User Manual

4
Inputs + Outputs
MIDI integration and remote control
The HDSPe MADI provides four MIDI I/Os:
- 1 x external via breakout cable
- 3 x internal as virtual MIDI ports - one for each MADI I/O
RME MADI devices will not only transmit 64 audio channels with a single connection, but also regular MIDI
signals. The HDSPe MADI FX is no exception: each MADI I/O owns a virtual MIDI I/O in the operating system
that can be addressed by any MIDI program.
MIDI signals will be transmitted invisibly through the same lines and distances as the MADI data. At the
other end of the MADI cable, the MIDI signals can be played back from RME MADI devices via a standard
MIDI DIN port.
MIDI over MADI also allows remote control of all RME MADI devices, including monitoring and conguring
a device’s complete status. This outstanding feature makes MADI transmission across large distances
practically usable, with host computers and devices far from each other - for example, FOH and stage.
All units can be programmed with their own ID, allowing independent remote control of multiple devices
via a single MIDI channel.
RME provides a free Windows and Mac software to control all RME MADI devices. This “MIDI Remote” can
use any existing MIDI port within the system to remotely control and monitor all connected devices. The
software provides both a front-panel like operation and an extended Matrix display.
Wordclock I/O
A word clock I/O with switchable termination completes the connectivity of the MADI FX card.
While most MADI-based devices require an additional word clock or AES/EBU line, the MADI FX card uses
SteadyClock to extract the reference clock directly from the MADI signal, while reducing possible jitter to a
minimum, making long-distance connections even more convenient.
The word clock input processes signals automatically in single, double or quad speed.
5
3 x MADI I/O
The MADI FX provides two optical and one coaxial MADI I/O*.
Thus a total of 192 inputs and 192 outputs are simultaneously available in MADI format (at 44.1 and 48 kHz).
At 96 kHz there are 96/96, and at 192 kHz an impressive 48/48 inputs and outputs can be used.
The HDSP MADI FX provides a sucient amount of audio channels for every conceivable project, and
enough reserve to grow with future needs. In general, two optical MADI-I/Os are adequate to implement
a major studio or live setup with long cable lengths. The additional coaxial MADI I/O provides maximum
exibility and provides in-the-box conversion between both formats.
* The optical connectors are SC industry standard, in multi-mode technology. The coaxial MADI I/O is
congured as 75 ohm BNC.
Analog Monitoring Output
The HDSPe MADI FX provides an analog stereo output in reference quality with RME’s proven low-latency
converter technology. The output is ideally suited for high- and low-impedance headphones.
Thanks to the powerful monitoring features of TotalMix, any input channel, recorded tracks, or complex
sub-mixes can be selected for listening. An advanced Cue function allows each of the 98 possible stereo
sub-mixes to be monitored with just a single mouse click.
AES/EBU I/O
An audio interface which is limited to MADI I/Os needs expensive multichannel converters to perform a
conversion to other digital formats or even a simple sync connection. Those who work with MADI usually
have also AES/EBU devices in use and would like to connect them easily to their DAW.
Therefore the HDSPe MADI FX provides a digital I/O in the professional AES/EBU format. This allows the
connection of a simple AD/DA converter (e. g. RME’s ADI-2 for example) to get a 2nd monitoring output, or
to create a talkback setup. Even the connection of an external digital eects unit without a costly external
MADI to AES/EBU interface can be realized easily.
The AES/EBU I/O can also be used for synchronization, e. g. with Steinberg’s synchronizer and clock device,
the Nuendo Sync Station.
Available channel numbers with dierent Sample Rates:
Sample Rate Analog AES/EBU MADI Total In/Out
44.1/48 kHz 0/2 2/2 192/192 194/196
88.2/96 kHz 0/2 2/2 96/96 98/102
176.4/192 kHz 0/2 2/2 48/48 50/52