User's Guide Hammerfall® DSP System HDSPe AIO ™ TotalMix 24 Bit / 192 kHz 9 ® SyncAlign ZLM ® ® SyncCheck ™ SteadyClock PCI Express Digital I/O Card 2 + 2 + 8 + 2 Channels AES / SPDIF / ADAT / Analog Interface 24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio 24 Bit / 192 kHz Stereo Analog Monitor MIDI I/O
General 1 2 3 4 5 6 Introduction ...............................................................6 Package Contents .....................................................6 System Requirements ..............................................6 Brief Description and Characteristics.....................6 Hardware Installation................................................7 Hardware – Connectors 6.1 External Connectors ..............................................7 6.2 Internal Connectors.........................
Driver Installation and Operation - Mac OS X 18 Driver and Flash Update 18.1 Driver Installation ................................................. 32 18.2 Driver Update....................................................... 32 18.3 Flash Update........................................................ 32 19 Configuring the HDSPe AIO 19.1 Settings Dialog..................................................... 33 19.2 Settings Dialog – DDS ......................................... 34 19.
25 TotalMix: The Matrix 25.1 Overview ..............................................................59 25.2 Elements of the Matrix View ................................59 25.3 Usage ...................................................................59 25.4 Advantages of the Matrix .....................................60 26 TotalMix Super-Features 26.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring (Windows only) ..............60 26.2 Selection and Group based Operation ................61 26.3 Copy Routings to other Channels .....
User's Guide HDSPe AIO General User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME 5
1. Introduction Thank you for choosing the RME Hammerfall DSP system. This unique audio system is capable of transferring digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any device with digital interfaces, be it SPDIF, AES/EBU or ADAT optical. Thanks to SteadyClock the HDSPe AIO offers analog inputs and outputs in outstanding quality. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user.
5. Hardware Installation Before installing the PCI Express card, please make sure the computer is switched off and the power cable is disconnected from mains supply. Inserting or removing the 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.
6.2 Internal Connectors SPDIF / ADAT IN This internal digital input can be used with both SPDIF and ADAT. SPDIF • Connection to an internal CD-ROM drive with digital audio output. Allows for a direct transfer of digital audio data within the computer. • Connection to a SPDIF output of another card. This internal SPDIF connection can be used to synchronize multiple cards with sample accuracy, and without the need for an external connection. Please note that the coaxial SPDIF input can no longer be used.
7. Accessories RME offers several optional components. Additionally parts of the HDSPe AIO are available separately as well. Part Number 36003 36004 36006 36007 36008 36009 Description Optical cable, TOSLINK, 0.5 m (1.6 ft) 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) Standard lightpipe with TOSLINK connectors, RME approved quality.
9. 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 / 91810 Manufacturer: IMM Elektronik GmbH, Leipziger Strasse 32, D-09648 Mittweida Trademarks All trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. RME, DIGI96, SyncAlign, ZLM, SyncCheck, DIGICheck and Hammerfall are registered trademarks of RME Intelligent Audio Solutions.
CE / FCC Compliance 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 RL89/336/EWG and RL73/23/EWG. 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.
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User's Guide HDSPe AIO Driver Installation and Operation - Windows User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME 13
10. Driver and Firmware 10.1 Driver Installation After the HDSPe AIO card has been installed correctly (see 5. 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 \WDM on the RME Driver CD.
10.4 Firmware Update The Flash Update Tool updates the HDSPe AIO to the latest firmware version. It requires an already installed driver. Start the program pcie_fut.exe. The Flash Update Tool displays the current revision of the HDSPe AIO, and whether it needs an update or not. If so, then please press the 'Update' button. A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished. The bar moves slowly first (program), then faster (verify).
WDM Devices Not before Vista the OS had been capable to handle more than 32 WDM stereo devices. Therefore under W2k/XP it often makes sense to intentionally limit their number. Otherwise channels or MIDI ports might vanish from the system. Buffer Size The setting Buffer Size determines the latency between incoming and outgoing ASIO and GSIF data, as well as affecting system stability (see chapter 13/14). GSIF and WDM can be set from 32 to 512 samples. Above 512, only ASIO is affected.
Phones Choice of the reference level and with this of the level at the analog phones output. Input Status / Pref. Sync Ref SyncCheck indicates whether there is a valid signal (Lock, No Lock) for each input (ADAT, SPDIF, AES, Word/TCO and internal Sync), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal (Sync). In the third row the sample rate measured by the hardware is shown. The fourth row is used to pre-select the desired clock source.
DDS Activates all settings of this dialog. Value Shows the sample rate as adjusted in this dialog. The sample rate is defined by the basic setting (Frequency), the multiplier, and the position of the activated fader. Frequency Sets a fixed basic sample rate, which can be modified by multiplier and fader. Freq. Multiplier Changes the basic sample rate into Single, Double or Quad Speed mode. Coarse Fader for coarse modification of the basic sample rate. Click Active to activate it. Minimum step size 1 Hz.
In AutoSync mode, the system constantly scans all digital inputs for a valid signal. If this signal corresponds with the current playback sample rate, the card switches from the internal quartz (System Clock - Mode Master) to a clock generated from the input signal (System Clock - Mode Slave). A difference to usual slave behaviour is that when the input signal is lost the card will immediately switch back to the internal clock, into Master mode. With the HDSPe AIO all inputs operate simultaneously.
12. Operation and Usage 12.1 Playback The HDSP system can play back audio data only in supported modes (channels, PCM) and formats (sample rate, bit resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22 kHz and 8 bit). In the audio application being used, HDSPe AIO 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.
Multichannel PowerDVD can also operate as software decoder, sending a DVD's multichannel data stream directly to the analog outputs of the HDSPe AIO. Supported are all modes, from 2 to 8 channels, at 16 bit resolution and 48 kHz sample rate. Playback via the ADAT output of the HDSPe AIO is also supported.
The program Sonar from Cakewalk is unique in many ways. Sonar uses the so called WDM Kernel Streaming, bypassing the WDM mixer, thus achieves a similar performance to ASIO. Because of the driver's multichannel streaming ability (option Interleaved, see chapter 12.
12.5 Multi-client Operation RME audio interfaces support multi-client operation. This means several programs can be used at the same time. Also all formats (ASIO, WDM, GSIF) can be used simultaneously. The use of multi-client operation requires to follow two simple rules: • Multi-client operation requires identical sample rates! I.e. it is not possible to use one software with 44.1 kHz and the other with 48 kHz. • Different software can not use the same channels at the same time.
12.6 Digital 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 included a comprehensive I/O signal status display (showing sample frequency, lock and sync status) in the Settings dialog.
13. Operation under ASIO 2.0 13.1 General Start the ASIO software and select ASIO Hammerfall DSP as the audio I/O device. The 'ASIO system control' button opens the HDSPe's Settings dialog (see chapter 11 / 19, Configuration). Hammerfall DSP supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM). Please note that currently Nuendo, Cubase and Logic either do not support ADM completely or error-free. The most often reported problem is the wrong behaviour of panorama in a stereo channel. 13.
13.3 Known Problems If a computer does not provide sufficient CPU-power and/or sufficient PCIe-bus transfer rates, then drop outs, crackling and noise will appear. We recommend to deactivate all PlugIns to verify that these are not the reason for such effects. Additional hard disk controllers, both on-board and PCI based, aften violate the PCI specs. To achieve the highest throughput they hog the PCI bus, even in their default setting. Thus when working with low latencies heavy drop outs (clicks) are heard.
15. Using more than one HDSPe AIO The current drivers support operation of up to three HDSPe AIO. All cards of the HDSP and HDSPe system use the same driver, therefore can be used at the same time. Please note that only one TCO of one card can be used. All units have to be in sync, i.e. have to receive valid sync information either via word clock or by using AutoSync and feeding synchronized signals.
17. Hotline – Troubleshooting 17.1 General 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, and/or monitoring has been disabled globally (for example in TotalMix). The 8 ADAT channels don’t seem to work • The optical output has been switched to SPDIF. The ADAT playback devices are still usable by routing and mixing them in TotalMix to other outputs.
17.2 Installation Hammerfall DSP is found in the Device Manager (>Settings/ Control Panel/ System<), category 'Sound-, Video- and Gamecontroller'. A double click on ' HDSPe AIO' starts the properties dialog. Choosing 'Resources' shows Interrupt and Memory Range. The newest information on hardware problems can always be found on our website www.rmeaudio.com, section FAQ, Hardware Alert: about incompatible hardware.
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User's Guide HDSPe AIO Driver Installation and Operation – Mac OS X User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME 31
18. Driver and Flash Update 18.1 Driver Installation First fit the card (see 5. Hardware Installation), then switch on the computer and install the drivers from the RME Driver CD. The driver file is located in the folder HDSPe. Installation works automatically by a double-click on the file HDSPe Driver.mpkg. RME recommends to download the latest driver version from the RME website! If done, the procedure is as follows: Double-click onto hdspe_x86_xxx.gz to expand the archive file to hdspe_xxx.
19. Configuring the HDSPe AIO 19.1 Settings Dialog Configuring the HDSPe AIO is done via its own settings dialog. The panel 'Settings' can be opened by clicking on the hammer icon in the dock. The mixer of the HDSPe AIO, TotalMix, can be opened by clicking on the mixer icon in the dock. The HDSPe’s hardware offers a number of helpful, well thought-of practical functions and options which affect how the card operates - it can be configured to suit many different requirements.
Breakout Cable Checking 'XLR' lowers the analog Line output level by 6 dB. Using the balanced XLR output cable then results in correct reference levels. Input Level Choice of the reference level and with this of the sensitivity of the analog Line input. Output Level Choice of the reference level and with this of the level at the analog Line output. Phones Choice of the reference level and with this of the level at the analog phones output. Input Status / Pref.
The DDS dialog requires the HDSPe AIO to be in clock mode Master! The frequency setting will only be applied to this one specific card! Changing the sample rate in bigger steps 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. DDS Activates all settings of this dialog. Value Shows the sample rate as adjusted in this dialog.
In AutoSync mode, the system constantly scans all digital inputs for a valid signal. If this signal corresponds with the current playback sample rate, the card switches from the internal quartz (System Clock - Mode Master) to a clock generated from the input signal (System Clock - Mode Slave). A difference to usual slave behaviour is that when the input signal is lost the card will immediately switch back to the internal clock, into Master mode. With the HDSPe AIO all inputs operate simultaneously.
20. Mac OS X FAQ 21.1 Round about Driver Installation The driver with the file suffix gz provided by RME is a compressed TAR archive. TAR bundles multiple files and folders into one file, but does not save memory space nor download time. Both TAR and gz are supported natively by OS X, a double click on the file is all you need to do. Older browsers do not recognize gz as an archive, loading the file as a document. This results in a cryptic looking text within the browser window.
20.3 Supported Sample Rates RME's Mac OS X driver supports all sampling frequencies provided by the hardware. Besides 192 kHz and 96 kHz this also includes 32 kHz and 64 kHz. But not every software will support all the hardware's sample rates. For example Spark does not display 32 kHz and 64 kHz. The hardware's capabilities can easily be verified in the Audio MIDI Setup. Select Audio devices under Properties of: and choose the HDSPe. A click on Format will list the supported sample frequencies.
20.6 Various Information The driver requires 10.4.8 or higher. Older versions of OS X are not and will not be supported. A PPC version of the driver is not available. Via >System Preferences/ Audio-MIDI Setup< the hardware can be configured for the system wide usage. Programs that don't support card or channel selection will use the device selected as Standard-Input and Standard-Output. (Soundstudio, Mplayer, Amplitube etc.).
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User's Guide HDSPe AIO Connections and TotalMix User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME 41
22. Analog Connections 22.1 Line Inputs The HDSPe AIO has an unbalanced stereo Line input via RCA connectors. The optional analog XLR breakout cable turns the inputs into fully balanced ones. The electronic input stage is built in a servo balanced design which handles unbalanced and balanced signals correctly, automatically adjusting the level reference. When using unbalanced cables with the XLR breakout cable: be sure to connect the 'ring' contact of a stereo TRS jack, and pin 3 of a XLR jack, to ground.
22.2 Line Outputs The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs are available as unbalanced outputs via phono breakout cable. The optional analog XLR breakout cable provides XLR connectors and fully balanced operation. The electronic output stage does not operate servo balanced! When connecting unbalanced equipment, make sure pin 3 of the XLR output is not connected.
23. Digital Connections 23.1 ADAT The ADAT optical I/O of the HDSPe AIO is fully compatible to all ADAT equipped units. 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. ADAT In Interface for a device sending an ADAT signal to the HDSPe AIO. Carries the channels 1 to 8.
Using the cable adapter XLR/phono described above, devices with coaxial SPDIF interface can be connected to the AES output of the AIO as well. Note that most consumer equipment with phono SPDIF inputs will only accept signals having a Channel Status ‘Consumer’ format. In such cases the above adapter cable will therefore not work. 23.3 SPDIF Input The SPDIF input (optical/coaxial) is configured in the Settings dialog, available by a click on the hammer symbol in the Task Bar's system tray.
24. TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring 24.1 Overview The HDSPe AIO includes a powerful digital real-time mixer, the Hammerfall DSP 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. Here are some typical applications for TotalMix: • Setting up delay-free submixes (headphone mixes).
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24.2 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 HDSPe AIO provides up to 18 input channels, 20 software playback channels, and 20 hardware output channels: 40 channels don't fit on the screen side by side, neither does such an arrangement provide a useful overview. The input channel should be placed above the corresponding output channel.
24.3 Elements of a Channel A single channel consists of various elements: Input channels and playback channels each have a mute and solo button. Below there is the panpot, realized as indicator bar (L/R) in order to save space. In the field below, the present level is displayed in RMS or Peak, being updated about every half a second. Overs (overload) are indicated here by an additional red dot. Next is the fader with a level meter.
As shown it is very easy to set up a specific submix for whatever output: select output channel, set up fader and pans of inputs and playbacks – ready! For advanced users sometimes it makes sense to work without Submix View. Example: you want to see and set up some channels of different submixes simultaneously, without the need to change between them all the time. Switch off the Submix View by a click on the green button.
You will certainly have noticed that the signal at the outputs 7/8 did not change while you were routing channel 4 to other outputs and setting different gain values for those. With all analog and most digital mixing desks, the fader setting would affect the level for every routed bus - not so for TotalMix. TotalMix allows for setting all fader values individually. Therefore the faders and the panpots jump to the appropriate setting as soon as another routing is chosen.
24.7 The Quick Access Panel This section includes additional options, further improving the handling of TotalMix. The Master buttons for Mute and Solo have already been described, they allow for group-based working with these functions. In the View section the single mixer rows can be made visible or invisible. If the inputs are not needed for a pristine playback mix, the whole upper row falls out of the picture after a click on the Input button.
Mouse: The original factory presets can be reloaded by holding down the Ctrlkey and clicking on any preset button. Alternatively the files described above can be renamed, moved to a different directory, or being deleted. Keyboard: Using Ctrl and any number between 1 and 8 (not on the numeric keypad!) will load the corresponding factory default preset. The Alt key will load the user presets instead. When loading a preset file, for example 'Main Monitor AN 1_2 plus headphone mix 3_4.
24.9 The Monitor Panel The Monitor panel provides several options usually found on analog mixing desks. It offers quick access to monitoring functions which are needed all the time in typical studio work. Monitor Main Use the drop down menu to select the hardware outputs where your main monitors are connected to. Dim A click on this button will lower the volume of the Monitor Main output by an amount set up in the Preferences dialog (see below).
Main Monitor Dim: Amount of attenuation of the Monitor Main output in dB. Activated by the Dim button in the Monitor panel. Stereo Pan Law The Pan Law can be set to -6 dB, -4.5 dB, -3 dB and 0 dB. The value chosen defines the level attenuation in pan center position. This setting is useful because the ASIO host often supports different pan laws too. Selecting the same value here and in the ASIO host, ASIO Direct Monitoring works perfectly, as both ASIO host and TotalMix use the same pan law.
24.12 Hotkeys In many situations TotalMix can be controlled quickly and comfortably by the keyboard, making the mixer setup considerably easier and faster. The Shift-key for the fine mode for faders and panpots has already been mentioned. The Ctrl-key can do far more than changing the routing pairwise: • Clicking anywhere into the fader area with the Ctrl-key pressed, sets the fader to 0 dB. • Clicking anywhere into the pan area with the Ctrl-key pressed, sets the panorama to meaning Center.
24.13 Menu Options 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. Deactivate Screensaver: When active (checked) any activated Windows screensaver will be disabled temporarily. Ignore Position: When active, the windows size and position stored in a file or preset will not be used.
24.14 Level Meter The HDSPe AIO calculates all the display values Peak, Over and RMS in hardware, in order to be capable of using them independent of the software in use, and to significantly reduce the CPU load. Tip: This feature, the Hardware Level Meter, is used by DIGICheck (Windows only, see chapter 16) to display Peak/RMS level meters of all channels, nearly without any CPU load. The level meters integrated in TotalMix - considering their size - cannot be compared with DIGICheck.
25. TotalMix: The Matrix 25.1 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 HDSP looks and works like a conventional patchbay, adding functionality way beyond comparable hardware and software soutions.
25.4 Advantages of the Matrix 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.
26.2 Selection and Group-based Operation Click on the white name label of channel 1 and 2 in TotalMix. Be sure to have channel 3's fader set to a different position and click on its label too. All three labels have changed to the colour orange, which means they are selected. Now moving any of these faders will make the other faders move too. This is called 'building a group of faders', or ganging faders, maintaining their relative position.
26.5 Recording a Subgroup (Loopback) TotalMix supports a routing of the subgroup outputs (=hardware outputs, bottom row) 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, complete submixes can be recorded without an external loopback cable. Also the playback of a software can be recorded by another software. To activate this function, click on the white label in the third row while holding down the Ctrl-key.
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.
Unfortunately, very often it is not possible within the record software to assign a different input channel to an existing track 'on the fly'. The loopback mode solves this problem elegantly. The routing scheme stays the same, with the input channel 1 sent to any output via TotalMix, to the Compressor, from the Compressor back to any input. Now this input signal is routed directly to output 1, and output 1 is then switched into loopback mode via Ctrl-mouse. As explained in chapter 26.
27. TotalMix MIDI Remote Control 27.1 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 Monitor Main outputs in the Monitor panel can also be controlled by the standard Control Change Volume via MIDI channel 1.
27.3 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 (when using only standard MIDI commands instead of Mackie Control protocol) select NONE as MIDI Output. • Check Enable MIDI Control in the Options menu. 27.4 Operation The channels being under MIDI control are indicated by a colour change of the info field below the faders, black turns to yellow.
27.5 Simple MIDI Control The stereo output faders (lowest row) which are set up as Monitor Main outputs in the Monitor panel can also be controlled by the standard Control Change Volume via MIDI channel 1. With this, the main volume of the HDSPE AIO 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 desired to be available in 'hardware'.
Examples for sending MIDI strings*: - Set input 1 to 0 dB: B0 66 40 - Set input 17 to maximum attenuation: B1 66 0 - Set playback 1 to maximum: B4 66 7F - Set Output 16 to 0 dB: B8 75 40 *Note: Sending MIDI strings might require to use programmer's logic for the MIDI channel, starting with 0 for channel 1 and ending with 15 for channel 16. 27.6 Loopback Detection The Mackie Control protocol requires feedback of the received commands, back to the hardware controller.
User's Guide HDSPe AIO Technical Reference User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME 69
28. Tech Info Not all information to and around our products fit in a manual. Therefore RME offers a lot more and detailed information in the Tech Infos. The very latest Tech Infos can be found on our website, section Support. These are some of the currently available Tech Infos: Synchronization II (DIGI96 series) Digital audio synchronization - technical background and pitfalls. Installation problems - Problem descriptions and solutions.
29. Technical Specifications 29.1 Analog AD – Line In • Resolution AD: 24 Bit • Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 113 dB RMS unweighted, 116 dBA @ 44.1 kHz • THD @ -3 dBFS: -101 dB, < 0.001 % • THD+N @ -3 dBFS: -99 dB, < 0.0015 % • Crosstalk: 108 dB • Frequency response AD @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 21.5 kHz • Frequency response AD @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 45.
29.2 Digital Inputs AES/EBU • 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992 • High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vpp) • SPDIF compatible (IEC 60958) • Accepts Consumer and Professional format, copy protection will be ignored • Lock range: 28 kHz – 200 kHz • Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz) • Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns SPDIF • 1 x RCA, transformer-balanced, according to IEC 60958 • High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.
29.4 Digital • • • • • • • • Clocks: Internal, ADAT In, SPDIF In, optional word clock 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 29.
30. Technical Background 33.1 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.
30.2 Latency and Monitoring The term Zero Latency Monitoring has been 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.
Therefore, in a digital loopback test a negative offset of about 2 ms occurs. This is no real problem, because this way of working is more than seldom, and usually the offset can be compensated manually within the application. Additionally, keep in mind that even when using the digital I/Os usually at some place an AD- and DA-conversion is involved (no sound without DAconversion...). Note: Cubase and Nuendo display the latency values signalled from the driver separately for record and playback.
30.4 QS – Quad Speed Due to the small number of available devices that use sample rates up to 192 kHz, but even more due to a missing real world application (CD...), Quad Speed has had no broad success so far. An implementation of the ADAT format as double S/MUX (S/MUX4) results in only two channels per optical output. Devices using this method are few.
30.6 Noise level in DS / QS Mode The outstanding signal to noise ratio of the HDSPe AIO'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 –60 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.
31. Diagrams 31.
31.2 Connector Pinouts TRS jacks of analog input / output The stereo ¼" TRS jacks of the analog inputs and outputs are wired according to international standards: Tip = + (hot) Ring = – (cold) Sleeve = GND The servo balanced input and output 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. TRS Phones jack The analog monitor output on the front is accessible through a stereo ¼" TRS jack.
31.
