RME MADI-FX User manual
User's Guide
Hammerfall® DSP System
HDSPe MADI FX
24 Bit / 192 kHz 9
TotalMix
™
SyncAlign
™
ZLM™ SyncCheck™
SteadyClock
™
PCI Express Digital I/O Card
192 Channels MADI Interface
24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio
AES/EBU I/O
Stereo Analog Monitoring
194 x 196 Matrix Router
MIDI I/O
MIDI embedded in MADI
General
1 Introduction ...............................................................6
2 Package Contents.....................................................6
3 System Requirements ..............................................6
4 Brief Description and Characteristics.....................6
5 Hardware Installation................................................7
6 Hardware – Connectors
6.1 External Connectors ..............................................7
6.2 Internal Connectors................................................8
7 Accessories...............................................................8
8 Warranty.....................................................................9
9 Appendix.................................................................... 9
Driver Installation and Operation - Windows
10 Driver and Firmware
10.1 Driver Installation .................................................12
10.2 De-Installing the Drivers .......................................12
10.3 Firmware Update..................................................12
11 Configuring the HDSPe MADI FX
11.1 Settings Dialog – Main Tab ..................................13
11.2 Option WDM Devices...........................................16
11.3 Tab Global............................................................18
11.4 Settings Dialog – Pitch .........................................19
11.5 Clock Modes – Synchronization ...........................20
12 Operation and Usage
12.1 Playback...............................................................21
12.2 DVD Playback (AC-3 / DTS) ................................22
12.3 Multi-client Operation ...........................................23
12.4 Digital Recording ..................................................23
13 Operation under ASIO
13.1 General ................................................................24
13.2 Known Problems ..................................................24
14 Using multiple HDSPe MADI FX.............................25
15 DIGICheck Windows ............................................... 25
16 Hotline – Troubleshooting......................................26
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
Driver Installation and Operation - Mac OS X
17 Driver and Flash Update
17.1 Driver Installation .................................................28
17.2 De-installing the Drivers....................................... 28
17.3 Firmware Update .................................................28
18 Configuring the HDSPe MADI FX
18.1 Settings Dialog ..................................................... 29
18.2 Clock Modes – Synchronization ..........................31
19 Mac OS X FAQ
19.1 MIDI doesn't work ................................................32
19.2 Repairing Disk Permissions................................. 32
19.3 Supported Sample Rates..................................... 32
19.4 Various Information.............................................. 33
20 Using multiple HDSPe MADI FX ............................33
21 DIGICheck Mac........................................................ 33
22 Hotline – Troubleshooting ..................................... 34
Inputs and Outputs
23 Connections
23.1 MADI .................................................................... 36
23.2 AES/EBU ............................................................. 36
23.3 Line - Headphones .............................................. 37
23.4 MIDI ..................................................................... 37
24 Word Clock
24.1 Word Clock Input and Output .............................. 38
24.2 Technical Description and Background ............... 39
24.3 Cables and Termination....................................... 40
TotalMix FX
25 Routing and Monitoring
25.1 Overview .............................................................. 42
25.2 The User Interface ............................................... 44
25.3 The Channel ........................................................ 45
25.3.1 Settings ........................................................ 47
25.3.2 Equalizer ...................................................... 48
25.3.3 Dynamics ..................................................... 50
25.4 Section Control Room.......................................... 51
25.5 The Control Strip.................................................. 52
25.5.1 View Options................................................ 53
25.5.2 Snapshots - Groups..................................... 54
25.5.3 Channel Layout – Layout Presets................ 54
25.5.4 Scroll Location Markers ...............................56
25.6 Reverb and Echo .................................................57
25.7 Preferences.......................................................... 60
25.7.1 Store Setting for (Windows only) ................. 61
25.8 Settings ................................................................ 62
25.8.1 Mixer Page................................................... 62
25.8.2 MIDI Page .................................................... 63
25.8.3 OSC Page.................................................... 64
25.8.4 Aux Devices ................................................. 65
25.9 Hotkeys and Usage ............................................. 66
25.10 Menu Options....................................................... 67
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3
26 The Matrix
26.1 Overview ..............................................................68
26.2 Elements of the Matrix View ................................68
26.3 Usage ...................................................................68
27 Tips and Tricks
27.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring (Windows) ......................69
27.2 Copy a Submix ..................................................... 69
27.3 Delete a Submix ................................................... 69
27.4 Doubling the Output Signal ..................................69
27.5 Recording a Submix - Loopback..........................70
27.6 MS Processing .....................................................71
28 MIDI Remote Control
28.1 Overview ..............................................................72
28.2 Mapping ...............................................................73
28.3 Setup ....................................................................73
28.4 Operation .............................................................73
28.5 MIDI Control .........................................................74
28.6 Loopback Detection .............................................75
28.7 OSC (Open Sound Control) .................................75
Technical Reference
29 Technical Specifications
29.1 Inputs ...................................................................78
29.2 Outputs.................................................................78
29.3 Digital ...................................................................79
29.4 MIDI......................................................................79
30 Technical Background
30.1 MADI Basics.........................................................80
30.2 Lock and SyncCheck ...........................................81
30.3 Latency and Monitoring........................................82
30.4 DS – Double Speed .............................................83
30.5 QS – Quad Speed................................................84
30.6 SteadyClock .........................................................85
30.7 Notes on WDM .....................................................86
30.8 Terminology .........................................................87
30.9 Connector Pinout .................................................88
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
User's Guide
HDSPe MADI FX
General
User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
5
1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the HDSPe MADI FX. This unique audio system is capable of transferring digital audio data directly into a computer, from any device equipped with a MADI interface.
Installation is simple, even for the inexperienced user, thanks to the latest Plug and Play technology. The numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialogs put the Hammerfall DSPe MADI FX at the very top of the range of digital audio interface cards.
The package contains drivers for Windows (XP, Vista, 7, 8) and Mac OS X x86 (Intel).
Our high-performance philosophy guarantees maximum system performance by executing as
many functions as possible not in the driver (i.e. the CPU), but directly within the audio hardware.
2. Package Contents
Please check that your HDSPe MADI FX package contains each of the following:
• HDSPe MADI FX PCI Express card
• HDSPe MADI FX BNC-X expansion board
• Quick Info guide
• RME Driver CD
• AES/MIDI breakout cable
• Expansion Board ribbon cable (20-conductor)
• Internal Sync cable (3-conductor)
3. System Requirements
• Windows XP or up, Mac OS X Intel (10.6 or up)
• PCI Express Interface: a free PCI Express slot, 1 lane, version 1.1
4. Brief Description and Characteristics
• All settings can be changed in real-time
• 8 available buffer sizes/latencies: 0.7 / 1.5 / 3 / 6 / 12 / 23 / 46 / 93 ms
• 100 channels 96 kHz/24 bit record/playback
• 52 channels 192 kHz/24 bit record/playback
• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
• Word clock input and output
• TotalMix for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
• SyncAlign guarantees sample aligned and never swapping channels
• SyncCheck tests and reports the synchronization status of input signals
• 1 x MIDI I/O, 16 channels high-speed MIDI
• DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation
• TotalMix: 4096 channel mixer with 46 bit internal resolution
• SteadyClock: Jitter-immune, super-stable digital clock
• Quick Boot technology for immediate loading of the hardware settings
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
5. Hardware Installation
To simplify installation it is recommended to first install the drivers (chapter 7) before the unit is
connected to the computer. But it will also work the other way round.
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. Important: Before removing the HDSPe MADI FX from its protective bag, discharge any
static in your body by touching the metal chassis of the PC.
4. Prior to installation: Connect the HDSPe MADI FX card to the Expansion Board using the
supplied 20-conductor flat ribbon cable.
5. Insert the HDSPe MADI FX firmly into a free PCI Express slot, press and fasten the screw.
6. Insert the Expansion Board and fasten the screw.
7. Replace the computer's housing.
8. Reconnect all cables including the power cord.
6. Hardware - Connectors
6.1 External Connectors
The bracket of the main
board has two optical
MADI interfaces, input
and output each, and the
analog stereo output via
TRS jack.
The expansion board's
bracket has one coaxial
MADI I/O and word clock
input and output, all via
BNC sockets.
The included breakout
cable is connected to the
15-pin D-sub connector
and provides one MIDI
input and output via 2 5-
pin DIN connectors, and
one AES input and output
with XLR connectors.
: If none of the connections of the expansion board are used or required, it is not necessary
Note
to install the board.
An expansion board with
optical MADI I/O instead
of coaxial is available
separately (Opto-X).
Connections and
functions are all identical
to the standard expansion
board (BNC-X).
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7
6.2 Internal Connectors
X1100 Sync In
Internal word clock input for synchronization of multiple cards via SYNC OUT.
X1101 Sync Out
This 3-pin connector carries an internal word clock signal. It can be used to synchronize multiple cards with sample accuracy, and without the need for an external connection. The card
where SYNC OUT is used is master, the one with SYNC IN is slave. In the Settings dialog the
slave has to be set to Sync In under Clock Mode – Clock Source.
X1102 – Expansion Board
20-pin connector for the included HDSPe MADI FX expansion board.
X200
No function. Used to program the card in the factory.
X606
2-pin connector fitted with a blue jumper. Warning: without this jumper the card will not work!
7. Accessories
RME offers several optional components. Additionally parts of the HDSPe MADI FX, like the
special breakout cable, are available separately.
Part Number Description
BOAESMIDI AES/MIDI breakout cable
VKMADIFX 20-conductor flat ribbon cable
MADI0.5S MADI Optical Cable, Simplex, 0.5 m (1.6 ft)
MADI1S MADI Optical Cable, Simplex, 1 m (3.3 ft)
MADI3D MADI Optical Cable, Duplex, 3 m (9.9 ft)
MADI6D MADI Optical Cable, Duplex, 6 m (20 ft)
MADI10D MADI Optical Cable, Duplex, 10 m (33 ft)
MADI20D MADI Optical Cable, Duplex, 20 m (66 ft)
MADI50D MADI Optical Cable, Duplex, 50 m (165 ft)
MCD100 MADI Optical multicore on drum, 100 m
MCD150 MADI Optical multicore on drum, 150 m
MCD300 MADI Optical multicore on drum, 300 m
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
8. Warranty
Each individual HDSPe MADI FX undergoes comprehensive quality control and a complete test
at IMM before shipping. The usage of high grade components should guarantee a long and
trouble-free operation of the unit.
If you suspect that your product is faulty, please contact your local retailer.
Audio AG grants a limited manufacturer warranty of 6 months from the day of invoice showing
the date of sale. The length of the warranty period is different per country. Please contact your
local distributor for extended warranty information and service. Note that each country may
have regional specific warranty implications.
In any case warranty does not cover damage caused by improper installation or maltreatment replacement or repair in such cases can only be carried out at the owner's expense.
No warranty service is provided when the product is not returned to the local distributor in the
region where the product had been originally shipped.
Audio AG does not accept claims for damages of any kind, especially consequential damage.
Liability is limited to the value of the Hammerfall DSP. The general terms of business drawn up
by Audio AG apply at all times.
9. Appendix
RME news, driver updates and further product information are available on our website:
http://www.rme-audio.com
Distributor:
Audio AG, Am Pfanderling 60, D-85778 Haimhausen, Tel.: (49) 08133 / 918170
Manufacturer:
IMM Elektronik GmbH, Leipziger Strasse 32, D-09648 Mittweida
Trademarks
All trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. RME,
DIGICheck and Hammerfall are registered trademarks of RME Intelligent Audio Solutions.
HDSPe MADI FX, HDSPe MADI, HDSP AES-32, OctaMic XTC, TMS, DIGI96, SyncAlign, ZLM,
SyncCheck and TotalMix are trademarks of RME Intelligent Audio Solutions. Alesis and ADAT
are registered trademarks of Alesis Corp. ADAT optical is a trademark of Alesis Corp. Microsoft,
Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7/8 are registered trademarks or
trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Steinberg, Cubase and VST are registered trademarks of
Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. ASIO is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
Copyright © Matthias Carstens, 07/2014. Version 1.4
Current driver version: Windows: 2.0, Mac OS X Intel: 1.14. Firmware: 89, DSP 21
TotalMix FX: 1.02
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 MADI FX © RME
9
CE / FCC Compliance
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 according to RL2004/108/EG.
FCC
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
RoHS
This product has been soldered lead-free and fulfils the requirements of the RoHS directive.
ISO 9001
This product has been manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management. The manufacturer,
IMM Elektronik GmbH, is also certified for ISO 14001 (Environment) and ISO 13485 (medical
devices).
Note on Disposal
According to the guide line RL2002/96/EG (WEEE – Directive on Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment), valid for all european countries, this
product has to be recycled at the end of its lifetime.
In case a disposal of electronic waste is not possible, the recycling can
also be done by IMM Elektronik GmbH, the manufacturer of the HDSPe
MADI FX.
For this the device has to be sent free to the door to:
IMM Elektronik GmbH
Leipziger Straße 32
D-09648 Mittweida
Germany
Shipments not prepaid will be rejected and returned on the original sender's costs.
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
User's Guide
HDSPe MADI FX
Driver Installation and Operation - Windows
User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
11
10. Driver and Firmware
10.1 Driver Installation
To simplify installation it is recommended to first install the drivers before the card is built into
the computer. But it will also work the other way round.
Insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive. The driver installer is located in the directory
\HDSPe FX. Start rmeinstaller.exe and follow the instructions of the installer. After the HDSPe
MADI FX has been installed correctly (see 5. Hardware Installation), and the computer has
been switched on, Windows will detect the new hardware as HDSPe MADIface FX and install
the drivers automatically.
After a reboot, the icons of TotalMix FX and Settings dialog appear
in the notification area.
Driver Updates do not require to remove the existing drivers. Simply install the new driver over
the existing one.
10.2 De-Installing the Drivers
A de-installation of the HDSPe 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. Those entries can be removed from the registry through a software de-installation request. This request can be found
(like all de-installation entries) in Control Panel, Software. Click on the entry 'RME HDSPe FX
(WDM)'.
10.3 Firmware Update
The Flash Update Tool updates the HDSPe MADI FX to the latest firmware version. It requires
an already installed driver.
Start the program hdspe_fx_fut.exe. The Flash Update Tool displays the current revision of the
HDSPe MADI FX, and whether it needs an update or not. If so, then please press the 'Update'
button. A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished. The bar moves slowly
first (program), then faster (verify).
If more than one interface card is installed, all cards can be flashed by changing to the next tab
and repeating the process.
After the update the PCI Express card needs to be reset. This is done by powering down and
shutting off the PC. A warm boot is not enough!
To reduce the time needed for the flash process the tool updates only the parts of the firmware
that are present in a newer version. The option Flash All forces the tool to update all parts.
When the update fails (status: failure), the card's second BIOS will be used from the next cold
boot on (Secure BIOS Technology). Therefore the card stays fully functional. The flash process
should then be tried again on a different computer.
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
11. Configuring the HDSPe MADI FX
11.1 Settings Dialog – Main Tab
Configuration of the HDSPe MADI FX is done via its own settings dialog. The panel 'Settings'
can be opened:
• by clicking on the hammer symbol in the Task Bar's notification area
The mixer of the interface, TotalMix FX, can be opened:
• by clicking on the DSP-symbol in the Task Bar's notification area
The HDSPe 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.
The following is available in the 'Settings' dialog:
• Latency
• WDM Device Configuration
• Current sample rate
• Synchronization behaviour
• Configuration of digital I/Os
• Input selection
• State of input and output
Any changes made in the Settings
dialog are applied immediately confirmation (e.g. by clicking on OK
or exiting the dialog) is not required.
However, settings should not be
changed during playback or record if
it can be avoided, as this can cause
unwanted noises.
Also, please note that even in 'Stop'
mode, several programs keep the
recording and playback devices
open, which means that any new
settings might not be applied
immediately.
The status displays at the bottom of
the dialog box give the user precise
information about the current status
of the system, and the status of all
digital signals.
The tab About provides information
about the current driver version of
the HDSPe MADI FX.
User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
13
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 13.1). While ASIO can use any offered
buffer size, WDM is limited to 256 (XP) or 512 samples (Win 7/8). The driver handles this automatically, higher settings are only applied to ASIO while WDM will stay at 256/512 internally.
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. More details are found in chapter 11.2.
Clock Mode
Sample Rate
Sets the currently used sample rate. Offers a central and comfortable way of configuring the
sample rate of all WDM devices to the same value, as since Vista the audio software is no
longer allowed to set the sample rate. However, an ASIO program can still set the sample rate
by itself.
During record/playback the selection is greyed out, so no change is possible.
Clock Source
The unit can be configured to use its own clock (Internal = Master), or one of the input signals
(Word, MADI, AES, Sync In). If the selected source isn't available (No Lock), the unit will
change to the next available one (this behaviour is called AutoSync). If none is available then
the internal clock is used. The current clock source is displayed as Current.
Pitch
More information on Pitch is available in chapter 11.4.
Output Format
AES
The channel status of the AES output signal can be set to Consumer or Professional. For fur-
ther details please refer to chapter 23.2.
MADI 1/2/3
Defines the format of the MADI output signal. MADI can be a 56 or 64 channel signal.
96 kHz
Word
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.
MADI 1/2/3
Sample rates higher than 48 kHz can be transmitted using the normal 48K Frame, or using a
native 96K Frame at the card's output.
Options
EQ+D for Record
Switches EQ and Dynamics of all input channels into the recording path. In case Loopback has
been activated the EQ and Dynamics of the Output channel are within the recording path. See
also chapter 27.5.
Word Clock In Term.
Checking this option terminates the word clock input internally with 75 Ohms.
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
TMS
TMS activates the transmission of
Channel Status data and Track
Marker information from the AES and
MADI input signal.
Redundancy Mode
With redundancy mode active the
number of input channels is reduced
to 66 (AES plus 1x MADI). The two
other MADI ports serve as fail safe
inputs and are used as soon as the
signal on the 'Current MADI Input'
fails. This setting is also a perfect
choice if the card is used as single
MADI I/O, saving resources and
providing simpler channel selection
dialogs.
Mirror MADI1 Output to MADI2/3
This option provides a quick and
simple solution to mirror the first
MADI output to outputs 2 and 3. The
outputs are reduced to 2+2+64
channels (AES, Phones and one
MADI port). All the data routed and
mixed to MADI port 1 is sent to MADI
port 2/3 as well.
Input Status
Displays the state of the current input
signal:
• Clock state (No Lock, Lock, Sync)
• Sample rate (coarse)
• MADI Frame format (48K or 96K)
• Channel format (64 or 56
channels)
Sync Check
RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology provides an easy to use check and display of the cur-
rent clock status. The clock state column indicates whether no signal (No Lock), a valid signal
(Lock) or a valid and synchronous signal (Sync) is present at each of the digital clock source
inputs.
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11.2 Option WDM Devices
The WDM Devices configuration has one button to enter the edit dialog, a status display show-
ing 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
MADI FX, and that only MADI 1/2 has been
activated. Any number can be activated.
Also only higher numbered devices might
be active. For example using the MADI 2
output for system based audio does not
require to activate all 32 stereo devices of
MADI 1. Only MADI 65+66 will show up in
the Windows Sound control panel.
The checkbox All to the right allows for a
quick check/uncheck of all devices.
Warning! Activating all 98 stereo devices
will most probably freeze your computer!
Activate only the ones which are really
needed!
The screenshot to the left shows the multichannel WDM devices available with the
MADI FX after selecting ‘Multi-Channel’ in
the WDM Devices listbox and hitting WDM
Configure. In this example the devices
MADI 1 to 8 and MADI 65 to 72 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 Blu-Ray 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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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
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. You can now assign any
surround mode, from stereo to 7.1, in the
Windows Sound control panel by selecting
the playback device and clicking the
Configure button.
User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
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11.3 Tab Global
This tab includes several options that work on all currently installed cards.
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
of the HDSPe MADI FX.
Optimize Multi-Client Mixing
Default: off. Checking this option
removes short noise bursts when
multi-client playback starts, but will
also introduce some additional CPU
load.
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.
ASIO 32 Channel Limit
Default: off. Checking this option limits
the number of ASIO I/Os to 32.
Reducing the number of ASIO
channels is required for older versions
of ProTools to prevent them from
crashing on start-up.
Change Card Order
This dialog lists all cards currently installed in the system and controlled by the driver. Their
order can then be changed by selecting a card and using the up/down arrows. Confirm the operation with the Apply button. This feature comes in handy if different cards are installed and a
specific one of them should always be the first in the ASIO channel list.
At the end of the card info line the current firmware version is shown (Revision).
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
11.4 Settings Dialog - Pitch
Usually soundcards and audio interfaces generate their internal clock (master mode) by a
quartz. Therefore the internal clock can be set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, but not to a value in between. SteadyClock, RME's sensational Low Jitter Clock System, is based on a Direct Digital
Synthesizer (DDS). This superior circuitry can generate nearly any frequency with highest precision.
DDS has been implemented into the HDSPe MADI FX with regard to the needs of professional
video applications, as well as to maximum flexibility. The section Pitch includes both a list of
typical video frequencies (so called pull up/pull down at 0.1% and 4%) and a fader to freely
change the basic sample rate in steps of 1 Hz (!) over a range of +/- 5%.
The Pitch function requires the HDSPe MADI FX to be in clock mode Master! The frequency setting will only be applied to this one specific card!
Changing the sample rate during record/playback often results in a loss of audio, or brings
up warning messages of the audio software. Therefore the desired sample rate should be
set at least coarsely before starting the software.
Coarse
Coarse modification in steps of 50 Hz
is done by clicking with the mouse to
the left and right of the fader knob.
Fine
Fine modification in steps of 1 Hz is
done by using the left/right cursor
keys.
Reset
Ctrl key plus left mouse click.
Application examples
Pitch allows for a simultaneous change of speed and tune during record and playback. From
alignment to other sources up to creative effects – everything is possible.
Pitch enables you to intentionally de-tune the complete DAW. This way, the DAW can match
instruments which have a wrong or unchangeable tuning.
Pitch allows for the change of the sample rate of all WDM devices at the same time. Since Vista
this is no longer possible via the audio program, thus requires a manual reconfiguration of all
WDM devices. Changing the sample rate from the Settings dialog solves this problem.
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11.5 Clock Modes - Synchronisation
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 card’s clock mode is set to 'Master', all
other devices must be set to ‘Slave’.
The HDSPe MADI FX utilizes a very user-friendly, intelligent clock control, called AutoSync. In
AutoSync mode, the system constantly scans the digital input for a valid signal. If any valid sig-
nal is found, the card switches from the internal quartz (Clock Mode – Current Internal) to a
clock extracted from the input signal (Clock Mode – Current MADI, Word, AES or Sync In). The
difference to a usual slave mode is that whenever the clock reference fails, the system will
automatically use its internal clock and operate in clock mode Master.
AutoSync guarantees that normal record and record-while-play will always work correctly. In
certain cases however, AutoSync may cause feedback in the digital carrier, so synchronization
breaks down. To remedy this, switch the HDSP clock mode to ‘Internal’.
RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology 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 each
input (Word, MADI, AES, Sync In), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal (Sync). See
chapter 30.2.
Via Clock Source a preferred input can be defined. As long as the card sees a valid signal
there, this input will be designated as the sync source, otherwise the other inputs will be
scanned in turn. If none of the inputs are receiving a valid signal, the card automatically
switches clock mode to ‘Master’.
Under WDM the card will (has to) set
the sample rate. Therefore the error
shown to the right can occur. A stable
signal with a sample rate of 32 kHz is
detected at the Word Clock input
(Sync), but Windows audio had been
set to 44100 Hz before. The red
colour of the text label signals the
error condition, and prompts the user
to set 32000 Hz manually as sample
rate.
Under ASIO the audio software sets the sample rate, so that such an error will usually not happen – but it can too. In slave mode the external sample rate has priority. Feeding 44.1 kHz will
prevent the ASIO software to set 48 kHz – obviously, as the only way to do so would be to enter
a different clock mode (Master/Internal).
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.
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12. Operation and Usage
12.1 Playback
The HDSPe system can play back audio data in supported formats only (sample rate, bit resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22 kHz and 8 bit).
In the audio application being used, HDSPe 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<). Also
HDSPe should not be the Preferred Device for playback, as this could cause loss of synchroni-
zation and unwanted noises. If you feel you cannot do without system sounds, you should use
on-board sound or any cheap sound card and select this one as Preferred Device in >Control
Panel /Multimedia /Audio< or >Control Panel /Sound /Playback<.
The screenshot to the
right shows a typical
configuration dialog as
displayed by a (stereo)
wave editor. After
selecting a playback
device, audio data is
sent to the according
channels.
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. For
synchronized playback
of audio and MIDI (or
similar), be sure to
activate the checkbox
‘Get position from audio
driver’.
The HDSPe MADI FX allows sample rates of up to 192 kHz via MADI. In this mode, only 16
channels are functional per MADI port.
Note on Windows Vista/7/8
Since Vista the audio application can no longer control the sample rate under WDM. Therefore
the driver of the HDSPe MADI FX includes a workaround: the sample rate can be set globally
for all WDM devices within the Settings dialog, see chapter 11.1.
:
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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 HDSPe MADI FX. For this to
work an output wave device has to be selected in >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Au-
dio< 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. When selecting these, the software will transfer the non-decoded digital multichannel data stream to the
HDSPe. Naturally a successful decoding also requires a MADI to AES converter like the RME
ADI-642, converting the playback signals to stereo AES3 or SPDIF.
: This 'SPDIF' signal sounds like chopped noise at highest level. The first 2 MADI channels
Note
(Loudspeaker) do not support digital AC-3/DTS playback.
Multichannel
PowerDVD and WinDVD can also operate as software decoder, sending a DVD's multichannel
data stream directly to the outputs of the HDSPe MADI FX. For this to work select the WDM
playback device ’Loudspeaker’ of the HDSPe MADI FX in
XP: >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio<, and 'Use only default devices' has to be
checked. Additionally the loudspeaker setup, found under >Volume/ Speaker Settings/ Ad-
vanced< has to be changed from Stereo to 5.1 Surround.
Vista/7/8: >Control Panel/ Sound/ Playback < as ‘Standard’. Additionally the loudspeaker setup,
found under >Configuration<, might have to be changed from Stereo to 5.1 Surround.
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 HDSPe
MADI FX. TotalMix can then be used to play back via any desired output channels.
The typical channel assignment for surround playback is:
1 - Left
2 - Right
3 - Center
4 - LFE (Low Frequency Effects)
5 - SL (Surround Left)
6 - SR (Surround Right)
Note 1
professional cards are not specialized to play back system sounds, and shouldn't be disturbed
by system events. To prevent this be sure to re-assign this setting after usage or disable any
system sounds (tab Sounds, scheme 'No audio').
Note 2
Sync and/or word clock, the playback speed and pitch follows the incoming clock signal.
: Setting the card to be used as system playback device is against common sense, as
: The DVD player will be synced backwards from the HDSPe card. So when using Auto-
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12.3 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 FX 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 is an exception to this rule. It 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.
12.4 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 HDSPe MADI FX, showing sample frequency, lock and sync status for every input.
The sample frequency shown in the fields
Clock Mode and Input Status 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. HDSPe MADI
FX displays the current sample frequency of the currently used input. This parameter can then
be changed in the application’s audio properties (or similar) dialog.
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 FX (see chapter 25).
An automated control of real-time monitoring can be achieved by Steinberg’s ASIO protocol
with RME’s 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).
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13. Operation under ASIO
13.1 General
Start the ASIO software and
select ASIO HDSPe FX as
the audio I/O device.
The HDSPe supports ASIO
Direct Monitoring (ADM).
The HDSPe MADI FX’s MIDI
I/O can be used with both
MME MIDI and DirectMusic
MIDI.
At a sample rate of 88.2 or 96
kHz (Double Speed mode),
the number of channels available at the MADI input and
output is halved. At a sample
rate of 176.4 or 192 kHz
(Quad Speed mode), the
number of channels is reduced to 16.
: When changing the sample rate range between Single, Double and Quad Speed the
Note
number of channels presented from the ASIO driver will change too. This may require a reset of
the I/O list in the audio software.
13.2 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. Raising the buffer size in the Settings dialog of
the HDSPe system helps in most cases. We recommend to deactivate all PlugIns to verify that
these are not the reason for such effects.
Another common source of trouble is incorrect synchronization. ASIO does not support asynchronous 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. Devices connected to the HDSPe MADI
FX 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!
The same applies when using more than one card - they all have to be in sync. Else a periodically repeated noise will be heard.
RME supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM). Please note that not all programs support ADM
completely or error-free. The most often reported problem is the wrong behaviour of panorama
in a stereo channel.
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
HDSPe system supports both MME MIDI and DirectMusic MIDI. It depends on the used application which one will work better.
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14. Using multiple HDSPe MADI FX
The current driver supports operation of up to three HDSPe MADI FX. All cards 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.
• If one of the HDSPe cards is set to clock mode Master, all others have to be set to clock
mode Slave, and have to be synced from the master, for example by feeding word clock.
The clock modes of all units have to be set up correctly in their Settings dialogs.
• If all units are fed with a synchronous clock, i.e. all units show Sync in their Settings dialog,
all channels can be used at once. This is especially easy to handle under ASIO, as the ASIO
driver presents all cards as one.
TotalMix is part of the hardware of each HDSPe card. Up to three mixers are available,
Note:
but these are separated and can't interchange data. Therefore a global mixer for all units is not
possible.
15. DIGICheck Windows
The DIGICheck software is a unique utility developed for testing, measuring and analysing digital audio streams. Although this software is fairly self-explanatory, it still includes a comprehensive online help. DIGICheck 5.71 operates as multi-client ASIO host, therefore can be used in
parallel to any software with both inputs and outputs (!). The following is a short summary of the
currently available functions:
• Level Meter. High precision 24-bit resolution, 2/8/196 channels. Application examples: Peak
level measurement, RMS level measurement, over-detection, phase correlation measurement, dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratios, RMS to peak difference (loudness), long
term peak measurement, input check. Oversampling mode for levels higher than 0 dBFS.
Vertical and horizontal mode. Slow RMS and RLB weighting filter. Supports visualization according to the K-system.
• Hardw are Level Meter for Input, Playback and Output. As above, receive pre-calculated
directly from the HDSPe hardware with near zero CPU load.
• Spectral Analyser. World wide unique 10-, 20- or 30-band display in analog bandpass-filter
technology. 192 kHz-capable!
• Vector Audio Scope. World wide unique Goniometer showing the typical afterglow of an
oscilloscope-tube. Includes Correlation meter and level meter.
• Totalyser. Spectral Analyser, Level Meter and Vector Audio Scope in a single window.
• Surround Audio Scope. Professional Surround Level Meter with extended correlation
analysis, ITU weighting and ITU summing meter.
• ITU1770/EBU R128 Meter. For standardized loudness measurements.
• Bit Statistics & Noise. Shows the true resolution of audio signals as well as errors and DC
offset. Includes Signal to Noise measurement in dB and dBA, plus DC measurement.
• Channel Status Display. Detailed analysis and display of SPDIF and AES/EBU Channel
Status data.
• Global Record. Long-term recording of all channels at lowest system load.
• Completely multi-client. Open as many measurement windows as you like, on any chan-
nels and inputs or outputs!
To install DIGICheck, go to the \DIGICheck directory on the RME Driver CD and run setup.exe.
Follow the instructions prompted on the screen.
DIGICheck is constantly updated. The latest version is always found on our website www.rme-
audio.com, section Downloads / DIGICheck.
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25
16. Hotline – Troubleshooting
The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section FAQ,
Latest Additions.
The dialog 'New hardware component found’ does not appear:
• Check whether the PCI Express interface is correctly inserted in the PCI Express slot.
The card and drivers have been installed correctly, but playback does not work:
• Check whether the HDSPe MADI FX appears in the Device Manager. When the device has
a yellow exclamation mark, then there is a conflict.
The input signal cannot be monitored in real-time
• ASIO Direct Monitoring has not been enabled, and/or monitoring has been disabled globally
(wrong mix setup in TotalMix)
Playback works, but record doesn’t
• Check that there is a valid signal at the input. If so, the current sample frequency is displayed in the Settings dialog.
• Check whether the HDSPe system has been selected as recording device in the audio application.
• Check whether the sample frequency set in the audio application (‘Recording properties’ or
similar) matches the input signal.
Crackle during record or playback
• Increase the number and size of buffers in the ‘Settings’ dialog or in the application.
• Try different cables (coaxial or optical) to rule out any defects here.
• Check that cables/devices have not been connected in a closed loop. If so, set the system’s
clock mode to ‘Internal’.
Windows boot time became much worse since the FX card has been added
• Deactivate all WDM devices that are unused in the card’s settings dialog. If only ASIO is
used disable all.
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User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
User's Guide
HDSPe MADI FX
Driver Installation and Operation – Mac OS X
User's Guide HDSPe MADI FX © RME
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