Known Problems; Synchronization - Adat Sync - RME Audio Hammerfall HDSP 9652 User Manual

13.3 Known Problems

If a computer does not provide sufficient CPU-power and/or sufficient PCI-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, often 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. Try to solve this problem by
changing the default setting of the controller (for example by reducing the 'PCI Bus Utilization').
Another common source of trouble is incorrect synchronization. ASIO does not support asyn-
chronous operation, which means that the input and output signals not only have to use the
same sample frequency, but also have to be in sync. 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!
When using more than one HDSP system all units have to be in sync, see chapter 15. Else a
periodically repeated noise will be heard.
Hammerfall DSP supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM). Please note that currently Nuendo,
Cubase and Logic either do not support ADM completely or error-free. A well known problem is
the wrong operation of a stereo channel's panorama function.
In case of a drift between audio and MIDI, or in case of a fixed deviation (MIDI notes placed
close before or behind the correct position), the settings in Cubase/Nuendo have to be
changed. At the time of print the option 'Use System Timestamp' should be activated. The
HDSP 9652 supports both MME MIDI and DirectMusic MIDI. It depends on the used application
which one will work better.
13.4 Synchronization
To achieve sample-accuracy between the ADAT
recorder and Hammerfall DSP while running
Cubase, connect the ADAT sync output with the
9-pin D-type sync input of the HDSP. The 'Time
Code' field in the Settings dialogue should now
show the same position as the ADAT recorder.
Double-clicking on the Sync button in Cubase's
transport panel will open the 'Synchronization'
dialog. Select ASIO 2.0 as the timecode base
(under Sync Source), confirm the dialog with
'OK', then activate Sync mode by (single) click-
ing on the Sync button.
If synchronization is not working i.e. Cubase
does not respond when the ADAT is set to
'Play', please try the following:
• Check the cables
• Switch Sync off and on again (in Cubase's transport panel)
• 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 HDSP 9652 © RME
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