Formats And Number Of Channels - RME Audio M-16 DA User Manual

20.1 Formats and Number of Channels

PC or Mac based recording and playback can be realized easily with the M-series converters.
ADAT optical and MADI formats are available for data transmission. RME offers several spe-
cialized computer interfaces:
•
HDSPe RayDAT: PCI Express card with 4 optical inputs and outputs in ADAT format (3
channels in and out respectively). Offers an additional SPDIF I/O (RCA) and an AES/EBU
I/O (XLR). Internal mixer for free routing and mixing of all I/Os.
•
HDSPe MADI: PCI Express card with coaxial and optical input and output in MADI format
(64 channels each). Offers an additional analog stereo output for monitoring. Internal mixer
for free routing and mixing of all I/Os. Also available as PCI version (HDSP MADI).
•
HDSPe MADIface: PCI ExpressCard for notebooks, with coaxial and optical input and out-
put in MADI format (64 channels each). Internal mixer for free routing and mixing of all I/Os.
ADAT – HDSPe RayDAT
General - As ADAT is a common format, many
other devices can be connected to the
HDSPe RayDAT as well
- cost efficient at low channel counts
- More than 32 channels require a sec-
ond HDSPe RayDAT
- short cables (< 10m)
Compari-
son
- 8 channels per cable
- Connectors not lockable
- Serial connection not possible
- At 48 kHz 32 channels I/O require a
total of 8 cables to the computer
The M-series is applicable in many different ways, no matter if used with ADAT or MADI. All four
converters can be combined freely, realizing different setups, matching your individual applica-
tion or budget.
The following chapters list some typical setups with special notes on the recommended cabling.
48
User's Guide M-32 DA © RME
MADI – HDSPe MADI
- Specialized interface for profes-
sional users, therefore not available
everywhere
- cost efficient at high channel counts
- More than 64 channels require a
second HDSPe MADI
- Very long cables (up to 2 km)
- 64 channels per cable
- Connectors lockable
- Serial connection possible
- At 48 kHz 64 channels I/O require a
total of 2 cables to the computer