RME HDSPe AIO [17/81] Settings dialog dds

User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME

Phones

Choice of the reference level and with this of the level at the analog phones output.

Input Status / Pref. Sync Ref

SyncCheck indicates whether there is a valid signal (Lock, No Lock) for each input (ADAT,

SPDIF, AES, Word/TCO and internal Sync), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal (Sync).

In the third row the sample rate measured by the hardware is shown.

The fourth row is used to pre-select the desired clock source. If the selected source isn't avail-

able, the unit will change to the next available one automatically. The current clock source and

sample rate is displayed in the System Clock field.

The automatic clock selection checks and changes between the clock sources ADAT, AES,

SPDIF, Word/TCO and Sync Internal.

System Clock

Shows the current clock state of the HDSPe system. The system is either Master (using its own

clock) or Slave (see AutoSync Ref).

Clock Mode

The unit can be configured to use its internal clock source (Master), or the clock source pre-

defined via Pref. Sync Ref (AutoSync).

11.2 Settings dialog - DDS

Usually soundcards and audio interfaces generate their internal clock (master mode) by a

quartz. Therefore the internal clock can be set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, but not to a value in be-

tween. SteadyClock, RME's sensational Low Jitter Clock System, is based on a Direct Digital

Synthesizer (DDS). This superior circuitry can generate nearly any frequency with highest pre-

cision.

DDS has been implemented into the HDSPe AIO with regard to the needs of professional video

applications, as well as to maximum flexibility. The dialog DDS includes both a list of typical

video frequencies (so called pull up/pull down at 0.1% and 4%) and two faders, which allow to

freely change the basic sample rate in steps of 1 Hz (!).

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 ADAT channels.

The DDS dialog requires the HDSPe AIO to be in clock mode Master! The frequency setting

will only be applied to this one specific card!

Changing the sample rate in bigger steps during record/playback often results in a loss of

audio, or brings up warning messages of the audio software. Therefore the desired sample

rate should be set at least coarsely before starting the software.