User's Guide Hammerfall® DSP System HDSPe RayDAT ™ TotalMix 24 Bit / 192 kHz 9 ® SyncAlign ZLM ® ® SyncCheck ™ SteadyClock PCI Express Digital I/O Card 2 + 2 + 32 Channels AES / SPDIF / ADAT Interface 24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio 72 x 36 Matrix Router 2 x MIDI I/O Quick Boot
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 ................................................. 30 18.2 Driver Update....................................................... 30 18.3 Flash Update........................................................ 30 19 Configuring the HDSPe RayDAT 19.1 Settings Dialog..................................................... 31 19.2 Settings Dialog – DDS ......................................... 32 19.
25 TotalMix: The Matrix 25.1 Overview ..............................................................58 25.2 Elements of the Matrix View ................................58 25.3 Usage ...................................................................58 25.4 Advantages of the Matrix .....................................59 26 TotalMix Super-Features 26.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring (Windows only) ..............59 26.2 Selection and Group based Operation ................60 26.3 Copy Routings to other Channels .....
User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT General User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT © 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. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user. The numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts the Hammerfall DSP at the very top of the range of computer-based audio interfaces.
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 AEB1 IN / CD IN This internal digital input can be used with both SPDIF and ADAT format. 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 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.
7. Accessories RME offers several optional accessories. Also parts of the HDSPe RayDAT are available separately. 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.
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. RME reserves the right to change specifications at any time without notice.
User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT Driver Installation and Operation - Windows User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT © RME 11
10. Driver and Firmware 10.1 Driver Installation After the HDSPe RayDAT 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.
10.3 De-Installing the Drivers A de-installation of the HDSP driver files is not necessary – and not supported by Windows anyway. Thanks to full Plug & Play support, the driver files will not be loaded after the hardware has been removed. If desired these files can then be deleted manually. Unfortunately Windows Plug & Play methods do not cover the additional autorun entries of TotalMix, the Settings dialog, and the registration of the ASIO driver.
11. Configuring the HDSPe RayDAT 11.1 Settings Dialog Configuration of the HDSPe RayDAT is done via its own settings dialog.
SPDIF Out The SPDIF output signal is constantly available at the phono plug. After selecting 'ADAT4' it is also routed to the optical TOSLINK output ADAT4. For further details about the setting ‘Professional’ please refer to chapter 22.2. 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.
Word Clock Out The word clock output signal usually equals the current sample rate. Selecting Single Speed causes the output signal to always stay within the range of 32 kHz to 48 kHz. So at 96 kHz sample rate, the output word clock is 48 kHz. Clock Mode The unit can be configured to use its internal clock source (Master), or the clock source predefined via Pref. Sync Ref (AutoSync). System Clock Shows the current clock state of the HDSPe system. The system is either Master (using its own clock) or Slave.
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 RayDAT 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, HDSP 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. We strongly recommend switching off all system sounds (via >Control Panel /Sounds<).
12.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS) AC-3 / DTS When using popular DVD software players like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data stream can be sent to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver via the RayDAT’s AES and SPDIF output. For this to work an output wave device has to be selected in >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio< or >Control Panel/ Sound/Playback<. Also check 'use preferred device only'. The DVD software's audio properties now show the options 'SPDIF Out' or similar.
12.3 Notes on WDM The driver offers a WDM streaming device per stereo pair, like RayDAT ADAT (1+2). WDM streaming is Microsoft's current driver and audio system, directly embedded into the operating system. WDM streaming is hardly usable for professional music purposes, as all data is processed by the so called Kernel Mixer, causing a latency of at least 30 ms.
WDM Stereo device RayDAT ADAT (1+2) RayDAT ADAT (3+4) RayDAT ADAT (5+6) RayDAT ADAT (7+8) RayDAT ADAT (9+10) RayDAT ADAT (11+12) RayDAT ADAT (13+14) RayDAT ADAT (15+16) RayDAT ADAT (17+18) RayDAT ADAT (19+20) RayDAT ADAT (21+22) RayDAT ADAT (23+24) RayDAT ADAT (25+26) RayDAT ADAT (27+28) RayDAT ADAT (29+30) RayDAT ADAT (31+32) RayDAT AES RayDAT SPDIF Double Speed RayDAT ADAT (1+2) RayDAT ADAT (3+4) RayDAT ADAT (5+6) RayDAT ADAT (7+8) RayDAT ADAT (9+10) RayDAT ADAT (11+12) RayDAT ADAT (13+14) RayDAT ADAT (1
Multi-Client and Multi-Channel using WDM The WDM streaming devices of our driver can operate as usual stereo devices, or as 8-channel devices. The option Interleaved in the Settings dialog determines the current mode. Interleaved not active: The WDM devices operate as usual stereo devices. The multi-client operation works as described above with WDM, ASIO and GSIF. Interleaved active: The WDM devices can also be used as 8-channel devices.
It often makes sense to monitor the input signal or send it directly to the output. This can be done at zero latency using TotalMix (see chapter 24). An automated control of real-time monitoring can be achieved by Steinberg’s ASIO protocol with our ASIO drivers and all ASIO 2 compatible programs. When 'ASIO Direct Monitoring' has been switched on, the input signal is routed in real-time to the output whenever a recording is started (punch-in). 13. Operation under ASIO 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 deactivating 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.
15. Using more than one HDSPe RayDAT The current drivers support operation of up to three HDSPe RayDAT. All cards of the HDSP and HDSPe system use the same driver, therefore can be used at the same time. 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.de, 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 25-32 don’t seem to work • The optical output ADAT4 has been switched to 'SPDIF'.
17.2 Installation HDSPe RayDAT is found in the Device Manager (>Settings/ Control Panel/ System<), category 'Sound-, Video- and Gamecontroller'. A double click on 'HDSPe RayDAT' 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.de, section FAQ, Hardware Alert: about incompatible hardware.
User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT Driver Installation and Operation – Mac OS X User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT © RME 29
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.pkg. RME recommends to download the latest driver version from the RME website! If done, the procedure is as follows: Double-click on hdspe_x86_xxx.
19. Configuring the HDSPe RayDAT 19.1 Settings Dialog Configuring the HDSPe RayDAT 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 RayDAT, TotalMix, can be opened by clicking on the mixer icon in the dock. The Hammerfall DSP’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.
Clock Mode The unit can be configured to use its internal clock source (Master), or the clock source predefined via Pref. Sync Ref (AutoSync). Input Status / Pref. Sync Ref SyncCheck indicates whether there is a valid signal (Lock, No Lock) for each input (ADAT 1-4, 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.
19.3 Clock Modes - Synchronisation In the digital world, all devices are either the ‘Master’ (clock source) or a ‘Slave’. If several digital devices are to be used simultaneously in a system, they not only have to operate with the same sample frequency but also be synchronous with each other. This is why digital systems always need a single device defined as ‘master’, which sends the same clock signal to all the other (‘slave’) devices.
In practice, SyncCheck provides the user with an easy way of checking whether all digital devices connected to the system are properly configured. With SyncCheck, finally anyone can master this common source of error, previously one of the most complex issues in the digital studio world. Thanks to its AutoSync technique and lightning fast PLLs, the HDSP is not only capable of handling standard frequencies, but also any sample rate between 28 and 200 kHz. 20. Mac OS X FAQ 20.
20.4 Various Information The current driver requires 10.5 or higher. Older versions of OS X are not 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.).
Core Audio RayDAT ADAT 1 to 8 RayDAT ADAT 9 to 16 RayDAT ADAT 17 to 32 RayDAT AES L / R RayDAT SPDIF L / R Double Speed RayDAT ADAT 1 to 8 RayDAT ADAT 9 to 16 RayDAT ADAT 17 to 32 RayDAT AES L / R RayDAT SPDIF L / R Quad Speed RayDAT ADAT 1 to 8 RayDAT ADAT 9 to 16 RayDAT ADAT 17 to 32 RayDAT AES L / R RayDAT SPDIF L / R 21. Hotline – Troubleshooting The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section Support, Macintosh OS.
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User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT Connections and TotalMix User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT © RME 39
22. Digital Connections 22.1 ADAT The ADAT optical I/Os of the RayDAT are fully compatible to other ADAT devices. 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 1 In Interface for a device sending an ADAT signal to the HDSPe RayDAT. Carries the channels 1 to 8.
Output Using the cable adapter XLR/phono described above, devices with coaxial SPDIF interface can be connected to the AES output of the RayDAT 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. Besides the audio data, digital signals in SPDIF or AES/EBU format contain a channel status coding, which is being used for transmitting further information.
Pin assignment of the 9-pin D-sub connector, breakout cable SPDIF / AES Note: The digital breakout cable is identical to the one used in the DIGI96 and other HDSP series cards. Pin 1 2 3 Name GND SPDIF Out + SPDIF In + Pin 4 5 6 Name AES Out + AES In + SPDIF Out - Pin 7 8 9 Name SPDIF In AES Out AES In - 22.4 Word Clock With the HDSPe RayDAT the usage of word clock is usually unnecessary and obsolete, because the card can extract its clock perfectly from the digital input signals.
23. Word Clock 23.1 Technical Description and Usage In the analog domain one can connect any device to another device, a synchronisation is not necessary. Digital audio is different. It uses a clock, the sample frequency. The signal can only be processed and transmitted when all participating devices share the same clock. If not, the signal will suffer from wrong samples, distortion, crackle sounds and drop outs.
The word clock input of the optional WCM9632 can be high-impedance or terminated, ensuring maximum flexibility. If termination is necessary (e.g. because HDSPe RayDAT is the last device in the chain), push the switch into terminate position. In case the HDSPe RayDAT resides within a chain of devices receiving word clock, plug a Tadapter into its BNC input jack, and the cable supplying the word clock signal to one end of the adapter.
24. TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring 24.1 Overview The HDSPe RayDAT 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 RayDAT provides 36 input channels, 36 software playback channels, and 36 hardware output channels: 72 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.
You see, 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 Ctrl-key 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 key Alt will load the user presets instead. When loading a preset file, for example 'Main Monitor AN 1_2 plus headphone mix 3_4.
26.9 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).
Monitor Main 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 RayDAT 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 (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 has the looks and works like a conventional patchbay, adding functionality way beyond comparable hardware and software solutions.
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 grey 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 grey 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 10 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 10, and output 10 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 RayDAT 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.
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User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT Technical Reference User's Guide HDSPe RayDAT © 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 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.
29.2 Digital Outputs AES/EBU • 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992 • Output level 4.0 Vpp • Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4 • Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz SPDIF • 1 x RCA, transformer-balanced, according to IEC 60958 • Output level Professional 2.3 Vpp, Consumer 1.
30. Technical Background 30.1 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.
30.3 DS - Double Speed When activating the Double Speed mode the HDSPe RayDAT operates at double sample rate. The internal clock 44.1 kHz turns to 88.2 kHz, 48 kHz to 96 kHz. The internal resolution is still 24 bit. Sample rates above 48 kHz were not always taken for granted, and are still not widely used because of the CD format (44.1 kHz) dominating everything. Before 1998 there were no receiver/transmitter circuits available that could receive or transmit more than 48 kHz.
The RayDAT spreads one channel's data to four channels according to the following table: Original QS Signal Port 1 1 ADAT1 2 ADAT1 3 ADAT1 4 ADAT1 2 5 ADAT1 6 ADAT1 7 ADAT1 8 ADAT1 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. The SPDIF and AES/EBU I/Os of the RayDAT operate in Single Wire mode only. 30.
30.6 SteadyClock The SteadyClock technology of the HDSPe Series guarantees an excellent performance in all clock modes. Its highly efficient jitter suppression refreshes and cleans up any clock signal, and provides it as reference clock at the word clock output. Usually a clock section consists of an analog PLL for external synchronization and several quartz oscillators for internal synchronisation. SteadyClock requires only one quartz, using a frequency not equalling digital audio.
30.7 Terminology Single Speed Sample rate range originally used in Digital Audio. Typical applications are 32 kHz (digital radio broadcast), 44.1 kHz (CD), and 48 kHz (DAT). Double Speed Doubles the original sample rate range, in order to achieve higher audio quality and improved audio processing. 64 kHz is practically never used, 88.2 kHz is quite rare in spite of certain advantages. 96 kHz is a common format. Sometimes called Double Fast.
