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RME The Digiface Overview
RME
presents the Digiface,
a highly extended version of the well-known PCI card Project Hammerfall
(DIGI9652). Digiface offers 3 ADAT optical I/Os, ADAT-Sync In, SPDIF I/O and
word clock I/O like its predecessor. On top, there are 2
MIDI I/Os and a separate analog line
out. Thanks to its unique 'Zero CPU Load' technology Hammerfall DSP guarantees
highest performance and lowest latency on both notebooks and desktops!
Digiface
provides interesting features:
- 3 x ADAT
digital I/O, based on RME's reliable Bitclock PLL
- 1 x SPDIF
digital I/O, based on RME's reliable DIGI96 technology
- 1 x ADAT
Sync In (9-pin D-type) for sample accurate transfers
- 1 x Word
clock I/O (BNC)
- 1 x analog
Line/headphone output, separate output for independent submix
- 2 x
MIDI I/O, 32 channels high-speed
MIDI
-
HDSP
Meter
Bridge: freely scalable level meters,
peak- and RMS calculation directly in hardware
- TotalMix:
1456 channel mixer with 40 bit internal resolution
- S/MUX
poured in hardware: 12 channels 24-Bit/96kHz for record and playback on ADAT
optical
- DIGICheck,
RMEs unique metering- and analyse tool
... and
numerous other features found already in the Hammerfall series. And all this
for an unbeatable price!
RME The Digiface Connectivity
- 3 x ADAT
I/O (at 96 kHz via S/Mux)
- 1 x SPDIF
I/O
- 1 x Stereo
Analog Output (separate for submix/phones)
- 2 x
MIDI I/O
- Word Clock
I/O
- TotalMix
RME The Digiface Features
The small
box using half the space of a 19" rack doesn't show the included
outstanding power and extensive features at first glance. The front panel hosts
some useful status LEDs, like
MIDI state, lock state of the digital inputs and error state of
the host-bus. Additionally there's a high-quality 24-Bit/96kHz analog line
output, also usable with headphones, and one MIDI I/O.
The back of
the Digiface offers real Hammerfall connectivity: 1 x
MIDI I/O, 3 x ADAT I/O, SPDIF I/O, ADAT
Sync In and word clock I/O. This compact multi-Channel solution has everything
you need.
The
Digiface can be used with laptops as well as desktop computers. The connection
to notebooks is achieved via a CardBus card, the connection to desktops via a
PCI card or PCI Express card. These interfaces are sold separately.
RME The Digiface Settings
Just click
on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of
the Digiface comes up. The clear structured, easy to understand window plus the
unique informative status windows for input signal, clock mode, sample rate and
time code make your work with Hammerfall DSP System to a real pleasure. With a
simple mouse click you gain access to the full power of your system.
When
working with several digital sources it is not only necessary to know if these
are properly locked, but also if they are totally synchronized. RMEs exclusive ® checks all input signals and displays their
actual state, and thanks to our new concept you have all clocks and states under control -
with ease.
A display
of the time code at the ADAT Sync-In port offers a quick check of the
communication between external device and Hammerfall.
RME The Digiface Tech Specifications
- Supported sample rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2
kHz, 96 kHz, variable
- 8 buffer sizes/latencies
available: 1.5
ms, 3 ms, 6 ms, 12 ms, 23 ms, 46 ms, 93 ms, 186 ms
- ASIO zero CPU load technology: 0 (zero!)% CPU load when using ALL
52 channels!
- All
settings changeable in real-time
- Clock modes: slave and master
- Automatic
and intelligent master/slave clock control
- Enhanced Mixed mode: All inputs and outputs
simultaneously operational
- Unsurpassed
Bitclock PLL (audio synchronization) in ADAT mode
- Enhanced Zero Latency Monitoring for latency-free submixes and
perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
- DIGICheck,
RMEs unique metering- and analyze tool
- Input: 3 x optical (TOSLINK), 1 x coaxial
(RCA), 2 x
MIDI, word clock (BNC)
- Digital input format: SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer,
Professional), ADAT optical
- Outputs: 3 x optical (TOSLINK), coaxial
(RCA), 2 x
MIDI, stereo analog line (1/4"
TRS), word clock (BNC)
- Format output SPDIF: AES/EBU (Consumer/Professional),
ADAT optical
RME The Digiface Optional Add-Ons
HDSP TCO: Timecode Option Module with
enhanced Sync capabilities for HDSPe PCI Card (not for PCI-/Cardbus): 1 x Word
Clock I/O, 1 x Video Sync Input (alternativ zu WC In), 1 x LTC I/O
RME The Digiface Accessories
- External
Power Supply for CardBus (NTCB-EU)
- Line Cord
for Power supply (NETZ-CB)
- Car Cable
for CardBus (AUTOK)
- Cable for
Storage Battery (AKKUK)
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RME Products Review / See
All ZenPro Audio Reviews Here: Review Page
I have used RME PCI cards and
breakout boxes and converters over the years, and have never seen an issue with
reliability or stability. Overall I think the most stable PC drivers in the
industry would have to have RME among them: I mean this stuff just works…and
works…and works. As Vince from Sham-Wow says, “you know the Germans make good
stuff”. In this case I would certainly say it is proven true.
Digital connectivity is never easier
than choosing the right RME product, from ADAT to SPDIF to AES to TOSLINK to
MADI to Wordclock, they really have it all. Latency is virtually non-existent
thanks to ultra low latency drivers and on board DSP power that takes the load
off your computer. “Totalmix”, RME’s internal routing matrix is INCREDIBLE. It
took me a while to wrap my brain around it but once I did, I realized I can
send anything anywhere at anytime with no noticeable latency at all. Multiple
headphone mixes and splits? No problem, RME is on it with Totalmix.
The “Steadyclock” wordclock
technology is also just awesome stuff. I have witnessed this clock snap those 1’s
and 0’s in line on many a device and it always made an improvement when it was
the master. Many RME devices have Steadyclock as standard, it can make a real
difference. The A/D and D/A conversion of RME is clean and neutral for the most
part, not huge or small or anywhere in between, but pretty true to the source
overall. An RME converter will never get in the way of a good recording.
Conclusion: No matter the connection
you need to make, RME has it covered. My personal experience has been glitch
free and for that reason I am proud to be an authorized RME dealer.
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