Alesis Hammerfall DSP System manual Clock Modes Synchronisation

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Application examples

DDS allows for a simultaneous change of speed and tune during record and playback. From alignment to other sources up to creative effects – everything is possible..

DDS allows to intentionally de-tune the complete DAW. This way, the DAW can match instru- ments which have a wrong or unchangeable tuning.

DDS allows to define a specific sample rate. This feature can be is useful in case the system randomly changes the sample rate – for unknown reasons. It also prevents a change from Dou- ble Speed (96 kHz) to Single Speed (48 kHz), which would cause configuration and routing problems by the changed amount of MADI channels.

19.3 Clock Modes - Synchronisation

AutoSync

The HDSP MADI has been equipped with AutoSync, an automatic clock source selection, which adopts the first available input with a valid digital signal as the clock reference input. The input currently used as sync reference is shown in the AutoSync Ref status field, together with its current sample frequency.

AutoSync guarantees that normal record and record-while-play will always work correctly. In certain cases however, AutoSync may cause feedback in the digital carrier, so synchronization breaks down. To remedy this, switch the HDSP’s clock mode over to 'Master'.

Via Pref. Sync Ref (preferred synchronization reference) a preferred input can be defined. As long as the card sees a valid signal there, this input will be designated as the sync source, oth- erwise the other inputs will be scanned in turn. If none of the inputs are receiving a valid signal, the card automatically switches clock mode to ‘Master’.

Thanks to its AutoSync technique and lightning fast PLLs, the HDSP is not only capable of han- dling standard frequencies, but also any sample rate between 28 and 105 kHz. Even the word clock input, which most users will use in varispeed operation, allows any frequency between 28 kHz and 105 kHz.

The HDSP MADI's outstanding clock control allows for a synchronization of the output signal to the word clock's input signal not only at identical sample rates, but also at half, quarter, double and quad sample rates. A playback of 96 kHz can easily be synchronized via a 48 kHz word clock signal.

SyncCheck

If several digital devices are to be used simultaneously in a system, they not only have to oper- ate with the same sample frequency but also be synchronous with each other. This is why digi- tal systems always need a single device defined as ‘master’, which sends the same clock signal to all the other (‘slave’) devices.

Remember that a digital system can only have one master! If the HDSP MADI’s clock mode is set to Master, all other devices must be set to Slave.

RME’s exclusive SyncCheck technology (first implemented in the Hammerfall) enables an easy to use check and display of the current clock status. The SyncCheck field indicates whether no signal (No Lock), a valid signal (Lock) or a valid and synchronous signal (Sync) is present at each of the digital clock source inputs. The ‘AutoSync Ref’ display shows the current sync source and the measured frequency.

In practice, SyncCheck provides the user with an easy way of checking whether all digital de- vices connected to the system are properly configured. With SyncCheck, finally anyone can master this common source of error, previously one of the most complex issues in the digital studio world.

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User's Guide HDSP MADI © RME

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Contents Madi TotalMix Bit / 96 kHz SyncAlignZLMSyncCheck SteadyClockDriver Installation and Operation Windows GeneralDriver Installation and Operation Mac OS Connections and TotalMixTechnical Reference Hdsp Madi Package Contents Brief Description and CharacteristicsIntroduction System RequirementsExternal Connectors Hardware InstallationHardware Connectors Accessories WarrantyInternal Connectors Blue JumperAppendix TrademarksCE / FCC Compliance Statements FCCDriver Installation and Operation Windows Driver Installation Driver UpdateDeinstalling the Drivers Driver and FirmwareSettings Dialog Configuring the Hdsp MadiFirmware Update Quick Boot Safe ModeBuffer Size SyncCheckSettings dialog DDS Clock Modes Synchronisation SyncCheck Operation and Usage PlaybackMultichannel DVD-Playback AC-3/DTS under MMEAC-3 / DTS ASIO-Multiclient Low Latency under MME Buffer Size AdjustmentMulti-client Operation Recording Known Problems Operation under AsioWindows 2000/XP Common ProblemsOperation under Gsif Gigasampler Interface Using multiple Hdsp Madi / AES-32 DIGICheckHotline Troubleshooting Input signal cannot be monitored in real-timeInstallation Driver Installation and Operation Mac OS Driver and Flash Update Flash UpdateConfiguring the Hdsp Madi Safe Mode Settings dialog DDS Clock Modes Synchronisation Midi doesnt work Mac OS X FAQRound about Driver Installation Repairing Disk Permissions Supported Sample RatesPCI card and PCI slot compatibility Various InformationHotline Troubleshooting Users Guide Hdsp Madi RME Connections and TotalMix Madi I/Os HeadphonesConnections Word Clock MidiWord Clock Input and Output InputTechnical Description and Usage Remember that a digital system can only have one masterCabling and Termination Operation TotalMix Routing and Monitoring OverviewUsers Guide Hdsp Madi RME User Interface Elements of a Channel Tour de TotalMixSubmix View Submix View Mute und SoloQuick Access Panel PresetsPreset Preset BanksMonitor Panel PreferencesStereo Pan Law Editing the NamesMain Monitor Hotkeys Menu Options Level Meter TotalMix The Matrix Elements of the Matrix ViewAsio Direct Monitoring Windows only TotalMix Super-FeaturesAdvantages of the Matrix Delete Routings Selection and Group-based OperationCopy Routings to other Channels Recording a Softwares playback Mixing several input signals into one record channelRecording a Subgroup Loopback Using external Effects Devices TotalMix Midi Remote Control SetupMeaning in TotalMix MappingElement Preset 3 38 / 56 / #G Preset 5 3A / 58 / #ASimple Midi Control Loopback DetectionUsers Guide Hdsp Madi RME Technical Reference Tech Info Outputs Technical SpecificationsInputs Stereo Monitor Output Phones Transfer Modes Resolution / Bits per SampleDigital Technical Background Madi BasicsLock and SyncCheck Latency and Monitoring How much Zero is Zero?Oversampling Sample frequency kHz 44.1 88.2Core Audios Safety Offset DS Double SpeedQS Quad Speed SteadyClock PCI Performance Terminology 96K Frame