Thank you for choosing the Hammerfall DSP. This unique audio system is capable of
transferring digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any device equipped with
a digital audio interface, be it S/PDIF, AES/EBU or ADAT optical. Installation is simple, even
for the inexperienced user, thanks to the latest Plug and Play technology and full interruptsharing. The numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts the
Hammerfall DSP at the very top of the range of digital audio interface cards.
The package includes drivers for Windows 98/2000/XP and MacOS. An ALSA driver for Linux
is planned to be available soon (see chapter 7.4).
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 System's package contains each of the following:
PCI Interface:
• PCI card HDSP
• Quick Info guide
• RME Driver CD
• Cable IEEE1394, 4.5 m (15 ft)
• Internal cable (3 pin)
CardBus Interface:
• CardBus card
• Quick Info guide
• RME Driver CD
• Cable CardBus to IEEE1394, 4.5 m (15 ft)
• 12 V car cable
• Battery cable
• Power supply 12 V / 1.25 A and power cord
Multiface:
• I/O-box Multiface
• Quick Info guide
• RME Driver CD
• 1 optical cable (TOSLINK), 2 m (6.6 ft)
3. System Requirements
• Windows 98/SE/ME, Windows 2000/XP, Linux, MacOS 9.x
• PCI Interface: a free PCI rev. 2.1 Busmaster slot
• CardBus Interface: a free PCMCIA Slot type II, CardBus-compatible
Note: Examples and detailed descriptions of suitable audio desktop systems can be found in
the Tech Info RME Reference PCs: Hardware recommendations. Information on compatibility
and performance of notebooks/laptops is included in RMEs Tech Infos about notebooks, HDSP System – Notebook Basics and Tests.
• Signal to Noise ratio: 101 dB RMS unweighted, 106 dBA
• THD: < -107 dB, < 0.00045 %
• THD+N: < -96 dB, < 0.0016 %
• Crosstalk: > 120 dB
• Analog headroom prior to AD conversion: 13 dB
• Frequency response AD @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 20.7 kHz
• Frequency response AD @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 32 kHz
• Input Line: 1/4" TRS jack, servo balanced
• Input impedance Line: > 5 kOhm
• Input sensitivity through jumper: Lo Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ Lo Gain: +19 dBu
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
DA
• Resolution DA: 24 Bit
• Signal to Noise ratio: 108 dB RMS unweighted, 111 dBA (unmuted)
• THD: < - 98 dB, < 0.0013 %
• THD+N: < -91 dB, < 0.002 %
• Crosstalk: > 100 dB
• Maximum output level DA: +19 dBu
• Frequency response DA @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 20.9 kHz
• Frequency response DA @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 35 kHz
• Output Line: 1/4" TRS jack, servo balanced
• Output impedance Line: 47 Ohm
• Output level through jumper: Hi Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
5.3 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)
Channel Interleave operation is not supported. The transfer of Channel Status bits and RME’s
TMS (Track Marker Support) will be available in a future driver update. Until then DIGICheck’s
Channel Status Display is deactivated.
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 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 card from its protective bag, discharge any static in your
body by touching the metal chassis of the PC.
4. Insert the PCI card firmly into a free PCI slot, press and fasten the screw.
5. Replace the computer's housing.
6. Reconnect all cables including the power cord.
7. Connect PCI interface and Multiface using the supplied cable (IEEE1394). This is a
standard Firewire cable (6-pin).
6.2 CardBus Card
Before inserting the CardBus card make sure the complete HDSP system is ready for
operation!
1. Connect the CardBus card with the Multiface using the supplied cable.
2. Insert the CardBus card with the Hammer logo up into a PCMCIA slot.
3. Plug the power jack of the supplied switching power supply into the connector labeled AUX,
on the rear of the Multiface.
4. Connect power cord to power supply, plug into AC outlet. The green LED of the power
supply and the red LED of the Multiface will light up.
5. Switch on the notebook and boot the operating system.
The small 15-pin connector of the CardBus card is coded. Only the supplied special cable
can be plugged in, and only when the metal sleeve is up. Any kind of violence when
plugging in and out can cause damage to the CardBus card.
After the interface has been installed correctly, connected to the Multiface (see 6. Hardware
Installation), and the computer has been switched on, Windows will recognize the new
hardware component and start its ‘Add New 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_w98 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. The computer should now be re-booted.
Unfortunately, there are rare cases where the CD-ROM path (i.e. its drive-letter) has to be
typed in again during the copy process.
Multiface can be easily configured using the HDSP System’s Settings dialog (see section 9.1)
7.2 Windows 2000/XP
After the interface has been installed correctly, connected to the Multiface (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 CDROM drive, and follow further instructions which appear on your computer screen. The driver
files are located in the directory \HDSP_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 Multiface is ready for use.
Multiface can be configured easily using the HDSP System’s settings dialog (see section 9.1)
In case the warning messages 'Digital signature not found', 'Do not install driver', 'not certified
driver' or similar come up: Don't listen to Microsoft, listen to us and continue with the
installation.
7.3 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 Tray Tools', or 'RME Hammerfall DSP'.
7.4 Linux/Unix
An ALSA driver for Linux/Unix is planned to be available soon. Further information on ALSA is
available at
The front of the I/O-box Multiface has the MIDI input and output, the analog stereo output of
the digital mixer, and several status LEDs:
MIDI State indicates sent or received data for the MIDI port
Input State indicates a valid input signal separately for each input. RME’s exclusive
SyncCheck shows through a blinking LED, which of the input signals is locked, but not in sync
to the others. See chapter 9.2, Clock Modes - Synchronisation.
The red HOST LED lights up when the power supply or the computer is switched on, thus
signalling the presence of operating voltage. At the same time it operates as Error LED, in case
the I/O-box wasn’t initialised, or the connection to the interface has been interrupted (Error,
cable not connected etc.).
Phones is a low impedance line output of highest quality, which can produce a sufficient
volume undistorted even when used with headphones.
The back of the Multiface has the 8 analog inputs and outputs, the power supply connector
AUX (only needed in CardBus operation), and all digital inputs and outputs:
ADAT I/O (TOSLINK), 1 to 3. The ADAT1 I/O can also be used for optical SPDIF, if this mode
is selected in the Settings dialog.
SPDIF I/O coaxial (phono)
Word clock I/O (BNC)
ADAT Sync In (D-sub 9-pin)
The SPDIF inputs are selected via the Settings dialog (started by clicking on the hammer
symbol in the system tray). The HDSP system accepts the commonly used digital audio
formats, SPDIF as well as AES/EBU. Channel status and copy protection are ignored.
In SPDIF mode, identical signals are available at both the optical and the coaxial outputs. An
obvious use for this would be simply connecting two devices, i.e. using the HDSP as a splitter
(distribution 1 on 2).
To receive signals in AES/EBU format,
an adapter cable is required. Pins 2 and 3
of a XLR plug are connected individually
to the two pins of a phono plug. The
cable shielding is only connected to pin 1
of the XLR - not to the phono plug.
The ground-free design using transformers for digital inputs and outputs enables trouble-free
connection even to AES/EBU devices, and perfect hum rejection.
The HDSP system can play back audio data only in supported formats (sample rate, bit
resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22 kHz and 8 bit).
In the audio application being used, HDSP must be selected as output device. This can often
be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Audio Devices, Audio etc. We 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. Audio data
is sent to either an
analog or digital port,
depending on which
has been selected as
playback device.
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).
The HDSP system’s ADAT optical interface allows sample rates of up to 96 kHz using a
standard ADAT recorder. Single-channel data at this frequency requires two ADAT channels,
achieved using the ‘Sample Split’ technique. This reduces the number of available ADAT
channels from 8 to 4. Under Windows MME, channels are routed to ADAT devices in doublespeed mode as follows:
• Only stereo pairs (1+2) and (3+4) of the ADAT port are available
• Channel 1 is routed to channels 1 and 2, channel 2 is routed to 3 and 4 etc.
Please refer to the diagram ‘ADAT Track Routing, MME 96 kHz’, section 23. Routing for record
and playback is identical.
When using popular DVD software player like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data stream
can be send to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver, using the HDSP's SPDIF output. For this to
work the SPDIF output wave device has to be selected in 'Control Panel/Sounds and
Multimedia/Audio'. Also check 'use preferred device only'.
You will notice that the DVD software's audio properties now allow to use 'SPDIF Out' or to
'activate SPDIF output'. When selecting these, the software will transfer the non-decoded
digital multichannel data stream using the RME card.
This 'SPDIF' signal sounds like chopped noise at highest level. Therefore check 'Non-audio' in
the card's Settings dialog, to prevent most SPDIF receivers from accepting the signal, and to
prevent any attached equipment from being damaged.
Setting the card to be used as system playback device is against common sense, as
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 to disable
any system sounds (tab Sounds, scheme 'No audio').
Note: The DVD player will be synced backwards from the RME card. This means when using
AutoSync and/or word clock, the playback speed and pitch follows the incoming clock signal.
8.4 Low Latency under MME (Buffer Size Adjustment)
Using Windows 95 or 98 the MME buffer size was nothing to worry about. Latencies below 46
ms were not possible. Meanwhile both computers and operating system have become much
more powerful, and since Windows ME/2000/XP latencies far lower can be used. SAWStudio
and Sonar allowed to use such low settings from the start. Sequoia was updated in version
5.91, WaveLab in version 3.04.
In the HDSP's Settings dialog the MME buffersize (in fact the DMA buffer size) is set with the
same buttons as the ASIO buffer size. Our test computers allow to use settings down to 64
samples without clicks. Please note that this setting only defines the buffer size of the
hardware. The true and effective latency is configured within the MME application!
Attention: the DMA buffers must not be larger than the application's buffers. This case can
happen unnoticed when using ASIO and MME at the same time (multi-client) and setting
ASIO to 186 ms, while the buffers in the MME application are still set for a lower latency.
Playback will be stuttering and audio will be distorted.
Example: when you set the Hammerfall to 512 you can't use 128 in any program. But setting
DMA to 128 allows to use 128 and all higher values within the software.
Please also note that this is a 'you're welcome to try' feature. We can't guarantee that you will
be able to use 3 or 6 ms with MME. Simply check out by yourself which lowest setting your
system and software allows. Some motherboards with insufficient PCI bandwidth (especially
VIA based) suffer from crackling at settings below 512. Be sure to set the buffer size to 512 or
higher in such a case.
Unlike analog soundcards which produce empty wave files (or noise) when no input signal is
present, digital I/O cards always need a valid input signal to start recording.
To take this into account, RME has included three unique features in the Hammerfall DSP
system: a comprehensive I/O signal status display (showing sample frequency, lock and sync
status) in the Settings dialog, status LEDs for each input, and the protective Check Input
function.
If a 48 kHz signal is fed to the input and the application is set to 44.1 kHz, Check Input stops
the system from recording. This prevents faulty takes, which often go unnoticed until later on in
the production. Such tracks appear to have the wrong playback rate - the audio quality as such
is not affected.
The sample frequency shown in the Settings dialog (see chapter 9, screenshot Settings) is
useful as a quick display of the current configuration (the board itself and all connected external
equipment). If no sample frequency is recognized, it will read ‘No Lock’.
With this configuring any suitable audio application for digital recording is simple. After
selecting the required input, Hammerfall DSP displays the current sample frequency. This
parameter can then be changed in the application’s audio attributes (or similar) dialogue.
The screenshot to the right shows a typical dialog
used for changing basic parameters such as
sample frequency and resolution in an audio
application.
Any bit resolution can be selected, providing it is
supported by both the audio hardware and the
software. Even if the input signal is 24 bit, the
application can still be set to record at 16-bit
resolution. The lower 8 bits (and therefore any
signals about 96dB below maximum level) are
lost entirely. On the other hand, there is nothing
to gain from recording a 16-bit signal at 24-bit
resolution - this would only waste precious space
on the hard disk.
It often makes sense to monitor the input signal or send it directly to the output. This can be
done at zero latency using TotalMix (see chapter 15).
TotalMix also includes a useful automatic real-time monitor function, see chapter 15.8 for
details. Activating record in the application causes the input signal to be routed according to the
current mixer settings.
Currently two solutions exist which enable an automated control of real-time monitoring. ZLM
(Zero Latency Monitoring) allows monitoring in Punch I/O mode - with this the system behaves
like a tape machine. This method has been implemented in all versions of Samplitude (by
SEK’D), and can be activated using the global track option 'Hardware monitoring during Punch'.
The other solution is Steinberg’s ASIO protocol with our ASIO 2.0 drivers and all ASIO 2.0
compatible programs. When 'ASIO Direct Monitoring' has been switched on the input signal is
routed in real-time to the output whenever Record is started.
For recordings via the analog inputs the corresponding record device has to be chosen (HDSP
Analog (x+x)). Apart from the internal jumpers which set the basic operating level, the Multiface
has no means to change the input level. This would make no sense for the digital inputs, but
also for the analog inputs one can do without it. It doesn't matter if the Multiface is operated at
a mixing desk or a multichannel Mic preamp, in either case the level can be controlled directly
at the source to match the Multiface's sensitivity perfectly.
The input sensitivity of the analog inputs can be changed through internal jumpers to meet the
most often used studio levels, see next chapter.
8.7 Analog Inputs
The Multiface provides 8 balanced Line inputs via 1/4" TRS (stereo) jacks. The electronic input
stage is built in a servo balanced design which handles monaural and stereo jacks correctly.
When used unbalanced it automatically corrects the gain by 6 dB.
When using unbalanced cables with stereo TRS jacks, the 'ring' contact of the cable's jack
should be connected to pin 1 (ground). Otherwise noise may occur, caused by the
unconnected negative input of the balanced input.
One of the main issues when working with an AD-converter is to maintain the full dynamic
range within the best operating level. Therefore the Multiface includes internal jumpers which
allow a perfect adaptation for all 8 channels seperately to the three most often used studio
levels.
The 'standardized' studio levels do not result in a (often desired) full scale level, but take some
additional digital headroom into consideration. The amount of headroom is different in different
standards and again differently implemented by different manufacturers. Because of this we
decided to define the levels of the Multiface in a most compatible way.
Reference 0 dBFS @ Headroom
Lo Gain +19 dBu 15 dB
+4 dBu +13 dBu 9 dB
-10 dBV +2 dBV 12 dB
The device ships with +4 dBu as factory default. The according headroom meets the latest
EBU recommendations for Broadcast usage. At -10 dBV 12 to 15 dB headroom are common
practice, each mixing desk operating at -10 dBV is able to send and receive much higher
levels. Lo Gain allows to work with high levels, best suited for professional users who prefer to
work balanced and at highest levels.
Information on how to change the jumpers can be found in chapter 9.3.