User`s guide

User's Guide Fireface 400 © RME

7.3 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 be-

tween. SteadyClock, RME's Low Jitter Clock System, is based on a Direct Digital Synthesizer

(DDS). This superior circuitry can generate nearly any frequency with highest precision.

DDS has been implemented into the Fireface with regard to the needs of professional video

applications, as well as to maximum flexibility. The section Pitch includes both a list of typical

video frequencies (so called pull up/pull down at 0.1% and 4%) and a fader to freely change the

basic sample rate in steps of 1 Hz (!) over a range of +/- 5%.

The Pitch function requires the Fireface to be in clock mode Master! The frequency setting

will only be applied to this one specific Fireface!

Changing the sample rate during record/playback often results in a loss of audio, or brings

up warning messages of the audio software. Therefore the desired sample rate should be

set at least coarsely before starting the software.

Coarse

Coarse modification in steps of 50 Hz is

done by clicking with the mouse to the left

and right of the fader knob.

Fine

Fine modification in steps of 1 Hz is done by

using the left/right cursor keys.

Reset

Ctrl key plus left mouse click.

Application examples

Pitch allows for a simultaneous change of speed and tune during record and playback. From

alignment to other sources up to creative effects – everything is possible.

Pitch enables you to intentionally de-tune the complete DAW. This way, the DAW can match

instruments which have a wrong or unchangeable tuning.

Pitch allows for the change of the sample rate of all WDM devices at the same time. Since Vista

this is no longer possible via the audio program, thus requires a manual reconfiguration of all

WDM devices. Changing the sample rate from the Settings dialog solves this problem. As the

change within the system requires some time, record/playback should not be started immedi-

ately, but not before 5 seconds after a change.

Tip: the current CPU load can be used to determine if the audio subsystem has finished the re-

configuration.