Th e N 0% AS ew ! 52 CP IO tr U l Har ac oa dw k ar op d at er e at full ion User’s Guide - Macintosh Version 24 Bit / 96 kHz ü ® SyncAlign ® ZLM PCI Busmaster Digital I/O Card 2 + 16 Channels Stereo / ADAT Interface 24 Bit / 96 kHz Digital Audio ADAT Sync In Board Rev. 1.
Contents 1 2 3 4 5 Introduction .............................................................. 3 Package Contents .................................................... 3 System Requirements .............................................. 3 Brief Description and Characteristics ........................ 3 Technical Specifications 5.1 Digital..................................................................... 4 5.2 Digital Interface ...................................................... 4 5.
1. Introduction Thank you for choosing the RME DIGI9636. This card is capable of transferring digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any device equipped with a digital audio interface, be it S/PDIF, AES/EBU or ADAT optical. The numerous unique features, well thought-out configuration dialog and unsurpassed low latency operation puts the DIGI9636 at the very top of the range of digital audio interface cards. The package includes ASIO 2.0 drivers for MacOS.
5. Technical Specifications 5.1 Digital • • • • • • • Low jitter S/PDIF: < 5 ns in PLL mode (44.1 kHz, optical in) Ultra-low jitter ADAT: < 2 ns in PLL mode (44.1 kHz, optical in) Input PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 40 ns jitter Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed operation in ADAT mode High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.2 Vss input level) Output voltage 0.8V (consumer mode, phono) or 2.3V (professional mode) Sample frequencies: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 88.
6. Hardware Installation Before installing the DIGI9636, please make sure the computer is switched off and the power cable is disconnected from the mains supply. Inserting or removing a PCI card while the computer is in operation can cause irreparable damage to both motherboard and card! 1. Disconnect the power cord and all other cables from the computer. 2. Remove the computer's housing. Further information on how to do this can be obtained from your computer´s instruction manual. 3.
Configuration of the Hammerfall is done through the Settings dialog, which can be called from within any ASIO compatible software (for example Audio/System/ASIO Control Panel). To be able to call up the Settings dialog at any time we recommend to create an Alias on the desktop. To create an Alias select 'RME DIGI Settings' with the mouse cursor, press and hold the Apple and Alt keys on your keyboard, and drag 'RME DIGI Settings' to the desired location.
8. Operation and Usage 8.1 Connections The main board's bracket has two ADAT optical inputs and two ADAT optical outputs, as well as a 9-pin D-type socket. Coaxial S/PDIF input and output requires plugging in the adapter cable, whereby the red phono socket is the output. The ADAT1 I/O next to the D-type socket can also be used for optical S/PDIF, if this mode is selected in the Settings dialog. An input is selected via the RME DIGI Settings dialog.
9. Configuring the DIGI9636 9.1 General Information Configuring Hammerfall Light is done using its own settings dialog, RME DIGI Settings. The DIGI9636 hardware offers a number of helpful, well thought-of practical functions and options which affect how the card operates - the DIGI9636 can be configured to suit many different requirements.
Buffer Size: The setting ‘Buffer Size’ determines the latency between incoming and outgoing data, as well as affecting system stability (see chapter 13). We recommend selecting the highest value here (8192 samples) - the board itself will still run comfortably. SPDIF In: Defines the input for the SPDIF signal. 'Coaxial' relates to the white phono plug, 'Internal' to the jumper CD In (ST3), 'ADAT1' to the optical input ADAT1.
9.2 Clock Modes - Synchronization In the digital world, all devices are either the ‘Master’ (clock source) or a ‘Slave’ synchronized to the master. Whenever several devices are linked within a system, there must always be a single master clock. The DIGI9636’s intelligent clock control is very user-friendly, being able to switch between clock modes automatically. Selecting 'AutoSync' will activate this mode. In AutoSync mode, the DIGI9636 constantly scans all digital inputs for a valid signal.
If several digital devices are to be used simultaneously in a system, they not only have to operate with the same sample frequency but also be synchronous with each other. This is why digital systems always need a single device defined as ‘master’, which sends the same clock signal to all the other (‘slave’) devices. RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology (first implemented in the DIGI9636) enables an easy to use check and display of the current clock status.
10. Using more than one Hammerfall The current drivers support any combination and number of Hammerfalls, both DIGI9636 and DIGI9636. Please note that only one ADAT Sync can be used (of course). Additional all cards must be in sync i.e. have to receive valid sync information (either via word clock or using AutoSync). 11. Special Characteristics of the S/PDIF Output Apart from the audio data itself, digital signals in S/PDIF or AES/EBU format have a header containing channel status information.
12. Operation under ASIO 2.0 12.1 General At the time of writing, Cubase VST is the only available ASIO 2.0 application, so it will be used as an example throughout this chapter. Start the ASIO software and select ‘System’ from the Audio menu. Select 'Hammerfall ASIO' as 'ASIO Device'. The button 'ASIO Device Control Panel' opens the DIGI9636 Settings dialog (see chapter 9, Configuration).
This is especially true if you want to record more than 12 tracks at the same time. 26 tracks are only possible after changing ‘Disk Block Buffer Size’ to 256kB (depending on your computer). Please note that these parameters are only updated after clicking on ‘Apply’. The heyday of (expensive) SCSI hard disks in high-speed audio workstations is over. Today’s cheap high-capacity EIDE disks allow continuous transfer rates of well over 5 MB per second.
12.4 Known Problems In case the used computer has no sufficient CPU-power and/or sufficient PCI-bus transfer rates, then drop outs, crackling and noise will appear. We also recommend to deactivate all PlugIns to verify that these are not the reason for such effects. Another common source of trouble is incorrect synchronization. ASIO does not support asynchronous operation, which means that the input and output signals must not only have the same sample frequency, but they must also be in sync.
14. Hotline The ADAT timecode is not in sync • The tape is formatted to 48 kHz, but played back at 44,1 kHz (Pitch). This 'Blackface' problem cannot be solved in a satisfactory way. ADAT timecode is running, but Cubase does not start 'Play' automatically • The input displayed in ‘Sync Ref’ is not in sync mode. Sync mode is essential, because ADAT’s so-called time code is really a sample position, and is therefore only valid for synchronous audio data.
Crackle during record or playback: • Increase the number and size of buffers in the ‘Settings’ dialog or in the application. • Try different cables (coaxial or optical) to rule out any defects here. • Check that cables/devices have not been connected in a closed loop. If so, set the card’s clock mode to ‘Master’. • Increase the buffer size of the hard disk cache. 32 kHz files will not play back: • Hammerfall does not have an internal 32 kHz clock, as this frequency is not covered by the ADAT standard.
17. Warranty Each individual DIGI9636 undergoes comprehensive quality control and a complete test in a PC environment at RME before shipping. This may cause very slight signs of wear on the contacts (if the card looks like it was used one time before - it was). The usage of high grade components allows us to offer a full two year warranty. We accept a copy of the sales receipt as valid warranty legitimation. RME’s replacement service within this period is handled by the retailer.
. Diagrams 19.1 Block Diagram 19.
19.3 ADAT Track Routing, ASIO at 96 kHz This diagram shows the signal paths in ASIO double speed mode (88.2 / 96 kHz). The devices available under ASIO have been implemented according to the hardware. Signal routing is identical for record and playback.
CE and FCC Compliance Statements CE This device has been tested and found to comply with the EN55022 class B and EN50082-1 norms for digital devices, according to the European Council directive on counterpart laws in the member states relating to electromagnetic compatibility (EMVG). FCC This device has been tested and found to comply with the requirements listed in FCC Regulations, part 15 for Class ‘B’ digital devices.
