1 Topic by takman (edited by takman 2011-02-15 20:26:59)

  • Registered: 2011-02-15
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Topic: A bit confused about going the RME route....

hello,

I want to upgrade my recording set-up from my m-audio fast track ultra.....i had planned to go with a
presonus firestudio......but lately i have been thinking about doing a PCIe card setup instead.

I'm still a bit confused though...


I believe what i need is this card.

http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_hdsp_9632.php

Currently, i have a presonus digimax D8

http://www.presonus.com/products/Detail … oductId=48

The D8 has ADAT out. If i bought the RME card, i would simply install the card, then plug the ADAT out of the D8 to the ADAT in of the card...and this would give me 8 channels..correct?

Now im a little lost about the D-sub connectors.   I can run a D-sub cable from the D-sub out of the RME card to a break out box? but what would i need that for? Say a line level connection that doesnt need amplification...like a keyboard? or are the D-sub digital only? this is where i really get lost.

and how exactly would i hook up my speaker monitors? or something else that requires an output?

thanks

  • vinark
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Re: A bit confused about going the RME route....

D8 adat yes, will give you 8 extra inputs on top of the 2 on break out cable (line level).
The Dsubs have unbalanced cables supplied that give 2 audio in and out at line level and digital spdif. (and phones and midi)
You hook your speakers up to the analog outs, wich are on cinch. (but balanced is available as ad on)

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632

3 Reply by takman (edited by takman 2011-02-16 10:21:15)

  • Registered: 2011-02-15
  • Posts: 3

Re: A bit confused about going the RME route....

vinark wrote:

D8 adat yes, will give you 8 extra inputs on top of the 2 on break out cable (line level).
The Dsubs have unbalanced cables supplied that give 2 audio in and out at line level and digital spdif. (and phones and midi)
You hook your speakers up to the analog outs, wich are on cinch. (but balanced is available as ad on)

So all the D-sub connections are analog correct?

can i make a custom D-sub cable...to a custom patchbay?  I dont have to use the D-sub cable that comes with the card?

Do you think its worth it to go with a PCIe card like the RME, vs. a firewire audio interface?

  • vinark
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Re: A bit confused about going the RME route....

No only 1 is analog and 1 spdif (I think), but you can download the manual, it´s in there. Also the exact pin connections. So yes you can go directly to a patchbay.
Yes it is is worth it. That´s why I have it too (I´m not from RME) best low latency drivers and no firewire issues.
BTW the HDSP9632 is PCI. The PCIe version is the AIO, performance is the same.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • Registered: 2011-02-15
  • Posts: 3

Re: A bit confused about going the RME route....

vinark wrote:

No only 1 is analog and 1 spdif (I think), but you can download the manual, it´s in there. Also the exact pin connections. So yes you can go directly to a patchbay.
Yes it is is worth it. That´s why I have it too (I´m not from RME) best low latency drivers and no firewire issues.
BTW the HDSP9632 is PCI. The PCIe version is the AIO, performance is the same.

allright..i will DL the manual.

latency is not a problem for me....at least with my set-up now.

The thing that worries me about going with a PCIe card like this...is that everything is done via the software it comes it....so there wont be a volume knob like on an interface....i would have to adjust output volume in the mixer software it comes with right?

can i ask you what your recording setup is like vinark?

thanks

  • vinark
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Re: A bit confused about going the RME route....

Sure!
Hdsp9652  (which is adat only) with 4 outputs board (AEB4O)
TC electronic volume control knob "level pilot"! (so software is always at max volume)  and Blue sky system one active monitors
Tascam FW1804 (8 input (4 mic) and 2 outputs via adat to rme)
Emu 1212m which I use for reverb and or delay for vocals when tracking (also connected through adat to RME) and at this time it´s outputs to the monitors.
Win XP64pro
Cubase 4 32 bit with Jbridge Kontakt64
Asus P5Q Q9550 @3.6ghz

At this point I have not decided 100% which DA conversion I like best. I can use the AEB4O board, the Tascam or the Emu outputs. Once set up there is no operational difference (all go through the TC volume control )
The 1212m and tascam are in/connected to a secondary computer.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632