User Manual

User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME

9.6 Multi-client Operation

RME audio interfaces support multi-client operation. This means several programs can be used

at the same time. Also all formats, like ASIO, MME and GSIF can be used simultaneously. The

use of multi-client operation requires to follow two simple rules:

• Multi-client operation requires identical sample rates!

I.e. it is not possible to use one software with 44.1 kHz and the other with 48 kHz.

• Different software can not use the same channels at the same time.

If for example Cubase uses channels 1/2 (default in Cubase, Master bus), this playback pair

can't be used in Gigasampler/Studio (GSIF) nor under MME (WaveLab etc.) anymore (the in-

puts can be used at the same time). This is no limitation at all, because TotalMix allows any

output routing, and with this a playback of multiple software on the same hardware outputs.

ASIO-Multiclient

RME audio interfaces support ASIO multi-client operation. It is possible to use more than one

ASIO software at the same time. Again the sample rate has to be identical, and each software

has to use its own playback channels. The inputs can be used simultaneously.

RME's sophisticated tool DIGICheck is an exception to this rule. It operates like an ASIO host,

using a special technique to access playback channels already occupied. Therefore DIGICheck

is able to analyse and display playback data from any software, no matter which format the

software uses.

Multi-Client and Multi-Channel using WDM

The WDM Streaming devices of our driver can operate as usual stereo devices, or as 8-

channel devices. The option Interleaved in the Settings dialog determines the current mode.

Interleaved not active: The WDM devices operate as usual stereo devices. The multi-client

operation works as described above with WDM, ASIO, MME and GSIF.

Interleaved active: The WDM devices can also be used as 8-channel devices. Unfortunately the

Kernel Mixer, active with any WDM playback, then always occupies and blocks 8 channels at

once, even when WaveLab or the Media Player perform just a stereo playback (2 channels).

So:

If any stereo pair within an 8-channel group is used, the whole 8-channel group is blocked.

As a result, no second stereo pair of this group can be used, neither with ASIO, MME nor

GSIF.

The Fireface provides three 8-channel groups: the analog inputs 1 to 8 and the two ADAT

ports.

Starting MME, ASIO or GSIF playback on any of the stereo pairs of an 8-channel group prior to

starting a WDM playback will prevent the Kernel Mixer from opening the 8-channel device, as

two of its channels are already in use. The Kernel Mixer then automatically reverts to open a

stereo device for a stereo playback.

Software which is capable of using more than one MME device usually uses the (WDM-) MME

devices. A surround playback via Media Player should be possible without the need of recon-

figuration. That's why the mode Interleaved is activated in the Settings dialog by default.