I hear what your saying about the M-Audio Profire 2626 and to be honest (if I am correct) it boasts another pair of ADAT in/outs so that opens up to 16 potential digital channels right? + 8 analogue preamps = 24 channels right!?!?
No, ADAT is an 8 in / 8 out protocol, the other ADAT in/out is if I want to record at a higher resolution. If I record at 96khz, it'll effectively half the bandwidth per ADAT port which leaves me with only 4 channels, hence the extra port for a further 4 channels.
so with the M-Audio Profire 2626 all you need to sync Logic to the MPC and vice versa is that unusual looking SPDIF connection that looks like a monitor cable? Then you plug one in/out optical cable (suggestions please for that) for the digital audio.
SPDIF is just a protocol, it can be passed via mini jack or via RCA. It's normally a stereo feed that passes wordclock with it. We are only using the cable for word lock since the MPC, for some bizarre reason, cannot sync via ADAT. For Digital to be effective, the two devices you want to connect need to clock together in sync. If they don't you'll just get audio coming through with loads of digital crackle and pops.
ADAT cables are ADAT cables. Most music and hifi stores should stock them. My suggestion is rather go for a shorter one if you can. They are pretty delicate and long cables can just be unwieldy.
Obviously you set who's master/ slave between Daw and MPC but there is no midi involved at all for sync?!?!
Don't get the technologies confused. You get digital sync that clocks the signals together and you get Midi sync that locks the DAW to the MPC. They essentially do the same thing BUT for different purposes. You can't clock a digital signal to midi and vica versa, it's not possible, they are completely different protocols.
I keep reading syncing logic to MPC articles and its always talking about midi but I guess for strictly multi-tracking audio its not necessary. However I do use synths for bass lines so any suggestions for multi-tracking that out at the same time as audio?
That's midi sync and you can use either your DAW via your sound card OR the MPC to control it. It's your call and it really comes down to workflows and how you prefer to do things.