|
 |
 |
|
Overview: |
RMEs Fireface 800 revolutionized the world of FireWire audio interfaces. Now the revolution continues: The Fireface 400 is not just the little brother of the Fireface 800 - it is a completely newly designed device. It is the only device in its class with active jitter suppression, stand-alone functionality, complete controllability from the front panel, highly flexible I/Os in professional quality, and an unsurpassed 648-channel matrix router - at sample rates up to 192 kHz.
As usual, RME offer a host of sophisticated features and characteristics with the fastest Firewire technology. These include:
- Two digitally controlled Mic Preamps in high-end quality
- Two balanced universal inputs for line and instrument signals
- SteadyClock for maximum jitter suppression and clock refresh
- Simple stand-alone operation with rotary encoder and front panel display
- 54 Level Meter Peak/RMS, hardware-calculated
- Full mobility by Bus Power support
- DIGICheck, RME's unique meter and analysis tool
- TotalMix: 648-channel mixer with 42-bit internal resolution
FireWire audio by RME is seen as the reference by both users and editors.
RME FireWire Audio RME's FireWire audio offers many pro-audio features not available from other manufacturer's units: Complete realtime sample rate lock Complete realtime sample rate control, even during playback/record Complete start/stop control. No changed offset after reboot. Extreme varispeed / external sync support, in all modes (even DS / QS) Despite having a superior sync behavior (see above), the Fireface's SteadyClock provides a heavy jitter suppression even in varipitch applications. Reduced protocol overhead, by not sending CIP (Common Isochronous Packet format) headers (AVC, mLan) Working FireWire 800 solution Working FireWire 800 fix for Windows XP SP2 Latency change on the fly, while ASIO is running Latency change on the fly, while GSIF is running Hardware-based data packet check and drop out correction Complete realtime monitoring solution, covering all inputs and all playback channels, equaling an 28+28 channels inline console having 28 Aux sends per channel. Lots of advanced and unique features. Plus hardware based Peak/RMS metering. Windows and Mac OS X drivers are completely identical in terms of features and functionality Super low jitter MIDI I/O similar to PCI-based performance (1 ms)
The DSP-based TotalMix mixer allows fully independent routing and mixing of all 18 input and output channels to all 18 physical outputs. Up to 9 totally independent stereo sub-mixes simply mean unrivalled monitoring facilities. Copy/paste of routings, ganging and group-based operation of faders, and the extraordinary Matrix window are just some of the mixer's unique features. The mixer can be completely MIDI controlled, even in stand-alone operation. Furthermore the DSP hardware calculates RMS and Peak levels for all 54 audio channels, without causing any significant CPU load.
A word clock input and output (BNC) plus two MIDI I/Os (breakout cable, 5-pin DIN) complete the analog/digital feature list and turn the Fireface 400 into a complete audio system of the highest quality.
The Fireface 400 excels as portable all-in-one solution when it comes to power supply. The included switching power supply accepts voltages from 100 to 240 V, thus can be operated all over the world. A rear panel switch enables Bus Powered operation, taking the power directly from the FireWire connector. To avoid potential problems, both the unit's internal power supply and the protective circuits at the FireWire port were specially designed and thoroughly tested.
.
|
|
Connectivity |
- 8 x Analog I/O
- 1 x ADAT I/O or 1 x SPDIF I/O optical
- 1 x SPDIF I/O coaxial
- 2 x MIDI I/O
- 2 x Mic Preamp with digitally controlled gain
- TotalMix
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inputs and Outputs: |
Analog I/Os: Eight inputs and outputs (balanced, output 7/8 unbalanced) with software controlled switching of the reference levels (-10 dBV, +4 dBu, Lo/HiGain), of course realized discretely in the analog domain, guarantee highest dynamic range and highest fidelity.
The Fireface 400's front panel features 2 balanced microphone inputs with a digitally controlled input stage, individually switchable 48 V phantom power, and Neutrik Combo connectors for XLR and TRS. These can also be used as additional Line inputs. A gain of up to 65 dB, adjustable in steps of 1 dB over a range of 55 dB, exceptional EIN performance even at low amplification settings, and extremely low THD+N let these preamps surpass those of other devices that cost several times the price of the Fireface 400. All level settings are 100% reproducible and can also be adjusted by software comfortably.
Inputs 3 and 4 are stunningly flexible balanced universal inputs. Firstly, they operate exactly as inputs 5 to 8 on the rear and can be adjusted to accept standard studio input levels (+4 dBu, LoGain). Furthermore, the input impedance can be switched from Line (10 kOhm) to Instrument (470 kOhm). An additional analog input amplification of up to 18 dB (in steps of 0.5 dB) is also available. In short: There's no signal that these inputs can't deal with perfectly!
Inputs 5 to 8 on the rear feature RME's proven level references. -10 dBV, +4 dBu und LoGain can be selected in the settings dialog, equivalent to +2 dBV, +13 dBu und +19 dBu for digital full scale. The same applies to the balanced rear analog outputs 1 to 6.
The high power phones output offers high volumes even with low-impedance headphones, and represents playback channels 7/8. All outputs can be used for ASIO Direct Monitoring purposes.
Digital I/Os: An ADAT optical I/O* allows for a connection and insertion of effects devices, mixing consoles or external converters. Of course, these 8 channels are available simultaneously with the analog channels. Using an additional ADI-8 DS or OctaMic D, you'll get 16 analog inputs and outputs, which remain still 12 at 96 kHz. The coaxial SPDIF I/O, which is fully AES/EBU compatible (as is common for RME), also works up to 192 kHz, which means that at the highest sample rate, 8 analog and two digital inputs and outputs are directly available. SPDIF optical can also be accessed through the optical I/O.
|
|
Features: |
T hanks
to an internal flash memory, all
settings including TotalMix are
recalled during boot. The device can
thus be configured and used as a
stand-alone device, without being
connected to a computer, e.g. as a
submixer, A/D and D/A-converter,
headphone mixer, format converter,
instrument or microphone
pre-amplifier, monitoring mixer and
much more.
The Fireface 400 is equipped with
SteadyClock(TM), RME's unique sync
and clock technology. With this, the
device becomes a sync reference for
the whole studio. SteadyClock
refreshes clock signals, removes
jitter, and takes care of optimal
AD/DA conversion quality, thus
guarantees a sensational sound
quality, completely independent from
the reference clock's quality.
SteadyClock allows the unit to
control the sample rate freely on
its own. The Settings dialog
includes a direct choice of the
video and audio world's most often
used sample rates. Additionally, two
faders can be used to set the sample
rate freely and in real-time, within
the range of +/- 4% and +/- 0.4%.
Of course the Fireface 400 offers a
second FireWire port for hub
functionality. Up to three devices
can be connected to one FireWire
interface and operated in parallel.
The renowned Fireface 800 shares the
same driver, allowing mixed setups.
|
|
Tech Specs: |
Input
AD:
6 x
1/4"
TRS
(4 x
Line,
2 x
Line/Instrument),
2 x
XLR/TRS
Combo
connector
(2 x
Mic/Line),
all
servo-balanced.
Output
DA:
6 x
1/4"
TRS,
servo-balanced,
DC-coupled
signal
path.
1 x
1/4"
TRS
unbalanced
Input
Digital:
1 x
ADAT
optical
or
SPDIF
optical,
SPDIF
coaxial
(AES/EBU
compatible)
Output
Digital:
1 x
ADAT
optical
or
SPDIF
optical,
SPDIF
coaxial
(AES/EBU
compatible)
MIDI:
2 x
MIDI
I/O
via
breakout
cable
(4 x
5-pin
DIN
jacks),
for
32
channels
low
jitter
hi-speed
MIDI
Dynamic
range
AD:
110
dB
RMS
unweighted,
113
dBA
THD
AD:
<
-100
dB
(<
0.001
%)
THD+N
AD:
<
-98
dB
(<
0.0012
%)
Crosstalk
AD:
>
110
dB
Dynamic
range
DA:
110
dB
RMS
unweighted,
113
dBA
(unmuted)
THD
DA:
-100
dB
(0.001
%)
THD+N
DA:
-96
dB
(0.0015
%)
Crosstalk
DA:
>
110
dB
Input/Output
level
for
0
dBFS
@ Hi
Gain:
+19
dBu
Input/Output
level
for
0
dBFS
@ +4
dBu:
+13
dBu
Input/Output
level
for
0
dBFS
@
-10
dBV:
+2
dBV
Sample
rate
internally:
32,
44.1,
48,
64,
88.2
kHz,
96
kHz,
128,
176.4,
192
kHz
Sample
rate
externally:
28
kHz
-
200
kHz
Frequency
response
AD/DA,
-0.1
dB:
5 Hz
-
20.4
kHz
(sf
44.1
kHz)
Frequency
response
AD/DA,
-0.5
dB:
1 Hz
-
43.3
kHz
(sf
96
kHz)
Frequency
response
AD/DA,
-1
dB:
1 Hz
- 80
kHz
(sf
192
kHz)
|
|
|
|
Driver support: |
Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP, Vista, Vista
64: Full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM,
MME (not XP64), GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0. WDM
(DirectSound) with stereo and multi-channel
support. Full hot-plugging. Up to 3 units
operational. Mac OS X (10.3 or higher) PPC
and Intel: Core Audio, Core MIDI. Full
hot-plugging. Up to three units operational.
* In Quad Speed mode (176.4 and 192
kHz), both ADAT I/Os are deactivated
** Firewire is a registered
trademark of Apple Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
