Dual 2496's... all inputs to same output?

[emc1]

Hello.

Followed all instructions on installation of dual cards in my machine.

Have the latest drivers installed with no error.

Both cards functioning properly but completely independently allthough selectable through the same control panel.

Here is what I mean............

I cannot seem to get the audio inputs from the second (clock slaved) card to route through to the outputs of the parent (Master) card for monitoring. Is there a trick of some sort I am missing? Or is this a limitation of the driver construct that perhaps additional software is required to do this basic routing that is external to the control panel for the cards?

I have tried to select the parent card as default playback and the child as the default recording device for both sound and voice in Windows sound control. I have tried selecting different combinations of options in the M-audio control panel for outputs in the pulldown menu etc. etc.

I am running on an EVGA MOBO Nvidia 730a
4 GIGS RAM
AMD Athlon 64x2 5200+
Nvidia GE force 8600 sli
Windows XP pro sp3 (Clean install)

All competing audio drivers and functionality have been removed and disabled in the bios prior to installation. The cards are working but will not route through a single cards output if the input for the second card is used.

Any help or enlightenment will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Oh...upon installation of the cards there were two instances of the windows installation menus that appeared as if 2 completely seperate drivers were being installed. Have no idea if this means anything or if it is normal behavior but thought I would mention it.

Thanks again.

[JA]

Connect your speakers to the outputs of the second card. The cards should be sync'd by connecting the S/PDIF output of the of the first card to the S/PDIF input of the second. For the first card, make sure the S/PDIF output source is set to Mon (the monitor mixer), then make sure all hardware inputs and software returns are turned up on the Mixer Tab. This will route all audio into and playing back through the first card into the second card via the S/PDIF connection.

On the 2nd card, make sure the output source for the 1/2 out (where your speakers are connected) is set for Mon as well. Then turn up all channels on the mixer tab.