RME HDSPe RayDAT

Product overview

The RME HDSPe RayDAT is a 72-channel PCI Express card with four ADAT optical I/Os, SPDIF, AES/EBU and two MIDI I/Os: up to 36 inputs and 36 outputs at the same time.

Thanks to separated hardware and record / playback devices, even SPDIF (phono) and AES/EBU (XLR) work simultaneously. The main board carries ADAT 1 and 2 and the digital D-sub; the expansion board adds ADAT 3 and 4 and the MIDI breakout port. TotalMix, RME's DSP mixer and router with hardware level metering and complete MIDI remote capability, completes the card. The RayDAT is the PCI Express version of the HDSP 9652 and supports the optional TCO for LTC and video sync.

Key features

• 4 x ADAT I/O: 32 channels at 48 kHz, 16 at 96 kHz (S/MUX in hardware), 8 at 192 kHz
• SPDIF and AES/EBU I/O, both 192 kHz, usable at the same time
• 2 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable
• TotalMix: 2592 channels, 42-bit internal resolution
• SteadyClock FS, Bitclock PLL for ADAT, SyncAlign and SyncCheck
• Buffer sizes 32 to 8192 samples
• Native PCI Express, secure flash update
• Optional Word Clock Module and TCO

Built for multitrack recording

Four ADAT ports connect four 8-channel ADAT preamps or converters for 32 channels at 48 kHz. At 96 kHz S/MUX in hardware still gives 16 channels each way, and 192 kHz is supported via S/MUX4.

Enhanced Mixed mode

All inputs and outputs operate simultaneously. Status windows show mode and sample rate for record and playback, and TMS (Track Marker Support) reads CD / DAT start IDs and CD subcode.

SteadyClock and synchronisation

SteadyClock combines maximum jitter suppression with full varipitch and software-controlled sample rates. The optional Time Code Option adds LTC and video sync, and the optional Word Clock Module adds a galvanically isolated word clock input and two outputs.

In the box

• RME HDSPe RayDAT PCI Express card
• HDSPe RayDAT expansion board
• Digital breakout cable (XLR / RCA)
• MIDI breakout cable
• Expansion board ribbon cable (14-conductor)
• 2 optical cables (TOSLINK), 2 m
• Quick Info guide

Free RME software: TotalMix and DIGICheck. Drivers for Windows and macOS. Requires one free PCI Express slot (1 lane).

RME HDSPe RayDAT: frequently asked questions

How many channels can I record?

Up to 36 inputs and 36 outputs at 48 kHz: 32 ADAT, 2 SPDIF and 2 AES/EBU channels each way.

Do I need the expansion board?

Only for ADAT 3 and 4 and the MIDI ports. All essential electronics are on the PCIe card.

Can I use word clock?

Yes, with the optional Word Clock Module: one galvanically isolated input and two outputs on BNC.

Where can I buy the RME HDSPe RayDAT in India?

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

Workflow 1: 32-channel multitrack recording

Record a band with four ADAT preamps.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the expansion board for ADAT 3 and 4.
2. Clock the card from one preamp or make it master.
3. Record 32 channels at 48 kHz.
4. Create headphone mixes in TotalMix.

Workflow 2: Digital studio hub

Connect ADAT, SPDIF and AES/EBU devices at once.

Connections

Setup

1. Fit the digital breakout cable.
2. Choose the clock source.
3. Route signals freely in TotalMix.
4. Check every input with SyncCheck.

Workflow 3: 96 kHz recording

Record high-resolution sessions over ADAT.

Connections

Setup

1. Set 96 kHz in the Settings dialog.
2. S/MUX in hardware gives 16 channels each way.
3. Record and monitor as usual.
4. Use 192 kHz with S/MUX4 for 8 channels.

Workflow 4: Optical SPDIF on ADAT 4

Use ADAT 4 as optical SPDIF port.

Connections

Setup

1. Select ADAT 4 as SPDIF In / Out in the Settings dialog.
2. Connect the optical cable.
3. Set Professional or Consumer format.
4. Route the channels in TotalMix.

Workflow 5: Timecode and word clock

Synchronise to video, LTC or house clock.

Connections

Setup

1. Fit the option on its bracket.
2. Select it as clock source.
3. Record locked to the reference.
4. Check sync status.

Workflow 6: MIDI-controlled mixing

Control TotalMix from a MIDI controller.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the controller to the MIDI breakout.
2. Enable MIDI control in TotalMix.
3. Mix with hardware faders.
4. Store setups as snapshots.