User Manual

User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME

1. Introduction

Thank you for choosing the Fireface 800. This unique audio system is capable of transferring

analog and digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any device. The latest Plug

and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user. The

numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts the Fireface 800 at

the very top of the range of computer-based audio interfaces.

The package contains drivers for Windows 2000/XP and Mac OS X.

Our high-performance philosophy guarantees maximum system performance by executing as

many functions as possible not in the driver (i.e. the CPU), but directly within the audio hard-

ware.

2. Package Contents

Please check that your Fireface 800 package contains each of the following:

• RME Driver CD

• Cable IEEE1394a (FW400), 4.5 m (15 ft)

• Power cord

• Manual

• 1 optical cable (TOSLINK), 2 m (6.6 ft)

3. System Requirements

• Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP, Mac OS X (10.2.8 or higher)

• FireWire Interface: a free FireWire Port 400 (1394a) or 800 (1394b)

Note: Examples and detailed descriptions of suitable audio desktop systems can be found in

the Tech Info RME Reference PCs: Hardware recommendations. Information on compatibility

and performance of notebooks/laptops is included in RMEs Tech Infos about notebooks, HDSP

System – Notebook Basics and Tests. A report about incompatible FireWire 800 controllers is

found in the Tech Info FireWire 800 Hardware – Compatibility Problems.

4. Brief Description and Characteristics

• All settings can be changed in real-time

• Enhanced Mixed Mode: Analog, ADAT and SPDIF I/O simultaneously usable

• 8 buffer sizes/latencies available: 1,0 / 1,5 / 2,1 / 3 / 6 / 12 / 17 / 23 ms

• 8 channels 96 kHz/24 Bit Record/Playback via ADAT optical (S/MUX)

• Clock modes slave and master

• Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control

• Unsurpassed Bitclock PLL (audio synchronization) in ADAT mode

• Word clock input and output

• Enhanced ZLM for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring

• SyncAlign guarantees sample aligned and never swapping channels

• SyncCheck tests and reports the synchronization status of input signals

• 1 x MIDI I/O, 16 channels high-speed MIDI

• 1 x Hi-power headphone output

• DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation

• TotalMix: 1568 channel mixer with 42 Bit internal resolution