RME HDSPe AIO Overview

RME presents the world's most versatile PCI Express audio interface - the HDSPe AIO. This card makes the dream of an All-In-One solution for every possible application come true. The Advanced-Input-Output interface shines with the latest 192 kHz AD- and DA-converters, with more than 112 dB signal to noise ratio. For the first time, all inputs and outputs are simultaneously operational, even SPDIF (phono) and AES/EBU (XLR). Additional hi-quality analog inputs and outputs can easily be added by favourably priced expansion boards. Of course TotalMix, the unsurpassed flexible routing mixer and SteadyClock, RME's sensational clock technology with maximum jitter suppression of external clock signals, are on board too. HDSPe AIO also supports the optional TCO for synchronization to timecode (LTC/video). All this combines into a professional 'soundcard' that the world has not seen before.

HDSPe AIO is the newly developed PCI Express version of the HDSP 9632. A newly developed genuine PCI Express core consequently takes full advantage of the new format, achieving significant performance gains in multitrack audio and lowest latency. Thanks to RME's secure flash update technology, firmware improvements, adjustments, and bugfixes can be installed easily at any time.

RME HDSPe AIO Features

• The HDSPe AIO provides unique features:
• Balanced* stereo analog in- and output, 24-bit/192kHz, > 112 dB SNR
• Optional analog expansion boards with 4 balanced in- or outputs
• All analog I/Os capable of 192 kHz, constant number of available channels
• 1 ADAT digital I/O, supporting 192 kHz via S/MUX4 operation
• 1 SPDIF digital I/O, 192 kHz-capable
• 1 AES/EBU digital I/O, 192 kHz-capable
• 1 Stereo headphone output, separate DA-converter and playback device
• So up to 18 inputs and 20 outputs can be used simultaneously!
• 1 MIDI I/O with 16 channels of hi-speed MIDI via breakout cable
• DIGICheck, RME's unique metering- and analysing tool
• TotalMix: 760 channel Mixer with 42 bit internal resolution
• Native PCI Express - no PCI to PCI Express bridge used

* The HDSPe AIO ships in a basic version with analog RCA/phono breakout cables (headphone: TRS jack). Therefore all analog I/Os are unbalanced. An analog XLR breakout cable is available as option (headphone: Neutrik TRS locking jack), turning analog into balanced mode.

HDSPe AIO includes SteadyClock ^(TM), RME's own clock technology, combining professional features like maximum jitter suppression at full varipitch capabilities and software controlled sample rates.

Included software:

DIGICheck for Windows: Spectral Analyser, professional level meter for 2, 8, or 20 channels, Vector Audio Scope, various other audio analysis tools.

Drivers: Windows 2000/XP/Vista/64 (full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0), Mac OS X Intel (Core Audio and Core MIDI).

RME HDSPe AIO Settings Dialog

Just click on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of the HDSPe AIO comes up. The clear structured, easy to understand window plus the unique informative status windows for input signal, clock mode and sample rate make your work with the card to a real pleasure.

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. RME's exclusive SyncCheck © checks all input signals and displays their actual state, and thanks to RME's Intelligent Clock Control (ICC) concept you have all clocks and states under control - with ease.

RME HDSPe AIO Optional Add-Ons

Analog Expansions: An easy to handle ribbon cable connects the optional AI4S-192 and AO4S-192. These analog expansion boards having one bracket with 4 stereo TRS jacks offer the same performance as the on-board stereo analog I/O of the HDSPe AIO: up to 192 kHz, balanced operation and 3 different reference levels. With this a maximum of 6 analog inputs and 8 analog outputs can be achieved.

Word Clock Expansion: The optional 9632 Word Clock Module provides a galvanically isolated word clock input and two word clock outputs via BNC jacks.

TDIF Expansion: HDSPe AIO can also provide a TDIF interface when using the TEB module.

Expansion Boards: Optional analog and digital I/Os

HDSP TCO: Timecode Option Module with enhanced sync capabilities for HDSPe cards. 1 x word clock I/O, 1 x video sync input (switchable from wc in), 1 x LTC I/O

RME HDSPe AIO Tech Specifications

• 1-Lane PCI Express Endpoint device (no PCI Express to PCI Bridge), revision 1.1.
• 2.5 Gbps line speed
• Packet-based full-duplex communication (up to 500 MB/s transfer rate)
• Supported sample frequencies: Internally 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz. Externally 28 kHz - 200 kHz
• 8 buffer sizes/latencies available: 0.7 ms, 1.5 ms, 3 ms, 6 ms, 12 ms, 23 ms, 46 ms, 93 ms
• All settings changeable in real-time
• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
• Enhanced Mixed mode: All inputs and outputs simultaneously operational
• TMS (Track Marker Support): Supports CD/DAT start-IDs and the read out of CD subcode
• Unique status windows for record and playback, showing mode and sample rate
• DIGICheck, RMEs unique metering and analysing tool
• Digital inputs and outputs ground-free transformer coupled
• 3-stage hardware level control for analog inputs and outputs
• Servo-balanced analog input and output, DC-coupled signal path
• 192 kHz / 24-bit converters. SNR 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA
• Maximum input and output level (0 dBFS @ HiGain): +19 dBu
• Low impedance headphone output (30 ohm), separate DAC and playback device
• Super low jitter design: < 1 ns in all clock modes

RME HDSPe AIO Connectivity

• 1 x Stereo Analog I/O (192 kHz)
• 1 x ADAT I/O (up to 192 kHz via S/MUX4)
• 1 x SPDIF I/O (192 kHz)
• 1 x AES/EBU I/O (192 kHz)
• 1 x MIDI I/O
• 1 x Phones Output (separate DAC, 192 kHz)
• TotalMix
• optional: Time Code Option
• optional: Analog Expansion Boards
• optional: TDIF Expansion Board

RME HDSPe AIO Differences to HDSP 9632

• PCI Express interface
• S/PDIF and AES/EBU simultaneously operational
• Even lower latencies
• Independent phones out with
  Additional DAC
• Direct support of HDSP TCO

RME HDSPe AIO Optional Accessories

• HDSPe AIO: Analog breakout cable, balanced (BO9632XLRMKH)
• HDSPe AIO: Analog breakout cable, unbalanced (BO9632CMKH)
• HDSPe AIO: Digital breakout cable, SPDIF (BO9632)
• HDSPe AIO: Digital breakout cable, AES/EBU & SPDIF (BO968)

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.