What do you think of this ? ? ?

[Monsieur]

Should i wait for this and hope the goodz ?
Please tell me what you think.

The Multiface is not only Multi because of the many different interface formats supported, but also Multi-channel! Based on the technology of the Project Hammerfall the Multiface includes ADAT optical I/O, ADAT-Sync In, SPDIF I/O, MIDI I/O, word clock I/O and a separate analoge line output. On top we provide 8 analog inputs and outputs, balanced and 96 kHz/24 bit, of course. All this can be used on notebooks as well as on desktop computers with the same 'zero cpu load' and low latency!

8 x analog line I/O, 96 kHz/24 bit, SNR >106 dBA, 1/4" TRS jacks
1 x ADAT digital I/O, based on RME's reliable Bitclock PLL
1 x SPDIF digital I/O, based on RME's reliable DIGI96 technology
1 x ADAT Sync In (9-pin D-type) for sample accurate transfers
1 x Word clock I/O (BNC)
1 x analog line/headphone output, separate mixer for independent submix
1 x MIDI I/O, 16 channels high-speed MIDI
DIGICheck DSP: Level meter in hardware, peak- and RMS calculation, direct status interface
TotalMix: 720 channel mixer with 40 bit internal resolution
S/MUX poured in hardware: 12 channels 96 kHz/24 bit for record and playback on ADAT optical

...and numerous other features found already in the Hammerfall series. And all this for an unbeatable price!

The Hammerfall® DSP System comes with drivers for Windows 98/ME (MME with multi-client operation, ASIO 2.0, GSIF), Windows 2000 (MME with multi-client operation, ASIO 2.0) and MacOS (ASIO 2.0).



The small box using half the space of a 19" rack doesn't show the included outstanding power and extensive features at first glance. The front panel hosts some useful status LEDs, like MIDI state, lock state of the digital inputs and error state of the host-bus. Additionally there's a high-quality 24 bit/96 kHz analog line output, also usable with headphones, and one MIDI I/O.



We think the little Multiface is an unrivalled flexible and powerful unit. Why? Have a look at its back: 8 analog line I/Os on 1/4" TRS jacks (balanced, 24 bit/96 kHz), ADAT optical I/O (switchable to SPDIF optical), ADAT-Sync In, SPDIF I/O coaxial, word clock I/O and MIDI I/O. Can there be more? We doubt...



The parts of the Hammerfall DSP System can be combined freely. Therefore the Multiface can be used with notebooks as well as desktop computers. The connection to notebooks is achieved via a CardBus interface, the connection to desktops via a PCI interface. The interfaces are sold separately.



Settings Dialog

Just click on the hammer symbol in the systray of the taskbar and the settings dialog of the Multiface comes up. The clear structured, easy to understand window plus the unique informative status windows for input signal, clock mode, sample rate and time code make your work with Hammerfall DSP System to a real pleasure. With a simple mouse click (or a freely configurable key shortcut) you gain access to the full power of your card.

When working with several digital sources it is not only necessary that these are all properly locked, they also have to be totally synchronized. Else drop outs and crackling occurs. RME's exclusive SyncCheck checks all input signals and displays their actual state.

A display of the time code at the ADAT Sync-In port offers a quick check of the communication between external device and Hammerfall.





Technical Specifications and Features

Supported sample rates: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, variable
8 buffer sizes/latencies available: 1.5 ms, 3 ms, 6 ms, 12 ms, 23 ms, 46 ms, 93 ms, 186 ms
ASIO zero CPU load technology: 0 (zero!)% CPU load when using ALL 36 channels!
All settings changeable in realtime
Clock modes slave and master
Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
Special sample buffer avoids noise even in asynchronous Full Duplex operation
Enhanced Mixed mode: All inputs and outputs simultaneously operational
Unsurpassed Bitclock PLL (audio synchronisation) in ADAT® mode
Enhanced Zero Latency Monitoring for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
Comes with DIGICheck: the ultimate measurement, analysis and test tool
Dynamic ratio analog I/O AD: 106 dBA, DA: 110 dBA, THD+N: 0.002%
Input 8 x line (1/4" TRS jacks), 1 x optical (TOSLINK), 1 x coaxial (Cinch), 1 x MIDI, word clock (BNC), ADAT Sync
Input format SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer, Professional), ADAT® optical
8 x line (1/4" TRS jacks), 1 x optical (TOSLINK), stereo analog line (TRS), 1 x coaxial (Cinch), 1 x MIDI, word clock (BNC)
Format output SPDIF, AES/EBU (Consumer/Professional), ADAT® optical



Unique Technologies in Hammerfall DSP

AutoSync: Intelligent clock control according to operational mode and present/desired sample rate.
Bitclock PLL: The most reliable receiver circuit for ADAT optical signal.
Enhanced ZLM®: Monitoring of the input signal, independent from clock mode and sample rate.
DIGICheck DSP: Professional status and level display at lowest CPU load.
Latency Fast Change: Change latency on-the-fly under ASIO, without manual reset or re-boot.
SyncAlign®: Surveillance and sample accurate synchronization of all channels.
SyncCheck®: Comparison and display of all input's clock status.
TotalMix: Mixes all inputs and all outputs on all outputs. Several independant submixes possible.
Zero Latency Monitoring (ZLM®): Automatic monitoring of the input signal with zero latency.

A complete overview of all the unique technologies in the Hammerfall series can be found here.



Prices

Multiface: -
Multiface + PCI Interface: -
Multiface + CardBus Interface: -

All prices MSRP US$ incl. VAT. Shipping April 2001

[wariwari3]

well, how much ?


wari

[Monsieur]

I have no clu but all i know is that i need a good card wich isnt gonna be a desapointement like the core2 did to me .

[rjt]

I started with a Lex soundcard and it just about put me off computer recording (although the support folks at Lexicon were great). No matter what I did, click/pop etc. For a long time thought it was my settings. Eventually, I paid someone to come and set up my system... he concluded it wasn't fast enough. I went with a Dakota/Tango from Frontier Design. Not cheap, but like a rock!! Very, very solid... no clicks/pops/dragging notes etc. Back to music.

Regarding the product you mentioned.... the first ones may be buggy and that may or may not be worked out easily. Also, it is impossible to keep up with the technology, so if you see something that looks like it will do what you want.... go for it, by the time you pay for it, something "better" will come along. I don't worry about that any more... I just ask myself if I like what I have.

Hope you buy a product that will do what you want!

[Monsieur]

Thanx man i hope this would help me too