Hi Matthias,

Thanks for responding so promptly :-) I do recognize that the ADI-6432 is not an audio interface. I connect my ADI-6432 to either a MadiFace (or to a HDSP PCI Madi card within a Magma PCI expansion Chassis), both attached to my laptop using their respective ExpressCards. It works perfectly with my Micstacy & Cubase in this way for location recordings.

What I am wondering is how to access the ADI-6432's RS-232 port from my laptop when attached to my audio interface card via Madi. I have set up the MidiRemote software using the virtual midi port (midi via Madi-port 3) and can confirm that this works as expected. It also allows me to set the baud-rate and I can see that my Yamaha AD8HRs are transmitting data to the 6432 com-port (as the yellow Rx LED on the ADI-6432 lights up to register serial data every time I change anything on the front panel of the AD8HR).

I am now in the process of trying to send Yamaha HA-Remote information to the AD8HR's via the ADI-6432's com-port from my computer. Is this possible? I have the relevant software and it works absolutely fine with a simple USB to RS-232 converter. Given that the 6432 com port is obviously set up for both Rx and Tx, how does one transmit serial data to the 6432 com port?

Could it be an issue with the respective DB9 pin-out assignments? It seems as though the Yamaha pin-assignment is using more pins (possibly for hand-shaking or data requests/confirmation). I'm not sure however and thought someone may have run into this scenario or know a little more about this stuff. I have sent this same information to both Yamaha commercial and LightViper/FiberPlex and am waiting to hear back.

If anyone has any more information on these issues that they could pass on, it would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
George

Hi again Matthias.

Thanks for responding so quickly once more, even if it is with this slightly disappointing news. I'm a little confused and genuinely don't mean to sound rude, but what exactly is the RS-232 serial port there for? Is it only used when connecting multiple ADI-6432's (or ADI-642's) in a Madi digital-multicore setup?

That makes sense for larger setups and I can see that implementing an RS-232 software port is not even remotely RME's job, nor is it a common task that I am attempting. Thanks anyway for the details. It looks like I'll have to stick with the old-school approach of a separate USB-to-serial converter and a long serial cable running alongside my Madi cablling. Thanks Matthias and thanks RME for such great, rock-solid products. I knew it was a long shot, but you seem to have most bases covered so I thought I'd check!

Kind regards,
George

Thanks Matthias. After looking into it a little more that seemed like the most logical use case. It's a shame that the MadiFace XT doesn't have a RS-232 port, as that would make a great compact setup. I guess there's only so much space on the back of the unit :-)

Hi Georg,

Thanks for the suggestion. I had seen this DirectOut unit and have inquired about some of their other products in the past. Whilst I'm sure it would work fine it is a little overkill and expensive for my current needs. In the end, I have ended up using a Gefen RS-232 over Cat5 extender to extend the range of my simple USB to RS-232 converter. I just tested it this afternoon and it works great over the distances I require. So basically I'll have my Madi cable and an Ethernet cable running from the stage position to Front-Of-House. This setup also has the benefit of being separated from my Madi stream, so that if there is an issue with my Madi transmission for any reason then my MicPreamp control will remain intact. I have never actually had an issue with any of my RME Madi gear, it is more the ridiculous ExpressCard connection spec that worries me!

Kind regards,
George

Hello nomad2323. The YamMon software was originally written for Windows XP and is compiled as a 32-bit program. The software is no longer officially supported, however I am using it just fine within Windows 7 64-bit. It is a very simple program (a single .exe file) that merely sends and receives instructions according to the Yamaha Remote Head-Amp protocol. It has worked fine for me with 3 AD8HR units connected together, and it also includes simple metering (for only 1 unit at a time). It does crash every now and then when the 'enable meters' check-box is ticked, as it seems that there is a lot more information being passed along, however other than that, I have had no problems at all. Hope this info helps.

Kind regards,
George