i can now use all 6 outputs, but portaudio still doesn't like having different numbers of in and out channels (eg 2 in, 6 out) and the sound output is distorted unless i use -noadc

Just in case this helps, but I am not sure at all: try to start pd with a different sample rate like pd -r 48000 A friend of mine has a Motu I cannot use in 44100Khz, he is on linux though. Also report your problem to the portaudio mailing list. Good Luck Alex