RME Audio Hammerfall HDSPe MADIface User manual

User's Guide
Hammerfall®DSP System
HDSPe MADIface
PCI Express Digital I/O System
ExpressCard Interface
64 Channels MADI Interface
24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio
128 x 64 Matrix Router
MIDI embedded in MADI
TotalMix™
24 Bit / 192 kHz 9
SyncAlign
®
ZLM
®
SyncCheck
®
SteadyClock™

2 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
General
1 Introduction ...............................................................6
2 Package Contents.....................................................6
3 System Requirements ..............................................6
4 Brief Description and Characteristics.....................6
5 Hardware Installation................................................6
6 First Usage
6.1 Connectors and Displays.......................................7
6.2 Notes on Laptops and ExpressCard......................7
7 Accessories...............................................................8
8 Warranty.....................................................................8
9 Appendix....................................................................8
Driver Installation and Operation - Windows
10 Driver and Firmware
10.1 Driver Installation .................................................12
10.2 Driver Update.......................................................12
10.3 De-Installing the Drivers.......................................13
10.4 Firmware Update..................................................13
11 Configuring the MADIface
11.1 Settings Dialog.....................................................14
11.2 Settings Dialog – DDS .........................................16
11.3 Clock Modes – Synchronization...........................17
12 Operation and Usage
12.1 Playback...............................................................18
12.2 DVD Playback (AC-3 / DTS) ................................19
12.3 Notes on WDM.....................................................20
12.4 Channel Count under WDM.................................20
12.5 Multi-client Operation ...........................................21
12.6 Digital Recording..................................................22
13 Operation under ASIO
13.1 General ................................................................23
13.2 Channel Count under ASIO .................................23
13.3 Known Problems..................................................23
14 Operation under GSIF.............................................24
15 Using more than one MADIface.............................25
16 DIGICheck................................................................25
17 Hotline – Troubleshooting
17.1 General ................................................................26
17.2 Installation............................................................26

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 3
Driver Installation and Operation - Mac OS X
18 Driver and Flash Update
18.1 Driver Installation.................................................28
18.2 Driver Update.......................................................28
18.3 Flash Update........................................................28
19 Configuring the MADIface
19.1 Settings Dialog.....................................................29
19.2 Clock Modes – Synchronization ..........................30
20 Mac OS X FAQ
20.1 Round about Driver Installation ...........................31
20.2 MIDI doesn't work................................................31
20.3 Supported Sample Rates.....................................32
20.4 Channel Count under Core Audio .......................32
20.5 Repairing Disk Permissions.................................32
20.6 Various Information..............................................32
21 Hotline – Troubleshooting .....................................33
Connections and TotalMix
22 Connections
22.1 MADI I/Os ............................................................36
22.2 MIDI .....................................................................36
23 TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring
23.1 Overview..............................................................37
23.2 The User Interface...............................................39
23.3 Elements of a Channel ........................................40
23.4 Tour de TotalMix..................................................40
23.5 Submix View........................................................42
23.6 Mute and Solo......................................................42
23.7 Quick Access Panel.............................................43
23.8 Presets.................................................................43
23.9 Monitor Panel.......................................................45
23.10 Preferences..........................................................45
23.11 Editing the Names ...............................................46
23.12 Hotkeys................................................................47
23.13 Menu Options.......................................................48
23.14 Level Meter..........................................................49

4 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
24 TotalMix: The Matrix
24.1 Overview ..............................................................50
24.2 Elements of the Matrix View ................................50
24.3 Usage...................................................................50
24.4 Advantages of the Matrix .....................................51
25 TotalMix Super-Features
25.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring (Windows only) ..............51
25.2 Selection and Group based Operation ................52
25.3 Copy Routings to other Channels........................52
25.4 Delete Routings....................................................52
25.5 Recording a Subgroup (Loopback)......................53
25.6 Using external Effects Devices............................54
25.7 MS Processing.....................................................55
26 TotalMix MIDI Remote Control
26.1 Overview ..............................................................56
26.2 Mapping ...............................................................56
26.3 Setup....................................................................57
26.4 Operation .............................................................57
26.5 Simple MIDI Control.............................................58
26.6 Loopback Detection .............................................59
Technical Reference
27 Tech Info ..................................................................62
28 Technical Specifications
28.1 Inputs....................................................................63
28.2 Outputs.................................................................63
28.3 Digital ...................................................................63
29 Technical Background
29.1 MADI Basics.........................................................64
29.2 Lock and SyncCheck ...........................................65
29.3 Latency and Monitoring........................................66
29.4 DS – Double Speed .............................................67
29.5 QS – Quad Speed................................................68
29.6 SteadyClock.........................................................69
29.7 Terminology .........................................................70

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 5
User's Guide
HDSPe MADIface
General

6 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the Hammerfall DSP MADIface. This unique audio system is capable of
transferring digital audio data directly into a computer, from any device equipped with a MADI
interface. Installation is simple, even for the inexperienced user, thanks to the latest Plug and
Play technology. The numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts
the HDSPe MADIface at the very top of the range of digital audio interface cards.
The package contains drivers for Windows XP / Vista / 7 and Mac OS X x86 (Intel).
2. Package Contents
Please check that your HDSPe MADIface package contains each of the following:
•ExpressCard MADIface
•I/O box MADIface
•Cable IEEE1394, 1 m (3.3 ft)
•Quick Info guide
•RME Driver CD
•Manual
3. System Requirements
•Windows XP or higher, Mac OS X Intel (10.4.8 or higher)
•ExpressCard interface: a free ExpressCard/34 slot
4. Brief Description and Characteristics
•All settings can be changed in real-time
•8 available buffer sizes/latencies: 0.7 / 1.5 / 3 / 6 / 12 / 23 / 46 / 93 ms
•32 channels 96 kHz/24 bit record/playback
•16 channels 192 kHz/24 bit record/playback
•Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
•TotalMix for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
•SyncAlign guarantees sample aligned and never swapping channels
•SyncCheck tests and reports the synchronization status of input signals
•Virtual MIDI port
•DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation
•TotalMix: 8192 channel mixer with 42 bit internal resolution
•SteadyClock: Jitter-immune, super-stable digital clock
5. Hardware Installation
1. Connect ExpressCard and I/O box with the supplied cable (IEEE1394).
2. Insert the ExpressCard MADIface into the ExpressCard slot, with the RME sticker to the top.
3. Switch on the laptop and start the operating system.

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 7
6. First Usage
6.1 Connectors and Display
The front of the I/O box has a push button acting as input selector, switching the MADI input
from coaxial to optical. The currently active input is indicated by a LED.
Identical signals are available at both the optical and the coaxial output. Therefore two devices
can be connected, i.e. using the MADIface as a splitter (distribution 1 to 2).
The back of the MADIface has two hooks which serve as strain relief for the connected cables,
or to fix the unit in a desired place. The hook is mounted using a thread, therefore can be turned
and even completely removed.
ExpressCard and I/O box are connected by usual FireWire cable (6-pins). However, communi-
cation between the devices does not use the FireWire standard. The cable should not exceed a
length of about 1 m (3.3 ft).
Never connect ExpressCard and I/O Box to standard FireWire ports! They might get seri-
ously damaged by doing so.
6.2 Notes on Laptops and ExpressCard
The HDSPe system uses the laptop’s ExpressCard slot with 34 mm width. While this one is
standard on Apple laptops, PC laptops usually come with a 54 mm wide slot. Then the card not
only easily slides out, but can also be moved to the side, quickly loosing contact.
Mechanically, the ExpressCard slot is weak and lets the card slide out easily. We recom-
mend to fix the card or the cable to the laptop with tape.
Like with a desktop system it’s not possible to remove a PCI Express device while in operation.
First the operating system has to receive a ‘removal request’, then the device has to be
stopped. Finally the card can be pulled out of the ExpressCard slot.
Windows
When inserting the ExpressCard it usually will be detected automatically by the laptop hardware
and then the operating system. A beep signals the detection. In rare cases detection will fail. If
so, simply remove the card and insert it again.
To remove the hardware click on the green arrow symbol in the
systray. It is possible to stop the HDSPe directly, or to first call
up the info dialog by double clicking the symbol, and then stop-
ping it.
Mac OS X
When inserting the ExpressCard it usually is detected automatically by the laptop hardware and
then by the Mac OS. An ExpressCard icon will appear on the top menu. A mouse click on the
icon opens a drop-down menu, showing an option to switch it off.
To remove the ExpressCard click on the menu entry 'Power off card'. The Mac OS internally de-
installs the ExpressCard and switches off power. The card can now be pulled out of the slot.

8 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
7. Accessories
RME offers several optional components. Additionally parts of the HDSPe MADIface are avail-
able separately.
Part Number Description
Standard FireWire 400 cable, both sides 6-pin male:
FWK660100BL FireWire cable IEEE1394a 6M/6M, 1 m (3.3 ft)
MADI cable optical:
ONK0100 MADI Optical Network Cable, 3.3 ft (1 m)
ONKD0300 MADI Optical Network Cable, 10 ft (3 m)
ONKD0600 MADI Optical Network Cable, 20 ft (6 m)
ONKD1000 MADI Optical Network Cable, 33 ft (10 m)
ONKD2000 MADI Optical Network Cable, 66 ft (20 m)
ONKD5000 MADI Optical Network Cable, 165 ft (50 m)
8. Warranty
Each individual HDSPe MADIface undergoes comprehensive quality control and a complete
test at IMM before shipping. The usage of high grade components should guarantee a long and
trouble-free operation of the unit.
If you suspect that your product is faulty, please contact your local retailer.
Audio AG grants a limited manufacturer warranty of 6 months from the day of invoice showing
the date of sale. The length of the warranty period is different per country. Please contact your
local distributor for extended warranty information and service. Note that each country may
have regional specific warranty implications.
In any case warranty does not cover damage caused by improper installation or maltreatment -
replacement or repair in such cases can only be carried out at the owner's expense.
No warranty service is provided when the product is not returned to the local distributor in the
region where the product had been originally shipped.
Audio AG does not accept claims for damages of any kind, especially consequential damage.
Liability is limited to the value of the MADIface. The general terms of business drawn up by
Audio AG apply at all times.
9. Appendix
RME news, driver updates and further product information are available on our website:
http://www.rme-audio.com
Distributor:
Audio AG, Am Pfanderling 60, D-85778 Haimhausen, Tel.: [phone] / 91810
Manufacturer:
IMM Elektronik GmbH, Leipziger Strasse 32, D-09648 Mittweida

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 9
Trademarks
All trademarks, registered or otherwise, are the property of their respective owners. RME,
DIGICheck and Hammerfall are registered trademarks of RME Intelligent Audio Solutions.
HDSPe MADIface, TMS, SyncAlign, ZLM, SyncCheck and TotalMix are trademarks of RME
Intelligent Audio Solutions. Microsoft, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Win-
dows 7 are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. Steinberg, Cubase and VST
are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. ASIO is a trademark of
Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Copyright ©Matthias Carstens, 12/2010. Version 1.2
Current driver version: Windows: 3.085, Mac OS X 2.76. Firmware: 11
Although the contents of this User’s Guide have been thoroughly checked for errors, RME can not guarantee that it is
correct throughout. RME does not accept responsibility for any misleading or incorrect information within this guide.
Lending or copying any part of the guide or the RME Driver CD, or any commercial exploitation of these media without
express written permission from RME Intelligent Audio Solutions is prohibited. RME reserves the right to change specifi-
cations at any time without notice.

10 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
CE / FCC Compliance
CE
This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits of the European Council Direc-
tive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to electromagnetic compati-
bility according to RL2004/108/EG, and European Low Voltage Directive RL2006/95/EG.
FCC
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protec-
tion against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses,
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning
the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
RoHS
This product has been soldered lead-free and fulfils the requirements of the RoHS directive.
ISO 9001
This product has been manufactured under ISO 9001 quality management. The manufacturer,
IMM Elektronik GmbH, is also certified for ISO 14001 (Environment) and ISO 13485 (medical
devices).
Note on Disposal
According to the guide line RL2002/96/EG (WEEE – Directive on Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment), valid for all european countries, this
product has to be recycled at the end of its lifetime.
In case a disposal of electronic waste is not possible, the recycling can
also be done by IMM Elektronik GmbH, the manufacturer of the
MADIface.
For this the device has to be sent free to the door to:
IMM Elektronik GmbH
Leipziger Straße 32
D-09648 Mittweida
Germany
Shipments not prepaid will be rejected and returned on the original sender's costs.

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 11
User's Guide
HDSPe MADIface
Driver Installation and Operation - Windows

12 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
10. Driver and Firmware
10.1 Driver Installation
After the MADIface has been installed correctly (see 5. Hardware Installation), and the com-
puter has been switched on, Windows will recognize the new hardware component and start its
‘Hardware Wizard’. Insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive, and follow further in-
structions which appear on your computer screen. The driver files are located in the directory
\WDM on the RME Driver CD.
Windows will install the Hammerfall DSP System driver, and will register the card in the system
as a new audio device. After a reboot the HDSPe MADIface is ready for use.
In case the warning messages 'Digital signature not found', 'Do not install driver', 'not certified
driver' or similar come up: simply ignore them and continue with the installation.
In case the Hardware Wizard does not show up automatically after installation of the card,
do not attempt to install the drivers manually! An installation of drivers for non-recognized
hardware will cause a blue screen when booting Windows!
In Windows 7 Microsoft removed the automatic start of the Driver Software Update dialog. The-
refore this dialog has to be started manually after the failed driver installation. Hit the Win key,
type 'Device Manager', start the Device Manager by selecting it from the list and hit Enter.
The device is shown with a yellow warning symbol. Usually it is already found in the correct
category, Sound, Video and Game Controller (Plug & Play detects a multimedia device). Right
click on the device and select 'Update Driver Software' from the context menu.
The dialog Update Driver Software appears. Now follow the instructions given below.
10.2 Driver Update
When facing problems with the automatic driver update, the user-driven way of driver installa-
tion will work.
Under >Control Panel /System /Device Manager /Sound, Video and Game Controllers /RME
Hammerfall DSP MADI /Properties /Driver< you'll find the 'Update Driver' button.
XP: Select 'Install from a list or specific location (advanced)', click 'Next', select 'Don't
search I will choose the driver to install', click 'Next', then 'Have Disk'. Now point to the
driver update's directory.
Vista/7: Select 'Browse my computer for driver software', then 'Let me pick from a list of
device drivers from my computer', then 'Have Disk'. Now point to the driver update's direc-
tory.
This method also allows for the installation of older drivers than the currently installed ones.

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 13
10.3 De-Installing the Drivers
A de-installation of the driver files is not necessary – and not supported by Windows anyway.
Thanks to full Plug & Play support, the driver files will not be loaded after the hardware has
been removed. If desired these files can then be deleted manually.
Unfortunately Windows Plug & Play methods do not cover the additional autorun entries of To-
talMix, the Settings dialog, and the registration of the ASIO driver. Those entries can be re-
moved from the registry through a software de-installation request. This request can be found
(like all de-installation entries) in Control Panel, Software. Click on the entry 'RME Hammerfall
DSP (WDM)'.
10.4 Firmware Update
The Flash Update Tool updates the ExpressCard MADIface to the latest firmware version. It
requires an already installed driver.
Start the program pcie_fut.exe. The Flash Update Tool displays the current revision of the
MADIface, and whether it needs an update or not. If so, then please press the 'Update' button.
A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished. The bar moves slowly first (pro-
gram), then faster (verify).
If more than one interface card is installed, all cards can be flashed by changing to the next tab
and repeating the process.
After the update the ExpressCard needs to be reset. This is done by powering down and shut-
ting off the PC. A warm boot is not enough!
When the update fails (status: failure), the card's second BIOS will be used from the next cold
boot on (Secure BIOS Technology). Therefore the card stays fully functional. The flash process
should then be tried again on a different computer.
Note: In case the hardware revision changes, Windows will start the hardware assistant and
wants to install new drivers. Do NOT let Windows search for new drivers, but follow the instruc-
tions given in chapter 10.2.

14 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
11. Configuring the MADIface
11.1 Settings Dialog
Configuration of the MADIface is done via its own settings dialog. The panel 'Settings' can be
opened:
•by clicking on the hammer symbol in the Task Bar's system tray
The mixer of the MADIface (TotalMix) can be opened:
•by clicking on the mixer icon in the Task Bar's system tray
The hardware of the HDSPe system offers a number of helpful, well thought-of practical func-
tions and options which affect how the card operates - it can be configured to suit many differ-
ent requirements. The following is available in the 'Settings' dialog:
•Configuration of digital I/Os
•Synchronization behaviour
•State of input and output
•Current sample rate
•Latency
Any changes made in the Settings dialog are applied immediately - confirmation (e.g. by click-
ing on OK or exiting the dialog) is not required. However, settings should not be changed during
playback or record if it can be avoided, as this can cause unwanted noises. Also, please note
that even in 'Stop' mode, several programs keep the recording and playback devices open,
which means that any new settings might not be applied immediately.
The status displays at the bottom of the dialog box give the user precise information about the
current status of the system, and the status of all digital signals.
Options
Check Input verifies the current digital input signal against the settings in the record program.
Activated Windows will automatically (and without notice) perform a sample rate conversion.
Deactivated the recording will simply be performed with the wrong sample rate, with a detuned
playback later on. This setting is valid for WDM only, it does not apply to ASIO.
SyncAlign guarantees synchronous channels when using WDM multitrack software. This option
should only be switched off in case the used software does not work correctly with SyncAlign
activated.
TMS activates the transmission of Channel Status data and Track Marker information from the
MADI input signal.
With Interleaved activated, WDM devices can be used as 8-channel devices (see chapter 12.4).

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 15
Buffer Size
The setting Buffer Size determines the latency between incoming and outgoing ASIO and GSIF
data, as well as affecting system stability (see chapter 13/14). GSIF and WDM can be set from
32 to 512 samples. Above 512, only ASIO is affected.
WDM Devices
Not before Vista the OS had been capable
to handle more than 32 WDM stereo de-
vices. Therefore under W2k/XP it often
makes sense to intentionally limit their
number.
System Clock
Shows the current clock state of the HDSP
system. The system is either Master (using
its own clock) or Slave (see AutoSync Ref).
Clock Mode
The unit can be configured to use its inter-
nal clock source (Master), or the MADI
input signal (AutoSync).
MADI Out
Defines the format of the MADI output sig-
nal. MADI can be a 56 or 64 channel sig-
nal.
96 kHz
Sample rates higher than 48 kHz can be
transmitted using the normal 48K Frame,
or using a native 96K Frame at the card's
output.
Input Status
Displays the state of the current input signal:
•Channel format (64 or 56 channels)
•Frame format (48K or 96K)
•Sample rate (measured)
•SyncCheck (No Lock, Lock, Sync)
SyncCheck serves as simple check and display tool of the current clock situation. It indicates
whether there is a valid signal (Lock, No Lock), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal
(Sync) at the MADI input.
About
This tab includes information about the driver and the card’s firmware version.
Lock Registry uses a password to prevent changes of the settings stored in the registry. All
settings are still changeable temporarily. As the settings are always loaded from the registry
when starting the computer, this method provides an easy way to define a specific initial state of
the HDSP system.

16 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
11.2 Settings dialog - DDS
Usually soundcards and audio interfaces generate their internal clock (master mode) by a
quartz. Therefore the internal clock can be set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, but not to a value in be-
tween. SteadyClock, RME's sensational Low Jitter Clock System, is based on a Direct Digital
Synthesizer (DDS). This superior circuitry can generate nearly any frequency with highest pre-
cision.
DDS has been implemented into
the MADIface with regard to the
needs of professional video appli-
cations, as well as to maximum
flexibility. The dialog DDS includes
both a list of typical video frequen-
cies (so called pull up/pull down at
0.1% and 4%) and two faders,
which allow to freely change the
basic sample rate in steps of 1 Hz
(!).
Application examples
DDS allows for a simultaneous
change of speed and tune during
record and playback. From align-
ment to other sources up to crea-
tive effects – everything is possi-
ble.
DDS allows to intentionally de-tune
the complete DAW. This way, the
DAW can match instruments which
have a wrong or unchangeable
tuning.
DDS allows to define a specific
sample rate. This feature can be is
useful in case the system randomly changes the sample rate – for unknown reasons. It also
prevents a change from Double Speed (96 kHz) to Single Speed (48 kHz), which would cause
configuration and routing problems by the changed amount of MADI channels.
The DDS dialog requires the MADIface to be in clock mode Master! The frequency setting
will only be applied to this one specific card!
Changing the sample rate in bigger steps during record/playback often results in a loss of
audio, or brings up warning messages of the audio software. Therefore the desired sample
rate should be set at least coarsely before starting the software.

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 17
DDS
Activates all settings of this dialog.
Value
Shows the sample rate as adjusted in this dialog. The sample rate is defined by the basic set-
ting (frequency), the multiplier, and the position of the activated fader.
Frequency
Sets a fixed basic sample rate, which can be modified by multiplier and fader.
Freq. Multiplier
Changes the basic sample rate into Single, Double or Quad Speed mode.
Coarse
Fader for coarse modification of the basic sample rate. Click Active to activate it. Minimum step
size 1 Hz.
Fine
Fader for fine modification of the basic sample rate. Click Active to activate it. Minimum step
size 1 Hz.
Notes on the faders
A mouse click within the fader area, above or below the fader know, will move the fader with the
smallest step size up or down. Holding the Ctrl key while clicking will cause the fader to jump to
its center (0) position.
11.3 Clock Modes - Synchronisation
AutoSync
AutoSync guarantees that normal record and record-while-play will always work correctly If no
valid input signal is found, the card automatically switches to clock mode ‘Master’. In certain
cases however, AutoSync may cause feedback in the digital carrier, so synchronization breaks
down. To remedy this, switch the clock mode to 'Master'.
Thanks to its AutoSync technique and lightning fast PLL, the HDSPe is not only capable of han-
dling standard frequencies, but also any sample rate between 28 and 200 kHz.
SyncCheck
If several digital devices are to be used simultaneously in a system, they not only have to oper-
ate with the same sample frequency but also be synchronous with each other. This is why digi-
tal systems always need a single device defined as ‘master’, which sends the same clock signal
to all the other (‘slave’) devices.
Remember that a digital system can only have one master! When the HDSPe’s clock mode
is set to Master, all other devices must be set to Slave.
SyncCheck serves as simple check and display tool of the current clock situation. It indicates
whether there is a valid signal (Lock, No Lock), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal
(Sync) at the MADI input.
In practice, SyncCheck provides the user with an easy way of checking whether all digital de-
vices connected to the system are properly configured. With SyncCheck, finally anyone can
master this common source of error, previously one of the most complex issues in the digital
studio world.

18 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
12. Operation and Usage
12.1 Playback
The HDSP system can play back audio data only in supported modes (channels, PCM) and
formats (sample rate, bit resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22
kHz and 8 bit).
In the audio application being used, HDSP must be selected as output device. This can often be
found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Audio Devices,
Audio etc.
We strongly recommend switching off all system sounds (via >Control Panel /Sounds<). Also
HDSP should not be the Preferred Device for playback, as this could cause loss of synchroniza-
tion and unwanted noises. If you feel you cannot do without system sounds, you should con-
sider buying a cheap Blaster clone and select this one as Preferred Device in >Control Panel
/Multimedia /Audio<.
The screenshot to the
right shows a typical
configuration dialog as
displayed by a (stereo)
wave editor. After se-
lecting one of the 32
playback devices, audio
data is sent to the ac-
cording audio channels.
Increasing the number
and/or size of audio
buffers may prevent the
audio signal from
breaking up, but also
increases latency i.e.
output is delayed. For
synchronized playback
of audio and MIDI (or
similar), be sure to acti-
vate the checkbox ‘Get
position from audio driver’.
The MADIface allows sample rates of up to 192 kHz via MADI. In this mode, only channels 1 to
16 are available.
Note on Windows Vista/7:
Since Vista the audio application can no longer control the sample rate under WDM. Instead the
user has to work himself through numerous settings (up to 32 with a MADI card!), and to set the
sample rate to the exact same value per stereo device.

User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME 19
12.2 DVD-Playback (AC-3/DTS)
AC-3 / DTS
When using popular DVD software players like WinDVD and PowerDVD, their audio data
stream can be sent to any AC-3/DTS capable receiver via the MADIface. For this to work an
output wave device has to be selected in >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio< or
>Control Panel/ Sound/Playback<. Also check 'use preferred device only'.
The DVD software's audio properties now show the options 'SPDIF Out' or similar. When select-
ing these, the software will transfer the non-decoded digital multichannel data stream to the
MADIface. Naturally a successful decoding also requires a MADI to AES converter like the RME
ADI-642, converting the playback signals to stereo AES3 or SPDIF.
Note: This 'SPDIF' signal sounds like chopped noise at highest level. The first 2 channels
(Loudspeaker) do not support digital AC-3/DTS playback.
Multichannel
PowerDVD and WinDVD can also operate as software decoder, sending a DVD's multichannel
data stream directly to the outputs of the MADIface. Supported are all modes, from 2 to 8 chan-
nels, at 16 bit resolution and 48 kHz sample rate.
For this to work select the WDM playback device ’Loudspeaker’ of the MADIface in
XP: >Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio<, and 'Use only default devices' has to be
checked. Additionally the loudspeaker setup, found under >Volume/ Speaker Settings/ Ad-
vanced< has to be changed from Stereo to 5.1 Surround.
Vista/7: >Control Panel/ Sound/ Playback < as ‘Standard’. Additionally the loudspeaker setup,
found under >Configuration<, has to be changed from Stereo to 5.1 Surround.
PowerDVD's and WinDVD's audio properties now list several multichannel modes. If one of
these is selected, the software sends the decoded analog multichannel data to the MADIface.
TotalMix can then be used to play back via any desired output channels.
The typical channel assignment for surround playback is:
1 - Left
2 - Right
3 - Center
4 - LFE (Low Frequency Effects)
5 - SL (Surround Left)
6 - SR (Surround Right)
Note 1: Setting the card to be used as system playback device is against common sense, as
professional cards are not specialized to play back system sounds, and shouldn't be disturbed
by system events. To prevent this be sure to re-assign this setting after usage or disable any
system sounds (tab Sounds, scheme 'No audio').
Note 2: The DVD player will be synced backwards from the MADIface. So when using Auto-
Sync, the playback speed and pitch follows the incoming clock signal.

20 User's Guide HDSPe MADIface © RME
12.3 Notes on WDM
The driver offers a WDM streaming device per stereo pair, like HDSP MADI (1+2). WDM
streaming is Microsoft's current driver and audio system, directly embedded into the operating
system. WDM streaming is hardly usable for professional music purposes, as all data is proc-
essed by the so called Kernel Mixer, causing a latency of at least 30 ms. Additionally, WDM can
perform sample rate conversions unnoticed, cause offsets between record and playback data,
block channels unintentionally and much more.
Several programs do not offer any direct device selection. Instead they use the playback device
selected in Windows under
XP: <Control Panel/ Sounds and Multimedia/ Audio>
Vista/7: <Control Panel/ Sound/ Playback>
The program Sonar from Cakewalk is unique in many ways. Sonar uses the so called WDM
Kernel Streaming, bypassing the WDM mixer, thus achieves a similar performance to ASIO.
Because of the driver's multichannel streaming ability (option Interleaved, see chapter 12.5),
Sonar not only finds the stereo device mentioned above, but also the 8-channel interleaved
devices, and adds the channel number at the end:
HDSP MADI (1+2) is the first stereo device
HDSP MADI (3+4) is the next stereo device
HDSP MADI (1+2) 3/4 are the channels 3/4 of the first 8-channel interleaved device.
We recommend to not use these special interleaved devices. Also note that it is not possible to
use one stereo channel twice (the basic and the interleaved device), even with different applica-
tions.
Information on multichannel WDM is found in chapter 12.5.
12.4 Channel Count under WDM
The MADIface allows the use of sample rates up to 192 kHz via the MADI interface. For this to
work single-channel data is spread to two or four channels using the Sample Multiplexing tech-
nique. Therefore the number of channels is reduced to 32 or 16 respectively.
It is nearly impossible to change the number of WDM devices without a reboot of the computer.
So when the MADIface changes to Double Speed (88.2/96 kHz) or Quad Speed mode
(176.4/192 kHz) all devices stay present, but are partly inactive.
WDM Stereo devices Double Speed Quad Speed
MADI (1+2 to 15+16) MADI (1+2 to 15+16) MADI (1+2 to 15+16)
MADI (17+18 to 31+32) MADI (17+18 to 31+32) MADI (17+18 to 31+32)
MADI (33+34 to 63+64) MADI (33+34 to 63+64) MADI (33+34 to 63+64)