RME Announces MADI PCI Audio Card
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March 30, 2003
After the introduction to the market of the ADI-648 MADI/ADAT converter, RME announces the 'Hammerfall DSP MADI', a PCI card with MADI interface. Hammerfall DSP MADI is based on the Hammerfall DSP technology and represents the top model of the company's card line.
MADI, a multichannel audio interface, offers 64 channels of 24 bit audio at a sample rate of up to 48 kHz and 32 channels at up to 96 kHz. Transmission is done via a single line, either coaxial with BNC plugs or with fiber cable. In both cases, more than 100 meters in cable length can be achieved. Hammerfall DSP is fully compatible with all devices that provide a MADI interface. In combination with the ADI-648, the MADI creates an 8 x ADAT optical PC interface.
Hammerfall DSP MADI offers full support for 56 and 64 channel modes plus double and single wire technology (96k frame) for 96 kHz. Full 64 channel support can also be found in the hardware mixer TotalMix. All 64 inputs and 64 playback channels can be routed and mixed to 66 physical outputs completely freely, which translates to a 8448 channel mixer. With that, Hammerfall DSP MADI offers the most powerful router/mixer ever implemented on a PCI card. Furthermore, the hardware delivers RMS and peak level meters for full control over 194 audio channels at minimal CPU load.
Hammerfall DSP MADI also offers analog 24 bit 96 kHz line/headphone output with 110 dB dynamic range and separate mix bus for direct control of all input and output signals. While most MADI-based devices require an additional word clock line, the Hammerfall DSP MADI (like the ADI-648) can extract the reference clock directly from the MADI signal, making long-distance connections even more convenient.
The included expansion board carries word clock I/O (BNC), LTC sync input (RCA) and MIDI I/O. The word clock input is galvanically isolated via transformer and operates on both single and double speed signals automatically. MIDI I/O offers 2 completely independent MIDI inputs and outputs via breakout cable (4 DIN sockets).
For the first time, RME us using a configuration memory for the most important settings of the card. Instead of operating in a default mode on computer power-up until loading the driver, Hammerfall DSP MADI activates the last used sample rate, master/slave configuration and MADI format immediately when switched on. This eliminates noises and clock network problems during power-up or re-boot of the computer.
Hammerfall DSP MADI is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2003 with drivers for Windows XP.
For more information, visit their web site at www.rme-audio.com. | 
