RME Audio DIGI9652 Instruction Manual
®
User’s Guide
Project Hammerfall
DIGI 9652
®
24 Bit / 96 kHz üü
SyncAlign
ZLM® SyncCheck®
PCI Busmaster Digital I/O Card
2 + 24 Channels Stereo / ADAT Interface
24 Bit / 96 kHz Digital Audio
ADAT Sync In
Board Rev. 1.5/1.6, Hardware Version 003
Contents
1 Introduction............................................................ 3
2 Package Contents.................................................. 3
3 System Requirements ............................................ 3
4 Brief Description and Characteristics................... 3
5 Technical Specifications
5.1 Digital.................................................................... 4
5.2 Digital Connections ............................................... 4
5.3 Transfer Modes: Resolution/Bits per Sample......... 4
6 Hardware Installation............................................. 5
7 Driver Installation
7.1 Windows 98/SE/ME............................................... 5
7.2 Windows NT.......................................................... 5
7.3 Windows 2000/XP................................................. 6
7.4 Deinstalling the Drivers ......................................... 6
7.5 Linux/Unix............................................................. 6
8 Operation and Usage
8.1 External Connections ............................................ 7
8.2 Internal Connections.............................................. 8
8.3 Windows MME Playback....................................... 9
8.4 Windows MME Recording ....................................10
8.5 DVD-Playback (AC-3) under MME........................11
8.6 Low Latency under MME......................................11
9 Configuring the Hammerfall
9.1 General Information..............................................12
9.2 Clock Modes - Synchronization.............................14
10 Word Clock
10.1 Technical Description and Usage........................16
10.2 Cables and Termination......................................16
10.3 General Operation..............................................17
11 Using more than one Hammerfall.........................17
12 Special Characteristics of the SPDIF Output.......17
13 Operation under ASIO 2.0
13.1 General ..............................................................18
13.2 Performance.......................................................18
13.3 Synchronization..................................................19
13.4 Known Problems ................................................20
14 Operation under GSIF
14.1 Windows 98/ME/XP............................................20
14.2 Windows 2000/XP ..............................................20
15 Hotline - Troubleshooting
15.1 General..............................................................21
15.2 Installation..........................................................22
16 DIGICheck..............................................................23
17 Accessories...........................................................23
18 TECH INFO ............................................................24
19 Warranty ................................................................24
20 Appendix ...............................................................25
21 Diagramme
21.1 Block Diagram....................................................26
21.2 Pin assignment of the cable adapter...................26
21.3 ADAT Track routing ASIO 96 kHz ......................27
21.4 ADAT Track routing MME 96 kHz.......................28
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the DIGI9652. This card is capable of transferring digital audio
data directly to a computer from practically any device equipped with a digital audio interface,
be it SPDIF, AES/EBU or ADAT optical. Installation is simple, even for the inexperienced user,
thanks to the latest Plug and Play technology and full interrupt-sharing. The numerous unique
features and well thought-out configuration dialogue puts the DIGI9652 at the very top of
the range of digital audio interface cards.
The package includes drivers for Windows (98/NT/2000/XP) and MacOS. An ALSA driver for
Linux or Unix is also available (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 DIGI9652 package contains each of the following:
• DIGI9652 PCI card
• 9652 expansion board
• Quick Info guide
• RME Driver CD
• Adapter cable (D-type to D-type/phono)
• Internal cable (2-core)
• Flat ribbon cable (10-core)
• 2 optical cable (TOSLINK), 2 m (6.6 ft)
3. System Requirements
• Windows 98/NT/2000/XP, MacOS or Linux
• A free PCI rev. 2.1 Busmaster slot
• For word clock and third ADAT I/O: An unused slot in the rear panel of the computer
4. Brief Description and Characteristics
• PCI Busmaster interface with additional burst FIFO
• Hammerfall design: 0% (zero!) CPU load, even using all 52 ASIO channels
• All settings can be changed in real-time
• Enhanced mixed mode: ADAT In, SPDIF In, and all outputs can be used simultaneously
• 8 available buffer sizes/latencies: 1.5 / 3 / 6 / 12 / 23 / 46 / 93 / 186 ms
• Sample Split technology for 12 channel, 96 kHz/24-bit record/playback via ADAT optical
• Slave and master clock modes
• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
• Unsurpassed Bitclock PLL (audio synchronization) in ADAT mode
• Word clock input and output
• ADAT Sync in (9-pin D-type) for sample-accurate transfer
• Zero Latency Monitoring: Hardware bypass per track, controlled by Punch in/out
• Enhanced ZLM prevents noises during asynchronous full duplex transfer
• SyncAlign guarantees sample aligned and never swapping channels
• SyncCheck tests and reports the synchronization status of input signals
• Full interrupt-sharing
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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5. Technical Specifications
5.1 Digital
• Ultra-low jitter S/PDIF: < 1 ns in PLL mode (44.1 kHz, optical in)
• Ultra-low jitter ADAT: < 2 ns in PLL mode (44.1 kHz, optical in)
• Input PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 40 ns jitter
• Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed operation in ADAT mode
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.2 Vss input level)
• Output voltage 0.8V (consumer mode, phono) or 2.3V (professional mode)
• Sample frequencies: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 88.2 / 96 kHz and variable (wordclock) supported
5.2 Digital Interface
• Phono input and output ground-free transformer coupled
• Connectors: optical (TOSLINK), phono, internal (CD-ROM/Sync in, Sync out)
• Clocks: ADAT Sync In, word clock I/O
• Formats: S/PDIF (Consumer and Professional), ADAT optical
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. The card works internally with 32-bit data, but audio data transfer is limited to
24-bits. As no additional Channel Status bits are transferred RME’s TMS (Track Marker
Support) is not available. Furthermore, DIGICheck’s Channel Status Display is deactivated.
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. As no additional Channel Status bits are
transferred RME’s TMS (Track Marker Support) is not available. Furthermore, DIGICheck’s
Channel Status Display is deactivated.
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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6. Hardware Installation
Before installing the DIGI9652, 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 DIGI9652 from its protective bag, discharge any static
in your body by touching the metal chassis of the PC.
4. Connect the DIGI9652 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 DIGI9652 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 nor a third ADAT 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 98/SE/ME
After the hardware 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 ‘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
\Hammerfall W98 on the RME Driver CD.
Windows will install the DIGI9652 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.
The Hammerfall is configured using the DIGI9652 driver’s Settings dialog (see section 9.1)
7.2 Windows NT
As automatic hardware recognition has not been implemented in Windows NT 4.0 the drivers
have to be installed ‘by hand’.
After the hardware has been installed correctly (see 6. Hardware Installation) and Windows NT
has been booted, insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive. Register the new device
by starting >Control Panel /Multimedia /Devices /Audio Devices /Add<. Change the directory to
\Nt in the CD-ROM. Windows NT will now install the driver. The RME Settings dialog will open
automatically.
A click on ‘OK’ finishes the installation. After a reboot the DIGI symbol will show up in the
systray of the taskbar. The DIGITray tool will be loaded automatically each time when booting
NT.
A left mouse click on the DIGI96 symbol starts the 'Settings' dialog. The NT driver supports any
combination of up to three RME cards. The driver is installed only once for all cards in the
system.
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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7.3 Windows 2000/XP
After the hardware 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
\Hammerfall W2k on the RME Driver CD.
Windows will install the DIGI9652 driver, and will register the card in the system as a new
audio device. The computer should now be re-booted.
The Hammerfall is configured using the DIGI9652 driver’s Settings dialog (see section 9.1)
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 Tray Tools', or 'RME Hammerfall DSP'.
7.5 Linux/Unix
An ALSA driver for Linux/Unix and further information on ALSA is available at
http://www.alsa-project.org
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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8. Operation and Usage
8.1 External Connections
Project Hammerfall 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 ADAT
optical inputs and two
ADAT optical outputs,
as well as a 9-pin D-type
socket. Coaxial S/PDIF
input and output
requires plugging in the
adapter cable, whereby
the red phono socket is
the output. The ADAT1
I/O next to the D-type socket can also be used for optical SPDIF, if this mode is selected in the
Settings dialog.
An input is selected via the Settings dialog (started by clicking on the hammer symbol in the
system tray). Hammerfall 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 DIGI9652 as a
splitter.
To receive signals in AES/EBU format,
an adapter cable is required. Pins 2 and 3
of a female 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 to all devices, and perfect hum rejection.
The Expansion Board's
bracket gives access to
a third ADAT optical
input and output as well
as word clock I/O. Next
to the two BNC sockets
is an LED, which
displays the word clock
input lock status.
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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8.2 Internal Connections
The internal digital input (connector ST3 on the circuit board, CD IN) can be connected to the
digital output of an internal CD-ROM drive. This allows for a direct transfer of digital audio data
within the computer.
Since board revision 1.5 it also allows to use an AEBx-I, when a 3-wire cable connects ST7 on
both AEBx-I and Hammerfall.
Additionally board revision 1.5/1.6 offers two internal outputs, labeled ADAT1OUT (ST5) und
ADAT2OUT (ST9). These can be used to operate one AEBx-O each, for a maximum of 16
analog outputs. The audio data are the same as on the corresponding optical output.
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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8.3 Windows MME Playback
The Hammerfall 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, DIGI9652 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
DIGI9652’s potential.
We strongly recommend switching all system sounds off (via >Control Panel /Sounds<). Also
Hammerfall 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 dialogue
as displayed by a
(stereo) wave editor.
After selecting a
device, audio data is
sent either to S/PDIF
or to the ADAT ports,
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 DIGI9652 always reports the
current play position correctly (even while recording - essential for chase lock synchronization).
The DIGI9652 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 24 to 12. Under Windows MME, channels are routed to ADAT devices in doublespeed mode as follows:
• Only stereo pairs (1+2) and (3+4) of each 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 21. Routing for record
and playback is identical.
User’s Guide DIGI9652 © RME
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