RME Fireface 8 was the first FW the device, there is nothing not conceding on functionality and equipment to the external interfaces RME demanding for connection to a computer digital controller PCI or Cardbus. Fireface 4 manufacturer names not simply younger brother Fireface 800. It completely anew developed device, unique in the class with active suppression djittera, the independent operating mode, completely operated from the forward panel, flexible opportunities vvoda/vy'voda signals professonal'nogo qualities, and also 648-kanal'ny'y a matrix router of signals with support semplinga up to 1 kGc. Distinctive features RME Fireface 400: TotalMix: internal 648-kanal'ny'y a digital mixer with bit accuracy
Analog inputs: x 1/ " TRS ( x Line, x Line/Instrument), x XLR/TRS Combo ( x Mic/Line); all inputs servo-balans;
Analog outputs: x 1/ " TRS, servo-balans, an outcome of the ground. x 1/ " TRS nebalans
MIDI: x MIDI I/O through an adapter ( x DIN); support of formats semplirovaniya up to 1 kGc; two microphonic preamplifiers with digital adjustment of strengthening; two balancing universal lineyny'h/instrumental'ny'h an input; SteadyClock for suppression djittera and clock refresh (rekloking); independent management on the display; TotalMix: 648-kanal'ny'y a mixer with bit toshiba portege m200 notebook internal sanction; 54-urovnevy'y the hardware indicator showing peak and RMS value; a feed from trunk FireWire for mobile application; compatibility with Windows and Mac platforms. Owing to using DSP to mixer TotalMix, inputs and target channels can mix up and go on any of physical outputs. For monitoring it is possible to use about independent stereos of mixes. Management of all functions on MIDI through Mackie-sovmestimy'y the controller is accessible. channels ADAT to interfaces work simultaneously with analog channels. SPDIF vhod/vy'hod it is compatible with AES/EBU and can work down to 1 kGc. Characteristics RME Fireface 4 (according to data of the updated user's guide) ACP (inputs 5-8): DR: 1 dBA, 1 d
CAP (outputs 1-6): DR: 1 dBA 44. kGc, 1 d
Division of channels: 1 dB two newest stereo-codecs AKM AK4620A, uniting CAP and ACP in one case Are used. AK4620A it is positioned for professional sound cards, DAW and other equipment. The codec supports formats down to bats 1 kGc both on record, and on reproduction, a signal / (shum+iskajeniya) makes 1 dB, a dynamic range - 113/1 dBA. CAP uses architecture toshiba portege m200 notebook AKM Advanced Multi-Bit, multibit del'ta-sigma, than low noise of modulators - practically flat spectrum of noise down to kGc is reached, and filters on switched condensers provide ustroychivost' to djitteru the clock generator. ACP has architecture AKM Enhanced Dual-Bit owing to what rather big dynamic range has been reached. On an input there is an amplifier with digital management (IPGA). Digital filters have a linear phase. The digital interface synchronization of a clock signal: internal, from digital inputs: ADAT, SPDIF, word clock, opcional'no on LTC/Video to an input low djitter: nanoseconds in a mode of external synchronization, after FAPCH an internal piece: 8 ps, in regular intervals distributed suppression djittera an external piece: dB (2. kGc) influence djittera on CAP and ACP: practically is absent FAPCH insures against losses of data even at djittere more than 1 nanoseconds digital synchronizing FAPCH for changeable frequency ADAT support of frequencies semplirovaniya: from kGc up to 2 kGc the List of known users of production RME: It is necessary to note, that though Firewire the interface looks very attractive and gives a greater carrying strip, in a reality, in sound problems there are certain difficulties. To sound devices theoretical toshiba portege m200 notebook throughput, and an opportunity of fast access to data and the maximal speed of transfer of contents of sound buffers in the portions of small volumes is more important not. Also it is important as it is possible smaller overhead, that is losses of a strip from presence by transfer of the service given standard reports. Not last role is played with loading on CPU which gives service of the interface, that directly influences the minimal delay of passage of a signal. It is very creditable, that RME opens some technical details in special section of a site - Technical Background. The manufacturer explains, that there are radical differences in architecture RME and products of other manufacturers on trunk Firewire. Usually in external sound Fireware devices the separate chip of a general purpose for trunk Firewire and separately the controller of modes and vhodov/vy'hodov devices with the minimal functionality is used. Sometimes add additional funkcial'ny'y DSP the processor of effects, toshiba portege m200 notebook but there is a problem of restriction of speed of an exchange between it and a computer on all interface chain. Thus the standard approach gives as a result restriction both on quantity of simultaneous channels, and for the period of passage of a signal at processing. In RME have developed the own decision for Firewire the interface. The kernel is in FPGA, that allows to improve and eliminate it lacks with updating an insertion. Inside FPGA also it is realized DSP, providing processing, for example routing of signals in TotalMix or measurements of levels of a signal. At a physical level chips from Texas Instruments, as the best decision for Firewire-interfeysa are used. For connection Fireface in order to prevent problems also it is recommended Firewire-kontroller on TI. On site RME examples of recommended and not recommended controllers are resulted. The last are made by toshiba portege m200 notebook unknown Chinese manufacturers with serious mistakes in circuitry. The driver of the device support following OS: Windows 20 SP4, XP, XP 64, Vista, Vista 64, Mac OS X and Mac OS X x86. A complete set: Sound interface Fireface 400; cable IEEE1394a (FW400) meters (full-size 6-kontaktny'e rez`emy'; an adapter on MIDI sockets ( inputs, outputs) a power unit with the indicator of illumination on a socket; a printed management on angliyskom/nemeckom; CD with drivers; the digital optical cable (TOSLINK), m. In a box also is a leaflet with the prevention: Firewire devices can be included and disconnected at any time (hot switching). From the moment of the occurrence, given advantage Firewire has leaded into error set of people and has caused death of huge quantity of devices. Researches of a network show uncountable quantity of hard disks and computers which have failed during the moment of connection of the interface cable. The basic problem that a feed toshiba portege m200 notebook is transferred in most Firewire a cable. During inclusion and switching-off arise short-term peaks of a pressure which punch isolation of wires with data and put out of action sensitive electronics. Certainly, this problem can be minimized special measures (protective diodes on an input of data, smooth submission of a pressure, etc.), but completely to eliminate is impossible. Always there is a risk at hot switching if the device uses a feed on the trunk. Therefore RME recommends to avoid hot switching! Connect Fireface 4 to Firewire only at the disconnected computer and Fireface. It allows to avoid the specified problems. RME declares, that developers of chips for Firewire sound interfaces (BridgeCo, Philips AV LLC) have weak representation about needs of professional interfaces. In particular there are no following opportunities which exclusively realize products RME: switching on external synchronization in toshiba portege m200 notebook real times
Change of the size of the buffer in real time Distinctive properties Firewire of interfaces RME RME have developed FireWire interfaces Fireface with a full set of opportunities which possess PCI cards RME. The list of unique opportunities Fireface which do not meet in products of other manufacturers: change of frequency semplirovaniya in real times
varispeed / external synchronization in all modes (DS / QS)
Decrease overhead the report, refusal from CIP (Common Isochronous Packet format) headings (AVC, mLan)
latency changes hurriedly, at started ASIO and GSIF appendices there Are explanations on item hardware check of packages of data and correction of losses. There are two principal causes of clicks and losses: the sound kernel does not cope with data processing. It is solved increase in the size of the buffer (latency)
Data are lost vsledstvii overloads or shortages of productivity of trunk PCI All Firewire controllers on platform PC are connected to trunk PCI bus, there are no chipsets with integrated FW. So it is made only at Poppies. RME gives an opportunity to separate the clicks caused by overload CPU (that is solved toshiba portege m200 notebook increase in the size of the buffer, latency), and losses of packages of data FireWire of the interface. The message on FireWire between PC and Fireface includes watermarks in packages. Fireface finds out cases and exact quantity of losses of data. In practice cases of losses of data - a rarity. An output on headphones Direct alternate comparison of outputs on headphones E-MU 1616M and RME Fireface 4 was spent with use of headphones, with a nominal impedance Ohm. Devices worked under interface ASIO, volume control was carried out only by means of sound interfaces: in product E-MU it is analog adjustment, in RME - a digital regulator of a level in a mixer. Nasmotrya on captious vslushivanie with alternate switching headphones, the difference in sounding ischezayusch'e is small, with insignificant advantage E-MU. Thus the difference in headphones was audible toshiba portege m200 notebook at comparison 1616m with other equipment (more in detail in clause). Some sound producers are perplexed a hardware mixer - why in a final mix purely sounding tracks merge in a porridge? Despite lacking distinct arguments, in soobsch'este sound producers there is a theory that hardware mix by means of the iron device ostensibly gives higher quality, more precise and detailed mix. Many begin shamanit' with programs and digital mixers of devices in searches of panacea as there is a representation about existence of the certain ideal mixer, allowing to avoid a labour-consuming stage e`kvalizacii and other processing of paths at data of a soundtrack. Besides it, disputes on what software are audible more purely and is more transparent summarizes paths. We compared data of a test composition in Cubase vs. Samplitude vs. ProTools on hearing and in spektroanalizatore, and have toshiba portege m200 notebook come to conclusion, that the sums of paths coincide - differences prestavlyayut themselves noise dizeringa, standardly added for elimination of distortions of quantization. We used the same composition, as in clause Protools M-Powered. As much as possible pure tracks of the test composition prepared by Grigory Lyadovym for search of differences as mix have been taken. Rewriting through Fireface Mixer was compared with daunmiksom Cubase SX3. Record was carried out in a format float. The analysis has shown, that file Fireface has displacement on 1, ms. It is indemnification of time demanded on CAP/ACP. The driver exposes latency for the editor so that to compensate displacement. At digital rewriting through a mixer time becomes negative, it is necessary to enter amendments manually. It is stipulated in the documentation on the device. First there was an attempt to hear a difference between mixes on hearing, that success has not crowned. Further, subtraction of two signals gives uniform noise on a spectrum of very low level. The given signal of a mistake is approximately equal to noise dizeringa at 24-bitnoy to word length. To hear such differences on hearing it is impossible, therefore we and have not toshiba portege m200 notebook heard them. Whether gives preimesch'estva hardware digital mix on accuracy? What features of such realization? Hardware mixers in sound interfaces use programmed DSP, with the limited opportunities on speed and obvious optimization on calculations in real time for the big number of channels with the minimal delay. The given architectural restrictions obviously put daunmiks by means of CPU a computer in sequencers on the first place on accuracy of calculations. Especially if to recollect unlimited time on rasschety' at daunmikse the project in a file, 64-bitny'h variables with a floating point and 80-razryadny'mi registers FPU of the coprocessor. RME puts down to credit to a mixer integer arithmetics with a greater stock after an overload ( bat) and bats on an output of a mixer (limitation and trankeyt otbrosom the bats which are not finding room in 24-bita), and without dizeringa. All these advantages are really interesting in comparison with mixers of real time of universal sound controllers (VIA/IC Ensemble, Motorolla, Philips), but not in comparison toshiba portege m200 notebook with FPU x (program sequencers with mix in 64float). If to compare to the equipment of a high class, the mixer of interfaces LynxStudio is executed on similar hardware base (Xilinx Spartan) and gives an additional opportunity pokanal'no to include and disconnect dizering. Possibly, it is done at a level of drivers. It is important to understand: to all the application and to use available opportunities of the equipment to destination. RME never declared that the hardware mixer should be used for data of compositions though nobody forbids it to do. However there is a set of situations when use of mixer RME will be more justified. For example, if it is required in to submit on different outputs different mixes (mode Submix), especially in real time and at presence of external sources or posy'lov/vozvratov. Besides a choice toshiba portege m200 notebook of channels on each output it is possible to adjust and a level. It can be made both in Fireface Mixer, and in Fireface Matrix. In this case it is possible to consider quality superfluous. The similar expanded functionality (for example, an opportunity of creation separate sabmiksov) to some extent is present at professional interfaces LynxStudio, MOTU and ECHO, but completely is absent in mass products ESI, E-MU, M-Audio. Whether is it significant advantage - completely depends on costing problems. In house studio one needs, in professional sound recording or television studioes - it is obvious, absolutely others. What to prefer - hardly better predusiliteli/konvertory' or convenience in work and speed of creation of a soundtrack - depends on a concrete situation. As well as any device, RME Fireface 4 has pluss and minuses. For example, the mixer differs prodvinutost'yu, but at the same time can be combined for development, especially if to consider absence of the Russian-speaking instruction. For those who experiences difficulties at reading English-speaking instructions, it is possible to recommend Andrey Tolkacheva's RME TotalMix clause and DIGICheck, published in January number of the Musical Equipment for 2007. However it will not replace close toshiba portege m200 notebook studying of a management. Very pleasantly, in what in the complete set there is a thick printed version. Other disputable moment is an appearance of a mixer in style old Steinberg Cubase 5, without an opportunity of scaling of elements of the interface. For this reason the mixer is overloaded and looks in high sanctions fine enough. It is obvious, that the most convenient variant - management of a mixer on MIDI through Mackie-sovmestimy'y the controller, and at active use in studio - a conclusion of a window of a mixer to the separate monitor. At joint connection of several devices Fireface (up to three), a kind in a mixer is switched between them, while, say, devices LynxStudio at teamwork (I use LynxTWO and Lynx AES16) have an opportunity of a conclusion of all mixers at once. Probably it already particulars which not so are important toshiba portege m200 notebook but to develop still is where. I believe, Matias Karstens and its command perfectly know about strong and weaknesses of their products and place the priorities. It is quite clear to everyone who has experience of development of a similar software. DIGICheck on site RME there is the interesting free-of-charge utility DIGICheck having various modes of the analysis of signals from entrance and target channels. These opportunities essentially supplement funkcional and without that advanced mixer. We shall concentrate attention only to the most unusual. The analyzer of a spectrum is interesting to that does not use BPF (FFT). Instead of it, strip filters are involved in style of the hardware analyzer. Scale of a scale of the analyzer - logarithmic. Other interesting mode - Global Record, is intended for record of the big number of channels by a uniform stream in a file with minimally possible loading on system. First of all it is actual for interface card MADI with channels where record in different files creates unreasonable loading on a hard disk and system, and leads to a fragmentation and unpredictable losses of data, especially toshiba portege m200 notebook at lasting many hours responsible records. The same method is used on Pyramix. At nebolshom number of channels function of record by a uniform stream has received the second life at use noutbukov both their weak CPU and hard disks. Tests of quality of an analog path participated In comparative testing following devices: LynxStudio Aurora E-MU 1616M RME Fireface 4 ESI Juli@ Re`kovoe device LynxStudio Aurora has represented itself as the standard and the device of switching of signals, for instant switching a signal on monitors ADAM S2.5A. We have lead experiment to learn, whether deforms analog path Aurora a signal from devices, having compared a signal directly to monitors and skomutirovanny'y through Aurora. Differences it has not been heard, as well as in case of change of channels Aurora. The signal from the connected devices noticeably differed. Testing was made according to toshiba portege m200 notebook our technique of testing, in many respects conterminous with requirements AES20-1996/20 (it is accessible to members AES). Requirements AES is obligatory carrying out of double blind testing (DBT.) (AES20-1996/20 7.10.1.) Records with recognized timbres of tools, without entering significant processing a sound should make a basis. (AES20-1996/20 6.2.2). Duration of fragments of test compositions should be the order of seconds with an interval of switching no more than seconds, with obligatory subsequent switching on the original and back. The more an interval, the less adequate there are results in view of absence at the person of long-term acoustical memory. At a significant interval of last time there are only emotional memoirs, without an opportunity of restoration of details of sounding. Loudness of signals from devices at direct comparative testing should be absolutely identical. In our case soundtracks were used: 1. Vaclav Nelhybel - Trittico - Allegro Maestoso ( bats 44. kGc) 2. J.S. Bach - Gavotte In D Minor - Jacques Loussier Trio ( bats 44. kGc) 3. Latin Jazz Trio - Mujaka ( bats kGc) the ready commercial project for testing opportunities of application Fireface 4 in professional work Was used also: adjustment of levels toshiba portege m200 notebook of effects at data, change of timbres of tools on different tracks. In this case tesiruetsya ability of a path adequately to reflect the smallest changes in a soundtrack. Interface RME Fireface 4 shows high professional quality of sounding. Distortions of timbres are not present, study good. On quality of analog path Fireface 4 has bypassed ESI Juli@ and has not held on up to 1616M a little and Aurora 8. Fireface 4 it is possible to consider as more accessible version Fireface 8 with the same functionality, but the reduced quantity of analog interfaces and converters high, but not topovogo a level. Nevertheless, quality of new codecs caused in us in good sense surprise even at testing ECHO Audiofire. Devices on the basis of AK4620A surpass those with separate converters with similar characteristics. There is an information, that originally in RME assumed to use separate CAP and ACP, but having listened to quality of new codecs AKM have been impressed and used them. In any case if there will be a desire to toshiba portege m200 notebook have the best parameters of a path and greater number of microphonic inputs, it is reasonable to use senior model Fireface 8 (1 dBA). At record the device also has shown the advantages consisting expanded functionality. At connection of two condenser microphones, one of them (usual) demanded a phantom feed, another (lamp) - ate from own BP. RME Fireface has allowed to submit a phantom feed only on one of microphonic inputs whereas in many devices +48V moves on all inputs at once, for simplification of a life of developers. At work with a mixer it is very convenient to see exact values (with the tenth shares) exposed feyderov, and also values of channels on pikmetre. Last has flexible and really useful adjustments, for example, a choice srednekvadratichnogo/pikovogo values of a level with 3dB indemnification RMS. Thus, calculation makes not the driver of the device, and built in hardware DSP. Measurements We result measurements RME Fireface 4 in toshiba portege m200 notebook loopback for an opportunity of comparison of results in the same mode with other devices. At measurement with application Lynx Aurora the results close to passport turn out. The Noise level has made-113. dBA at passport 1 dBA. Iskajeniya+shum an output 5/ have made-98. dB (not weighed), also according to nameplate data (- dB). Tested device RME Fireface 4 Operating mode 24-bit, kHz Sound interface ASIO the Route of signal External loopback (line-out 1/ - line-in 5/6) Version RMAA 6.0. PRO the Filter of Hz - kGc YES Normalization of a signal YES Mode MONO is not present Frequency of a signal kalibracii, Hz 10 Polarity pravil'naya/pravil'naya Non-uniformity ACHH (in a range of Hz - kGc), dB +0.03,-0. Perfectly Noise level, dB -111. Perfectly dynamic range, dB 111. Perfectly harmonious distortions, % 0.00 Perfectly harmonious distortions + noise, dB (A)-92. are very good Intermodulyacionny'e distortions + noise, % 0.00 are excellent Interosculation of channels, dB-112. Perfectly Intermodulation on kGc, % toshiba portege m200 notebook 0.00 is excellent the General estimation Perfectly Level of harmonics on the schedule of distortions in the test is given for- dB FS while value of Kg essentially depends on amplitude. The worst case is shown, separately for an input and an output of distortion below and coincide with nameplate data. It is separately necessary to consider a theme djittera and its suppression. In Fireface 4 the digital generator of a basic signal that gives flexible opportunities for exact fine tuning speed vosproizvodeniya in the professional purposes is used. Own djitter the interface under the passport it is low, and the spectrum is uniform. And still for puristov, were interested zapredel'no low djitterom, devices on the basis of the qualitative quartz generator with the fixed basic frequency more will approach. Fireface 4 is not audiofil'skoe the device, the architecture under it is not optimized. Use of the given device as a stereo of the interface for a conclusion of a sound neopravdano.
Leaning on published Audio Precision work it is possible to lead the analysis of schedules of measurements loopback vs. line out. Researches show decrease on several dB rms a dynamic range at presence of a test signal owing to toshiba portege m200 notebook broadband djittera, that it is possible to explain a payment for the digital reconstructed generator of a clock signal. Clock generators of devices of reproduction (RME Fireface 400, 8 ps) and records (Lynx Aurora, ps) have not been synchronized. A difference of signals on the schedule with kGc a sinusoid - it is exact not noise and not navodki, as on the schedule of noise in a mode loopback shumovoy a threshold predictedly above. It is the good test, but two devices are necessary for it, one of which with obviously more exact clock generator. In this case parameters lay behind a side of acoustical perception, considering broadband character of a spectrum that coincides with the information in the passport. If to compare parameters Fireface 4 with, it is possible to ascertain greater problems at device ECHO with low-frequency djitterom. Fortunately, even such problems Audiofire do not influence the general quality of sounding - according to spent researches zametnost' djittera grows in logarithmic dependence with growth of frequency. Always toshiba portege m200 notebook it is necessary to commensurate measurements with psihoakusticheskimi aspects of perception - LF djitter it is not audible down to huge values of 2 nanoseconds. On hearing of any problems at Fireface 4 with djitterom it has not noted been. Differences with other devices are caused only by the applied converters. Measurements by means of APS show, what exactly they define signal/shum devices and character of distribution of harmonics. Conclusions As to follow a principle of reasonable sufficiency it is complex, many beginning sound producers and computer musicians chase inconceivable high parameters of devices while other sound path, first of all control monitors, mismatches even to the cheapest interface - any difference between converters masteringovogo a level and poluprofessional'ny'mi products will not be audible. Thus functional features and convenience of work vkry'vayutsya a unpleasant surprise only subsequently. In this sense RME Fireface 4 on quality of an analog path will be sufficient, on ours toshiba portege m200 notebook vzshlyad, for % of the let out professional equipment of a high class, and by opportunities and convenience - in something advance competitors on a head. Thus price RME Fireface 4 though is not too accessible to enthusiasts, allows to recommend for commercial studios even with the small budget. To beginners of a sound recording and the direction, having in an arsenal only monitor headphones for $100, opportunities Fireface will be superfluous, they will accept simple two-channel interfaces for $1 from manufacturers poluprofessional'noy equipments is better. Up to needs for the hardware mixer working in an independent mode, multichannel record with individual sabmiksami to executors, and also in the logarithmic analyzer, support taym-koda and other things it is necessary to grow. RME Fireface 4 is not advanced version of the cheap interface with impressive by which will strike quality on a path for $1 and itself for you will reduce a composition a hardware mixer, and first of all the professional tool for those who really requires such opportunities. On Firewire interface RME Fireface 4 makes $12 (1)
Other discussions in conference: [the day before yesterday, ] [8/30/2007, ] [8/30/2007, ] [8/29/2007, ] Comments? Amendments? Additions?
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