RME Digiface AVB User manual
User's Guide
Digiface AVB
24 Bit / 192 kHz 9
24 Bit / 192 kHz Analog Stereo Monitor
Network on the Go
TotalMix
USB 3.0 Digital I/O System
128 Channel AVB Interface
128 x 128 Matrix Router
™
General
1 Introduction ...............................................................6
2 Package Contents .....................................................6
3 System Requirements ..............................................6
4 Brief Description and Characteristics.....................6
5 First Usage - Quick Start
5.1 Connectors – LEDs.................................................7
5.2 Quick Start ..............................................................7
Installation and Operation - Windows
6 Driver and Firmware
6.1 Driver Installation .....................................................10
6.2 De-installing the Drivers...........................................10
6.3 Firmware Update .....................................................11
7 Configuring the Digiface AVB
7.1 Settings Dialog – General ........................................12
7.2 WDM Configuration..................................................14
7.3 AVB Controller .........................................................16
8 Operation and Usage
8.1 Playback...................................................................18
8.2 DVD Playback (AC-3 / DTS) ....................................18
8.3 Channel Count under WDM.....................................18
8.4 Multi-client Operation ...............................................19
8.5 Digital Recording......................................................19
8.6 Clock Modes - Synchronization ...............................19
9 Operation under ASIO
9.1 General ...................................................................20
9.2 Channel Count under ASIO....................................20
9.3 Known Problems.....................................................21
10 Using more than one Interface ..............................21
11 DIGICheck Windows ...............................................22
12 Hotline – Troubleshooting......................................23
TotalMix FX
13 TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring
13.1 Overview ..............................................................26
13.2 The User Interface ...............................................28
13.3 The Channels.......................................................29
Settings..............................................................31
13.4 Section Control Room..........................................32
13.5 The Control Strip ..................................................33
13.5.1 View Options ................................................34
13.5.2 Snapshots - Groups .....................................35
13.5.3 Channel Layout – Layout Presets................36
13.5.4 Scroll Location Markers ...............................37
13.6 Preferences..........................................................38
13.6.1 Store for Current User or all Users (Win).....39
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User's Guide Digiface AVB © RME
13.7 Settings
13.7.1 Mixer Page................................................... 40
13.7.2 MIDI Page .................................................... 41
13.7.3 OSC Page.................................................... 42
13.7.4 Aux Devices ................................................. 42
13.8 Hotkeys and Usage .............................................43
13.9 Menu Options....................................................... 44
13.10 Menu Window ...................................................... 45
14 The Matrix
14.1 Overview .............................................................. 45
14.2 Elements of the Matrix view ................................. 45
14.3 Operation .............................................................46
15 Tips and Tricks
15.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring (Windows) ...................... 46
15.2 Copy a Submix..................................................... 46
15.3 Doubling the Output Signal (Mirror) ..................... 46
15.4 Delete a Submix................................................... 46
15.5 Copy and Paste everywhere................................ 47
15.6 Recording a Submix - Loopback ......................... 47
15.7 MS Processing..................................................... 48
16 MIDI Remote Control
16.1 Overview .............................................................. 49
16.2 Mapping ...............................................................49
16.3 Setup.................................................................... 50
16.4 Operation .............................................................50
16.5 MIDI Control ......................................................... 51
16.6 Loopback Detection ............................................. 52
16.7 OSC (Open Sound Control)................................. 52
17 DAW Mode ............................................................... 53
18 TotalMix Remote ..................................................... 54
Miscellaneous
19 Technical Specifications........................................ 58
20 Technical Background
20.1 USB Audio ........................................................... 59
20.2 AVB Latency ........................................................ 61
21 Warranty................................................................... 62
22 Appendix.................................................................. 62
23 Declaration of Conformity...................................... 63
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User's Guide Digiface AVB © RME
User's Guide
Digiface AVB
General
User's Guide Digiface AVB © RME
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1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing RME’s Digiface AVB. This compact, portable Windows audio interface
is capable of transferring digital audio data into AVB networks. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a very simple installation. Numerous unique features as well as RME's robust drivers enable a quick, efficient and comfortable operation of the Digiface AVB.
The package contains drivers for Windows 7 / 8 / 10.
2. Package Contents
x Digiface AVB
x Cable USB 3.0, 1.8 m (6 ft)
x RME Driver CD, includes manual as PDF file
3. System Requirements
x Windows 7 or up
x 1 USB 2.0 port or USB 3 port
x Computer with at least Intel Core i3 CPU
4. Brief Description and Characteristics
x RME MADIface series driver with support for WDM, ASIO and multiple interfaces
x 128 channels 48 kHz/24 bit record/playback, 128 channels I/O AVB
x 64 channels 96 kHz/24 bit record/playback, 128 channels I/O AVB
x 32 channels 192 kHz/24 bit record/playback, 60 channels I/O AVB
x Buffer sizes/latencies from 32 up to 8192 samples selectable
x Gigabit ethernet port, 100 Mbit/s compatible
x Outgoing network latency selectable: 0.3125 ms up to 2 ms
x Word clock input and output
x Clock modes slave and master
x TotalMix for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
x TotalMix: 4096 channel mixer with 46 bit internal resolution
x Analog/Line headphone output, separate output for independent submix
x DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation
x USB error analysis, displayed in the Settings dialog
x High compatibility to existing AVB devices
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5. First Usage – Quick Start
5.1 Connectors – LEDs
The front of the Digiface AVB features the Gigabit Ethernet port, 2 BNC sockets for Word I/O, 2
status LEDs and the headphone output.
The network connector, RJ45 format, supports both 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps. The integrated
LEDs show the states connected (yellow) and data traffic (green).
The two green LEDs between the network port and BNC light up separately when the device is
configured for incoming and outgoing streams. They remain dark when there is no connection,
as a quick reference to the cause of no incoming or outgoing audio.
USB 3.0: Standard USB socket for connection to the computer. Please make sure the Digiface
AVB can have the full voltage/current delivered from the computer by using hi-quality USB cables (like the one included). USB extension cables and USB hubs should be avoided. When
connected to USB 2 the channel count is reduced to 64 channels.
Phones is a low impedance line
output. It provides a sufficient and
undistorted volume even when used
with headphones.
In case this output should operate as
Line output, an adapter TRS plug to
RCA 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.
The rear of the Digiface AVB features the USB 3 port and a status LED. The LED indicates both
power supply (USB bus power, green), as well as the USB status (yellow: USB 2, blue: USB 3).
5.2 Quick Start
After the driver installation (chapter 6) the Digiface AVB has to be connected to an AVB
network. An AVB network consists of at least one AVB switch and another AVB device. The
AVB controller does not allow any further settings without detecting a network. Some options
are available in the Settings dialog of the MADIface series driver.
Level adjustment of the analog output Phones is available in TotalMix FX. The output is
optimized for phones, but can also be used as line output
TotalMix FX remembers all settings, and loads these automatically when the Digiface AVB
drivers are loaded.
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User's Guide Digiface AVB © RME
User's Guide
Digiface AVB
Installation and Operation – Windows
User's Guide Digiface AVB © RME
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6. Driver and Firmware
6.1 Driver Installation
RME is constantly improving their drivers - the included Driver CD is most probably already
outdated when unpacking the product. Please download the latest drivers from the RME website at http://rme.to/usbe
staller.exe.
If internet access is not available insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive. The driver
installer is located in the directory \Madiface_Net. Start rmeinstaller.exe and follow the instruc-
tions of the installer. After installation connect computer and Digiface AVB. Windows detects the
new hardware as Digiface AVB and installs the drivers automatically.
After a reboot, the icons of TotalMix FX, Settings dialog and the AVB
Controller appear in the notification area. Windows might hide them
behind the triangle, click on it to access them and to configure their
appearance.
The AVB Controller is also available via a link copied to the desktop.
The Digiface AVB uses two drivers. The basic Windows WDM and ASIO driver is the MADIface
series driver, which makes the device available in Windows as a USB audio interface. It also
contains the Settings dialog and TotalMix FX. Additionally a network driver is installed that
makes the device available as a network device and includes the AVB Controller. The AVB
controller has to run permanently, ending the tool in the Systray also exits AVB operation.
Chapter 20.1 explains how to find the ideal USB port.
Driver Updates do not require to remove the existing drivers. Simply install the new driver over
the existing one.
Possible reasons why a Digiface AVB is not found automatically:
x The USB port is not active in the system (check the Device Manager)
x The USB cable is not, or not correctly inserted into the socket. Check that the LED beside
the USB port is lit, it indicates power.
x The Digiface AVB does not receive any or not enough power. Remove current-consuming
hard drives from nearby ports. Avoid USB extension cables and USB hubs.
6.2 De-installing the Drivers
A de-installation of the driver files is not necessary. Thanks to full Plug & Play support, the
driver files will not be loaded after the hardware has been removed.
Unfortunately Windows Plug & Play methods do not cover the additional autorun entries of
TotalMix, the Settings dialog, and the registration of the ASIO driver. These entries can be
removed from the registry by a software de-installation request. This request can be found (like
all de-installation entries) in Control Panel, Programs and Features. Click on the entry 'RME
MADIface', then Uninstall.
. Unzip the downloaded file and start the driver installation with rmein-
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6.3 Firmware Update
The Flash Update Tool updates the firmware of the Digiface AVB to the latest version. It
requires an already installed driver.
Download the latest version from the RME website at http://rme.to/usbe
downloaded file and start the program fut_usbplus_avb_dante.exe under Windows, or USB
Series Flash Tool under Mac. The Flash Update Tool displays the current revision of the
Digiface AVB's firmware, and whether it needs an update or not. If so, then simply press the
'Update' button. A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished (Verify Ok).
After the update the Digiface AVB needs to be reset. This is done by powering down the
Digiface AVB for 5 seconds. A reboot of the computer is not necessary.
When the update unexpectedly fails (status: failure), the unit's Safety BIOS will be used from
the next boot on, the unit stays fully functional. The flash process should then be tried again.
. Unzip the
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7. Configuring the Digiface AVB
7.1 Settings Dialog - General
Configuration of the Digiface AVB is done via its own settings dialog. The panel 'Settings' can
be opened:
x by clicking on the fire symbol in the Task Bar's notification area
The mixer of the Digiface AVB (TotalMix FX) can be opened:
x by clicking on the FX symbol in the Task Bar's notification area
The following is available in the
Settings dialog:
x ASIO Latency
x USB error analysis
x Configuration of the WDM devices
x Configuration of the hardware
x State of input
x Display of current sample rate
Any changes made in the Settings
dialog are applied immediately confirmation (e.g. by clicking on OK or
exiting the dialog) is not required.
The tab About includes information
about the current driver and firmware
version plus four more options:
Lock Registry
Default: off. Checking this option brings
up a dialog to enter a password.
Changes in the Settings dialog are no
longer written to the registry. As the
settings are always loaded from the
registry when starting the computer,
this method provides an easy way to
define an initial state for the Digiface
AVB.
Enable MMCSS for ASIO activates
support with higher priority for the ASIO driver. Note: At this time, activating this option seems to
be useful only with the latest Cubase/Nuendo at higher load. With other software this option can
decrease performance. The change becomes active after an ASIO reset. Therefore it is easy to
quickly check which setting works better.
Sort ASIO Devices
Changes the order only of the ASIO channels when using more than one interface.
Limit ASIO to 32 Channels
Some software crashes when presented with more than 32 ASIO channels. This workaround
removes all higher channels, which can still be accessed and used via TotalMix FX.
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Buffer Size
The setting Buffer Size determines the latency between incoming and outgoing ASIO and WDM
data, as well as affecting system stability (see chapter 7.1).
USB Diagnosis shows specific USB transmission errors (CRC5, usually 0) and general errors.
If the unit detects a record or playback error the number shown will no longer be 0. An audio
reset is performed automatically. The counter is reset on start of playback/record. More information can be found in chapter 20.1.
Sample Rate
Display of the currently active sample rate. Its setting / change takes place exclusively via the
AVB Controller. Neither WDM nor ASIO programs can change the sample rate.
WDM Devices
Allows to freely set which I/Os are available as WDM devices, if these are stereo or multichannel devices (up to 8 channels), and if one or multiple of the currently active WDM devices
should have the Speaker property. Digiface AVB provides a maximum of 64 channels under
WDM, corresponding to 32 stereo or 8 multichannel devices. More details are found in chapter
7.2.
Options
Word Clock In Term.
Checking this option terminates the word clock input internally with 75 Ohms.
Word Clock – Single Speed
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 and
192 kHz sample rate, the output word clock is 48 kHz.
Iso(chronous) Streaming (USB 3 only)
The Digiface AVB uses a special transmission mode with error correction in record mode. In
case the default mode does not work Isochronous Streaming can be tried. This is the standard’s
native mode for audio transmission and should work with any USB 3 controller. See also chapter 20.1.
Input Status
Word
Indicates presence of a valid signal at the word clock input (Lock, No Lock) and whether the
signal is synchronous (Sync). The third column shows the sample frequency detected by the
hardware (coarse recognition, 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz etc.).
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7.2 Option WDM Devices
The WDM Devices configuration has one
button to enter the edit dialog, a status
display showing the number of currently
enabled WDM devices, and a listbox to
select between Stereo or Multi-Channel
devices.
The number represents both record and
playback devices, so ‘1’ means one input
and one output device.
The screenshot to the right shows the
stereo WDM devices available with the
Digiface AVB. Here the first four stereo
devices had been activated. Any can be
activated. Also only higher numbered
devices might be active. For example
using 25+26 for system based audio
does not require to activate the prior
stereo devices. Only AVB (25+26) will
show up in the Windows Sound control
panel.
The checkbox All to the right allows for a
quick check/uncheck of all devices.
The screenshot to the left shows the multichannel WDM devices available with the
Digiface AVB after selecting ‘MultiChannel’ in the WDM Devices listbox and
hitting WDM Configure. In this example
the devices AVB 1-8, 9-16, 17-24 and 25-
32 are active.
Using a multi-channel WDM device allows
for the use of multi-channel playback with
specialized software as well as Surround
sound from DVD or Bluray player
software.
Please note that configuring the WDM
device to a specific surround mode in the
control panel Sound requires the device to
have the Speaker property. See next
page.
Again the checkbox All to the right allows
for a quick check/uncheck of all devices.
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Changing to the tab Speaker presents a
list of all currently activated WDM
devices. Any of these can now get the
Speaker property.
Please note that defining more than one
device as Speaker usually makes no
sense, and the speakers also don’t get
numbered or renamed in Windows, so it
is impossible to find out which one is
which.
After leaving the dialog with OK the WDM
devices are reloaded so Windows sees
their new properties. In the Windows
Sound control panel the modes Stereo
and 7.1 can now be checked by selecting
the playback device and clicking the
Configure button.
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7.3 AVB Controller
The network or AVB-relevant configuration of the Digiface AVB takes place via the RME AVB
Controller, which must run permanently in the background. Stopping the tool in the systray
terminates the AVB functionality of the Digiface AVB.
The screenshot shows the basic functions of the AVB Controller, which appear as soon as a
network cable is plugged into the Gigabit ethernet port of the Digiface AVB. In case this is not
an AVB network no other AVB devices are shown, but the Digiface AVB itself is displayed and
the sample rate is now selectable.
Devices
Lists all AVB devices found in the network, and allows a selection to configure one device at a
time.
Clock Configuration
Clock Mode
Select the clock source: Internal Clock, Input Stream 1 bis 16, Word Clock.
Sample rate
Setting the sample rate of the internal clock, and of WDM and ASIO. With external clock, this
value must be set manually to the present, currently applied value.
Connections
Configuration of up to 16 input streams with up to 32 channels each. These streams are
provided by the other (sending) devices in the AVB network.
Type / Information
This window displays information about the currently selected AVB device, such as model,
manufacturer, version number, etc. In the Digiface AVB, the last line displays the version
number of the currently installed network driver. For input delay the Digiface AVB shows the
measured delay of the incoming data for the planned delivery (presentation time of the sending
device). A value near zero nanoseconds means that the data in the network has been delayed
so much that they can no longer be received.
Options
Network Latency (Presentation Time)
Allows setting of the delay of outgoing data. Available settings are 0.3125 ms, 0.625 ms, 1 ms
and 2 ms. Similar to the ASIO buffer size, higher values are more reliable but cause additional
latency. However, unlike ASIO low values do not lead to crackling, but to a complete failure of
the audio stream.
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Menü File
The configuration of the AVB Controllers is stored as XML file. It can be Saved, Saved As and
Loaded through the menu.
Menü Entity
Name
Opens a dialog to rename the current device.
Configure
Opens a dialog to configure the input and output
streams of the current device. Using the example of
the Digiface AVB:
Input Streams
Number of input streams, from 1 to 16.
Input Formats
Number of channels per stream. From Mono (1) to
32.
Output Streams, Output Formats
As Input. The settings for Input and Output are
independent. The settings within Input and Output
depend on the current device.
Default state of the Digiface AVB is 4 Streams with 32
channels each, a total of 128 channels. After
changing this to 16 streams each stream can have no
more than 8 channels.
Reconnect
The streams of the device are accessible again within
the network.
Disconnect
The streams of the device are removed from the network.
Menu Help
Includes information of the used software.
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8. Operation and Usage
8.1 Playback
In the audio application being used, Digiface AVB must be selected as output device. It can
often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus, as Playback Device, Audio De-
vices, Audio etc.
Increasing the number and/or size of audio buffers may prevent the audio signal from breaking
up, but also increases latency i.e. output is delayed.
Note
: This is a network audio interface. In a network, clock definition is of particular importance.
Therefore neither WDM nor ASIO are allowed to influence the sample rate. That setting is done
exclusively by the AVB Controller.
8.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS)
AC-3 / DTS
Popular DVD software players can send their audio data stream to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver via the Digiface AVB.
The sample rate must be set to 48 kHz in the Digiface AVB Controller, or the software will
only playback a stereo 2-channel downmix via SPDIF.
!
In some cases the Digiface AVB output device has to be selected in >Control Panel / Sound /
Playback< and be set as Default, or the software will not recognize it.
The DVD software's audio properties now show the options 'SPDIF Out' or similar. When selecting it, the software will transfer the non-decoded digital multi-channel data stream to a Digiface
AVB network channel.
Warning
Multichannel
PowerDVD and WinDVD can also operate as software decoder, sending a DVD's multichannel
data stream directly to the analog and digital outputs of the Digiface AVB. For this to work select
the WDM playback device ’Loudspeaker’ of the Digiface AVB in >Control Panel/ Sound/ Play-
back < as ‘Standard’. Additionally a Multi-channel WDM device is required, whose property of
7.1 Loudspeaker playback can be verified under >Configuration<.
PowerDVD's and WinDVD's audio properties now list several multichannel modes. If one of
these is selected, the software sends the decoded analog multichannel data to the Digiface
AVB. On some software it is not necessary to select the Loudspeaker in the Sound panel.
8.3 Channel Count under WDM
The Digiface AVB supports a maximum of 64 channels under WDM. These can be configured
and activated via the Settings dialog - WDM Devices, as Stereo or Multi-channel (8-channel)
devices.
: This 'SPDIF' signal sounds like chopped noise at highest level.
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8.4 Multi-client Operation
RME audio interfaces support multi-client operation. Several programs can be used at the same
time. The formats ASIO and WDM can even be used on the same playback channels simultaneously. As WDM uses a real-time sample rate conversion (ASIO does not), all active ASIO
software has to use the same sample rate.
However, a better overview is maintained by using the channels exclusively. This is no limitation
at all, because TotalMix allows for any output routing, and therefore a playback of multiple software on the same hardware outputs.
Inputs can be used from an unlimited number of WDM and ASIO software at the same time, as
the driver simply sends the data to all applications simultaneously.
RME's sophisticated tool DIGICheck operates like an ASIO host, using a special technique to
access playback channels directly. Therefore DIGICheck is able to analyse and display playback data from any software, no matter which format it uses.
8.5 Digital Recording
Unlike analog soundcards which produce empty wave files (or noise) when no input signal is
present, digital interfaces always need a valid input signal to start recording. Taking this into
account, RME added a comprehensive I/O signal status display to the Digiface AVB, showing
sample frequency, lock and sync status in the Settings dialog, and two status LEDs directly at
the unit.
The sample frequency shown in the Settings dialog is useful as a quick display of the current
configuration of the unit and the connected external equipment. If no sample frequency is recognized, it will read ‘No Lock’.
This way, configuring any suitable audio application for digital recording is simple. After connection the Digiface AVB displays the current and external sample frequency. This parameter can
then be changed in the application’s audio attributes (or similar) dialog.
8.6 Clock Modes - Synchronization
In the digital world, all devices must be either Master (clock source) or Slave (clock receiver).
Whenever several devices are linked within a system, there must always be a single master
clock.
A digital system can only have one master! If the Digiface AVB’s clock mode is set to 'Internal', all other devices must be set to ‘Slave’.
!
This also applies in a network. Typically, a single device is defined as a clock master (Grand
Clock), controlling both the network and all connected devices. The Digiface AVB can be
synchronized as slave over incoming network streams or an attached word clock. As master, it
uses its internal clock, becoming the clock master of the entire network.
RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology (first implemented in the Hammerfall) enables an easy
to use check and display of the current clock status. Input Status indicates whether there is a
valid signal (Lock, No Lock) for the coaxial input, or if there is a valid and synchronous signal
(Sync).
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