Rme MADIWIN User Manual

™

User’s Guide

Hammerfall® DSP System

24 Bit / 192 kHz üü

SyncAlign

MADI

TotalMix

ZLM® SyncCheck®

SteadyClock

PCI Busmaster Digital I/O Card

64 Channels MADI Interface

24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio

Stereo Analog Monitoring

64 x 64 Matrix Router

2 x MIDI I/O

MIDI embedded in MADI

Quick Boot

Contents

1 Introduction............................................................ 4

2 Package Contents.................................................. 4

3 System Requirements ............................................ 4

4 Brief Description and Characteristics................... 4

5 Technical Specifications

5.1 Digital.................................................................... 5

5.2 Inputs.................................................................... 5

5.3 Outputs................................................................. 6

5.4 Analog................................................................... 6

5.5 Transfer Modes: Resolution/Bits per Sample......... 7

6 Hardware Installation............................................. 7

7 Driver Installation

7.1 Windows 2000/XP................................................. 8

7.2 Driver Update ........................................................ 8

7.3 Flash Update ......................................................... 8

7.4 Deinstalling the Drivers ......................................... 9

7.5 Linux/Unix............................................................. 9

8 Connectors

8.1 Overview ..............................................................10

8.2 MADI I/Os ............................................................10

8.3 Word Clock I/O.....................................................11

8.4 Analog Output ......................................................12

8.5 MIDI.....................................................................12

8.6 Internal Jumper....................................................12

9 Operation and Usage

9.1 Playback ..............................................................13

9.2 DVD Playback (AC-3 / Multichannel)....................14

9.3 Low Latency under MME......................................15

9.4 Multi-Client Operation...........................................15

9.5 Record .................................................................16

10 Configuring the HDSP MADI

10.1 General Information............................................17

10.2 Clock Modes – Synchronization..........................19

11 Word Clock

11.1 Technical Description and Usage........................20

11.2 Cables and Termination......................................21

11.3 General Operation..............................................21

12 Using more than one Hammerfall DSP ................21

13 Operation under ASIO 2.0

13.1 General ..............................................................22

13.2 Known Problems ................................................22

14 Operation under GSIF ...........................................23

15 TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring.......................24

15.1 Elements of the Surface.....................................25

15.2 Tour de TotalMix ................................................26

15.3 Submix View ......................................................27

15.4 Mute and Solo....................................................27

15.5 Hotkeys..............................................................27

15.6 Quick Access Panel............................................28

15.7 Presets...............................................................29

15.8 Monitor...............................................................30

15.9 Menu Options.....................................................30

15.10 Level Meter ......................................................31

User’s Guide Hammerfall DSP MADI © RME

16 The Matrix

16.1 Elements of the Surface.................................... 32

16.2 Usage................................................................ 32

16.3 Advantages of the Matrix................................... 33

17 TotalMix Super-Features

17.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring...................................... 33

17.2 Selection and Group-based Operation............... 34

17.3 Copy Routings to other Channels ...................... 34

17.4 Delete Routings ................................................. 34

18 MADI Basics ......................................................... 35

19 SteadyClock.......................................................... 36

20 Hotline - Troubleshooting

20.1 General............................................................. 36

20.2 Installation......................................................... 37

21 HDSP Software

21.1 DIGICheck 4.0................................................... 38

21.2 HDSP Meter Bridge 2.0..................................... 38

22 Accessories.......................................................... 39

23 TECH INFO ........................................................... 39

24 Warranty ............................................................... 40

25 Appendix............................................................... 40

26 CE / FCC Compliance........................................... 41

User’s Guide Hammerfall DSP MADI © RME

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Hammerfall DSP MADI. 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 dialog puts the Hammerfall DSP MADI at the very top of the range of digital audio interface cards.

The package includes drivers for Windows 2000/XP. An ALSA driver for Linux is under development (see chapter 7.5).

Our high-performance philosophy guarantees maximum system performance by executing all functions directly in hardware and not in the driver (i.e. the CPU).

2. Package Contents

Please check that your Hammerfall DSP MADI package contains each of the following:

• HDSP MADI PCI card

• HDSP MADI expansion board

• Quick Info guide

• RME Driver CD

• MIDI breakout cable

• Expansion Board ribbon cable (14-conductor)

3. System Requirements

• Windows 2000/XP, Linux

• PCI Interface: a free PCI rev. 2.1 Busmaster slot

Note: Examples and detailed descriptions of suitable audio desktop systems can be found in the Tech Info RME Reference PCs: Hardware recommendations.

4. Brief Description and Characteristics

• Hammerfall design: 0% (zero!) CPU load, even using all 128 ASIO channels

• All settings can be changed in real-time

• 8 available buffer sizes/latencies: 1.5 / 3 / 6 / 12 / 23 / 46 / 93 / 186 ms

• 32 channels 96 kHz/24 bit record/playback

• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control

• Word clock input and output

• Zero Latency Monitoring: Hardware bypass per track, controlled by Punch in/out

• Enhanced ZLM 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

• 2 x MIDI I/O, 32 channels high-speed MIDI

• DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation

• TotalMix: 8192 channel mixer with 40 bit internal resolution

• SteadyClock: Jitter-immune, super-stable digital clock

• Quick Boot technology for immediate loading of the hardware settings

User’s Guide Hammerfall DSP MADI © RME

5. Technical Specifications

5.1 Digital

General

• Clocks: Internal, MADI In, Word Clock In

• Low jitter design: < 1 ns in PLL mode, all inputs

• Internal clock: 800 ps jitter, random spread spectrum

• Jitter suppression of external clocks: about 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

• Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero

• Provides nearly jitter-free word clock directly from the MADI input signal

• Input PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter

• Sample frequencies: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 / 176.4* / 192* kHz

*Not yet supported

MIDI

• 2 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable

• 1 x MIDI I/O via MADI

• PCI bus based hi-speed operation

• Seperate 128 byte FIFO for input and output

• MIDI state machine in hardware for reduced interrupt request load

• Invisible transmission via User bit of channel 56 (up to 48 kHz)

• Invisible transmission via User bit of channel 28 (up to 96 kHz)

• Invisible transmission via User bit of channel 14 (up to 192 kHz)

5.2 Inputs

MADI

• Coaxial via BNC, 75 Ohm, according to AES10-1991

• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.2 Vpp)

• Optical via FDDI duplex SC connector

• 62.5/125 and 50/125 compatible

• Accepts 56 channel and 64 channel mode, plus 96k and 192k Frame

• Single Wire: up to 64 channels 24 bit 48 kHz

• Double Wire: up to 32 channels 24 bit 96 kHz

• Quad Wire: up to 16 channels 24 bit 192 kHz

• Lock range: 25 kHz – 54 kHz

• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns

Word Clock

• BNC, not terminated (10 kOhm)

• Switch for internal termination 75 Ohm

• Automatic Double Speed detection and internal conversion to Single Speed

• SteadyClock guarantees super low jitter synchronization even in varispeed operation

• AC-coupling, not effected by DC-offsets within the network

• Signal Adaptation Circuit: signal refresh through auto-center and hysteresis

• Overvoltage protection

• Level range: 1.0 Vss – 5.6 Vpp

• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz

• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns

User’s Guide Hammerfall DSP MADI © RME

MIDI

• 32 channels MIDI

• 5-pin DIN jacks

• Optocoupled, ground-free input

• 1 virtual MIDI port (MADI)

5.3 Outputs

MADI

• Coaxial via BNC, 75 Ohm, according to AES10-1991

• Output voltage 600 mVpp

• Output voltage 1.2 Vpp optional, via jumper

• Cable length: more than 100 m

• Optical via FDDI duplex SC connector

• 62.5/125 and 50/125 compatible

• Cable length: more than 500 m

• Generates 56 channel and 64 channel mode, plus 96k and 192k Frame*

• Single Wire: up to 64 channels 24 bit 48 kHz

• Double Wire / 96K Frame: up to 32 channels 24 bit 96 kHz

• 192K Frame: up to 16 channels 24 bit 192 kHz*

*Not yet supported

Word Clock

• BNC

• Max. output voltage: 5 Vpp

• Output voltage @ 75 Ohm: 4.0 Vpp

• Impedance: 10 Ohm

• Frequency range: 27 kHz – 56 kHz

MIDI

• 32 channels MIDI

• 5-pin DIN jacks

• 1 virtual MIDI port (MADI)

5.4 Analog

DA - Stereo Monitor Output (Phones)

• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 110 dB RMS unweighted, 112 dBA @ 44.1 kHz (unmuted)

• THD: < - 100 dB, < 0.001 %

• THD+N: < -98 dB, < 0.0015 %

• Crosstalk: > 100 dB

• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 1 Hz – 21.1 kHz

• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 1 Hz – 43.5 kHz

• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -0.5 dB: 1 Hz – 70 kHz

• Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack

• Output impedance: 50 Ohm

• Output level @ 0 dBFS: +13 dBu

User’s Guide Hammerfall DSP MADI © RME

5.5 Transfer Modes: Resolution / Bits per Sample

ASIO:

• 24 or 32 bit, 4 byte (stereo 8 byte) This format is compatible with 16-bit and 20-bit. Resolutions below 24-bit are handled by the

audio application.

MME:

• 16 bit, 2 byte (stereo 4 byte)

• 20 bit, 3 byte MSB (stereo 6 byte)

• 20 bit, 4 byte MSB (stereo 8 byte)

• 24 bit, 3 byte (stereo 6 byte)

• 24 bit, 4 byte MSB (stereo 8 byte)

• 32 bit, 4 byte (stereo 8 byte)

The card supports multi-device operation only, channel interleave operation is not supported.

6. Hardware Installation

Before installing the PCI card, please make sure the computer is switched off and the power cable is disconnected from the mains supply. Inserting or removing a PCI card while the computer is in operation will 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 HDSP MADI from its protective bag, discharge any static in your body by touching the metal chassis of the PC.

4. Connect the HDSP MADI card with the Expansion Board using the supplied flat ribbon cable. Note: The connectors on the cable cannot be plugged in the wrong way round.

5. Insert the HDSP MADI firmly into a free PCI 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.

Note: If neither word clock I/O nor MIDI I/O is required, it is not necessary to install the Expansion Board at all (i.e. leave out steps 4 and 6).

7. Driver Installation

7.1 Windows 2000/XP

After the PCI card has been installed correctly (see 6. 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 \HDSP_MADI_w2k on the RME Driver CD.

Windows will install the Hammerfall DSP System driver, and will register the card in the system as a new audio device. After a reboot the HDSP MADI is ready for use.

HDSP MADI can be easily configured using the HDSP Settings dialog (see section 10.1) In case the warning messages 'Digital signature not found', 'Do not install driver', 'not certified

driver' or similar come up: simply ignore them and continue with the installation.

In case the Hardware Wizard does not show up automatically after installation of the card, do not attempt to install the drivers manually! An installation of drivers for non-recognized hardware will cause a blue screen when booting Windows!

7.2 Driver Update

RME's driver updates often include a new madi.inf file. Also the revision number of the hardware might change (after a flash update). To prevent Windows 2000/XP from using an old madi.inf, or to copy some of the old driver files, be sure NOT to let Windows search for the driver! Instead tell Windows what to do.

Under Control Panel /System /Device Manager /Sound, Video and Game Controllers /RME Hammerfall DSP MADI/Properties /Driver you'll find the 'Update Driver' button. Select 'Install

from a list or specific location (advanced)', click 'Next', select 'Don't search I will choose the driver to install', click 'Next', then 'Have Disk'. Now point to the driver update's directory.

7.3 Flash Update

The Flash Update Tool updates the HDSP MADI's hardware to the latest version. It requires an already installed driver.

Start the program fut_madi_xxx.exe. The Flash Update Tool displays the current version of the HDSP MADI (200 or up), and whether it needs an update or not. If so, then simply press the 'Update' button. A progress bar shows how several actions are performed. When the flash update process is finished, 'Success' will be displayed.

If more than one interface cards are installed, all cards can be flashed by changing to the next tab and repeating the process.

After the update the PCI card needs to be resettet. This is done by powering down and shutting off the PC. A warm boot is not enough.

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.

Note for Windows 2000/XP users: Because of the changed hardware revision, Windows 2000/XP will start the hardware assistant and wants to install new drivers. Do NOT let Windows search for new drivers, but follow the instructions given in chapter 7.2 and manually perform a driver update.

7.4 Deinstalling the Drivers

A deinstallation of the HDSP's 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 additonal autorun entries of TotalMix, the Settings dialog, and the registering of the ASIO driver. Those entries can be removed from the registry through a software deinstallation request. This request can be found (like all deinstallation entries) in Control Panel, Software. Click on the entry 'RME Hammerfall DSP MADI'.

7.5 Linux/Unix

An ALSA driver for Linux/Unix is already under development and should be available soon. Even TotalMix has been ported to Linux. Further information on ALSA is available at

http://www.alsa-project.org

8. Connectors

8.1 Overview

HDSP MADI consists of the main PCI board and an Expansion Board. All the essential electronics are located on the PCI card, so it will also work without the Expansion Board.

The main board's bracket has two MADI interfaces, optical and coaxial input and output each, a MADI erro LED and the analog line/headphone output. Configuration of inputs and outputs is done via the Settings dialog (started by clicking on the hammer symbol in the system tray).

Identical signals are available at both the optical and the coaxial output. An obvious use for this would be to simply connect two devices, i.e. using the HDSP MADI as a splitter.

The Expansion Board's bracket has the word clock input and output. Next to the input BNC socket, a green LED displays the word clock input's lock status. Between the BNC sockets, word clock termination can be activated and verified by a yellow LED.

The included breakout cable is connected to the 9-pin Mini-DIN connector and provides two MIDI inputs and outputs.

8.2 MADI I/Os

The BNC input's ground-free design is built according to AES10-1991. The input impedance is 75 Ohm. It will operate error-free from about 180 mVpp.

The optical input and output uses a FDDI (ISO/IEC 9413-3) compatible optical module, according to AES10-1991. More information can be found in chapter 18, MADI Basics.

HDSP MADI includes automatic input selection (Safe Mode Input). In case the current input signal fails, the unit switches to the other input immediately. This mode, called redundancy mode, offers improved safety against errors on the transmission line. Switching the inputs is done in about one second. Redundancy operation is disaplayed in the Settings dialog.

The BNC output is built according to AES10-1991. The output's impedance is 75 Ohm. The output voltage will be 600 mVpp when terminated with 75 Ohm. Changing the internal blue jumper X4 to the upper position, the output voltage is increased to 1.2 Vpp. This setting is not intended to be used in normal operation. But in case of a very long or 'lossy' coaxial cable, this setting may ensure an error-free operation of the transmission line.

8.3 Word Clock I/O

HDSP MADI includes SteadyClock, guaranteeing 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 BNC output (see section 19).

Input

The transformer-isolated word clock input is loacated on the Expansion Board. It is activated via Pref. Sync Ref / Wordclock. As soon as a valid word clock signal is detected, the green 'Lock' LED beside the input jack lights up, and in the Settings dialog the field AutoSync Ref shows Word. Below the detected frequency of the word clock is shown.

The word clock input is shipped as high impedance type (not terminated). A push switch allows to activate internal termination (75 Ohms). The switch is found between the BNC jacks. Use a small pencil or similar and carefully push the blue switch so that it snaps into its lock position. When termination is active the yellow TERM LED will be lit. Another push will release it again and de-activate the termination.

Due to the HDSP MADI's outstanding clock control a synchronization of the output signal to the input signal is not only possible at identical sample rates, but also at half, quarter, double and quad sample rates.

Example 1: A playback or recording at 44.1 kHz can be synchronized via an external signal of

44.1 kHz, 88.2 kHz or 176.4 kHz.

Example 2: A playback or recording at 192 kHz can be synchronized via an external signal of 48 kHz, 96 kHz or 192 kHz.

The input accepts all those frequencies fully automatically. Thanks to RME's Signal Adaptation Circuit, the word clock input still works correctly even with

heavily mis-shaped, dc-prone, too small or overshoot-prone signals. Thanks to automatic signal centering, 300 mV (0.3V) input level are sufficient in principle. An additional hysteresis reduces sensitivity to 1.0 V, so that over- and undershoots and high frequency disturbances don't cause a wrong trigger.

Output

The word clock output of the HDSP MADI is always active. It provides the current sample frequency of the HDSP MADI as word clock signal. As long as the HDSP MADI operates in 'Master' mode (field 'Clock Mode'), the word clock will be fixed to the current sample rate. In 'AutoSync' mode the sample rate is identical to the one present at the currently chosen input (Pref. Sync Ref). Without a valid input signal, the card will change between the inputs automatically. As long as no valid input signal is found, the card will stay in Master mode. This way, the card will always generate a valid output signal.

The word clock signal received by the HDSP MADI can be distributed to other devices by using the word clock output. With this the usual T-adapter can be avoided, and the HDSP MADI operates as Signal Refresher. This kind of operation is highly recommended, because

• Input and output are phase-locked and in phase (0°) to each other

• SteadyClock removes nearly all jitter from the input signal

• the exceptional input (1 Vpp sensitivity instead of the usual 2.5 Vpp, dc cut, Signal

Adaptation Circuit) plus SteadyClock guarantee a secure function also with most critical word clock signals.

8.4 Analog Output

HDSP MADI offers a hi-quality analog monitor output. The short circuit protected stereo line output provides high output level, low impedance, and is available via a 6.3 mm (1/4") TRS jack. Therefore it is also suitable for a direct use with headphones.

The analog output is directly driven from the channels 63/64. Its output volume is controlled by the hardware output faders of channel 63/64 in TotalMix. Additionally the analog output can play back any input or playback signal (submix, for example Preset 5, 6 and 7).

RME's unique Speaker Protection reduces noise when switching the computer on and off, so there is no problem even when using active monitors.

In case the output should operate as line out, 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.

8.5 MIDI

Hammerfall DSP MADI offers two MIDI I/Os via 5-pin DIN jacks. The MIDI ports are added to the system by the driver. Using MIDI capable software, these ports can be accessed as MADI MIDI In 1 (1), MADI MIDI In 2 (2), MADI MIDI Out 1 (1) and MADI MIDI Out 2 (2). The brackets include the card number.

The MIDI inputs can not operate multiclient, so a MIDI input signal can not be distributed to several programs at the same time. Such a functionality can be achieved with third party tools.

The third MIDI port, MADI MIDI In 3 (1) and MADI MIDI Out 3 (1), receives and transmits MIDI data via MADI. This allows for a direct communication between systems with HDSP MADI cards. Additionally MIDI data can be transmitted from/to RME's ADI-648. Also the ADI-648 can be MIDI remote controlled without any additional line or cabling between computer (MADI card) and ADI-648.

8.6 Internal Jumper

The internal blue jumper X4 is neither input nor output. It allows to change the voltage level at the coaxial MADI output. In the lower position, the card generates 600 mVpp (according to the specification). in case of a very long or 'lossy' coaxial cable, a higher output level might help to maintain an error-free operation. In the upper position, the output level is 1.2 Vpp.

9. Operation and Usage

9.1 Playback

The HDSP 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, 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 recommend using 24-bit resolution for playback, to make full use of the HDSP’s potential.

We strongly recommend switching all system sounds off (via >Control Panel /Sounds<). Also HDSP should not be the Preferred Device for playback, as this could cause loss of synchronization and unwanted noises. If you feel you cannot do without system sounds, you should consider buying a cheap Blaster clone and select this as Preferred Device in >Control Panel /Multimedia /Audio<.

The RME Driver CD includes step by step instructions for configuring many popular audio applications, found in the directory \rmeaudio.web\english\techinfo\conf.

The screenshot to the right shows a typical configuration dialog as displayed by a (stereo) wave editor. After selecting one of the 32 playback devices, audio data is sent to the according audio 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’. Even at higher buffer settings in a mixed Audio/MIDI environment, sync problems will not arise because the Hammerfall DSP always reports the current play position correctly (even while recording essential for chase lock synchronization).

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Rme MADIWIN User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual