB-only gear, you generally can’t daisy chain audio interfaces in the traditional sense.
Instead, you’d have to use a separate program like ASIO4ALL to combine them, and that’s a recipe for latency and sync issues.
Key Steps to Daisy Chain Audio Interfaces Successfully
Now that you know the methods, let’s walk through the practical side of making it happen.
You can daisy chain audio interfaces if you follow these steps closely, but skipping any of them can lead to major headaches.
1. Check Your Clock Settings First
Before you even plug in a cable, decide which interface will be the master clock.
The master should be the one with the most stable internal clock, often the higher-end unit in your setup.
Set the master’s sample rate (like 44.1kHz or 48kHz) and then set the slave to “external” or “ADAT” sync in its control panel.
When you daisy chain audio interfaces with mismatched clocks, you’ll hear nasty digital artifacts, so don’t skip this step.
2. Use the Right Cables
For ADAT, you need a TOSLINK optical cable, not a standard audio cable.
For Thunderbolt, use a certified Thunderbolt cable that matches your version, like Thunderbolt 3 or 4.
A cheap cable can cause dropouts, so invest in quality ones when you daisy chain audio interfaces.
3. Update Drivers and Firmware
Every interface in your chain needs the latest driver and firmware from the manufacturer.
Older firmware might not support multi-unit configurations, so this is a common pitfall when people try to daisy chain audio interfaces.
Update everything, restart your computer, and then connect your gear.
What to Avoid When You Daisy Chain Audio Interfaces
It’s not all smooth sailing, so here are a few mistakes that can ruin your day.
1. Mixing Different Brands Without Research
You can daisy chain audio interfaces from different brands if they both have ADAT, but it’s not always plug-and-play.
Some manufacturers use proprietary control software, and the two units might fight over clock settings.
Stick to the same brand when possible, or at least check forums to see if others have done it successfully.
2. Ignoring Latency Buildup
Every interface adds a tiny bit of latency, and when you daisy chain audio interfaces, that can add up.
Keep your buffer size low in your DAW settings, and use direct monitoring on the units if you need zero-latency tracking.
3. Forgetting About Power
Some interfaces are bus-powered, meaning they draw power from the connection.
If you daisy chain audio interfaces over USB, the power might not be enough for two units.
Use external power supplies for each interface to avoid random shutoffs or noise.
So, Can You Daisy Chain Audio Interfaces for Real?
Yes, you can daisy chain audio interfaces, and it’s a legit way to grow your home studio.
But the keyword here is “compatibility,” not just “yes.”
You can daisy chain audio interfaces if they have ADAT, Thunderbolt, or dedicated link ports, and if you set the clock correctly.
You can’t daisy chain audio interfaces if they only have USB and lack digital I/O, so always check the back panel first.
For most users, the easiest path is to buy two interfaces from the same brand with ADAT support, then connect them with an optical cable.
Take your time with driver updates, clock settings, and cable quality, and you’ll have a system that feels like one giant mixer.
So, when someone asks can you daisy chain audio interfaces, you can confidently say yes, and now you know exactly how to do it.