OVERVIEW HDSP MADI

The Hammerfall DSP MADI is RME's 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.

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. Hammerfall DSP 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.

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
Furthermore, the hardware delivers RMS and peak level meters for full control over 192 audio channels at minimal CPU load.

As usual with RME, Hammerfall DSP MADI offers further sensible features. For instance an analog 24 bit 192 kHz line/headphone output with 110 dB dynamic range for direct control of all input and output signals. While most MADI-based devices require an additional word clock or AES line, the Hammerfall DSP MADI (like the ADI-648) uses SteadyClock™ to extract the reference clock at lowest jitter directly from the MADI signal, making long-distance connections even more convenient.

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 2 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:

HDSP Meter Bridge: Scalable level meter with Peak- and RMS calculation in hardware
DIGICheck 4.0 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 (full ASIO multi-client operation of MME, GSIF and ASIO 2.0)


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 and displays their actual state, and thanks to our new Intelligent Clock Control concept you have all clocks and states under control - with ease.

Hammerfall DSP MADI debuts SteadyClock™, a newly developed clock technology, combining professional features like maximum jitter suppression at full varipitch capabilities and software controlled sample rates.

Up to 3 HDSP MADI 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, and 48 inputs and 48 outputs at 192 kHz.


TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

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 realtime
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
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