[ISSUE] Mackie Control Surface Not Assigned Properly

i have a Tascam FW-1884 + FE-8 + FE-8
all works fine in cubase 7.5., 7, 6.5, 6.
tried reinstalling cub8 full version (initially i installed the update version)
configuration of remote identical to previous versions using recommended Mackie Control Template
update
my config is 16 mono audio tracks (8 tascam + 8 ART Xpander) and 16 midi tracks as a default template.
in c7.5 when i add 3 mackie control surfaces cubase assigns them as follows:
fader 1-8 FW : audio track 1-8 mono audio volume out
fader 9-16 FE8 : midi track 1-8 midi volume out
fader 17-24 FE8 : midi track 9-16 midi volume out

same channel config in cubase 8 results in:
fader 1-8 FW : audio track 1-8 mono audio volume out
fader 9-16 FE : audio track 1-8 mono audio volume in (pointless channels have input level trim pots)
fader 17-24 FE : audio track 9-16 mono audio volume in (pointless channels have input level trim pots)

cubase 7.5 and prev versions it just worked.

cheers

ps. tried all the usual trix eg. trashing preferences etc.