RME The HDSP MADI Description

The Hammerfall DSP MADI is RMEs both inexpensive and outstanding PCI card with MADI interface. Hammerfall DSP MADI is based on the award-winning Hammerfall DSP technology, and represents the top model of this world-wide successful card line.

The PCI card consequently uses all advantages of the MADI format: MADI, the professionals' multi-Channel audio interface, offers 64 channels of 24-Bit audio at a sample rate of up to 48 kHz and 32 channels at up to 96 kHz. Transmission is done via a single line, either coaxial with BNC plugs or with fiber cable. In both cases more than 100 m cable length can be achieved.

HDSP MADI is fully compatible to all devices with MADI interface. In combination with the ADI-648 an 8 x ADAT optical PC interface is realized, unbeatable in price and performance. With the ADI-6432 a bidirectional AES/EBU frontend with 64 channels is available.

On a powerful PC/Mac two HDSP MADI can be used in a combination, providing 128 inputs and 128 outputs on a single workstation simultaneously.

RME The HDSP MADI Features

Hammerfall DSP MADI 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 a 8192 channel mixer. With that, Hammerfall DSP

MADI offers the most powerful router/mixer ever implemented on a PCI card, and allows 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.

While most MADI-based devices require an additional word clock or AES line, the Hammerfall DSP MADI (like the ADI-648) uses SteadyClock^(TM) to extract the reference clock at lowest jitter directly from the MADI signal, making long-distance connections even more convenient.

As usual with RME, Hammerfall DSP MADI offers further sensible features. For instance an analog 24-Bit/96kHz line/headphone output with 110 dB dynamic range for direct control of all input and output signals.

The included expansion board carries word clock I/O (BNC) and MIDI I/O. The word clock input is galvanically isolated via transformer and operates on both single and double speed signals automatically. MIDI I/O offers two completely independent MIDI inputs and outputs via breakout cable (4 DIN sockets). A virtual MIDI port allows for a direct transmission of MIDI data over MADI.

For the first time, 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, Hammerfall DSP MADI 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.

Included software:

DIGICheck for Windows: Spectral Analyser, professional level meter for 2, 8, or 64 channels, Vector Audio Scope, various other audio analysis tools.

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

RME The HDSP MADI Settings Dialog

Just click on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of the HDSP MADI 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 Hammerfall DSP 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. In clock mode Master the synchronous operation to the internal clock is checked. This outstanding and unique technology helps to find errors immediately. The actual state of each input is displayed in the settings dialog. ® checks all input signals and displays their actual state, and thanks to our new Intelligent Clock Control (ICC) Intelligent Clock Control (ICC) concept you have all clocks and states under control - with ease.

SteadyClock(TM), RMEs unique sync and clock technology allows the HDSP MADI to control the sample rate freely on its own. The settings 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 HDSP MADI and HDSPe AES can be used simultaneously. With this up to 192 inputs and 192 outputs are available at 48 kHz, 96 inputs and 96 outputs at 96 kHz.

RME The HDSP MADI Tech Specifications

• 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 128 channels!
• All settings changeable in real-time
• Clock modes slave and master
• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
• Enhanced Zero Latency Monitoring for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
• Sync sources: MADI coaxial, MADI optical, word clock, internal
• Varipitch: by input signal or word clock
• Sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, variable (Sync/word clock)
• Sample rate range: MADI: 32 kHz - 96 kHz, word clock: 27 kHz-105 kHz
• 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
• Input MADI optical, MADI coaxial (BNC), 2 x MIDI, word clock (BNC)
• Output MADI optical, MADI coaxial (BNC), 2 x MIDI, word clock (BNC), stereo analog line/phones
• Input Word Clock: BNC, Signal Adaptation Circuit (functional from 1.2 Vpp input signal), switchable termination
• Output Word Clock: BNC, low-impedance driver stage, 4 Vpp into 75 Ohms, short-circuit-proof
• MIDI input and output: via four 5-pin DIN jacks

RME The HDSP MADI Connectivity

• 64 Input channels / 64 Output channels
• 1 x MADI I/O (optical and coaxial)
• 2 x MIDI I/O
• Stereo Analog Out
• Word Clock I/O
• RME Remote
• TotalMix

RME The HDSP MADI Accessories

• MIDI breakout cable (BOHDSP9652MIDI)
• 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

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.