User's Guide PCI-Bus Audio Card 2 Channel Stereo Interface 24 Bit / 48 kHz Digital Audio 32-48 kHz Sample Rate
Contents 1 2 3 4 5 Introduction............................................................ 3 Package Contents .................................................. 3 System Requirements............................................ 3 Brief Description and Characteristics................... 3 Technical Specifications 5.1 Digital.................................................................... 4 5.2 Digital Interface..................................................... 4 5.
1. Introduction DIGI32 allows the recording of digital audio from CD, DAT, sampler or other digital sources directly into your computer. The installation is made very simple, even for the inexperienced user, thanks to the most up to date Plug & Play technology. The support of up to 24 bit audio resolution and direct Hi-Speed 32 bit data transfer puts DIGI32 at the top of the range of interface cards available to date.
5. Technical Specifications 5.1 Digital • • • • • • Low Jitter Design: < 3 ns in PLL mode (44.1 kHz, optical input) Supported sample rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 25 kHz-60 kHz via AutoSync High sensitive input stage (< 0.2Vss input level) Input PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 40 ns jitter Output voltage Consumer 0.8 V, Professional 1.6 V Supports all known formats mono/stereo from 16 to 24 bit 5.
6. Hardware Installation Important: Switch off the computer and remove the power cable from the power supply before fitting the DIGI32. Inserting and removing the card while the computer is in operation will more than likely lead to irreparable damage to the mainboard! 1. Disconnect the power cord and all other cables from the computer 2. Remove the computer's housing; further information on how to do this can be obtained from your computer´s instruction manual 3.
7.3 Windows 2000/XP After the hardware has been installed correctly (see 6. Hardware Installation), and the computer 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 instructions which appear on your computer screen. The driver files are located in the directory \DIGI96 W2k (no error!) on the RME Driver CD.
8. Operation and Usage 8.1 External Connectors The DIGI32 has 2 external inputs and outputs. The current input is activated through 'Settings', available by a click on the DIGI symbol in the Taskbar's system tray (under Win9x through >Device Manager /DIGI32 /Properties /Settings<). The card accepts all commonly used digital sources as well as SPDIF and AES/EBU. Channel status and copy protection are ignored. All outputs are driven in parallel, therefore carrying identical signals.
.3 Playback (Windows MME) DIGI32 can play back audio data only in supported formats (sample rate, bit resolution). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22 kHz and 8 bit). In the audio application being used, DIGI32 must be selected as the output device. This can often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Audio Devices, Audio etc. Only a few programs exclusively use Windows' Preferred Playback Device.
8.4 Recording Digital (Windows MME) Unlike analog soundcards, which produce empty wave files (or noise) when no input signal is present, digital I/O cards always need a valid input signal to start recording (this includes the correct sample frequency as well).
9. Configuring the DIGI32 9.1 General The hardware of the DIGI32 series includes a number of helpful, well thought-of, practical functions and options, which allow you to configure the behaviour of the card to suit many different requirements. Through ‘Settings’ you will gain access to: • • • • • Input selection Output operation Output Channel Status Synchronization behaviour Input and output status display The display of the current input frequency and format is updated every 0.5 seconds.
Input Defines the current input. Stereo Devices (W2k only) SyncAlign operates fully automated and should be kept active all the time. Only in case the stereo devices must operate completetely independent, deactivating this setting may be necessary. Safe Mode Check Input verifies the current input signal against the settings in the record program. When de-activated a recording will always be allowed, even with non-valid input signals.
9.3 Clock Modes - Synchronization In the digital world, all devices are either the 'Master' (clock source) or a 'Slave' synchronized to the master. Whenever several devices are linked within a system, there must always be a single master. The DIGI32 series includes a very user-friendly intelligent clock control, which handles the clock switching between master and slave on its own. Click on 'AutoSync' to activate this mode.
Example 2: Only the outputs of the DIGIs are connected to other devices. Connect the internal Sync-Out of the master card to the Sync-In (CD-ROM) of the second card, activate its internal input and AutoSync mode. Next connect the third card in the same way, from the second's card Sync-Out to the third's card Sync-In. Configure this card like the second one. The necessary 2-wire cables are the ones supplied with the DIGI cards.
12. Hotline - Troubleshooting 12.1 General The newest information can always be found on our website www.rme-audio.com, section FAQ, Latest Additions. Playback works but recording doesn´t: • Check that a valid input signal is at hand. In this case the Error LED on the hardware turns off, and the current sample frequency is shown under 'Settings'. • If you are sure that a valid signal is being sent but the LED is still red, then check the currently selected input in the Settings dialogue.
When the card and the driver have been properly installed but no playback is possible: • Check that the DIGI32 appears correctly in the Device Manager. If the device 'DIGI32' is marked with a yellow exclamation mark then either an address conflict or an IRQ conflict is present. • If no yellow exclamation mark is present check the 'Resources' tab. • Check that the DIGI32 has been set as ‘transmitting device’ in the software. Also check the settings under >Settings /Control Panel /Multimedia /Advanced<.
14. TECH INFO RME provides more information on the TECH INFO pages in the web (http://www.rmeaudio.com/techinfo/index.htm), and in the directory \rmeaudio.web\techinfo on the RME Driver CD. Here are some examples of available Tech Infos: Synchronization (DIGI32 series) Digital audio synchronization: technical background, problems Installation Problems ..and their solutions List of Driver Updates Lists all driver updates and the changes in them Configuration of Samplitude, Cubase, Logic, Cakewalk 7.
16. Appendix RME news, driver updates and further product information are available on our website: http://www.rme-audio.com If you prefer to read the information off-line, you can load a complete copy of the RME website from the RME Driver CD (in the \rmeaudio.web directory) into your browser. Distributor in Germany: Synthax Audio AG, Am Pfanderling 62, D-85778 Haimhausen, Tel.: (49) 08133 / 91810 Manufacturer: IMM Elektronik, Leipziger Str.
CE This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits of the European Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the member states relating to electromagnetic compatibility (89/336/EEC) according to EN 55022 class B. FCC Compliance Statement Certified to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device according to subpart J or part 15 of FCC rules. See instructions if interference to radio reception is suspected.
