User’s Guide Project Hammerfall® DIGI 9652 24 Bit / 96 kHz ü ® SyncAlign ® ZLM ® SyncCheck PCI Busmaster Digital I/O Card 2 + 24 Channels Stereo / ADAT Interface 24 Bit / 96 kHz Digital Audio ADAT Sync In Board Rev. 1.5/1.
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 Connections ............................................... 4 5.
1. Introduction Thank you for choosing the DIGI9652. 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 SPDIF, AES/EBU or ADAT optical. Installation is simple, even for the inexperienced user, thanks to the latest Plug and Play technology and full interrupt-sharing.
5. Technical Specifications 5.1 Digital • • • • • • • Ultra-low jitter S/PDIF: < 1 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 DIGI9652, 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.
7.3 Windows 2000/XP After the hardware has been installed correctly (see 6. Hardware Installation), and the computer has been switched on, Windows will recognize the new hardware component and start its ‘Hardware Wizard’. Insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive, and follow further instructions which appear on your computer screen. The driver files are located in the directory \Hammerfall W2k on the RME Driver CD.
8. Operation and Usage 8.1 External Connections Project Hammerfall consists of the main PCI board and an Expansion Board. All the essential electronics are located on the PCI card, so it will also work without the Expansion Board. 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.
.2 Internal Connections The internal digital input (connector ST3 on the circuit board, CD IN) can be connected to the digital output of an internal CD-ROM drive. This allows for a direct transfer of digital audio data within the computer. Since board revision 1.5 it also allows to use an AEBx-I, when a 3-wire cable connects ST7 on both AEBx-I and Hammerfall. Additionally board revision 1.5/1.6 offers two internal outputs, labeled ADAT1OUT (ST5) und ADAT2OUT (ST9).
8.3 Windows MME Playback The Hammerfall can play back audio data only in supported formats (sample rate, bit resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22 kHz and 8 bit). In the audio application being used, DIGI9652 must be selected as output device. This can often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Audio Devices, Audio etc. We recommend using 24-bit resolution for playback, to make full use of the DIGI9652’s potential.
8.4 Windows MME Recording Unlike analog soundcards which produce empty wave files (or noise) when no input signal is present, digital I/O cards always need a valid input signal to start recording. To take this into account, RME has included two unique features in the DIGI9652: a comprehensive I/O signal status display (showing sample frequency, lock and sync status) in the Settings dialogue, and the protective Check Input function. If a 48 kHz signal is fed to the input and the application is set to 44.
8.5 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS) under MME When using popular DVD software player like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data stream can be send to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver, using the Hammerfall's SPDIF output. For this to work the SPDIF output wave device has to be selected in 'Control Panel/Sounds and Multimedia/Audio'. Also check 'use preferred device only'. You will notice that the DVD software's audio properties now allow to use 'SPDIF Out' or to 'activate SPDIF output'.
9. Configuring the DIGI9652 9.1 General Information Configuring the Hammerfall is done using its own settings dialog. The panel 'Settings' can be opened in three different ways: • by clicking on the hammer icon in the Taskbar's system tray • by starting the 'Hammerfall' link from the Desktop • via ‘shortcut key’ as defined in the 'Digi9652' link (default: Ctrl-Num2) Under Windows 2000/XP Settings can be activated by clicking on the DIGI96 symbol in the Taskbar.
MME Check Input verifies the current input signal against the settings in the record program. When de-activated a record will always be allowed, even with non-valid input signals. Monitoring activates the automatic pass-through of the input signal when in record mode. Both settings are valid for MME only. AEB After activating ADAT1 Int. the optical input ADAT1 will be routed to the internal input (CD In). Then the 4- or 8-channel signal of an AEB-I can be received.
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 Hammerfall's intelligent clock control is very user-friendly. Selecting 'AutoSync' will activate this mode. In AutoSync mode, the Hammerfall 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 Hammerfall, enables an easy to use check and display of the current clock status.
10. Word Clock 10.1 Technical Description and Usage Correct interpretation of digital audio data is dependent upon a definite sample frequency. Signals can only be correctly processed or transferred between devices if these all share the same clock, otherwise digital signals are misinterpreted, causing distortion, clicks/crackle and even dropouts. AES/EBU, SPDIF and ADAT are self-clocking, so an additional line for word clock could be considered redundant.
10.3 General Operation The green ‘Lock’ LED next to the input jack will light up when the input sees a valid word clock signal. Selecting ‘Word Clock’ in the ‘Clock Mode’ field will switch clock control over to the word clock signal. As soon as there is a valid signal at the BNC jack, 'Sync Ref' will display 'Word'. This message has the same function as the green ‘Lock’ LED next to the BNC input jack, but appears on the monitor, i.e.
13. Operation under ASIO 2.0 13.1 General We will use Steinberg’s Cubase VST as an example throughout this chapter. All information provided can easily be adaptated to other programs. Start the ASIO software and select ‘System’ from the Audio menu. Select 'ASIO DIGI9636/52' as the audio I/O device. The 'ASIO system control' button opens the Hammerfall's Settings dialog (see chapter 9, Configuration).
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 10 MByte per second. In practical terms, this is more than enough to record up to 24 simultaneous tracks using Cubase and Hammerfall! However, the hard disks have to work using Busmaster drivers. To activate the EIDE Busmaster mode in Windows 9x, open the Device Manager (Control Panel/System).
13.4 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. Unfortunately some newer UltraATA66 and UltraATA100 hard disk controller (also Raid controller) seem to violate against the PCI specs. To achieve the highest throughput they hog the PCI bus, even in their default setting.
15. Hotline - Troubleshooting 15.1 General The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section FAQ, Latest Additions. 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.
Low Latency ASIO operation under Windows 2000/XP on single CPU systems: • To use ASIO at lowest latencies under Windows 2000/XP even when only having one CPU, the system performance has to be optimized for background tasks. Go to Control Panel/System/Advanced/Performance Options. Change the default 'Applications' to 'Background tasks'. The lowest usable latency will drop from 23 ms to around 3 ms. This is no issue when using dual CPU systems.
16. DIGICheck : Analysis, Tests and Measurements using the DIGI9652 The DIGICheck software is a unique utility developed for testing, measuring and analysing digital audio streams. DIGICheck is a subset of functions included in our well-known DAM-1 (Digital Audio Monitor). DIGICheck is not capable of all the DAM-1 functions, because the latter uses a built-in DSP for its calculations. By its very nature, DIGICheck uses up processor time, while the DAM-1 unit will run perfectly in the background.
18. TECH INFO See http://www.rme-audio.com/techinfo/index.htm or the directory \rmeaudio.web\techinfo on the RME Driver CD for more detailed information. At the time of writing, the following Tech Info is available: Synchronization II (DIGI96 series) Digital audio synchronization - technical background and pitfalls. Installation problems Problem descriptions and solutions. Information on driver updates Lists all changes in the drivers of the Hammerfall series.
20. Appendix RME news, driver updates and further product information are available on our website: http://www.rme-audio.com If you prefer to read the information off-line, you can load a complete copy of the RME website from the RME Driver CD (in the \rmeaudio.web directory) into your browser. Trademarks All trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. RME, DIGI96, SyncAlign, ZLM, SyncCheck and Hammerfall are registered trademarks of RME Intelligent Audio Solutions.
21. Diagrams 21.1 Block Diagram 21.
21.3 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.
21.4 ADAT Track Routing, MME at 96 kHz This diagram shows the signal paths in MME double speed mode (88.2 / 96 kHz). The devices available via wave driver have been designed to avoid conflicts in normal operation, which is why channels 5, 6, 7 and 8 of each ADAT device have been omitted. Signal routing is identical for record and playback.
22. 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.
