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RME HDSPe RayDAT PCIe Audio Interface Card Demo

Multi-channel PCIe Interface with ADAT, S/PDIF, S/MUX, AES/EBU, and MIDI I/O
4 Write review Item ID: HDSPeRayDATd1

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RME HDSPe RayDAT PCIe Audio Interface Card
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Another great interface from RME!

RME's HDSPe RayDAT is a multi-channel, multi-format PCIe-based solution from recording, mixing, and mastering. The SPDIF (phono) and AES/EBU (XLR) I/O are available simultaneously thanks to separated recording and playback devices in the form of separate cards. RayDAT provides 4 x ADAT optical I/O, SPDIF I/O and AES/EBU I/O for a total of 36 channels of inputs and outputs along with two banks of MIDI I/O and TotalMix, RME's DSP-based real-time mixer/router. HDSPe RayDAT is a true professional solution!

Related Videos: HDSPe RayDAT PCIe Audio Interface Card

RME HDSPe RayDAT at a Glance:
  • Legacy
  • SteadyClock
  • Software and compatibility
  • Unique features

Legacy
HDSPe RayDAT is the newly developed PCI Express version of the HDSP 9652. A genuine PCI Express core consequently takes full advantage of the new format, achieving significant performance gains in multitrack audio. Thanks to RME's secure flash update technology, firmware improvements, adjustments, and bugfixes can be installed easily at any time.

SteadyClock
HDSPe RayDAT includes SteadyClock, RME's own clock technology, combining professional features like maximum jitter suppression at full varipitch capabilities and software controlled sample rates. This keeps your signal as pure as possible, devoid of unwanted digital artifacts.

Software and compatibility
DIGICheck for Windows: Spectral Analyzer, professional level meter for 2, 8, or 36 channels, Vector Audio Scope, various other audio analysis tools. Drivers are included for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/64 (full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0), Mac OS X Intel (Core Audio and Core MIDI).

Unique features
The HDSPe RayDAT provides unique features, including 4 x ADAT digital I/O, supporting 192 kHz via S/MUX4 operation; 1 x SPDIF digital I/O, 192 kHz-capable, 1 x AES/EBU digital I/O, 192 kHz-capable; 2 x MIDI I/O, 32 channels high-speed MIDI via breakout cable; up to 36 inputs and 36 outputs can be used simultaneously; DIGICheck, RMEs unique metering- and analyzing tool; TotalMix: 2592 channel mixer with 42 bit internal resolution; Native PCI Express - no PCI to PCI Express bridge used; S/MUX poured in hardware: 16 channels 24-bit/96kHz for record and playback on ADAT optical.

RME HDSPe RayDAT Features:
  • 36 Inputs / 36 Outputs
  • 4 x ADAT I/O (up to 192 kHz via S/MUX4)
  • 1 x AES/EBU I/O (192 kHz)
  • 1 x SPDIF I/O (192 kHZ)
  • 2 x MIDI I/O
  • Supported sample frequencies: Internally 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz. Externally 28 kHz - 200 kHz.
  • 8 buffer sizes/latencies available: 0.7 ms, 1.5 ms, 3 ms, 6 ms, 12 ms, 23 ms, 46 ms, 93 ms
  • All settings changeable in real-time
  • Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
  • Enhanced Mixed mode: All inputs and outputs simultaneously operational
  • Unsurpassed Bitclock PLL (audio synchronization) in ADAT mode
  • TMS (Track Marker Support): Supports CD/DAT start-IDs and the read out of CD subcode
  • DIGICheck, RME's ultimate measurement, analysis and test tool
  • Unique status windows for record and playback, showing mode and sample
  • Super low jitter design: < 1 ns in all clock modes
Take your recordings to the next level with RME's HDSPe RayDAT!

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Tech Specs

  • Computer Connectivity: PCIe
  • Simultaneous I/O: 36 x 36
  • A/D Resolution: 24-bit/192kHz
  • Digital Inputs: 4 x ADAT (Optical/8 Ch.), 1 x AES/EBU (XLR), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax)
  • Digital Outputs: 4 x ADAT (Optical/8 Ch.), 1 x AES/EBU (XLR), 1 x S/PDIF (Coax)
  • MIDI I/O: 2 x In, 2 x Out
  • Built In DSP/FX: Yes
  • Number of PCI Slots: 2
  • Manufacturer Part Number: HDSPe RayDAT

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Customer Reviews

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Awesome! Totally Satisfied!

This device took my home studio to a whole new level. I now have my UAD 4-710d, and X32rack (with x-ADAT card) direct to my computer via ADAT. My main studio monitor feed comes right off the card, via SPIDF.

This thing is rock solid. I now have my studio setup with 30 input channels and 14 outputs. All digital. No firewire, no USB, and no issues.

Cubase Pro 8 runs totally stable. I have RT latency as low as 2.1 ms! I actually tend to run at 128 samples and still get right around 6 ms RT latency in Cubase.

I run on a Windows 7 PC, but I could get an external chassis and run this whole setup with my macbook pro.

I couldn't be happier...finally get to focus on recording...thanks RME!
by Geo from Minneapolis on

Most stable internal audio cards in the industry

I've been using RME audio cards for a long time. I trust their stability and am able to use the lowest latency settings in Cubase. The best feature that I am hooked on is the quality of their converters!!! High quality stuff!
by Vince Bokmiller from Asheville, NC on
Music background: Audio Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Musician, Studio Owner

The best lightpipe option ive ever used

I needed a solid way to connect my converters via lightpipe for my protools rig. After trying several FireWire to adat boxes and being fustrated with drive issues and overall performance(ie.clocking errors) the sweet water rep suggested I try the rme raydat. I was hesitant at first, but I made the purchase and installed the cards... BAM! Booted up no problems and synced with protools right away. The word lock option card I got synced up with my Big Ben and my ad16's and got rock solid performance. I highly recommend this unit for anyone who needs lotsa lightpipe at once.
by Outlawsound from Atlanta ga on
Music background: Recording engineer

Returned, due to unknown issue, but

I returned this, because it could not clock to Internal clock with my Focusrite Saffire Pro 40 over ADAT, I thought it was my Saffire Pro 40 causing issues, but as soon as I set HDSPe to External clock of ADAT (my Saffire Pro 40 becomes a Master), I had zero issues.

I still returned the unit as I could not retain Internal clock. RME gave me an odd "no, this is normal" type of answer, which was not too re-assuring of them diagnosing the issue. I spoke to a rep by calling RME's number. Within RME software I saw "Not synced" clearly showing when set to External sync, but I had no artifacts. Yet, Internal clock as RME unit, I had 2 sounds trailing behind each other in kind of a robotic/flanger mess.

I am giving this 3.5 stars because I think my card was faulty. I also had incredible latency of about 1.9 ms round trip.
This is incredible. I used Saffire Pro 40 as a speaker driver and input device for my other preamps, and it would work as standalone unit to recordin through RME Pcie card (HDSPe)

The sound though was altered, suddenly the sound stage was more pulled back "sonically". It's like I was sitting 3 feet back further away from my speakers. It also altered the bass and overall freq response. Saffire has pronounced bass response. Upon contacting Focusrite I was told I am not skipping any kind of amplification stage by using ADAT from RME.

It could be wrong, but maybe it was true.
RME claims their hardware does NOT alter sound and is incredibly flat.

That's nonsense. I recently returned their RME ADI-2 DAC FS (with AKM4493 chip), I bought this unit from RME, and it was incredible in terms of amplification and sounded extremely clear, but harsh in midrange and highs. Lows seems to be much more dense, but had no pleasant boom that I am used to with my Saffire Pro 40. That unit went back to RME also because I had a moment when games were exiting without Error message. If you are in the market for RME ADI-2, don't be afraid of their ESS chip, it may actually be better than my returned unit.

My exprience with ADI-2 was similar in terms of what is altered in sound, it is like sound is pulled back 1.5-2 feet away from your center listening point. Very strange.

Saffire Pro 40 is a 17 year old unit, but it sounds better in closeness of sound.
HDSPe is perfect for ADAT expansions, but to say it does not alter sound would be an understatement. It remains much flatter than ADI-2 though, and that's a good thing.

Cons is that you get no Reverb, No Compression and no EQ in Total FX, because chip does not support it.
So if you like Total FX DSP...you won't get it with this unit.

Latency is the best I have seen, since PCIE cards enter CPUs almost instantly, depends on your wiring of motherboard, but if you use even 2nd or 3rd PCIE slot it will be faster than USB, as PCIE card enters your Southbridge chip and then is bounced to your CPU chip. Still faster than USB.

You are limited by whatever is converting Analog to Digital and it being plugged back into your Raydat HDSPe card. Meaning if you conversion on standalone unit is slower, well...it will be slower in the Raydat.

If you don't play games, I would perhaps plug this HDSPe into the first PCIe slot and then plug GPU into the slot below it, but if you play games, you will lose some FPS that way.

First PCIe slot takes your signal directly to CPU, without Southbridge chip on bottom right of your motherboard.

The sound from the card is much more neutral, but still colored.
Transients are tighter than Saffire Pro 40.

Don't believe the non-sense of "non-colored" sound stated by RME, this is simply not true.
0s and 1s are not the same, because they still go through components of the card.

This is why EVGAs digital cards will never sound the same as RME.
It's a myth that RME is flat neutral, and uncolored.

It's less colored, but still colored.
In my case it was night and day difference while using Saffire Pro 40 as standalone.

I am not sure if I would keep this card even if it wasn't malfunctioning, I simply didn't like the sound of it.
Don't believe me, listen to low frequencies when you get it, versus your old unit, or even route your old interface to it, and see how much it changes your sound.

I had synced my Saffire Pro 40 to my motherboard that actually has ESS SABRE Hi-Fi 9118 DAC chip, and guess what? My motherboard chip sounded better, I used SPDIF optical to sync to my motherboard.

It was actually closest to original Saffire 40 through ADAT/Optical in, but with more clear transients, and 20% less bass.
Amazing how digital signal does not mean it is the same.

It was an eye opener for me.
by Sweetwater Customer on
Music background: Recording Engineer and computer technician.
See also: PCI Interfaces, RME, RME PCI Audio Interfaces
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