User Manual
User's Guide Digiface USB © RME
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8.3 Channel Count under WDM
The Digiface USB ADAT optical interface offers sample rates of up to 192 kHz. For this to work
single-channel data is spread to two or four ADAT channels using the Sample Multiplexing tech-
nique. Therefore the number of channels is reduced to 16 or 8 respectively.
Whenever the Digiface USB changes into Double Speed (88.2/96 kHz) or Quad Speed mode
(176.4/192 kHz) all devices no longer available vanish automatically.
WDM devices Double Speed Quad Speed
Digiface USB ADAT (1-8) Digiface USB ADAT (1-4) Digiface USB ADAT (1+2)
Digiface USB ADAT (9-16) Digiface USB ADAT (5-8) Digiface USB ADAT (3+4)
Digiface USB ADAT (17-24) Digiface USB ADAT (9-12) Digiface USB ADAT (5+6)
Digiface USB ADAT (25-32) Digiface USB ADAT (13-16) Digiface USB ADAT (7+8)
8.4 Multi-client Operation
RME audio interfaces support multi-client operation. Several programs can be used at the same
time. The formats ASIO and WDM can even be used on the same playback channels simulta-
neously. As WDM uses a real-time sample rate conversion (ASIO does not), all active ASIO
software has to use the same sample rate.
However, a better overview is maintained by using the channels exclusively. This is no limitation
at all, because TotalMix allows for any output routing, and therefore a playback of multiple soft-
ware on the same hardware outputs.
Inputs can be used from an unlimited number of WDM and ASIO software at the same time, as
the driver simply sends the data to all applications simultaneously.
RME's sophisticated tool DIGICheck operates like an ASIO host, using a special technique to
access playback channels directly. Therefore DIGICheck is able to analyse and display play-
back data from any software, no matter which format it uses.
8.5 Digital Recording
Unlike analog soundcards which produce empty wave files (or noise) when no input signal is
present, digital interfaces always need a valid input signal to start recording. Taking this into
account, RME added a comprehensive I/O signal status display to the Digiface USB, showing
sample frequency, lock and sync status in the Settings dialog, and four status LEDs directly at
the unit.
The sample frequency shown in the
Settings dialog is useful as a quick display
of the current configuration of the unit and
the connected external equipment. If no
sample frequency is recognized, it will read
‘No Lock’.
This way, configuring any suitable audio application for digital recording is simple. After connec-
tion the Digiface USB displays the current and external sample frequency. This parameter can
then be changed in the application’s audio attributes (or similar) dialog.