User's Guide Babyface Portable USB Audio at its best! ™ TotalMix 24 Bit / 192 kHz 9 ™ SteadyClock ™ SyncCheck USB 2.
General 1 2 3 4 5 Introduction ...............................................................6 Package Contents .....................................................6 System Requirements ..............................................6 Brief Description and Characteristics.....................6 First Usage - Quick Start 5.1 Connectors – Controls – Display ............................7 5.2 Quick Start ..............................................................
17 Mac OS X FAQ 17.1 MIDI doesn't work ................................................ 34 17.2 Repairing Disk Permissions................................. 34 17.3 Supported Sample Rates..................................... 34 17.4 Channel Count under Core Audio ....................... 34 17.5 Various Information.............................................. 35 18 Using more than one Babyface ............................. 35 19 DIGICheck Mac........................................................
Technical Reference 25 Technical Specifications 25.1 Analog ..................................................................72 25.2 MIDI......................................................................72 25.3 Digital ...................................................................73 25.4 Digital Inputs ........................................................73 25.5 Digital Outputs......................................................73 25.6 General ................................................
User's Guide Babyface General User's Guide Babyface © RME 5
1. Introduction Thank you for choosing the RME Babyface. This unique audio system is capable of transferring analog and digital audio data directly to Windows and Mac computers. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user. Numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts the Babyface at the very top of the range of computer-based audio interfaces.
5. First Usage – Quick Start 5.1 Connectors – Controls – Display The top of the Babyface features a rotary encoder with push switch function, 2 keys, 2 LED bands and 5 status LEDs. The two LED bands show the current gain, the input or output level, or indicate the channel to be set, all dependent on the current mode. The lowest LED signals phantom power (+48 V, orange), the highest one overload (Clip, red). The rotary encoder is used to change various parameters directly at the unit.
The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs do not operate servo balanced! When connecting unbalanced equipment, make sure pin 3 of the XLR output is not connected. A connection to ground will cause a decreased THD (higher distortion) and increased power consumption! The Babyface has two analog microphone inputs that can operate as line inputs with levels up to +12 dBu, when set to 0 dB gain.
5.2 Quick Start After the driver installation (chapter 7 / 15), connect the inputs to the analog signal source. Mount the included breakout cable with or without the extension cable to the D-sub connector of the Babyface. The analog input sensitivity can be changed at the unit (Select In) or in TotalMix (Settings, Gain), assuring the highest signal to noise ratio will be achieved. Also try to achieve an optimum input level by adjusting the source itself.
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User's Guide Babyface Installation and Operation – Windows User's Guide Babyface © RME 11
6. Hardware Installation Connect computer and Babyface with the supplied USB cable. Turn on the computer. That‘s it. To simplify installation it is recommended to first install the drivers before the unit is connected to the computer. But it will also work the other way round. In case the level meters of the Babyface run up during power-on: the unit is in Class Compliance mode and will not be working under Windows. Remove the cable, hold Select and Recall button down, plug-in the USB cable.
7.2 De-installing the Drivers A de-installation of the driver files is not necessary – and not supported by Windows anyway. Thanks to full Plug & Play support, the driver files will not be loaded after the hardware has been removed. If desired these files can then be deleted manually. Unfortunately Windows Plug & Play methods do not cover the additional autorun entries of TotalMix, the Settings dialog, and the registration of the ASIO driver.
8. Configuring the Babyface 8.1 Settings Dialog - General Configuration of the Babyface is done via its own settings dialog.
Buffer Size The setting Buffer Size determines the latency between incoming and outgoing ASIO and WDM data, as well as affecting system stability (see chapter 9.1 / 10). Errors does not refer to buffer errors, but USB transmission errors. The display will be reset on any start of a playback/record. More information can be found in chapter 26.3. Options DSP – EQ for Record Switches the 3-band EQ and Low Cut of all input channels into the recording path.
8.2 Settings Dialog - Pitch Usually soundcards and audio interfaces generate their internal clock (master mode) by a quartz. Therefore the internal clock can be set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, but not to a value in between. SteadyClock, RME's sensational Low Jitter Clock System, is based on a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS). This superior circuitry can generate nearly any frequency with highest precision.
9. Operation and Usage 9.1 Playback In the audio application being used, Babyface must be selected as output device. It can often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus, as Playback Device, Audio Devices, Audio etc. We recommend switching all system sounds off (via >Control Panel /Sound<). Also Babyface should not be the Preferred Device for playback, as this could cause loss of synchronization and unwanted noises.
9.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS) AC-3 / DTS When using popular DVD software players like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data stream can be sent to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver using the Babyface's SPDIF output. For this to work, the WDM SPDIF device of the Babyface has to be selected in >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio< or >Control Panel/ Sound/Playback<. Also check 'use preferred device only'. The DVD software's audio properties now show the options 'SPDIF Out' or similar.
9.3 Notes on WDM The driver offers one WDM streaming device per stereo pair, like Analog 3+4 (Babyface). WDM Streaming is Microsoft's current driver and audio system, directly embedded into the operating system. WDM Streaming is hardly usable for professional music purposes, as all data is processed by the so called Kernel Mixer, causing a latency of at least 30 ms.
9.4 Channel Count under WDM The Babyface’s ADAT optical interface offers sample rates of up to 192 kHz using a standard ADAT recorder. For this to work single-channel data is spread to two or four ADAT channels using the Sample Multiplexing technique. This reduces the number of available ADAT channels from 8 to 4 or 2 per ADAT port. Whenever the Babyface changes into Double Speed (88.2/96 kHz) or Quad Speed mode (176.4/192 kHz) all devices no longer available vanish automatically.
9.6 Analog Recording For recordings via the analog inputs the corresponding record device has to be chosen (Babyface Analog (x+x)). Channels 1 and 2 of the Babyface have digitally controlled microphone preamps of the highest quality. The digital control offers a gain setting in steps of 3 dB within a range of 9 dB to 60 dB. The configuration is done either directly at the unit via the rotary encoder, or via the Settings panel of the input channels 1 and 2 in TotalMix, with the knob Gain.
9.8 Digital Connections ADAT The ADAT optical input of the Babyface is fully compatible with all ADAT optical outputs. RME's unsurpassed Bitclock PLL prevents clicks and drop outs even in extreme varipitch operation, and guarantees a fast and low jitter lock to the digital input signal. A usual TOSLINK cable is sufficient for connection. More information on Double Speed (S/MUX) can be found in chapter 26.4. ADAT In Interface for a device sending an ADAT signal to the Babyface. Carries the channels 1 to 8.
9.9 Clock Modes - Synchronization In the digital world, all devices must be either Master (clock source) or Slave (clock receiver). Whenever several devices are linked within a system, there must always be a single master clock. A digital system can only have one master! If the Babyface’s clock mode is set to 'Internal', all other devices must be set to ‘Slave’. The Babyface utilizes a very user-friendly, intelligent clock control, called AutoSync.
10. Operation under ASIO 10.1 General Start the ASIO software and select ASIO Fireface USB as the audio I/O device or the audio driver. The Babyface supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM). The Babyface MIDI I/O can be used with both MME MIDI and DirectMusic MIDI. 10.2 Channel Count under ASIO At a sample rate of 88.2 or 96 kHz, the ADAT optical input and output operates in S/MUX mode, so the number of available channels is reduced from 8 to 4. At a sample rate of 176.
10.3 Known Problems If a computer does not provide sufficient CPU-power and/or sufficient USB-bus transfer rates, then drop outs, crackling and noise will appear. Such effects can be avoided by using a higher buffer setting/latency in the Settings dialog of the Babyface. Furthermore PlugIns should be deactivated temporarily to make sure they do not cause these problems. More information can be found in chapter 26.3. Another common source of trouble is incorrect synchronization.
12. DIGICheck Windows The DIGICheck software is a unique utility developed for testing, measuring and analysing digital audio streams. Although this Windows software is fairly self-explanatory, it still includes a comprehensive online help. DIGICheck 5.61 operates as multi-client ASIO host, therefore can be used in parallel to any software, with both inputs and outputs (!). The following is a short summary of the currently available functions: • Level Meter.
13. Hotline – Troubleshooting The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section FAQ, Latest Additions. The input signal cannot be monitored in real-time • ASIO Direct Monitoring has not been enabled within the DAW, and/or monitoring has been disabled globally (TotalMix Options). The 8 ADAT channels don’t seem to work • The optical output has been switched to 'SPDIF'.
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User's Guide Babyface Installation and Operation – Mac OS X User's Guide Babyface © RME 29
14. Hardware Installation Connect computer and Babyface with the supplied USB cable. Mac OS X detects the new hardware as Babyface (serial number). In case the level meters of the Babyface run up during power-on, and Settings dialog and TotalMix FX refuse to start: the unit is in Class Compliance mode. Remove the USB cable, hold Select and Recall button down, plug-in the USB cable. This procedure changes between the CC and normal mode.
15.3 Firmware Update The Flash Update Tool updates the firmware of the Babyface to the latest version. It requires an already installed driver. Start the program Fireface USB Flash. The Flash Update Tool displays the current revision of the Babyface firmware, and whether it needs an update or not. If so, simply press the 'Update' button. A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished (Verify Ok). After the update the unit needs to be reset.
Options DSP – EQ for Record Switches the 3-band EQ and Low Cut of all input channels into the recording path. In case Loopback has been activated the EQ and Low Cut of the Output channel is placed into the recording path. See also chapter 23.5. Optical Out The optical TOSLINK output can operate as ADAT or SPDIF output. The Channel Status is fixed to Consumer state. Note: The optical input detects the incoming format automatically. Clock Mode Sample Rate Used to set the current sample rate.
16.2 Clock Modes - Synchronization In the digital world, all devices must be either Master (clock source) or Slave (clock receiver).. Whenever several devices are linked within a system, there must always be a single master clock. A digital system can only have one master! If the Babyface’s clock mode is set to 'Internal', all other devices must be set to ‘Slave’. The Babyface utilizes a very user-friendly, intelligent clock control, called AutoSync.
17. Mac OS X FAQ 17.1 MIDI doesn't work In some cases the applications do not show the MIDI port. The reason for this is usually visible within the Audio MIDI Setup – MIDI Window. It displays no RME MIDI device, or the device is greyed out and therefore inactive. Mostly, removing the greyed out device and searching for MIDI devices again will solve the problem. The Babyface is class compliant. Therefore it comes without a driver.
17.5 Various Information The driver of the Babyface requires at least Mac OS 10.6. Programs that don't support card or channel selection will use the device chosen as Input and Output in the System Preferences – Sound panel. Via Launchpad – Other – Audio MIDI Setup the Babyface can be configured for the system wide usage in more detail. Programs that don't support channel selection will always use channels 1/2, the first stereo pair.
19. DIGICheck Mac The DIGICheck software is a unique utility developed for testing, measuring and analysing digital audio streams. Although this Windows software is fairly self-explanatory, it still includes a comprehensive online help. DIGICheck 0.670 operates in parallel to any software, showing all input data. The following is a short summary of the currently available functions: • Level Meter. High precision 24-bit resolution, 2/8/12 channels.
20. Hotline – Troubleshooting The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section FAQ, latest Additions. The unit and drivers have been installed correctly, but playback does not work: • Is Babyface listed in the System Profiler? (Vendor ID 2613). • Has Babyface been selected as current playback device in the audio application? The 8 ADAT channels don’t seem to work • The optical output has been switched to 'SPDIF'.
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User's Guide Babyface TotalMix FX User's Guide Babyface © RME 39
21. Routing and Monitoring 21.1 Overview The Babyface includes a powerful digital real-time mixer, the Babyface mixer, based on RME’s unique, sample-rate independent TotalMix technology. It allows for practically unlimited mixing and routing operations, with all inputs and playback channels simultaneously, to any hardware outputs. TotalMix FX adds 3-band parametric equalizer, low cut, echo and reverb. Here are some typical applications for TotalMix: • Setting up delay-free submixes (headphone mixes).
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21.2 The User Interface The visual design of the TotalMix mixer is a result of its capability to route hardware inputs and software playback channels to any hardware output. The Babyface has 10 input channels, 12 software playback channels, and 12 hardware output channels: TotalMix can be used in the above view (View Options 2 Rows).
21.3 The Channels A single channel can be switched between mono and stereo mode. The mode is set in the channel settings. Channel name. The name field is the preferred place to select a channel by a mouse click. A double click opens a dialog to assign a different name. The original name will be shown when activating the option Names in the View Options. Panorama. Routes the input signal freely to the left and right routing destination (lower label, see below).
The lowest field shows the current routing target. A mouse click opens the routing window to select a routing target. The list shows all activated routings of the current channel by arrows in front of the listed entries, the current one is shown in bold letters. An arrow is only shown with an activated routing. A routing is seen as activated when audio data is sent. As long as the fader is set to −∞ the current routing will be shown in bold letters, but not have an arrow in the front. Trim Gain.
A click on the tool symbol opens the channel’s Settings panel with differing elements. For example the Option Inst exists only in input channel 2, and the ADAT channels do not offer the phantom power option. Stereo. Switches the channel to mono or stereo mode. 48V. Activates phantom power at the corresponding input. Serves as power supply for high quality condenser mics. This option should stay off with other sources to prevent failure by spikes. Inst.
Loopback. Sends the output data to the driver as record data. The corresponding submix can be recorded then. This channel’s hardware input sends its data only to TotalMix, no longer to the recording software. Another difference to the input and playback channels is the Cue button instead of Solo. A click on Cue sends the respective Hardware Output’s audio to the Main Out, or any of the Phones outputs (option Assign / Cue to in the Control Room section).
Preset. Settings of the EQ and the Low Cut can be stored, loaded, and copied between channels at any time. A click on Preset opens a menu with several entries: ¾ Recall: Presets stored before by the user can be selected and loaded ¾ Save to: There are 16 storage places available (EQ Preset 1 to 16) ¾ Import: Loads a previously stored TM EQ file (.tmeq) ¾ Export: Stores the current state as TM EQ file (.
21.4 Section Control Room In the section Control Room the menu Assign is used to define the Main Out which is used for listening in the studio. For this output the functions Dim, Recall, Mono, Talkback, External Input and Mute FX are automatically applied. On the unit the keys Recall and Dim (push on the rotary encoder) also follow this assignment. Additionally the channel will be shifted from the Hardware Outputs into the Control Room section, and renamed Main.
21.5 The Control Strip The Control Strip on the right side is a fixed element. It combines different functions that are either required globally, or constantly used, and therefore should not be hidden in a menu. Device selection. Select the unit to be controlled in case more than one is installed on the computer. FX - DSP Meter. Shows the DSP load caused by activated EQs and Low Cuts. The DSP of the Babyface has been designed so that an overload can not occur.
View Options. This area combines different functions of routing, the level meters and the mixer view. Routing Mode ¾ Submix: The Submix view (default) is the preferred view and delivers the quickest overview, operation and understanding of TotalMix. The click on one of the Hardware Output channels selects the respective submix, all other outputs are darkened. At the same time all routing fields are set to this channel.
Hidden channels in Mixer/Matrix are still fully functional. An existing routing/mixing/FX processing stays active. But as the channel is no longer visible it can not be edited anymore. At the same time the hidden channels are removed from the list of remote controllable channels, to prevent them from being edited unnoticed. Hidden channels in MIDI Remote x are removed from the list of remote controllable channels. Within an 8-channel block of a Mackie compatible control they are skipped.
Application Examples While originally added to improve navigation in the HDSPe MADI FX (having 196 channels that never fit on any screen), the scroll location markers are also helpful with units having much less channels: • • When the TotalMix FX window is intentionally made small in width, so only a few channels are shown. When some or all EQ or Dynamics panels are open. Then all relevant settings are always visible, but require a lot of space horizontally. Snapshots.
21.6 Reverb and Echo A click on FX in the View Options - Show brings up the Output FX panel. Here all parameters for the effects Reverb and Echo are adjusted. The Babyface uses a DSP engine within its FPGA for all the calculations of all the EQs and Low Cuts, in parallel to the DSP engine for TotalMix. However, Reverb and Echo are calculated on the host CPU, means the computer. On current computers, this will not cause any noticeable CPU load.
Special Settings for Envelope and Gated Attack. Length of time for the volume increase of the reverb signal. Also called rise time. Adjustable from 5 ms up to 400 ms. Hold. Length of time for the fixed volume part of the reverb signal. Adjustable from 5 ms up to 400 ms. Release. Length of time for the volume decrease of the reverb signal. Adjustable from 5 ms up to 400 ms. Special Settings for Classic Reverb Time. Sets the duration of the reverb referenced to a volume drop of 20 dB. Adjustable from 0.
Preset. Settings of the Reverb and the Echo can be stored, loaded, and copied between channels at any time. A click on Preset opens a menu with several entries: ¾ Recall: Presets stored before by the user can be selected and loaded ¾ Save to: There are 16 storage places available (Reverb/Echo Preset 1 to 16) ¾ Import: Loads a previously stored TM FX Reverb file (.tmrv) or a TM FX Echo file (.tmeo) ¾ Export: Stores the current state as TM FX Reverb file (.tmrv) or as TM FX Echo file (.
21.7 Preferences The dialog Preferences can be opened via the Options menu or directly via F2. Level Meters ¾ Full scale samples for OVR. Number of consecutive samples to trigger an over detection (1 to 10). ¾ Peak Hold Time. Hold time of the peak value. Adjustable from 0.1 up to 9.9 s. ¾ RMS +3 dB. Shifts the RMS value by +3 dB, so that full scale level is identical for Peak and RMS at 0 dBFS. Mixer Views ¾ FX Send follows highest Submix. Locks the FX Send knob to the channel fader.
21.7.1 Store for Current or All Users (Windows) TotalMix FX stores all settings, workspaces and snapshots for the current user in: XP: C:\Documents and Settings\ Username\Local Settings\ Application Data\TotalMixFX Vista/7/8: C.\Users\Username\AppData\Local\TotalMixFX Current User ensures that when workstations are used by several people they all find their own settings. In case the settings should be identical or given for any user, TotalMix FX can be changed to use the All User directory.
21.8.2 MIDI Page The MIDI page has four independent settings for up to four MIDI remote controls, using CC commands or the Mackie Control protocol. Index Select one of four settings pages and thus remote controls. Settings are remembered automatically. To activate or deactivate any of the four remote controls check or uncheck ‘In Use’. MIDI Remote Control ¾ MIDI In. Input where TotalMix receives MIDI Remote data. ¾ MIDI Out. Output where TotalMix sends MIDI Remote data. ¾ Disable MIDI in background.
21.8.3 OSC Page The OSC page has four independent settings for up to four MIDI remote controls via Open Sound Control (OSC). This is a network based remote protocol that can be used for example by Apple’s iPad with the app TouchOSC or Lemur to wirelessly remote control TotalMix FX running on a Mac or Windows computer. Index Select one of four settings pages and thus remote controls. Settings are remembered automatically. To activate or deactivate any of the four remote controls check or uncheck ‘In Use’.
21.8.4 Aux Devices The RME OctaMic XTC is a highly flexible hi-quality 8-channel microphone, line and instrument preamp with integrated AD-conversion to ADAT, AES/EBU and MADI, plus 4 channels of DAconversion for monitoring. It can be used as universal front-end for the Babyface and other interfaces. To simplify operation the most important parameters of the XTC (gain, 48V, phase, mute, AutoSet) can be controlled directly from the TotalMix FX input channels.
21.9 Hotkeys and Usage TotalMix FX has many hotkeys and mouse/hotkey combinations to speed up and simplify the usage. The Shift key enables a fine-tuning of the gain with all faders and in the Matrix. On all knobs it will speed up the setting. A click on a fader with held down Shift key adds the fader to the temporary fader group. A click in the fader path with held down Ctrl key will let the fader jump to 0 dB, at the next click to −∞. Same function: Double click of the mouse.
21.10 Menu Options Deactivate Screensaver: When active (checked) any activated Windows screensaver will be disabled temporarily. Always on Top: When active (checked) the TotalMix window will always be on top of the Windows desktop. Note: This function may result in problems with windows containing help text, as the TotalMix window will even be on top of those windows, so the help text isn't readable. Enable MIDI Control: Activates external MIDI control of the TotalMix mixer.
22. The Matrix 22.1 Overview The mixer window of TotalMix looks and operates similar to mixing desks, as it is based on a conventional stereo design. The matrix display presents a different method of assigning and routing channels, based on a single channel or monaural design. The matrix view of the Babyface has the look and works like a conventional patchbay, adding functionality way beyond comparable hardware and software solutions.
The Matrix not always replaces the mixer view, but it significantly enhances the routing capabilities and - more important - is a brilliant way to get a fast overview of all active routings. It shows you in a glance what's going on. And since the Matrix operates monaural, it is very easy to set up specific routings with specific gains. 23. Tips and Tricks 23.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring (Windows) Programs that support ADM (ASIO Direct Monitoring - Samplitude, Sequoia, Cubase, Nuendo etc.
23.5 Recording a Submix - Loopback TotalMix includes an internal loopback function, from the Hardware Outputs to the recording software. Instead of the signal at the hardware input, the signal at the hardware output is sent to the record software. This way, submixes can be recorded without an external loopback cable. Also the playback from a software can be recorded by another software. The function is activated by the Loopback button in the Settings panel of the Hardware Outputs.
Recording a Software's playback In real world application, recording a software's output with another software will show the following problem: The record software tries to open the same playback channel as the playback software (already active), or the playback one has already opened the input channel which should be used by the record software. This problem can easily be solved.
24. MIDI Remote Control 24.1 Overview TotalMix can be remote controlled via MIDI. It is compatible to the widely spread Mackie Control protocol, so TotalMix can be controlled with all hardware controllers supporting this standard. Examples are the Mackie Control, Tascam US-2400 or Behringer BCF 2000. Additionally, the stereo output faders (lowest row) which are set up as Main Out in the Control Room section can also be controlled by the standard Control Change Volume via MIDI channel 1.
24.3 Setup Open the Preferences dialog (menu Options or F3). Select the MIDI Input and MIDI Output port where your controller is connected to. When no feedback is needed select NONE as MIDI Output. Check Enable MIDI Control in the Options menu. 24.4 Operation The channels being under Mackie MIDI control are indicated by a colour change of the name field, black turns to brown. The 8-fader block can be moved horizontally and vertically, in steps of one or eight channels.
24.5 MIDI Control The hardware output set up as Main Out can be controlled by the standard Control Change Volume via MIDI channel 1. With this, the main volume of the Babyface is controllable from nearly any MIDI equipped hardware device. Even if you don't want to control all faders and pans, some buttons are highly desirable to be available in 'hardware'. These are mainly the Talkback and the Dim button, and the monitoring options (listen to Phones submixes).
Examples for sending MIDI strings: - Set input 1 to 0 dB: B0 66 68 - Set input 5 to maximum attenuation: B1 6A 0 - Set playback 1 to maximum: B4 66 7F - Set Output 3 to 0 dB: B8 68 68 Note: Sending MIDI strings requires to use programmer's logic for the MIDI channel, starting with 0 for channel 1 and ending with 15 for channel 16.
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25. Technical Specifications 25.1 Analog AD, Microphone/Line 1-2 • Input: XLR, electronically balanced • Input impedance: 2 kOhm • Resolution: 24 bit • Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 108 dB RMS unweighted, 111 dBA • Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 50 Hz – 20.9 kHz • Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 50 Hz – 45.3 kHz • Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 30 Hz - 90 kHz • THD: < -100 dB, < 0.001 % • THD+N: < -98 dB, < 0.
25.3 Digital • • • • • • • • Clocks: Internal, ADAT In, SPDIF In Low Jitter Design: < 1 ns in PLL mode, all inputs Internal clock: 800 ps Jitter, Random Spread Spectrum Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz) Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation Supported sample rates: 28 kHz up to 200 kHz 25.
26. Technical Background 26.1 Lock and SyncCheck Digital signals consist of a carrier and the data. If a digital signal is applied to an input, the receiver has to synchronize to the carrier clock in order to read the data correctly. To achieve this, the receiver uses a PLL (Phase Locked Loop). As soon as the receiver meets the exact frequency of the incoming signal, it is locked. This Lock state remains even with small changes of the frequency, because the PLL tracks the receiver's frequency.
26.2 Latency and Monitoring The term Zero Latency Monitoring was introduced by RME in 1998 for the DIGI96 series of audio cards. It stands for the ability to pass-through the computer's input signal at the interface directly to the output. Since then, the idea behind has become one of the most important features of modern hard disk recording.
Note: Cubase and Nuendo display the latency values signalled from the driver separately for record and playback. The values do not exactly equal the buffer size (for example 3 ms at 128 samples), instead a higher value is shown, including the time needed for the AD/DA-conversion. Playback shows an even higher value – see Safety Buffer. Safety Buffer An additional small Safety Buffer on the playback side has proven to be very efficient and useful.
Especially with notebooks it can happen that all internal devices and all the sockets/ports are connected to the same controller, with the second controller not used at all. In that case all devices have to use the same bus and interfere with each other. 26.4 DS - Double Speed When activating the Double Speed mode the Babyface operates at double sample rate. The internal clock 44.1 kHz turns to 88.2 kHz, 48 kHz to 96 kHz. The internal resolution is still 24 bit.
26.6 Noise Level in DS / QS Mode The outstanding signal to noise ratio of the Babyface's AD-converters can be verified even without expensive test equipment, by using record level meters of various software. But when activating the DS and QS mode, the displayed noise level will rise from -109 dB to -104 dB at 96 kHz, and –82 dB at 192 kHz. This is not a failure. The software measures the noise of the whole frequency range, at 96 kHz from 0 Hz to 48 kHz (RMS unweighted), at 192 kHz from 0 Hz to 96 kHz.
27. Diagrams 27.
27.2 Connector Pinouts TRS jack analog instrument input The ¼" TRS jack of the instrument input is wired according to international standards: Tip = + (hot), Ring = GND, Sleeve = GND. XLR Connectors The servo-balanced input circuitry allows to use monaural TS jacks (unbalanced) with no loss in level. This is the same as when using a TRS-jack with ring connected to ground.
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28. History and General Remarks The Babyface has originally not been developed for stand-alone mode and iPad® connectivity. Therefore using these two new modes require some special attention on how to deliver power to the Babyface. In general an iPad delivers only about 20 mA to external devices. Connecting the Babyface, which would run on USB bus power, will therefore throw up an error message on the iPad that the attached device is not supported or draws too much current.
29. System requirements ¾ Babyface with firmware > 200 and activated Class Compliant mode ¾ Any Apple iPad with at least iOS 5. iPhone and iPod Touch can not be used. ¾ Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit (Dock or Lightning to USB) 30. Operation Activation of the Class Compliant mode: Hold down the Select and Recall button while the Babyface boots. So press both buttons while connecting the Babyface to USB buspower. The level meters will run up, confirming CC mode is activated.
* Having tested several chinese replicas of the Apple Camera Connection Kit, from 2-in-1 to 5-in-1 adapters, we strongly recommend purchasing the original! All adapters seemed to work for the simple application of copying photos. Attempting to run the Babyface with USB Audio 2.0 was when the problems started. Some of the tested adapters would not work at all, others only with short cables, and only one adapter came close to the quality of the original.
30.2 Class Compliant Mode under Windows and Mac OS X On a Windows PC, Class Compliant mode is indicated by a missing “RME“ in the device name shown in the Device Manager. In the correct mode and with installed drivers, the full name including RME is shown, without serial number. Windows does not support USB Audio 2.0 directly. The Babyface will be detected when in CC mode, but automatic driver installation will fail. This is important to remember.
31. Supported Inputs and Outputs 31.1 Class Compliant Mode In Mac OS X, either the first two or all channels will work, depending on the choice in the Audio MIDI Setup. The playback signal of channels 1/2 can be copied to outputs 3/4 by the Babyface onboard mixer. When connected to an iPad, the analog mic/line input 1 works with mono apps, inputs 1 and 2 with stereo apps (both dual mono and stereo), and up to 8 inputs with 8-channel applications like MultiTrack DAW and Music Studio.
32. Operation at the Unit Operation at the unit is very similar to the one under Windows and OS X, with some additions for the new modes. These were done as intuitive and easy to remember as possible, but with three elements to operate only there must be some compromises. Changing between normal and CC mode Hold down the keys Select and Recall during power-on. This typically means: press both keys, then connect the Babyface to USB bus power.
The last available setting might look quite complicated or cumbersome, but it is done not so often, and many users will never do it at all: Set Clock Mode and Sample Rate Use Select key and select “Out” Push and hold the Encoder until one of the nine level LEDs on the left is lit.
34. Useful notes Stand-Alone Mode As one wants to place the USB power supply not beside the Babyface, but further away into a power outlet, a cheap USB cable extension, male to female, might be used to bridge the distance. Unfortunately our (and our customer’s) experience is that most of these USB extensions are not only cheap, but cheap. They cause a voltage drop that is enough to let the Babyface not initialize correctly, or malfunction in certain situations.
User's Guide Babyface © RME
User's Guide Babyface Miscellaneous User's Guide Babyface © RME 91
35. Accessories There are several items available for the Babyface: Part Number Description Optical cable for SPDIF and ADAT operation: OK0100PRO OK0200PRO OK0300PRO OK0500PRO OK1000PRO NTCARDBUS BF-BAGBK BF-BOCMKH BF-BOXLRMKH BF-EXT13 Optical cable, TOSLINK, 1 m (3.3 ft) Optical cable, TOSLINK, 2 m (6.6 ft) Optical cable, TOSLINK, 3 m (9.9 ft) Optical cable, TOSLINK, 5 m (16.4 ft) Optical cable, TOSLINK, 10 m (33 ft) Power supply for Babyface.
37. Appendix RME news, driver updates and further product information are available on our website: http://www.rme-audio.com Distributor: Audio AG, Am Pfanderling 60, D-85778 Haimhausen, Tel.: (49) 08133 / 918170 Trademarks All trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. RME, DIGICheck and Hammerfall are registered trademarks of RME Intelligent Audio Solutions.
38. Declaration of Conformity CE This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits of the European Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to electromagnetic compatibility according to RL2004/108/EG, and European Low Voltage Directive RL2006/95/EG. FCC This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
