Hammerfall® DSP System Multiface

8.2 Recording Digital
Unlike analog soundcards which produce empty wave files (or noise) when no input signal is
present, digital I/O cards always need a valid input signal to start recording.
To take this into account, RME has included two unique features in the Hammerfall DSP
system: a comprehensive I/O signal status display (showing sample frequency, lock and sync
status) in the Settings dialog, and status LEDs for each input.
The sample frequency shown in the Settings dialog (see chapter 9, screenshot Settings) is
useful as a quick display of the current configuration (the board itself and all connected external
equipment). If no sample frequency is recognized, it will read ‘No Lock’.
With this configuring any suitable audio application for digital recording is simple. After
selecting the required input, Hammerfall DSP displays the current sample frequency. This
parameter can then be changed in the application’s audio attributes (or similar) dialogue.
It often makes sense to monitor the input signal or send it directly to the output. This can be
done at zero latency using TotalMix (see chapter 14).
For an automated real-time monitoring function the HDSP System supports ASIO Direct
Monitoring (ADM) in ASIO 2.0. When 'ASIO Direct Monitoring' has been switched on the input
signal is routed in real-time to the output whenever Record is started.
8.3 Recording analog
For recordings via the analog inputs the corresponding record channels have to be chosen.
Apart from the internal jumpers which set the basic operating level, the Multiface has no means
to change the input level. This would make no sense for the digital inputs, but also for the
analog inputs one can do without it. It doesn't matter if the Multiface is operated at a mixing
desk or a multichannel Mic preamp, in either case the level can be controlled directly at the
source to match the Multiface's sensitivity perfectly.
The input sensitivity of the analog inputs can be changed through internal jumpers to meet the
most often used studio levels, see next chapter.
User’s Guide HDSP System Multiface © RME 10