Hammerfall DSP System
Multiface: 36 Channel 24 Bit/96 kHz I/O Box
RME MULTIFACE SYSTEM

The Multiface is not only Multi because of the many different interface formats supported, but also Multi-channel! Based on the technology of the Project Hammerfall the Multiface includes ADAT optical I/O, ADAT-Sync In, SPDIF I/O, MIDI I/O, word clock I/O and a separate analoge line output. On top we provide 8 analog inputs and outputs, balanced and 96 kHz/24 bit, of course. All this can be used on notebooks as well as on desktop computers with the same 'zero cpu load' and low latency!

  8 x analog line I/O, 96 kHz/24 bit, SNR >106 dBA, 1/4" TRS jacks
  1 x ADAT digital I/O, based on RME's reliable Bitclock PLL
  1 x SPDIF digital I/O, based on RME's reliable DIGI96 technology
  1 x ADAT Sync In (9-pin D-type) for sample accurate transfers
  1 x Word clock I/O (BNC)
  1 x analog line/headphone output, separate mixer for independent submix
  1 x MIDI I/O, 16 channels high-speed MIDI
  DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation, direct status interface
  TotalMix: 720 channel mixer with 40 bit internal resolution
  S/MUX poured in hardware: 12 channels 96 kHz/24 bit for record and playback on ADAT optical

...and numerous other features found already in the Hammerfall series. And all this for an unbeatable price!

The Hammerfall® DSP System comes with drivers for Windows 98/ME (MME with multi-client operation, ASIO 2.0, GSIF), Windows 2000 (MME with multi-client operation, ASIO 2.0) and MacOS (ASIO 2.0).

The small box using half the space of a 19" rack doesn't show the included outstanding power and extensive features at first glance. The front panel hosts some useful status LEDs, like MIDI state, lock state of the digital inputs and error state of the host-bus. Additionally there's a high-quality 24 bit/96 kHz analog line output, also usable with headphones, and one MIDI I/O. 

We think the little Multiface is an unrivalled flexible and powerful unit. Why? Have a look at its back: 8 analog line I/Os on 1/4" TRS jacks (balanced, 24 bit/96 kHz), ADAT optical I/O (switchable to SPDIF optical), ADAT-Sync In, SPDIF I/O coaxial, word clock I/O and MIDI I/O. Can there be more? We doubt...

MULTIFACE SYSTEM: REAR VIEW

The parts of the Hammerfall DSP System can be combined freely. Therefore the Multiface can be used with notebooks as well as desktop computers. The connection to notebooks is achieved via a CardBus interface, the connection to desktops via a PCI interface. The interfaces are sold separately.

The parts of the Hammerfall DSP System can be combined freely. Therefore the Digiface can be used with notebooks as well as desktop computers. The connection to notebooks is achieved via a CardBus interface, the connection to desktops via a PCI interface. The interfaces are sold separately.
Settings Dialog
Just click on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of the Multiface comes up. The clear structured, easy to understand window plus the unique informative status windows for input signal, clock mode, sample rate and time code make your work with Hammerfall DSP System to a real pleasure. With a simple mouse click (or a freely configurable key shortcut) you gain access to the full power of your card.

When working with several digital sources it is not only necessary that these are all properly locked, they also have to be totally synchronized. Else drop outs and crackling occurs. RME's exclusive SyncCheck checks all input signals and displays their actual state.

A display of the time code at the ADAT Sync-In port offers a quick check of the communication between external device and Hammerfall.  

Technical Specifications and Features

  Supported sample rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, variable
  8 buffer sizes/latencies available: 1.5 ms, 3 ms, 6 ms, 12 ms, 23 ms, 46 ms, 93 ms, 186 ms
  ASIO zero CPU load technology: 0 (zero!)% CPU load when using ALL 36 channels!
  All settings changeable in realtime
  Clock modes slave and master
  Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
  Special sample buffer avoids noise even in asynchronous Full Duplex operation
  Enhanced Mixed mode: All inputs and outputs simultaneously operational
  Unsurpassed Bitclock PLL (audio synchronisation) in ADAT® mode
  Enhanced Zero Latency Monitoring for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
  Comes with DIGICheck: the ultimate measurement, analysis and test tool
  Dynamic ratio analog I/O AD: 106 dBA, DA: 110 dBA, THD+N: 0.002%
  Input 8 x line (1/4" TRS jacks), 1 x optical (TOSLINK), 1 x coaxial (Cinch), 1 x MIDI, word clock (BNC), ADAT Sync
  Input format SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer, Professional), ADAT® optical
  8 x line (1/4" TRS jacks), 1 x optical (TOSLINK), stereo analog line (TRS), 1 x coaxial (Cinch), 1 x MIDI, word clock (BNC)
  Format output SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer/Professional), ADAT® optical

Unique Technologies in Hammerfall DSP

  AutoSync: Intelligent clock control according to operational mode and present/desired sample rate.
  Bitclock PLL: The most reliable receiver circuit for ADAT optical signal.
  Enhanced ZLM®: Monitoring of the input signal, independent from clock mode and sample rate.
  DIGICheck DSP: Professional status and level display at lowest CPU load.
  Latency Fast Change: Change latency on-the-fly under ASIO, without manual reset or re-boot.
  SyncAlign®: Surveillance and sample accurate synchronization of all channels.
  SyncCheck®: Comparison and display of all input's clock status.
  TotalMix: Mixes all inputs and all outputs on all outputs. Several independant submixes possible.
  Zero Latency Monitoring (ZLM®): Automatic monitoring of the input signal with zero latency.

The PCI Interface

Based on the legendary Hammerfall PCI core with its innovative zero CPU load technology the new PCI core is even more optimised for more performance. Thanks to the latest chip technology internal hi-speed RAM can be used faster and more efficient than external SRAM. Furthermore the PCI card includes two Sync-connectors for synchronisation of multiple interfaces.

 

The PCI engine of the Hammerfall DSP System is built on a Zero wait state PCI Busmaster core. With up to 130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions the maximum performance available on the 32 bit PCI bus is used. Additionally the card offers highest compatibility by being 100% Plug & Play compatible under Windows and MacOS, and being able to share interrupts. The card itself will only use one interrupt (IRQ) for all functions (audio/MIDI).


The connection between PCI card and I/O box is established using ordinary firewire cable (IEEE 1394, 6-pole). The data transfer does not use Firewire protocol, but our own proprietary bus protocol. The supplied cable is 4.5 m (14 ft.) long, a cable length up to 10 m (33 ft.) has been successfully tested. The PCI card operates as power supply for the attached I/O-box.

Technical Specifications and Features HDSP Interfaces

  100% Plug & Play compatible
  Hammerfall hardware design: mono channels in block mode, organized in 32 bit ASIO double buffers
  ASIO poured in hardware! 0 (zero!)% CPU load when using the maximum number of channels (52)
  Byte swap for Mac included in hardware
  Automatic hardware selftest when booting
  Hardware update via software (virtual EPROM update)
  Complete interrupt sharing

HDSP PCI

  Short PCI 2.0 compliant PCI card
  Zero wait state PCI Busmaster interface (130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions)
  32 bit, 3.3 V compatible
  Output: IEEE 1394 connector
  Package contents: PCI card, cable 4.5 meter (IEEE 1394), internal cable 3-pole

 
RME Multiface with PCI card  $2699
RME Multiface with PCMCIA card  $2699