RME HDSP Multiface 2 & PCMCIA CardBus Bundle

RME Multiface2

If you've been longing for the ability to do high-quality recording on a laptop or need low latency for software instruments and multiple outputs for surround sound in a desktop or portable rig, the wait is over. RME has taken their highl successful Multiface and made it even better with the RME Multiface 2. Talk about an audio interface that does it all!

The RME Multiface offered the best possible performance in terms of low-latency operation and CPU load, thanks to the PCI card solution, which still surpasses "slightly slower" technologies like USB 2.0 or even FireWire. That was reason enough for RME to apply the latest technological developments to the Multiface II, an update of the original Multiface, thus making a proven product even better. First of all, the new RME Multiface II is 100% compatible with the current model's firmware and driver. It offers the same set of features and settings and the same low-latency, zero-CPU-load performance. Some significant changes to the circuitry were made along with the incorparation of several features from RME's award-winning Fireface including: Hi-power headphone output with volume knob and 119 dBA SNR - Analog input stages with improved CMRR, lower THD and increased S/N ratio by almost 10 dB - Analog output stages with significantly lower THD. RME's more effective synchronized internal switching power supply was also added. The reference level (+4dB, -10dB) of the analog inputs and outputs can be changed by two independent switches on the front panel. Like the original RME Multiface, the RME Multiface 2 has to be combined with RME's PCI-card for desktop computers or with RME's CardBus (PCMCIA) card for portable computers, which ensures maximum transfer rates of up to 130 MB/s. The RME Multiface II is compatible with the Windows and MAC platform.

Other improvements of the RME Multiface 2 include the removal of the ADAT Sync interface (D-sub) on the back of the current Multiface (since it is hardly used any more). The added space allows the analog TRS jacks on the Multiface II to be moved further apart, so that eight Neutrik jacks now fit side by side. Additionally, a cable hook used to secure power and audio cables has been added.

Despite the improved quality and increased number of components in the new RME Multiface 2, the price of the Multiface remains unchanged.

36-channel 24-bit/96kHz HDSP I/O.

Intelligent clock control according to operational mode and present/desired sample rate.

Bitclock PLL; the most reliable receiver circuit for ADAT optical signal.

Input signal monitoring independent from clock mode and sample rate.

Professional status and level display at lowest CPU load.

Intelligent Clock Control measures and displays of all incoming and used clocks.

Change latency on-the-fly under ASIO, without manual reset or re-boot.

Surveillance and sample accurate synchronization of all channels.

Comparison and display of all input's clock status.

TotalMix mixes all inputs and all outputs on all outputs. Several independent

submixes possible.

Automatic monitoring of the input signal with zero latency.

8 analog line I/Os with 24 Bit/96kHz conversion.

1 ADAT digital I/O.

1 SPDIF digital I/O.

1 x Word clock I/O.

MIDI I/O high-speed MIDI.

Hi-Power headphone output for independent submix.

Dynamic range analog AD: 115 dBA, DA: 120 dBA.

RME Cardbus Interface

For some time now, laptops have become powerful enough for even ambitious hard disk recording thanks to high computing power and powerful hard drives. Up to now, a powerful interface was missing though. USB is neither offering the necessary bandwidth, nor the desired compatibility. Available PCMCIA solutions at the moment are nearly always designed as 16 bit PC Card and therefore only make use of the ISA bus.

For the Hammerfall DSP I/O-boxes Digiface, Multiface and RPM, RME have developed a world-exclusive PCMCIA type II card in Zero wait state CardBus Busmaster technology. With up to 130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions the same basic performance is provided on a notebook as a PCI card would offer on a desktop computer. Additionally the card offers highest compatibility by being 100% Plug & Play compatible under Windows and Mac OS, and being able to share interrupts. The card itself will only use one interrupt (IRQ) for all functions (audio/MIDI.)

The connection between CardBus card and I/O box is established using ordinary firewire cable (closed LAN to IEEE 1394.) The data transfer does not use Firewire protocol, but our own proprietary bus protocol. The supplied cable is 4.5 m (15 ft.) long, a cable length up to 10 m (33 ft.) has been successfully tested. The CardBus card does not provide power to the attached I/O-box. Therefore a hi-tech switching power supply is included.

PCMCIA type II, 32 bit CardBus card

Zero wait state PCI Busmaster interface (130 MB/s transfer rate in both directions)

Current load: ca. 300 mA

Output: Closed LAN connector

Package contents: PCMCIA type II card, cable 4.5 meter (Closed LAN to IEEE 1394), switching power supply 100 V-240 V/12 V - 1 A, car cable, battery cable

100% Plug & Play compatible

Hammerfall hardware design: mono channels in block mode, organized in 32 bit

ASIO double buffers

ASIO drivers with 0 (zero!)% CPU load when using the maximum number of channels (52)

Byte swap for Mac included in hardware

Automatic hardware selftest when booting

Hardware update via software (virtual EPROM update)

Complete interrupt sharing

Minimum PC Requirements

Processor: Pentium II

Processor speed: 300 MHz

128 MB RAM

Hard disc: Fast SCSI

Windows 98/ME, 2000, XP

CD-ROM drive

Minimum Mac requirements

Processor: Power Mac based 604e Processor

Processor speed: 180 MHz

RAM (Cache): 48 MB RAM

Hard disc: fast E-IDE

Operating system: Mac OS 8.6 or higher, OSX 10.2 or higher.

Drives: CD-ROM drive

Bundle Include :

Brand New RME Multiface2

Brand New RME Cardbus Interface

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