User Manual

User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME

If several digital devices are to be

used simultaneously in a system,

they not only have to operate with the

same sample frequency but also be

synchronous with each other. This is

why digital systems always need a

single device defined as ‘master’,

which sends the same clock signal to

all the other (‘slave’) devices. RME’s

exclusive SyncCheck technology

(first implemented in the Hammerfall)

enables an easy to use check and

display of the current clock status.

SyncCheck indicates whether there is

a valid signal (Lock, No Lock) for

each input (Word clock, ADAT1,

ADAT2, SPDIF), or if there is a valid

and synchronous signal (Sync). The

AutoSync Ref display shows the input

and frequency of the current sync

source (see chapter 30.1).

In practice, SyncCheck provides the

user with an easy way of checking

whether all digital devices connected

to the system are properly config-

ured. With SyncCheck, finally anyone

can master this common source of error, previously one of the most complex issues in the digi-

tal studio world.

Thanks to its AutoSync technique and lightning fast PLLs, the Fireface 800 is not only capable

of handling standard frequencies, but also any sample rate between 28 and 200 kHz. Even the

word clock input, most often used in varispeed operation, allows any frequency between 28 kHz

and 200 kHz.

At 88.2 or 96 kHz: If the ADAT input has been selected in Pref Sync Ref, the sample frequency

shown in the SPDIF In field differs from the one shown in AutoSync Ref. The card automati-

cally switches to its Sample Split mode here, because ADAT optical inputs and outputs are only

specified up to 48 kHz. Data from/to a single input/output is spread over two channels, the in-

ternal frequency stays at 44.1 or 48 kHz. In such cases, the ADAT sample frequency is only

half the SPDIF frequency.