User's Guide Fireface 800 The most powerful FireWire audio interface ever! TotalMix 24 Bit / 192 kHz ü SyncAlign ® TM ZLM ® SyncCheck TM ® SteadyClock FireWire 800 / 400 Digital I/O System 10 + 16 + 2 Channels Analog / ADAT / SPDIF Interface 24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio 56 x 28 Matrix Router MIDI I/O Stand-Alone Operation Inhalt Introduction............................................................ 4 Package Contents .................................................. 4 System Requirements............................................ 4 Brief Description and Characteristics................... 4 Hardware Installation ............................................. 5 Driver Installation 6.1 Windows 2000/XP ................................................. 5 6.2 Driver Update........................................................ 6 6.3 Flash Update......................................................... 6 6.4 Deinstalling the Drivers ......................................... 6 7 First Usage - Quick Start........................................ 7 8 Configuring the Fireface 8.1 Settings dialog ­ General ...................................... 8 8.2 Settings dialog ­ DDS ..........................................11 8.3 Clock Modes - Synchronization.............................12 9 Operation and Usage 9.1 Conections ...........................................................14 9.2 Playback ..............................................................15 9.3 DVD Playback (AC-3 / DTS).................................16 9.4 Low Latency under MME ......................................17 9.5 Notes on WDM.....................................................18 9.6 Multi-client Operation ...........................................19 9.7 Digital Recording ..................................................20 9.8 Analog Recording .................................................21 10 Using more than one Fireface ..............................21 11 Operation under ASIO 2.0 11.1 General ..............................................................22 11.2 Known Problems ................................................22 12 Operation under GSIF...........................................23 13 Stand-alone Operation 13.1 10-channel AD/DA-Converter .............................24 13.2 4-channel Mic Preamp........................................24 13.3 Monitor Mixer .....................................................24 13.4 Digital Format Converter ....................................24 13.5 Analog/digital Routing Matrix ..............................24 14 Analog Inputs 14.1 Line Rear ...........................................................25 14.2 Microphone / Line Front......................................25 14.3 Instrument ..........................................................26 15 Analog Outputs 15.1 Line....................................................................27 15.2 Phones...............................................................27 16 Digital Connections 16.1 ADAT .................................................................28 16.2 SPDIF ................................................................28 16.3 MIDI ...................................................................29 17 Word Clock 17.1 Word Clock Input and Output .............................30 17.2 Technical Description and Background ...............31 17.3 Cables and Termination......................................32 17.4 General Operation ..............................................32 1 2 3 4 5 6 User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME 2 TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring ...................... 33 18.1 Elements of the Surface .................................... 34 18.2 Tour de TotalMix ............................................... 35 18.3 Submix View ..................................................... 36 18.4 Mute and Solo ................................................... 36 18.5 Hotkeys ............................................................. 36 18.6 Quick Access Panel........................................... 37 18.7 Presets .............................................................. 38 18.8 Menu Options .................................................... 39 18.9 Level Meter ....................................................... 40 19 The Matrix 19.1 Elements of the Surface .................................... 41 19.2 Usage................................................................ 41 19.3 Advantages of the Matrix................................... 42 20 TotalMix Super-Features 20.1 ASIO Direct Monitoring...................................... 42 20.2 Selection and Group based Operation ............... 43 20.3 Copy Routings to other Channels ...................... 43 20.4 Delete Routings................................................. 43 20.5 Recording a Subgroup (Loopback) .................... 44 21 DIGICheck............................................................. 45 22 Hotline ­ Troubleshooting 22.1 General ............................................................. 46 22.2 Installation......................................................... 47 22.3 FireWire Audio .................................................. 47 23 Accessories .......................................................... 48 24 TECH INFO ........................................................... 48 25 Warranty ............................................................... 49 26 Appendix............................................................... 49 27 Technical Specifications 27.1 Analog............................................................... 50 27.2 Digital................................................................ 51 27.3 Digital Inputs ..................................................... 52 27.4 Digital Outputs................................................... 53 27.5 MIDI .................................................................. 53 27.6 Transfer Modes: Resolution/Bits per Sample ..... 53 28 Technical Background 28.1 Lock and SyncCheck......................................... 54 28.2 Latency and Monitoring ..................................... 55 28.3 DS ­ Double Speed........................................... 56 28.4 QS ­ Quad Speed ............................................. 56 28.5 AES/EBU ­ SPDIF ............................................ 57 28.6 Noise Level in DS / QS Mode............................ 58 28.7 SteadyClock ...................................................... 58 29 Diagrams 29.1 Block Diagram Fireface ..................................... 59 29.2 Channel Routing ASIO 96 kHz .......................... 60 29.3 Channel Routing MME 96 kHz........................... 61 29.4 Connector Pinouts ............................................. 62 30 CE / FCC Compliance........................................... 63 18 User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME 3 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 hardware. 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 (10.3 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 User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME 4 5. Hardware Installation Desktop Computer · · Use the power cord to connect the Fireface with any suitable power outlet. Connect computer and Fireface using the supplied 6-pin FireWire cable (IEEE1394a). In case your computer does not have any FireWire port, PCI-cards providing multiple FireWire ports can be added easily. FireWire cards are available in your local computer shop. Power on the computer. Switch on the Fireface when Windows shows the desktop. · Notebook · · Use the power cord to connect the Fireface with any suitable power outlet. Connect computer and Fireface using the supplied 6-pin FireWire cable (IEEE1394a). In case your notebook does not have any FireWire port, CardBus-cards can be used to add them. In case your notebook does not have a 6-pin jack, or any supplied 6-pin to 4-pin adapter: such adapters are available in your local computer store, also as complete cables 4-pin to 6-pin. Power on the notebook. Switch on the Fireface when Windows shows the desktop. · 6. Driver Installation 6.1 Windows 2000/XP After the Fireface has been switched on, (see 5. Hardware Installation) the green arrow symbol appears in the task bar (dialog Remove hardware) because Windows has detected an external hardware. Insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive, and follow further instructions which appear on your computer screen. The driver files are located in the directory \Fireface W2k on the RME Driver CD. Windows now installs the driver of the Fireface 800 and registers it as a new audio device in the system. After a reboot, the symbols of mixer and Settings dialog will appear in the task bar (see above). The red Host error LED extinguishes. In case the warning messages 'Digital signature not found', 'Do not install driver', 'not certified driver' or similar come up: Don't listen to Microsoft, listen to us and continue with the installation. In case the Hardware Wizard does not show up automatically after installation of the card, do not attempt to install the drivers manually! An installation of drivers for non-recognized hardware will cause a blue screen when booting Windows! Possible reasons why a Fireface is not found automatically: · · The FireWire port is not active in the system (drivers of the FireWire PCI or CardBus card have not been installed) The FireWire cable is not, or not correctly inserted into the socket No power. After switching the Fireface on, at least the red Host error LED has to be lit. · User's Guide Fireface 800 © RME 5 6.2 Driver Update RME's driver updates often include a new fireface.inf file. To prevent Windows 2000/XP from using an old fireface.inf, or to copy some of the old driver files, be sure NOT to let Windows search for the driver! Instead tell Windows what to do. Under Control Panel /System /Device Manager /Sound, Video and Game Controllers /RME Fireface 800/Properties /Driver you'll find the 'Update Driver' button. Select 'Install from a list or specific location (advanced)', click 'Next', select 'Don't search I will choose the driver to install', click 'Next', then 'Have Disk'. Now point to the driver update's directory. 6.3 Flash Update The Flash Update Tool updates the firmware of the Fireface 800 to the latest version. It requires an already installed driver. Start the program fireface_fut.exe. The Flash Update Tool displays the current revision of the Fireface's frimware, and whether it needs an update or not. If so, then simply press the 'Update' button. A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished (Verify Ok). If more than one Fireface is installe ...