RME Audio Multiface User Manual
RME Audio Multiface User Manual

RME Audio Multiface User Manual

Pci busmaster digital i/o system pci and cardbus interface 8 + 8 + 2 channels analog / adat / stereo interface 24 bit / 96 khz analog stereo monitor adat sync in
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User's Guide
Hammerfall
DSP System
®
Multiface
The most compact professional multitrack recording system ever!
TotalMix
ü ü
24 Bit / 96 kHz
®
®
®
SyncAlign
ZLM
SyncCheck
PCI Busmaster Digital I/O System
PCI and CardBus Interface
8 + 8 + 2 Channels Analog / ADAT / Stereo Interface
24 Bit / 96 kHz Analog Stereo Monitor
ADAT Sync In

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Summary of Contents for RME Audio Multiface

  • Page 1 User's Guide Hammerfall DSP System ® Multiface The most compact professional multitrack recording system ever! ™ TotalMix ü ü 24 Bit / 96 kHz ® ® ® SyncAlign SyncCheck PCI Busmaster Digital I/O System PCI and CardBus Interface 8 + 8 + 2 Channels Analog / ADAT / Stereo Interface 24 Bit / 96 kHz Analog Stereo Monitor ADAT Sync In...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Operation under GSIF...........27 Using more than one Hammerfall DSP ....28 DIGICheck..............28 Hotline – Troubleshooting 17.1 General ..............29 17.2 Installation............30 Diagrams 18.1 Channel Routing ASIO 96 kHz ......29 18.2 Channel Routing MME 96 kHz......30 User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 3 28.8 Presets .............. 54 28.9 Monitor Panel ............ 56 28.10 Preferences ............. 56 28.11 Editing the Names ........... 57 28.12 Hotkeys ............58 28.13 Menu Options ..........59 28.14 Level Meter ............. 60 User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 4 34.1 Lock and SyncCheck..........74 34.2 Latency and Monitoring ........75 34.3 DS – Double Speed..........76 34.4 AES/EBU – SPDIF ..........77 Changing the Jumper Settings ......78 Diagrams 36.1 Block Diagram Multiface ........80 36.2 Connector Pinouts..........81 User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 5: General

    User's Guide Multiface General User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 6: Introduction

    1. Introduction Thank you for choosing the RME Hammerfall DSP system. This unique audio system is capa- ble of transferring analog and digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any de- vice. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexpe- rienced user.
  • Page 7: Brief Description And Characteristics

    4. Connect power cord to power supply, plug into AC outlet. The green LED of the power sup- ply and the red LED of the Multiface will light up. 5. Switch on the notebook and boot the operating system. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 8: Notes On Power Supply

    The INPUT STATE LEDs (WC, SPDIF, ADAT) indicate a valid input signal separately for each digital input. Additionally, RME's exclusive SyncCheck indicates if one of these inputs is locked, but not synchronous to the others, in which case the LED will flash. See also chapter 11.2 / 20.2, Clock Modes - Synchronization.
  • Page 9: Quick Start

    The card can now be pulled out of the PCMCIA slot. Tech Infos The Hammerfall DSP System was tested thoroughly on several notebooks by RME. Basically the CardBus card operates with any tested device. Our website hosts several interesting Tech Infos with background information: HDSP-System: Notebook Tests –...
  • Page 10: Accessories

    Tech Info: HDSP System: Notebook Basics - The Audio Notebook in Practise. 7. Accessories RME offers several optional accessories. Additionally parts of the HDSP system are available separately. Part Number Description 36000 19“, 1UH Universal rack holder...
  • Page 11: Warranty

    Current driver version: W2k/XP: 2.94, Mac OS X: 1.6 Although the contents of this User’s Guide have been thoroughly checked for errors, RME can not guarantee that it is correct throughout. RME does not accept responsibility for any misleading or incorrect information within this guide. Lending or copying any part of the guide or the RME Driver CD, or any commercial exploitation of these media without express written permission from RME Intelligent Audio Solutions is prohibited.
  • Page 12 Use power outlets on different branch circuits, or install AC line filters Contact your local retailer or any qualified radio and television engineer FCC compliance statement: Tested to comply with FCC standards for home or office use. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 13: Driver Installation And Operation - Windows

    User's Guide Multiface Driver Installation and Operation - Windows User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 14: Driver And Firmware

    Installation), and the computer has been switched on, Windows will recognize the new hard- ware 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 \HDSP_w2k on the RME Driver CD.
  • Page 15: Firmware Update

    Note: Because of the changed hardware revision, Windows 2000/XP will start the hardware assistant and wants to install new drivers. Do NOT let Windows search for new drivers, but follow the instructions given in chapter 10.2. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 16: Configuring The Multiface

    SyncCheck indicates whether there is a valid signal (Lock, No Lock) for each input (Word Clock, ADAT, SPDIF, ADAT Sync), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal (Sync). The AutoSync Ref(erence) display shows the input and frequency of the current sync source. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 17 TOSLINK output. For further details about the settings ‘Professional’, ‘Emphasis’ and ‘Non-Audio’, please refer to chapter 26.2. SPDIF Freq. Displays the sample rate of the signal at the SPDIF input. Time Code Time Code from the input ADAT Sync. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 18: Clock Modes - Synchronization

    To remedy this, switch the HDSP’s clock mode over to 'Master'. Remember that a digital system can only have one master! If the HDSP’s clock mode is set to 'Master', all other devices must be set to ‘Slave’. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 19 48 kHz. Data from/to a single input/output is spread over two channels, the internal frequency stays at 44.1 or 48 kHz. In such cases, the ADAT sample frequency is only half the SPDIF frequency. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 20: Operation And Usage

    Double Speed, as the routing doesn't change. However, the hardware spreads the data differ- ently: Channel 1 is transmitted via channels 1 and 2, channel 2 via 3 and 4 etc. Please refer to the diagram in chapter 18.2. Routing for record and playback is identical. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 21: Dvd-Playback (Ac-3/Dts) Under Mme

    DVD5 / AUDIOCHAN<, and set its value to 4 (hexadecimal). Additionally select 'Waveout' as Audio Renderer in the Audio configuration dialog. Warning: Changes to the registry are done at your own risk. Danger of complete data loss! User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 22: Low Latency Under Mme

    Once again the same inputs can be used simultaneously. RME's sophisticated tool DIGICheck is an exception to this rule. It operates like an ASIO host, using a special technique to access playback channels already occupied. Therefore DIGICheck is able to analyse and display playback data from any software, no matter which format the software uses.
  • Page 23: Digital Recording

    I/O cards always need a valid input signal to start recording. To take this into account, RME has included three unique features in the Hammerfall DSP sys- tem: a comprehensive I/O signal status display (showing sample frequency, lock and sync status) in the Settings dialog, status LEDs for each input, and the protective Check Input func- tion.
  • Page 24: Analog Recording

    All devices connected to the Hammerfall DSP must be properly configured for Full Duplex operation. As long as SyncCheck (in the Set- tings dialog) only displays Lock instead of Sync, the devices have not been set up properly! User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 25 Select ‘Reset Devices’ from the Options menu. Switch on the ADAT recorder(s) before starting Cubase Use the BRC as Master and send its word clock to all other devices Use the Clock Mode ADAT Sync User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 26: Operation Under Gsif

    Note: TotalMix is part of the hardware of each HDSP system. Up to three mixers are available, but these are separated and can't interchange data. Therefore a global mixer for all units is not possible. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 27: Digicheck

    Completely multi-client. Open as many measurement windows as you like, on any chan- nels and inputs or outputs! To install DIGICheck, go to the \DIGICheck directory on the RME Driver CD and run setup.exe. Follow the instructions prompted on the screen.
  • Page 28: Installation

    Check whether the Hammerfall DSP appears in the Device Manager. If the ' Hammerfall DSP’ device has a yellow exclamation mark, then there is an address or interrupt conflict. Even if there is no yellow exclamation mark, it's still worth checking the ‘Resources’ tab. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 29: Diagrams

    ASIO driver have been designed to avoid conflicts in normal operation. Re- cord and playback are identical. Device: The device name in the audio application SR: Sample Rate Device name code: Channel in ASIO host, interface, Multiface, card number User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 30 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the ADAT device have been omitted. Record and play- back are identical. Device: The device name in the audio application SR: Sample Rate User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 31: Driver Installation And Operation - Mac Os X

    User's Guide Multiface Driver Installation and Operation – Mac OS X User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 32: Driver And Flash Update

    First fit the card (see 5. Hardware Installation), then switch on the computer and install the driv- ers from the RME Driver CD. The driver file is located in the folder Hammerfall DSP. Installa- tion works automatically by a double-click on the file hdsp.mpkg.
  • Page 33: Configuring The Multiface

    (Lock, No Lock) for each input (Word Clock, ADAT, SPDIF), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal (Sync). The AutoSync Reference display shows the input and frequency of the current sync source. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 34 32 kHz to 48 kHz. So at 96 kHz sample rate, the output word clock is 48 kHz. Time Code Time Code from the input ADAT Sync. Not available for the Multiface under OS X. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 35: Clock Modes - Synchronization

    The samples will inevitably be corrupted, because the signal from the CD player is read with the (wrong) clock from the ADAT i.e. out of sync. In this case, 'Pref Sync Ref' should be temporarily set to SPDIF. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 36 ‘master’, which sends the same clock signal to all the other (‘slave’) devices. RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology (first imple- mented in the Hammerfall) enables an easy to use check and display of the current clock status.
  • Page 37: Mac Os X Faq

    21. 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.
  • Page 38: Supported Sample Rates

    21.5 PCI card and PCI slot compatibility Unfortunately not every RME card will work in every PCI slot of an Apple computer. To our knowledge, the current Hammerfall DSP systems can be used in any PCI slot of all G4 and G5 models.
  • Page 39: Hotline - Troubleshooting

    The Hammerfall DSP driver adds a number to each unit, so they are fully accessible in any multicard-capable software. 22. Hotline – Troubleshooting The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section Sup- port, Macintosh OS. Playback works, but record doesn’t: Check that there is a valid signal at the input.
  • Page 40: Diagram: Channel Routing At 96 Khz

    This diagram shows the signal paths in double speed mode (88.2 / 96 kHz). The last four chan- nels of the ADAT port have no function anymore in Core Audio, but are used by the hardware to transmit data at double sample rate. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 41: Disconnect Mode, Connections And Totalmix

    User's Guide Multiface Disconnect Mode, Connections and TotalMix User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 42: Disconnect Mode

    24. Disconnect Mode RME's exclusive Disconnect mode lets you adjust level, input selection and signal mix via your computer, and simply detach the Multiface afterwards. With this, a stand-alone operation of the Multiface gets possible. When the Multiface has been configured using Settingsdialog and To- talMix, it won't loose those settings after detaching it from the computer.
  • Page 43: Line Outputs

    RCA phono plugs, or TRS plug to TS plugs is required. The pin assignment follows interna- tional standards. The left channel is connected to the tip, the right channel to the ring of the TRS jack/plug. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 44: Digital Connections

    The ADAT optical input of the HDSP system is fully compatible with all ADAT optical outputs. RME's unsurpassed Bitclock PLL prevents clicks and drop outs even in extreme varipitch op- eration, and guarantees a fast and low jitter lock to the digital input signal. A usual TOSLINK cable is sufficient for connection.
  • Page 45: Word Clock

    The MIDI In port is available for both GSIF (GSIF-2 Low Latency) and standard MME MIDI simultaneously. Note: The MIDI input LED displays any kind of MIDI activity, including MIDI Clock, MTC and Active Sensing. The latter is sent by most keyboards every 0.3 seconds. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 46: Word Clock

    In this case the network load is often 2 x 75 Ohms, and the user is forced to buy a special word clock distributor. Note that such a device is generally recommended for bigger studios. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 47 When the current clock signal fails, the Ham- merfall DSP switches to Master mode and adjusts itself to the next, best matching frequency (44.1 kHz, 48 kHz etc.). User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 48: Totalmix: Routing And Monitoring

    TotalMix provides the means to mix and monitor these on a single stereo output. Mixing of the input signal to the playback signal (complete ASIO Direct Monitoring). RME not only is the pioneer of ADM, but also offers the most complete implementation of the ADM functions.
  • Page 49 User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 50: The User Interface

    This may be the level of connected loudspeakers, or the necessity to reduce the level of an overloaded submix. The following chapters explain step by step all functions of the user interface. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 51: Elements Of A Channel

    Click into the area above the fader and drag the green bar in order to set the panorama between left and right. The level meters of the third row display the level changes in real-time. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 52 'SPDIF'. The window disappears, fader and pan jump to their initial values, the signal can now be routed to the SPDIF output. You can continue like this until all entries have got a check- mark, i. e. you can send the signal to all outputs simultaneously. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 53: Submix View

    As soon as one Solo button is pressed, the Solo Master button lights up in the Quick Access area. It allows to switch all selected Solos off and on again. You can comfortably make solo-groups or activate and deactivate several Solos simultaneously. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 54: Mute And Solo

    Also here, RME's love for details can be seen. If any parameter is being altered after loading a preset (e. g. moving a fader), the preset display flashes in order to announce that something has been changed, still showing which state the present mix is based on.
  • Page 55 Menu File, Save All Presets as and Open All Presets (file suffix .mpr). After the loading the presets can be activated by the preset buttons. In case the presets have been renamed (see chapter 28.11), these names will be stored and loaded too. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 56: Monitor Panel

    Note: The Mute button of the Talkback and Listenback channel is still active. Therefore it is not necessary to select <NONE>, in case one of both shall be deacti- vated. MIDI Controller, Full LC Display Support See chapter 31.3 for details. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 57: Editing The Names

    The preset button names are not stored in the preset files, but globally in the registry, so won't change when loading any file or saving any state as preset. But loading a preset bank (see chapter 28.8) the names will be updated. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 58: Hotkeys

    28.14): Key 4 or 6: Display range 40 or 60 dB Key E or R: Numerical display showing Peak or RMS Key 0 or 3: RMS display absolute or relative to 0 dBFS User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 59: Menu Options

    Deactivate MIDI in Background: Disables the MIDI control as soon as another application is in the focus, or in case TotalMix has been minimized. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 60: Level Meter

    RMS measurement, thus making possible a SNR measurement 'RMS unweighted', which you would otherwise need extremely expensive measure- ment devices for. An example: An RME ADI-8 DS connected to the Multiface's ADAT port will show around -113 dBFS on all eight channel's input level meters.
  • Page 61: Totalmix: The Matrix

    3 will make all vertically activated levels move at once (for example 19/20, Phones output). A gain field marked orange indicates activated mute status. Mute can only be changed in the mixer view. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 62: Advantages Of The Matrix

    Select the Phones output as Monitor Main, and the main mix output (for example AN1+2) as Monitor Phones. When Monitor Phones is activated, the main mix is sent out of the headphone output – and with it all signals passed through by ADM. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 63: Selection And Group Based Operation

    The fastest way to delete complex routings: select a channel in the mixer view, click on the menu entry Edit and select Delete. Or simply hit the Del-key. Attention: there is no undo in To- talMix, so be careful with this function! User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 64: Recording A Subgroup (Loopback)

    A software monitor- ing on the subgroup record channels is only allowed as long as the monitoring is routed in both software and TotalMix to a different channel than the active subgroup recording one. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 65: Using External Effects Devices

    1 is sent by TotalMix to any output, to the Compressor, back from the Compressor to any input. This input is now selected within the record software. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 66: Totalmix Midi Remote Control

    LCD support with eight channel names and eight volume/pan values. Attention: this feature causes heavy overload of the MIDI port when ganging more than 2 faders! In such a case, or when using the Behringer BCF2000, turn off this option. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 67: Mapping

    1 - 8 select Main Monitor F10 - F12 Monitor Phones 1 - 3 *Tested with Behringer BCF2000 Firmware v1.07 in Mackie Control emulation for Steinberg mode and with Mackie Control under Mac OS X. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 68: Simple Midi Control

    MIDI output. As soon as it detects this special note at the input, the MIDI functionality is disabled. After fixing the loopback, check Enable MIDI Control under Options to reactivate the TotalMix MIDI. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 69: Technical Reference

    User's Guide Multiface Technical Reference User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 70: Tech Info

    32. 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 News & Infos, or the directory \rmeaudio.web\techinfo on the RME Driver CD.
  • Page 71: Technical Specifications

    Supported sample rates through word clock: 28 kHz - 103 kHz Internal resolution: 24 bit Input PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 40 ns jitter Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation Ground-free digital inputs and outputs User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 72: Digital Inputs

    33.5 MIDI 1 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks Galvanically isolated by optocoupled input Hi-speed mode: Jitter and response time typically below 1 ms Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 73: Transfer Modes: Resolution/Bits Per Sample

    Dimensions (WxHxD): 215 x 44 x 115 mm (8.5" x 1.73" x 4.5") Weight: 1.5 kg ( 3.3 lbs) Temperature range: +5° up to +50° Celsius (41° F up to 122°F) Relative humidity: < 75%, non condensing User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 74: Technical Background

    The same information is presented in the Multiface's Settings dialog. In the status display SyncCheck the state of all clocks is decoded and shown as simple text (No Lock, Lock, Sync). User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 75: Latency And Monitoring

    In the year 2000, RME published two ground-breaking Tech Infos on the topics Low Latency Background, which are still up-to-date: Monitoring, ZLM and ASIO, and Buffer and Latency Jitter, both found on the RME Driver CD and the RME web- site.
  • Page 76: Ds - Double Speed

    DS mode. One channel's data is distributed to two channels according to the follow- ing table: ADAT Ch. DS Channel Samples As the transmission of double rate signals is done at standard sample rate (Single Speed), the ADAT outputs still deliver 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 77: Aes/Ebu - Spdif

    The table shows that a Professional-coded signal would lead to malfunctions for copy prohibition and emphasis, if being read as Consumer-coded data. Nowadays many devices with SPDIF input can handle Professional subcode. Devices with AES3 input almost always accept Consumer SPDIF (passive cable adapter necessary). User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 78: Changing The Jumper Settings

    If the device is still placed with the front panel to the front, then Left means +4 dBu (factory default), right means Lo Gain, and without jumper means –10 dBV. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 79 When inserted completely into the rear panel, the cover can now be layed down. 11. Re-fit the 6 screws into the cover, and re-fit and tighten both screws of the D-sub jack. That's it! User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 80: Diagrams

    36. Diagrams 36.1 Block Diagram Multiface User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...
  • Page 81: Connector Pinouts

    TRS plug to TS plugs is required. The pin assignment follows international standards. left channel is connected to the tip, the right channel to the ring of the TRS jack/plug. User's Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME...

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