RME HDSPe MADIFace Overview
Current
laptops offer calculation power on par with fast desktop systems. Dual core
processors, 2 Gigabyte RAM, big and fast hard drives, dual monitor operation
with a quick graphics card - today all this is also available small,
lightweight and portable. No wonder that RME receives more and more requests
for a portable MADI solution. Thanks to the fast PCI Express bus and the
latest, extremely powerful FPGAs, RME is proud to present another milestone in
the company's history - the world's first and only MADI interface for laptops,
based on an ExpressCard: the MADIface!
Consisting
of the HDSPe ExpressCard MADI and a small breakout box, the MADIface offers
full MADI power: 64 channels input and 64 channels output, up to 192 kHz sample
rate, in MADI embedded
MIDI transmission, complete TotalMix that is even remote
controllable and has all features of the 'bigger' HDSPe MADI, as well as lowest
latency and CPU-load. To make the usage as comfortable as possible, the power
for the breakout box is provided directly by the ExpressCard, so no external
power supply is required.
The
MADIface is fully compatible to all devices with MADI interface. Of course it
can be used perfectly in combination with RME's own MADI series products. For
example with the ADI-648 an 8 x ADAT optical PC interface is realized,
unbeatable in price and performance. And with the ADI-6432 a bidirectional
AES/EBU frontend with 64 channels is set up hassle-free.
Thanks to
RME's flash update technology, future firmware improvements, adjustments, and
bugfixes can be installed easily at any time.
RME HDSPe MADIFace Features
RMEs HDSPe
ExpressCard MADI is a true PCI Express solution, which consequently takes full
advantage of the new format, achieving significant performance gains in
multitrack audio. The ExpressCard is built according to PCI Express Base
Specification v 1.1. The connection between ExpressCard MADI and breakout box
is established using ordinary firewire cable (IEEE 1394, 6-pin). However, the
data transfer does not use FireWire protocol. The supplied cable is 1 m (3 ft.)
long. The ExpressCard MADI serves as power supply for the breakout box, freeing
you from the hassle of additional wall warts.
The
MADIface offers full support for 56 and 64 channel modes and double and single
wire technology (96k frame) for 96 kHz. Full 64 channel support can also be
found in the hardware mixer TotalMix. All 64 inputs and 64 playback channels
can be routed and mixed to 64 physical outputs completely freely, which
translates to an 8192 channel mixer. With that, RME's MADI interfaces offer the
most powerful router/mixer ever implemented on a PCIe card, and allow much more
than a usage as pure computer I/O unit:
- MADI
optical patchbay and router
- MADI
coaxial/optical or vice versa converter and splitter
- MADI
redistributor, patchbay and router
TotalMix
can be completely remote controlled via
MIDI. Furthermore, the hardware delivers
RMS and peak level meters for full control over 192 audio channels at minimal
CPU load.
RME uses a
configuration memory for the most important settings of the card. Instead of
operating in a default mode on computer power-up until loading the driver,
MADIface activates the last used sample rate, master/slave configuration and
MADI format immediately when switched on. This eliminates disturbing noises and
clock network problems during power-up or re-boot of the computer.
* While
many MADI-based devices require an additional word clock or AES line, the
MADIface (like all RME devices) uses SteadyClock(TM) to extract the
reference clock at lowest jitter directly from the MADI signal, making
long-distance connections even more convenient. Although not available at the
MADIface itself, word clock input and output are available when using another
RME MADI device.
** MADIface
offers a virtual
MIDI
port within the driver. Mainly intended for remote controlling further RME
devices, it can also be used to send and receive usual
MIDI data. The
MIDI data are invisibly inserted into
and transmitted by the MADI signal. Therefore a physical access is given at the
RME interface connected to the MADIface.
Included
software:
DIGICheck
for Windows:
Spectral Analyser, professional level meter for 2, 8, or 64 channels, Vector
Audio Scope, Global record, 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 MADIFace Settings Dialog
Just click
on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of
the MADIface 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.
RME's
exclusive SyncCheck checks the synchronous operation of the input signal to the
internal clock. This technology helps to find errors immediately. The actual
state of the input is displayed in the settings dialog.
MADIface is
equipped with SteadyClock(TM), RME's unique sync and clock
technology, turning the device into a sync reference for the whole studio.
SteadyClock refreshes clock signals, removes jitter, and takes care of optimal
AD/DA conversion quality, thus guarantees a sensational sound quality,
completely independent from the reference clock's quality.
SteadyClock
allows the MADIface to control the sample rate freely on its own. The DDS
dialog includes a direct choice of the video and audio world's most often used
sample rates. Additionally, two faders can be used to set the sample rate
freely and in real-time, within the range of +/- 4% and +/- 0.4%.
Up to 3
MADIfaces and HDSPe Multiface/Digiface can be used simultaneously, in every
possible combination. With this up to 192 inputs and 192 outputs are available
at 48 kHz, 96 inputs and 96 outputs at 96 kHz. Please note that most laptops
have only one PCI Express slot.
RME HDSPe MADIFace Tech Specifications
- ExpressCard, 34
mm standard
- 1-Lane PCI Express Endpoint
device (no PCI
Express to
PCI
Bridge), revision 1.1
- 250 MB/s transfer rate per
direction
- Secure BIOS Technology: card stays fully functional even
when the flash process fails
- Output: IEEE 1394 connector, not compatible
to FireWire
- All
settings changeable in realtime
- Clock modes: slave and master; Automatic and
intelligent master/slave clock control
- Sync sources: MADI coaxial, MADI optical,
internal
- Varipitch: by input signal or word clock
- Sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz,
176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, variable (Sync/DDS)
- Jitter: < 1 ns, internal and all inputs
- Jitter sensitivity: PLL operates even at 100 ns Jitter
without problems
- Comes with DIGICheck: the ultimate measurement, analysis
and test tool
- Package contents: ExpressCard MADI, breakout box,
cable 1 meter (3 ft) IEEE 1394a, driver CD
- Connections
Breakout Box
- Input: MADI optical, MADI coaxial (BNC)
- Output: MADI optical, MADI coaxial (BNC)
-
MIDI input and output: via virtual
MIDI port and MADI transmission
RME HDSPe MADIFace Connectivity
- ExpressCard/34
Interface
- 64 Input
channels / 64 output channels
- 1 x MADI
I/O (optical and coaxial)
- TotalMix
- No external
power supply required
RME HDSPe MADIFace Differences
- No direct
word clock I/O*
- No direct
MIDI I/O**
- No analog
monitor output
- No TCO
support
RME HDSPe MADIFace Optional Accessories
- ONK1: MADI Optical Network Cable, 1 m
- ONK3: MADI Optical Network Cable, 3 m
- ONK6: MADI Optical Network Cable, 6 m
- ONK10: MADI Optical Network Cable, 10 m
- ONK20: MADI Optical Network Cable, 20 m
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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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