• Registered: 2013-08-21
  • Posts: 9

Topic: HDSPe MADI fx, Windows 8.1 and multi-client

Hi folks
I have a HDSPe MADI fx card. I've recently gone from Windows 7 to Windows 8.1 and I'm having a problem with multi-client operation. Under Windows 7 I could have a DAW using software playback channels 1-48 and another app using some other software playback channels (say 105), route all of those channels to a single hardware output and hear both of them perfectly even though they were operating at different sample rates. Under Windows 8.1 that seems to no longer funtion. If I have an app that is playing back at 44.1khz and then open a DAW that is set to 48khz the playback of the first app will change pitch, get glitchy and sometimes crash. It seems that the multi-client operation isn't working right for me. Has anyone else tried this in Windows 8.1?

Thanks
Dean

2 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
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  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,673

Re: HDSPe MADI fx, Windows 8.1 and multi-client

None of our cards supports operation at different sample rates simultaneously. When you used that feature in Windows then one program was running under ASIO (or WDM), and the other one under WDM. WDM automatically sample rate converts. The WDM sample rate control is partly broken under W7, and completely under W8 (search this forum). You will have to set the correct sample rate in the sound dialog/advanced for any device that you want to use, manually, then it will work. Until you decide to use a different sample rate...

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • ewb
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  • Registered: 2013-12-05
  • Posts: 8

Re: HDSPe MADI fx, Windows 8.1 and multi-client

Hi there. Your answer is very clear and concise, but out of curiosity and in the name of science:

Is it physically impossible (even with firmware modifications) to run the MADI FX's AES i/o at different sample rates than the MADI i/o? I would assume this to be the case as they are likely funneling through the same DSP pipelines, but I had to ask.

Reason? I am interested in doing my external summing (MADI) at 88.2 and printing the resulting final mixes (AES) at 192 in a separate program.

What I am NOT interested in is buying a separate AES card for that luxury. But, such is life? =]

Thanks!

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,806

Re: HDSPe MADI fx, Windows 8.1 and multi-client

Nothing to do with the DSP, it's about the sample rate clock. There is only one possible source, internal or external.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • ewb
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  • Registered: 2013-12-05
  • Posts: 8

Re: HDSPe MADI fx, Windows 8.1 and multi-client

Thanks. That makes sense.

I suppose I'll humbly put my 2 cents in and say that it would make a great addition on future flagship products to have an optional 2nd clock (if that's physically possible and reasonably affordable to design/integrate/produce). The ability to mixdown and capture at higher rates on the same card would be pretty exceptional. =]

I guess another way to look at it would be:

The market has no offerings that I'm aware of which provide a stripped down stereo AES interface with rock solid drivers. That necessitates the purchase of a 2nd interface with a host of unneeded features for anyone wanting to archive at the maximum sample rate available using external ADCs / DACs.

Cheers.