• Registered: 2018-11-21
  • Posts: 6

Topic: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

Hello,

I'm trying to see if I have a known issue with my Multiface 2. I've recently noticed a higher noise floor on the analog inputs, coming in at about -60db,  which is about 10db louder than what I would normally see in the past.

I can get this noise to go back to normal if I switch the Analog Level Inputs to Hi Gain, and then back to +4. Is there a reason why this would start happening? The fix is fine for now as a temporary band-aid, but I'm worried of a larger or worsening problem.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,770

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

What's your input source? Even -60 seems rather high...

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2018-11-21
  • Posts: 6

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

That's with nothing plugged into the inputs. Like I said, the noise goes away after I flick the Analog Level switch to Hi Gain and back, but it eventually comes back, not sure how long after, I just happen to hear it when I start working on something.

4 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,582

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

Measure the noise as RMS with either TotalMix FX or DIGICheck so we get a better grip on what's going on. -60 is much too high, even when measured as peak values.

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

5 Reply by FilchMedia (edited by FilchMedia 2018-11-22 15:40:03)

  • Registered: 2018-11-21
  • Posts: 6

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

RMS is -70
But now I've tried to clear the noise with the level switch and it's not resolving the issue like it was before.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XviehjU5r4HNHBtE7

RMS Levels per Gain setting
Hi-Gain    -83
+4           -70
+10         -70

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,770

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

Something is not ok here, the unit seems to be in need of service.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2018-11-21
  • Posts: 6

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

I'll contact Synthax.

8 Reply by FilchMedia (edited by FilchMedia 2018-11-28 17:26:56)

  • Registered: 2018-11-21
  • Posts: 6

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

I'm waiting to get an external power supply to see if that changes anything, but I've been doing more troubleshooting in the meantime while I wait. Something very strange is going on.

Hammerfall DSP Settings :
Buffer Size 128
Sample Rate 96khz
Clock Internal

I can clearly see in TotalMix that I have this noise on all 8 channels of analog inputs. I can hear each channel of this noise when I route the audio to  Analog out 7/8 which goes to my amp/headphones. But, when I use DigiCheck and set the Input Device Setup to Hardware Level,  I see the noise on 1,2,3 and 4, but  5,6,7, 8 has ZERO noise.  RMS stays still at -73.4, but Peak is UFL

If I set the sample rate to 48khz, the noise actually drops a little bit on 1-4, by about 3db, (-73 RMS and -63 Peak), and I now see a reading on 5-8 at the same levels.

Is this a problem indicative of the I/O box or the PCIe card? Is there anything else I should check?

  • cupakm
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  • Registered: 2014-04-03
  • Posts: 101

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

FilchMedia wrote:

Is this a problem indicative of the I/O box or the PCIe card? Is there anything else I should check?

Hi FilchMedia,

I know its been a while, but did you resolve the problem in the end somehow?

I seem to have a very similar one, but I get the same noise level on all 8 AN inputs. Tried connecting ADI-2 to digital inputs, I get expected -111 to -112 dB there, otherwise the 8 analog inputs stay on around -72 on the MF2, with nothing connected anywhere, occasionally peaking to -63 when switching analog input level.

cupakm's Website

  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
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Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

cupakm wrote:
FilchMedia wrote:

Is this a problem indicative of the I/O box or the PCIe card? Is there anything else I should check?

Hi FilchMedia,

I know its been a while, but did you resolve the problem in the end somehow?

I seem to have a very similar one, but I get the same noise level on all 8 AN inputs. Tried connecting ADI-2 to digital inputs, I get expected -111 to -112 dB there, otherwise the 8 analog inputs stay on around -72 on the MF2, with nothing connected anywhere, occasionally peaking to -63 when switching analog input level.

It is not valid to measure an "open" analog port with nothing connected to it.
You will get automatically a higher noise floor.
This has already been communicated a few times on the forum by RME / MC.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • cupakm
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  • Posts: 101

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

The problem is noise doesn't go away when connecting signal sources. It mixes with the signal. And is quite audible - hiss, humming, and squeaking when switching input level. That won't bother me and would consider it normal, if there wasn't the hiss and hum in the background. An ADI-2 or a BF connected in MF2's digital inputs sound just okay as they do connected to a RayDAT or PC-USB. The noises are well audible if I route analog inputs to AN1+2 output and crank the headphone amp volume just to 1/4 (audible) or 1/3 (pretty annoying), which otherwise would be just normal listening volumes. This leads me to suspicion the IO-box somehow went partially faulty, and as stated "may be in need of service", hence I asked how do I do that, because I didn't need to service a RME device, ever, in years.

cupakm's Website

12 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2023-08-11 10:15:08)

  • ramses
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Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

ok, was not aware of other issues, only focussed on that last statement from you.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2018-11-21
  • Posts: 6

Re: Multiface 2 - Higher noise floor than before on Analog Inputs

I sent it in for repair. They diagnosed a bad upper board and replaced it. Cost was ~$450.

It fixed the issue and has been working great since.