RME Audio DIGI96/8 PAD Instruction Manual
®
®
User's Guide
DIGI 96/8 PAD
24 Bit / 96 kHz üü
SyncAlign
ZLM
PCI Bus Audio Card
2 / 8 Channels Stereo / ADAT® Interface
24 Bit / 96 kHz Digital Audio
32-96 kHz Sample Rate
24 Bit / 96 kHz Analog Audio
Board Rev. 1.6, Hardware version 004
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 Analog................................................................... 4
5.3 Digital Interface..................................................... 4
5.4 Transfer Modes: Resolution/Bits per Sample......... 4
6 Hardware Installation............................................. 5
7 Software Installation
7.1 Windows 98/SE/ME............................................... 5
7.2 Windows NT.......................................................... 5
7.3 Windows 2000/XP................................................. 6
7.4 Driver Deinstallation.............................................. 6
7.5 Linux/Unix............................................................. 6
8 Operation and Usage
8.1 External Connectors.............................................. 7
8.2 Internal Connectors............................................... 7
8.3 Playback (Windows MME)..................................... 8
8.4 Recording Digital (Windows MME)........................ 9
8.5 Recording Analog.................................................10
8.6 Record while Play ................................................10
8.7 DVD Playback (AC-3/DTS) under MME................10
8.8 Low Latency under MME......................................11
9 Configuring the DIGI 96/8 PAD
9.1 General................................................................12
9.2 Force Adat ...........................................................14
9.3 Analog Output......................................................14
9.4 Tab Mode.............................................................15
9.5 Boot Option ADAT................................................15
9.6 Clock Modes - Synchronization ............................16
10 Using more than one DIGI 96/8 PAD....................17
11 Special Features of the Digital Output.................18
12 Notes on the ADAT Interface................................19
13 Multiclient Operation
13.1 General..............................................................19
13.2 Multichannel DirectSound...................................20
14 Operation under ASIO 2.0
14.1 General..............................................................21
14.2 Buffer Size - Latency ..........................................22
14.3 Known Problems................................................22
15 Operation under GSIF
15.1 Windows 98/SE/ME............................................23
15.2 Windows 2000/XP..............................................23
16 Hotline – Troubleshooting
16.1 General..............................................................24
16.2 Installation..........................................................25
17 DIGICheck..............................................................26
18 TECH INFO ............................................................26
19 Warranty ................................................................27
20 Appendix ...............................................................27
21 Diagrams................................................................28
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the RME DIGI96/8 PAD. This card is capable of transferring
digital and analog audio data directly from DAT, Sampler or other sources to your computer.
Installation is simple, even for the inexperienced user, thanks to latest Plug & Play technology
and full interrupt-sharing. Numerous unique features and a well thought-out configuration dialog
have turned the DIGI96 series into a renowned and accepted industry standard.
Drivers for Windows (95/98, NT, 2000, XP) and MacOS (> 8.6) allow a problem-free, comfortable and powerful usage on computer systems with PCI bus technology. Drivers for Unix, Linux and Solaris are also available (see chapter 7.5). With this the DIGI96 series is supported
by a variety of Operating Systems like no other digital audio card.
Our Hi-Performance philosophy guarantees full system performance in all possible functions
not carried out by the driver (the computer´s CPU), but carried out by the DIGI96 series hardware.
2. Package Contents
Please ensure that all the following parts are included in DIGI96/8 PAD’s packaging box:
• PCI card DIGI96/8 PAD
• Quick Info guide
• RME Driver CD
• Adapter cable (D-type - XLR/Phono)
• Internal cable (2 core)
3. System Requirements
• Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP, Linux or MacOS
• A free PCI bus slot
Additional system requirements such as CPU, memory etc. depend on the software being used
for recording, playing and editing the audio data.
4. Brief Description and Characteristics
• All settings can be changed in real-time, all output options even in playback mode
• Separate record- and playback circuits; complete master mode
• Enhanced Full Duplex: Different sample rates at input and output possible
• Mixed mode: ADAT in - SPDIF out and vice versa
• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
• Unsurpassed Bitclock-PLL (audio synchronization) in ADAT mode
• Optional Word Clock Module (WCM) provides word clock input and output
• Track Marker Support: Supports CD/DAT Start-IDs and read out of CD subcode
• Comes with DIGICheck: the ultimate measurement, analysis and test tool
• ADAT tracks routeable to analog output
• Enhanced Zero Latency Monitoring: hardware bypass per track, controlled by Punch-I/O
• SyncAlign guarantees sample aligned and never swapping channels
• Full interrupt-sharing
• Windows driver with Pentium optimization (quad times memory transfer)
• 32 bit memory transfer and fast 128 kB SRAM guarantee very low system load
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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5. Technical Specifications
5.1 Digital
• Ultra-low jitter SPDIF: < 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 in ADAT mode
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.2 Vss input level)
• Output voltage 0.8V (phono), 3.5V (XLR)
• Supported sample rates: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 64 / 88.2 / 96 kHz and variable (word clock)
• Supports all known formats mono/stereo from 16 to 24 bit
• Supports all known multi channel formats from 16 to 24 bit
5.2 Analog
• Input sensitivity adjustable through jumper +4 dBu / -10 dBV
• Dynamic range input: 105 dB (RMS unweighted, unmuted), 109 dBA
• THD+N input: < -100 dB / < 0.001 %
• Frequency response AD, -0.1 dB: 10 Hz - 20,3 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz)
• Frequency response AD, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 44,8 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
• Sample rates record: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 64 / 88.2 / 96 kHz and variable (word clock)
• Input impedance: 10 kOhm
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Analog output fixed +10 / +4 / -2 / -8 dBu @ 0 dBFS, and variable (fader)
• Dynamic range output: 108 dB (RMS unweighted, unmuted), 112 dBA
• THD+N output: -100 dB / 0.001%
• Frequency response DA, -0.1 dB: 20 Hz - 20.8 kHz (sf 44,1 kHz)
• Frequency response DA, -0.5 dB: 10 Hz - 44 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
• Sample rates playback: 32 / 44.1 / 48 / 64 / 88.2 / 96 kHz and variable (word clock)
• Ouput impedance: 75 Ohm
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
5.3 Digital Interface
• Inputs and outputs ground-free transformer coupled
• Connectors: optical (TOSLINK), coaxial (phono), XLR, internal (CD-ROM/Sync-In / Out)
• Formats: SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer/Professional), ADAT optical
5.4 Transfer Modes: Resolution / Bits per Sample
• 16 bit 2 bytes (stereo 4 bytes) (*)
• 20 bit 3 bytes MSB (stereo 6 bytes)
• 20 bit 4 bytes MSB (stereo 8 bytes) (*)
• 24 bit 3 bytes (stereo 6 bytes)
• 24 bit 4 bytes MSB (stereo 8 bytes) (*)
• 32 bit 4 bytes (stereo 8 bytes) (*)
All the above formats are also available in Multi-Device mode (4 x stereo = 8 channels). The
Channel Interleave mode (1 x 8) provides the following resolutions:
• 16 bit 16 bytes (*)
• 24 bit 24 bytes
• 24 bit 32 bytes (*)
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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6. Hardware Installation
Important: Switch off the computer and remove the power cable from the power supply before fitting the DIGI96/8 PAD. Inserting and removing the card while the computer is in
operation will more than likely lead to irreparable damage to the mainboard!
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 DIGI96/8 PAD from its protective bag, discharge any
static in your body by touching the metal chassis of the PC.
4. Insert DIGI96/8 PAD firmly into a free PCI slot, press and fasten the screw.
5. Replace the computer's housing and tighten the screws.
6. Reconnect the power cable and all other cables/connections.
7. Software Installation
7.1 Windows 95/98/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
\DIGI96 W9x on the RME Driver CD.
Windows will install the DIGI driver, and will register the card in the system as a new audio
device. The computer should now be re-booted.
Unfortunately, in seldom cases, the path to the CD-ROM (i.e. its drive-letter) has to be typed
in again during the copy process.
All cards of the DIGI96 series are quickly and easily configured through the Settings dialog of
the DIGI96 driver. The Settings dialog is started in three different ways:
• by clicking on the DIGI icon in the Taskbar's system tray
• by starting the 'Digi96' link from the Desktop
• via ‘shortcut key’ as defined in the 'Digi96' link (default: Ctrl-Num2)
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 to the CD's
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 DIGI 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 DIGI96/8 PAD © 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
\DIGI96 W2k on the RME Driver CD.
Windows will install the DIGI96 driver, and will register the card in the system as a new audio
device. The card now ready for use.
All cards of the DIGI96 series can be easily configured using the RME DIGI Settings dialog.
The panel 'Settings' can be opened
• by clicking on the DIGI icon in the Taskbar's system tray
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.
7.4 Deinstalling the Drivers
A deinstallation of the DIGI96 series 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 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 'DIGI96 Link and Tray Autostart', or
'RME DIGI32, DIGI96 and Hammerfall Series'.
7.5 Linux/Unix
Drivers for Linux, Unix and Solaris are available at 4Front Technology. Information:
http://www.opensound.com
Another source of (free) drivers is the ALSA project:
http://www.alsa-project.org
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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8. Operation and Usage
8.1 External Connectors
The DIGI96/8 PAD has 3 external inputs and outputs. The current input is activated
through 'Settings', available by a click on the DIGI symbol in the Taskbar's system tray. The
card accepts all commonly used digital sources as well as SPDIF and AES/EBU. Channel status and copy protection are ignored.
Use the supplied breakout cable to connect coaxial (SPDIF) or XLR (AES/EBU) devices. The
red phono socket of the breakout cable is the SPDIF output, the white one is the SPDIF input.
The ground-free design, with transformers for digital inputs and outputs, offers a problem-free
connection of all devices along with perfect hum rejection.
All outputs are driven in
parallel, therefore carrying identical signals. In
the simplest situation,
connect 3 devices at the
outputs and use the
card as a splitter (distribution 1 to 3).
Two ¼" TRS (stereo)
jacks are fitted to provide a 2-channel unbalanced analog input and output. The analog output
is directly driven from the digital output. A superior 24 bit DAC, followed by a low impedance
driver stage, allows the connection of stereo headphones. The settings dialog allows to change
the output level from 0 dB down to -78 dB. A special mute circuit reduces noise when switching
the computer on and off. The sensitivity of the analog input can be set per channel to +4 dBu or
-10 dBV by jumpers on the board. A sensitivity control by the driver or Settings dialog is not
available.
8.2 Internal Connectors
The DIGI96/8 PAD has one internal digital input and output, provided by 2-pin connectors on the board. The internal input ST3, labelled CD IN / Sync In, can be connected to an
internal CD-ROM drive having a digital audio output (advantage: the built in CD-ROM drive is
sufficient for digital recording and the need for external cabling does not arise). Or it can be
connected with the internal output of another DIGI96 series card (synchronizing multiple cards),
or an AEB4/8-I. The latter is possible because the internal input accepts both SPDIF and ADAT
format.
The internal output ST4, labelled Sync Out, provides a copy of the current external output
signal, no matter if SPDIF or ADAT. Besides connecting a AEB4/8-O for an output of up to 8
analog channels, the internal loopback proves to be a useful application. Use the supplied two
pin cable to connect Sync In and Sync Out, set the card to Clock Mode 'Master' and selectal
'Internal' as input. Now the output signal shows up directly at the card's input. This allows you to
record the playback signal, or to display the playback signals with our DIGICheck software.
The two connectors ST6 and ST7 provide a connection to the optional Word Clock Module
WCM. ST7 is also needed when connecting a AEB4/8-I. See the manuals of these products for
more information.
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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8.3 Playback (Windows MME)
DIGI96/8 PAD 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, DIGI96/8 PAD must be selected as the output device. This
can often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Au-
dio Devices, Audio etc. Only a few programs exclusively use Windows' Preferred Playback
Device. This setting can be changed in >Control Panel /Multimedia /Audio<. We recommend
using 24-bit resolution for playback to use the DIGI96 series fullest potential.
We strongly recommend switching all system sounds off (via >Control Panel /Sounds<). Also
DIGI96/8 PAD 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. Start setup.htm or setup2.htm (in the \rmeaudio.web\techinfo\ directory).
The screenshot to the
right shows a typical configuration dialog as
displayed by a (stereo)
wave editor. In ADAT
mode a playback is done
using the currently chosen
stereo pair. In SPDIF
mode playback always
uses channels 1+2.
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, 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 DIGI96/8 PAD always
reports the current play position correctly (even while recording - essential for chase lock synchronization).
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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8.4 Recording Digital (Windows MME)
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 (this includes the
correct sample frequency as well).
To take this into account, RME has included three unique features in the DIGI96 series: an
error LED for the active digital input in use, a comprehensive I/O signal status display (showing
sample frequency, lock and format) in the Settings dialog, and the protective Check Input function.
The error LED indicates whether the card gets power and a valid digital input signal. Whenever
an error occurs (wrong input, invalid data, signal transmitting device delivers nothing), the LED
will light red. As soon as a valid input signal is present the LED will turn off. The display of the
sample frequency (see chapter 9, picture Settings) in the Status display offers a similar function. If no sample frequency can be recognized ‘Out Of Range’ will be shown, in case of an error
detection ‘No Lock’.
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. 'Check Input' may be switched off for vari-speed purposes.
Therefore configuring the software to perform a digital recording is child´s play. After selecting
the required input DIGI96/8 PAD displays the current sample frequency. This parameter
can then be changed in the application’s audio attributes (or similar) dialog.
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. The DIGI96
series includes a useful input monitor function, which can be set in the RME DIGI Settings
(Output/Automatic). Activating Record or Pause in the application causes the input signal to be
passed directly to the digital and analog output. However, some applications block monitoring
by constantly activating playback, even if the played back track is empty. This is often required
by programs to ensure that timing and punch I/O will work correctly.
Currently two solutions exist which enable real-time monitoring even when playback is active.
Our ZLM (Zero Latency Monitoring) technology allows monitoring in Punch I/O mode - with this
the card 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 to use our ASIO 2.0 drivers with a ASIO 2.0 compatible program. When
'ASIO Direct Monitoring' has been switched on, the input signal is routed in real-time to the
output whenever record is started.
User's Guide DIGI96/8 PAD © RME
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