RME HDSPe AoX-D

Product overview

The RME HDSPe AoX-D is a 512-channel PCI Express x4 card with Dante networking on two RJ45 ports, AES3, MIDI, a DC-coupled phones output and internal expansion ports for up to four MADI I/Os.

Occupying a single slot, the card sends and receives up to 512 channels of audio. Two optional dual MADI expansion boards (coaxial AoX-MADI-EXT-BNC or optical AoX-MADI-EXT-SFP) add four MADI inputs and four MADI outputs to the network channels. The phones jack monitors any signal reaching the card, and a stereo AES3 I/O and MIDI sit on a breakout cable. The card can be built into a recording computer or audio processor, or installed in an external Thunderbolt expansion chassis for mobile recording, on macOS and Windows.

Key features

• 512 Dante channels each way: the card appears as a 512-channel transmitter and receiver
• Redundant or switched network ports, 1 Gb/s and 100 Mb/s
• Preferred Leader clocking from internal, Dante, MADI, AES or word clock
• 512 channels at 48 kHz, 256 at 96 kHz and 128 at 192 kHz, 24-bit
• TotalMix 256 x 256 with presets, layouts, loopback and up to 128 stereo submixes
• Input and output matrices: choose which of up to 770 inputs reach the computer
• AES3 I/O (2 channels up to 192 kHz) and MIDI I/O on a breakout cable
• DC-coupled phones / line output, +13 dBu
• SyncAlign, SyncCheck and DIGICheck DSP level meters
• Internal SYNC IN / OUT for several cards

Network audio

On a Dante network the HDSPe AoX-D appears as a 512-channel transmitter and receiver. Channels are connected in the network's management software. In the default Redundancy mode each port connects to one of two separate networks; Switched mode lets several cards be daisy-chained.

Flexible mixing and routing

A driver dialog or web interface sets the network versus MADI channel count and pre-selects which inputs reach the 256-channel TotalMix engine; the remaining 256 channels pass straight through, and all 512 channels are available for recording. TotalMix offers presets, layouts, loopback and submixes.

MADI expansion

Two internal expansion ports take dual MADI boards with 128 / 64 / 32 channels at 48 / 96 / 192 kHz each, in coaxial or optical (SFP) versions, plus a word clock BNC that can act as input on the board in slot A.

In the box

• RME HDSPe AoX-D card
• AES/MIDI breakout cable
• Internal sync cable (3-conductor)
• Printed manual

Drivers for Windows 10 or up and macOS 14 or up are downloaded from rme-audio.de. Requires one free PCI Express x4 slot. To control the network, add a separate network adapter to the computer.

RME HDSPe AoX-D: frequently asked questions

How many channels does the card handle?

Up to 512 channels each way at 48 kHz, 256 at 96 kHz and 128 at 192 kHz; 256 of them can be processed in TotalMix.

Can I add MADI?

Yes. Up to two optional dual MADI expansion boards (AoX-MADI-EXT-BNC or AoX-MADI-EXT-SFP) add four MADI inputs and outputs.

Does the card pass network traffic to the computer?

No. To control the network connections, use a separate network adapter in the computer connected to the network through a switch.

Where can I buy the RME HDSPe AoX-D in India?

The RME HDSPe AoX-D is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Recording from a Dante network

Record up to 512 channels from Dante devices on stage or in the studio.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the RME driver and the card.
2. Connect the network ports.
3. Route the channels in the network management software.
4. Pre-select the channels in the input matrix and record.

Workflow 2: Network and MADI in one interface

Combine network audio with four MADI I/Os.

Connections

Setup

1. Fit up to two expansion boards.
2. Set the network versus MADI channel count.
3. Pre-select inputs in the input matrix.
4. Mirror playback channels to MADI in the output matrix.

Workflow 3: Mobile recording rig

Use the card in an external Thunderbolt expansion chassis.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the card in the chassis.
2. Connect the chassis to the laptop.
3. Connect the network.
4. Monitor any signal on the phones output.

Workflow 4: Latency-free submixes

Create monitor mixes on the card with no CPU load.

Connections

Setup

1. Open TotalMix.
2. Create up to 128 stereo submixes.
3. Record a submix with loopback.
4. Store setups as snapshots.

Workflow 5: AES3 and MIDI devices

Connect a digital effects unit or converter and MIDI gear.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the breakout cable to the D-sub.
2. Select the AES3 input channels in the Settings dialog.
3. Set Professional or Consumer output format.
4. Use the MIDI port from any MIDI software.

Workflow 6: Several cards in one computer

Sync two or more HDSPe AoX cards sample-accurately.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the cards.
2. Connect SYNC OUT to SYNC IN.
3. Set the follower to Sync In as clock source.
4. Order the cards in the Global tab.