RME PCI Interface Overview

In the year 2001 RME started a revolution in mobile audio recording: the HDSP System, consisting of a PCI or CardBus card plus an external I/O-box has been the world's first audio system, operating at both desktop and laptop. And the world's first professional multitrack system for notebooks at all.

Today we are proud to look back and conclude: the HDSP system has become a true 'industry standard'. Thanks to continuing firmware and driver updates it stayed a cutting-edge product, still offers un-beaten performance, and still enjoys great popularity among the users.

PCI and CardBus have not been surpassed by any other interface technology for professional audio - no other solution can keep up regarding low Latency and lowest CPU load. Also in regards of competition RME's HDSP system is still unsurpassed after so many years. No other manufacturer offers such a flexible, robust, performing and expandible solution.

A PCI Express version (HDSPe PCI) is also available.

RME PCI Interface Features

Based on the legendary Hammerfall PCI core with its innovative zero CPU load technology, the new PCI core developed for RMEs Digiface, Multiface and RPM, is optimized for even higher performance. Thanks to the latest chip technology, internal hi-speed RAM can be used faster and more efficient than external SRAM.

The PCI engine of the Hammerfall DSP System is built on a Zero wait state PCI Busmaster core. With up to 130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions the maximum performance available on the 32 bit PCI bus is used. Additionally the card offers highest compatibility by being 100% Plug & Play compatible under Windows and Mac OS, and being able to share interrupts. The card itself will only use one interrupt (IRQ) for all functions (audio/MIDI.)

The connection between PCI card and I/O box is established using ordinary firewire cable (IEEE 1394, 6-pole.) The data transfer does not use Firewire protocol, but our own proprietary bus protocol. The supplied cable is 4 m (12 ft.) long. The PCI card operates as power supply for the attached I/O-box (Digiface, Multiface, Multiface II, RPM) over the FireWire cable.

RME PCI Interface Connectivity

• PCI interface
• Connection of Multiface, Multiface II, Digiface and RPM

RME PCI Interface Tech Specifications

• Short PCI 2.0 compliant PCI card, 32 bit, 3.3 V, PCI-X compatible
• Zero wait state PCI Busmaster interface (130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions)
• Secure BIOS Technology: card stays fully functional even when the flash process fails
• Output: IEEE 1394 connector, RME bus protocol
• Package contents: PCI card, cable 4 meter (12 ft) IEEE 1394a

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.