User's Guide - Macintosh Version ® 24 Bit / 96 kHz ü ® SyncAlign ® ZLM PCI Bus Audio Card 2 / 8 Channels Stereo / ADAT® Interface 24 Bit / 96 kHz Digital Audio 32-96 kHz Sample Rate 24 Bit / 96 kHz Analog Audio Board Rev. 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 Analogue................................................................ 4 5.
1. Introduction Thank you for choosing a RME product. DIGI96/8 PST allows the recording of digital and analog audio from CD, DAT, sampler or other sources directly into your computer. The numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts the DIGI96 series at the very top of the range of digital audio interface cards. Drivers for Windows 95/98, Windows NT, BeOS and MacOS allow a problem-free, comfortable and powerful usage on computer systems with PCI bus technology.
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 in ADAT mode High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.2 Vss input level) Output voltage Consumer 0.8 V, Professional 1.6 V Supported sample rates: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 64 / 88.2 / 96 kHz and variable (word clock) 5.
6. Hardware Installation Important: Switch off the computer and remove the power cable from the power supply before fitting the DIGI96/8 PST. Inserting and removing the card while the computer is in operation will more than likely lead to irreparable damage to the mainboard! 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.
Copy the new files RME DIGI Settings and DIGI96 ASIO into all 'ASIO Drivers' folders found on your computer. As every ASIO software has its own ASIO Drivers folder the files have to be copied several times. The picture to the right shows an example after installation of Hammerfall and DIGI96. Configuration of the DIGI96 series cards is done through the Settings dialog, which can be called from within any ASIO compatible software (for example Audio/System/ASIO Control Panel).
8. Operation and Usage 8.1 Connections The DIGI96/8 PST has 2 external and 1 internal (contact pins on the board) inputs and outputs. The internal digital input can be connected to an internal CD-ROM drive when this is supplied with a digital audio output (advantage: the built in CD-ROM drive is sufficient for digital recording and the need for external cabling does not arise). Or it can be connected with the internal output of another DIGI96 series card (synchronizing multiple cards).
.3 Digital Record Unlike analog soundcards which produce empty audio files (just noise) when no input signal is present, digital in/out cards must have a valid input signal to start recording. To take this into account, RME has included two unique features in the DIGI96 series: an error LED for the active digital input in use, and a comprehensive I/O signal status display showing sample frequency and lock status. The error LED indicates whether the card gets power and a valid digital input signal.
. Configuring the DIGI96/8 PST 9.1 General The hardware of the DIGI96 series includes a number of helpful, well thought-of practical functions and options, which allow to configure the behaviour of the card to suit many different requirements. Through ‘Settings’ you will gain access to: • • • • • Input selection Output operation Output Channel Status Synchronization behaviour Input and output status display The display of the current input frequency and format is updated every 0.5 seconds.
9.2 Analog Output Whenever the card's output operates in ADAT format the 2-channel analog output will play back one of the four stereo pairs. The desired pair can be selected in the 'Track' field of the Settings dialog. The analog output level can be set coarse (four 6 dB steps) or fine using the faders in the field 'Volume'. Both methods operate simultaneously and with digital precision. The shown damping values are exactly the ones used.
9.5 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. The DIGI96 series includes a very user-friendly intelligent clock control, which handles the clock switching between master and slave on its own. Click on 'AutoSync' to activate this mode.
10. Using more than one DIGI96/8 PST The MacOS driver includes support for multiple cards. The driver marks them with different numbers after the device's name, like ‘DIGI96/8 PST In [A1]’. The number is the name of the used PCI slot. Thanks to our AutoSync technology multiple cards can be synchronized easily by applying one input signal to all inputs simultaneously. In order to connect more than one DIGI96/8 PST to a digital mixing desk they must all get the same clock(ed input signal).
11. Special Features of the Digital Output Apart from the audio data itself, digital audio signals in SPDIF or AES/EBU format include a header containing Channel Status information. False Channel Status is a common cause of malfunction. The DIGI96 series ignores the received header and creates a totally new one for the output signal. Note that in record or monitor modes, set emphasis bits will disappear.
12. Operation under ASIO 2.0 12.1 General As Steinberg is the inventor of ASIO we have chosen Steinberg's Cubase VST as example on how to use and setup our cards in ASIO operation. Our ASIO driver supports any combination of cards from the DIGI96 series. Important: Multiple cards MUST be synchronized among themselves! This may be done by using the input signal (having a common clock source, for example a digital mixing desk), several synchronized ADATs or the RME Word Clock Module.
12.2 Buffer Size - Latency The Buffer Size value in the RME DIGI Settings dialog determines the latency (in this case the delay) between the audio application and the DIGI96 series as well as general system stability. The higher the value, the more tracks can be recorded and played back simultaneously and the longer the system takes to react. In RME DIGI Settings, ASIO, 4 different buffer sizes are available: 6 ms 24 bit, 11 ms 16 bit, 23 ms 24 bit and 46 ms 16 bit.
Working at 96 kHz and 24 bit requires a very fast computer. We recommend at least a G3/400 MHz machine. The reason for this is the very small buffer size in our ASIO driver at this setting. The value 23 ms/32 bit is calculated on 44.1 kHz as base. This means at 96 kHz the effective latency is only 11 ms! At such a low latency the Mac has to be optimized for Low Latency operation, otherwise random click noises will occur.
13. Compatibility 13.1 Software The DIGI96 series is compatible to all major ASIO applications, like Cubase VST, emagic Logic, Opcode Studio Vision PRO, Prosoniq Sonic WORX, TC SPARK and Peak from Bias. Furthermore there is compatibility to the following programs: Adobe Premier 4.2J Adobe AfterEffect 3.1J Amadeus 1.44 Apple's Movie Player / Quick Time movie player (included with Quick Time 2.5) Coaster 1.03 D-Sound Pro 3.5 (error message, problem with first recording, then ok) MaCthugha 1.
14. Troubleshooting In case the driver icon appears with a red cross after installation of the drivers: • Is the Error LED of the DIGI96/8 PST lit when no cable is connected to the optical input? If not, the card is either defective or not sitting properly in its slot. • The hardware wasn't found because it is not working properly. Try to use the DIGI card in a different PCI slot.
15. Warranty Each individual DIGI96/8 PST undergoes comprehensive quality control and a complete test in a PC environment at RME before shipping. This may cause very slight signs of wear on the contacts (if the card looks like it was used one time before - it was). The usage of high grade components allows us to offer a full two year warranty. We accept a copy of the sales receipt as valid warranty legitimation. RME’s replacement service within this period is handled by the retailer.
Analog input and output: Pin assignment of the TRS jacks Analog input and output are accessible through stereo ¼" TRS jacks. This allows a direct connection of headphones at the output. In case the output should work as line out an adapter TRS plug to coaxial (phono) plugs, or TRS plug to TS plugs is required. The pin assignment follows international standards. The left channel is connected to the tip, the right channel to the ring of the TRS jack/plug.
Block diagram User's Guide DIGI96/8 PST © RME 21
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 (EMVG) according to EN 55022 class B and EN50082-1. FCC Compliance Statement Certified to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device according to subpart J or part 15 of FCC rules. See instructions if interference to radio reception is suspected.
