RME ADI-648 [8/32] First usage

User's Guide ADI-648 © RME

5. First Usage

5.1 Quick Start

The user interface of the ADI-648 is characterized by a clearly structured architecture and an

unambiguous labelling of the front and rear sides. The device can thus be used easily without a

manual, because numerous LEDs show the state of the device and of all incoming and outgoing

signals in a strictly logical way. However, we don't want to hold you back from reading this man-

ual, as it includes a lot of important and useful information.

The ADI-648 remembers all settings before switching off and sets them automatically when

switching on the next time.

When being switched on for the first time, the ADI-648 comes up in a default mode, which

should be appropriate for most applications. The device is in slave mode and gets its reference

clock directly out of the MADI input signal. The Matrix Router is deactivated.

A quick guide for operation and functionality of the ADI-648 can be found on the next page.

For transmission of the digital signals into a computer we recommend RME's interface cards of

the Hammerfall

DSP series, especially the HDSP MADI. These high quality digital audio cards

are available with drivers for all common operating systems, and have the highest reputation

world-wide.

5.2 Firmware

The ADI-648's main part has been realized using programmable logic. By exchanging a little

component called EPROM, both function and behaviour of the unit can be changed at any time.

At the time of writing this manual, the unit is shipped with firmware 2.5. This firmware is not

compatible to older units, which do not have the REMOTE key. The firmware version is dis-

played after power on by the AUDIO LEDs for about one second.

Since firmware version 2.5 not only ADAT input 8, but also the current Matrix configuration in-

fluences the output mode. If MADI output group 8 is assigned to any input, the device generates

64 channel format. This is also true when MATRIX STATE is set to OFF. As this channel as-

signment is factory default, all ADI-648 with firmware 2.5 will generate 64 channel mode as

default mode. To activate the 56 channel format for the MADI output, the MADI output group 8

has to be set to Mute, and no signal must be present at ADAT input 8.