Overview Modern notebooks offer computing power on par with fast desktop systems. Dual core processors, 2 gigabytes of storage, large and fast hard drives, dual monitor operation with a fast graphics card - all of this is now also available in a small, light and portable way. So it's no wonder that RME is receiving more and more requests for a portable MADI solution. Thanks to the fast PCI Express bus and the latest, extremely powerful FPGAs, RME can now present another milestone in its company history - the world's first and only MADI interface for notebooks based on an ExpressCard: the MADIface! Consisting of the HDSPe ExpressCard MADI and a small breakout box, MADIface offers full MADI power: 64 channels of inputs and 64 channels of outputs, up to 192 kHz sample frequency, MIDI transmission integrated into MADI, complete - also remote controllable - TotalMix with all the features of the 'big ' HDSPe MADI, as well as lowest latency and CPU load. All of this is extremely convenient and powered directly from the ExpressCard, i.e. without an external power supply. The MADIface is completely compatible with all devices with a MADI interface. It can of course be ideally combined with the products from the RME MADI series. For example, the ADI-648 creates an 8-fold ADAT optical interface that is unbeatable in terms of price and performance. With the ADI-6432, the MADIface has a bidirectional AES/EBU front end with 64 channels available. Of course, RME's high-end MicPreamp Micstasy and ADI-8 QS (each with MADI option) can also be connected. The integrated Secure Flash technology provides the user with a future-proof solution for continuous hardware and driver updates. The MADIface can be operated with the Sonnett Echo ExpressCard adapter on a Thunderbolt port (e.g. Macbook Pro, iMac). Features RME's HDSPe ExpressCard MADI is a real PCI Express solution and can therefore fully implement all the advantages of the new format and make them usable for audio in terms of performance. The ExpressCard is based on the PCI Express Base Specification v1.1. A standard Firewire cable (6-pin IEEE 1394a) is used to connect the ExpressCard MADI and the breakout box. However, Firewire protocol is not used. The included cable is 1 meter long. The ExpressCard MADI supplies the operating voltage for the breakout box, so no external power supply is necessary. The MADIface offers full support for 56 and 64 channel modes, as well as double and single wire (96k frame) technology for 96 kHz. The full 64-channel support is also reflected in the TotalMix hardware mixer. All 64 inputs and 64 playback channels can be routed and mixed completely freely to all 64 physical outputs. This corresponds to an 8192-channel mixer! RME's MADI interfaces thus offer the most powerful router/mixer implemented on a PCI Express card to date, and allow other interesting applications via the actual computer I/O operation, such as: MADI optical patchbay and router MADI coaxial/optical or vice versa converter and splitter MADI redistributor, patchbay and router TotalMix can be completely remote controlled via MIDI. RMS and peak level meters are also available in hardware for full signal control of 192 channels with hardly any measurable CPU load. RME uses a configuration memory for the card's most important settings. Instead of operating in a default mode from the time the computer is switched on until the driver is loaded, as was previously the case, MADIface activates the last used sample frequency, master/slave configuration and MADI format immediately when switched on. This eliminates noise and problems in the clock network, even when the computer is switched on or rebooted. The software included is: DIGICheck for windows: Spectral Analyzer, Professional Level Meter 2/8/64 channels, Vector Audio Scope, Global Record, many other analysis functions Driver: windows 2000/XP/Vista/64 (complete ASIO multiclient with WDM , GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0), Mac OS X Intel (Core Audio and Core MIDI). Notes - While many MADI devices require an additional word clock or AES line, thanks to SteadyClock(TM), the MADIface (like all RME devices) can extract the reference clock directly from the MADI signal with low jitter, thus ensuring connections over long distances make it easier. When using another RME device, word clock input and output are also available, which are not directly available on the MADIface. ** MADIface offers a virtual MIDI port in the driver. This I/O is primarily used to remotely control other RME MADI devices, but can also be used to send and receive normal MIDI data. The MIDI data is invisibly woven into the MADI signal and transmitted. Instead of on the MADIface, you get physical access on the RME device connected to the MADIface. Settings After clicking on the symbol in the systray of the taskbar (hammer), the MADIface configuration dialog appears. The clear, clearly structured structure and the unique, informative status windows for input signal, clock modes and sample frequency make using the MADIface a pleasure. RME's exclusive SyncCheck checks the synchronicity of the input signal to the internal clock. This procedure makes troubleshooting much easier; the current status is displayed in plain text in the settings dialog. MADIface is equipped with SteadyClock(TM), RME's unique sync clock technology. This makes the device the ideal sync reference for the entire studio: SteadyClock refreshes clock signals, removes jitter, and ensures optimal AD/DA conversion and thus sensational sound quality at all times, completely independent of the quality of the reference clock used. Thanks to SteadyClock, the MADIface can freely determine its own sample frequency. The DDS dialog allows direct selection of the most common sample frequencies for audio and video. In addition, the sample frequency can be changed completely freely and in real time using two sliders in the range +/- 4%. Up to 3 MADIfaces and HDSPe Multiface/Digiface can be used simultaneously, in any combination. This means that up to 192 inputs and 192 outputs are available at 48 kHz, and 96 inputs and 96 outputs at 96 kHz. Please note that most notebooks only have one PCI Express slot.
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