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RME The HDSP Multiface II Overview
How to
handle a legend? Create a new!
The Multiface II is not only multi
because of the many different interface formats supported, but also
multi-Channel! The small box using half the space of a 19" rack includes
outstanding power and extensive features.
Based on
RMEs award-winning Hammerfall technology and equipped with the latest circuit
designs of the Fireface 800, the Multiface II offers ADAT optical I/O, SPDIF
I/O, MIDI I/O, word clock I/O and a separate hi-power monitor output.
On top
there are 8 analog inputs and outputs, balanced and 24-bit/96kHz. All this can
be used on laptops as well as on desktop computers with lowest latency and
minimal CPU load.
RME The HDSP
MADI Differences to Multiface I
- Significant
changes were provided to the internal core. The Multiface II integrates the
more advanced featurs of Fireface- and OctaMic series:
- 1 x
Hi-Power analog line/headphone out with volume (119 dB(A) SNR)
- analog
input stage with advanced CMRR, lower THD and SNR increased by 10 dB
- analog
outputs with lower THD
- synchronised
and more efficient power supply
- reference
level of the analog I/Os is changeable on the front with two different
switches. No internal jumpers.
- ADAT Sync
connector removed for increased space between the TRS jacks
- Improved
enclosure and more generous board layout, improving technical specifications
and internal quality.
RME The HDSP
Multiface II Features
- Of course
there are a lot typical RME features on board of the unit:
- 8 x analog
line I/O, 24-Bit/96kHz, SNR 111 dBA, 1/4" TRS jacks
- 1 x ADAT
digital I/O
- 1 x SPDIF
digital I/O
- 1 x Word
clock I/O (BNC)
- 1 x
MIDI I/O, 16 channels high-speed
MIDI
- 1 x
hi-power analog line/headphone output, separate output for independent submix
- Hardware
level calculation: freely scalable level meters, peak and RMS calculation
without CPU load
- DIGICheck,
RMEs unique metering - and analyse tool
- TotalMix:
720 channel mixer with 40 bit internal resolution.
MIDI remote controllable.
- S/MUX
poured in hardware: 4 channels 24-Bit/96kHz for record and playback via ADAT
optical
... and
numerous other features found already in the Hammerfall series. And all this
for an unbeatable price!
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 rear of
the Multiface II shows unrivalled connectivity: 8 analog line I/Os on 1/4"
TRS jacks (balanced, 24-Bit/96kHz), ADAT optical I/O (switchable to SPDIF
optical), SPDIF I/O coaxial, word clock I/O and
MIDI I/O. Don't settle for less!
The headphone output in hi-power
technology offers high levels, even with low level headphones. Hence the
headphone is direct usable with ASIO Direct Monitoring.
Digital
I/Os: One ADAT
optical I/O provides eight more channels. The coaxial SPDIF I/O is complete
AES/EBU compatible.
The
Multiface II can be used with laptops as well as desktop computers. The
connection to laptops is achieved via a CardBus card or an ExpressCard, the
connection to desktops via a PCI card or PCI Express card. These interfaces are
sold separately.
RME The HDSP
Multiface II Settings
Just click
on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of
the Multiface 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. RME's exclusive
SyncCheck checks all input signals and displays their actual state, and thanks
to our new Intelligent Clock Control concept you have all clocks and states
under control - with ease.
Regular
firmware and driver updates ensure the Multiface II to stay at the top of
today's audio interfaces. The latest addition, Disconnect mode, lets you use
the unit as stand-alone AD/DA-converter, digital format converter,
analog/digital mixer or submixer, and much more.
RME The HDSP
Multiface II Tech Specifications
- Supported sample rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2
kHz, 96 kHz, variable
- 88 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 Technologie: 0 (zero!)% CPU load when using ALL
36 channels!
- All
settings changeable in real-time
- Clock modes: slave and master
- Automatic,
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,
the ultimate measurement, analysis and test tool
- Dynamic
ratio analog AD: 111.5 dB(A), DA: 112 dB(A)
- THD+N AD:
-98 dB (0.0012%), DA: -97 dB (0.0014%)
- Analog
level @ 0 dBFS (set by front panel switch): +2 dBV, +13 dBu, +19 dBu
- Dynamic
ratio stereo monitor output: 119 dB(A), 119 dBA, output impedance 30 Ohm
- Input 8 x
line (1/4" TRS jacks), 1 x optical (TOSLINK), 1 x coaxial (RCA), 1 x
MIDI, word clock (BNC)
- Digital input formats: SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer,
Professional), ADAT optical
- Outputs: 8 x line (1/4" TRS jacks), 1
x optical (TOSLINK), stereo analog line (TRS), 1 x coaxial (phono), 1 x
MIDI, word clock (BNC)
- Digital format putput: SPDIF, AES/EBU
(Consumer/Professional), ADAT optical
RME The HDSP
Multiface II Connectivity
- 8 x Analog
I/O (96 kHz)
- 1 x ADAT
I/O (at 96 kHz via S/Mux)
- 1 x SPDIF
I/O (96 kHz)
- 1 x Stereo
Analog Output (separate for Submix/Phones)
- 1 x
MIDI I/O
- 1 x Word
Clock I/O
- TotalMix
RME The HDSP
Multiface II 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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