RME HDSPe AIO [23/81] Multi client operation

User's Guide HDSPe AIO © RME

12.5 Multi-client Operation

RME audio interfaces support multi-client operation. This means several programs can be used

at the same time. Also all formats (ASIO, WDM, GSIF) can be used simultaneously. The use of

multi-client operation requires to follow two simple rules:

• Multi-client operation requires identical sample rates!

I.e. it is not possible to use one software with 44.1 kHz and the other with 48 kHz.

• Different software can not use the same channels at the same time.

If for example Cubase uses channels 1/2, this playback pair can't be used in Gigasam-

pler/Studio (GSIF) nor under WDM (WaveLab etc.) anymore. This is no limitation at all, because

TotalMix allows any output routing, and with this a playback of multiple software via the same

hardware outputs. Note that the inputs can be used simultaneously, as the driver sends the

data to all applications at the same time.

ASIO Multi-client

RME audio interfaces support ASIO multi-client operation. It is possible to use more than one

ASIO software at the same time. Again the sample rate has to be identical, and each software

has to use its own playback channels. Once again the same inputs can be used simultaneously.

RME's sophisticated tool DIGICheck is an exception to this rule. It operates like an ASIO host,

using a special technique to access playback channels already occupied. Therefore DIGICheck

is able to analyse and display playback data from any software, no matter which format the

software uses.

Multi-Client and Multi-Channel using WDM

The WDM streaming devices of our driver can operate as usual stereo devices, or as 8-channel

devices. The option Interleaved in the Settings dialog determines the current mode.

Interleaved not active: The WDM devices operate as usual stereo devices. The multi-client op-

eration works as described above with WDM, ASIO and GSIF.

Interleaved active: The WDM devices can also be used as 8-channel devices. Unfortunately the

Kernel Mixer, active with any WDM playback, then always occupies and blocks 8 channels at

once, even when WaveLab or the Media Player perform just a stereo playback (2 channels).

So:

If any stereo pair within an 8-channel group is used, the whole 8-channel group is blocked.

As a result, no second stereo pair of this group can be used, neither with ASIO nor GSIF.

The two 8-channel groups are channels 1 to 8 (analog, only when a AO4S-192 is present), and

9 to 16 (13 to 18 respectively, ADAT).

Starting ASIO or GSIF playback on any of the stereo pairs of an 8-channel group prior to start-

ing a WDM playback will prevent the Kernel Mixer from opening the 8-channel device, as two of

its channels are already in use. The Kernel Mixer then automatically reverts to open a stereo

device for a stereo playback.

An 8-channel playback using the Windows Media Player requires the speaker setup 7.1 Sur-

round under >Volume/ Speaker Settings/ Advanced<.