RME HDSPe AES PCI Express Card 32-channel AES/EBU

The HDSPe AES is a short-length PCI Express card with AES/EBU interfaces. It provides eight AES inputs (16 channels) and eight AES outputs (16 channels) at 192 kHz sample rate. The card is also equipped with two MIDI I/O ports, word clock I/O, and can be used with the optional TCO module for synchronization to LTC and video.

The HDSPe AES is RMEs reaction to requests from audio professionals for an AES-based solution with the typical RME features and quality. This audio card is a perfect all-in-one solution for professional users in the fields of broadcast, TV, theater, stage/PA - and in any professional studio.

The card's mainboard contains word clock I/O and a 25-pin D-sub connector, providing four AES inputs and four AES outputs via standard digital breakout cable (Tascam pinout). The sensitive word clock input operates on Single, Double and Quad Speed signals automatically. The expansion board adds audio channels 9-16 and a connector for a MIDI breakout Cable with two MIDI I/Os (four 5-pin DIN connectors). It does not require a PCIe slot.

The card is not based on a PCI to PCI Express bridge, which would simply add PCIe to existing PCI technology. It is a newly developed genuine PCI Express solution, which consequently takes full advantage of the new format, achieving significant performance gains in multitrack audio and lowest latency.

Key Features

• Support for 192 kHz at full channel count
• Native support for Double and Quad Wire transfer
• Direct conversion between these formats
• SteadyClock for highest jitter suppression and clock regeneration
• Intuitive and clearly laid-out user interface
• TotalMix: 512 channel mixer with 42 bit internal resolution
• 48 level meter Peak/RMS, hardware-computed

Technical Specs

All settings
changeable in real-time
Automatic and intelligent master/slave clock control
Enhanced Zero Latency Monitoring for latency-free submixes and perfect ASIO Direct Monitoring
Sync sources
8 x AES, word clock, internal
Varipitch
by input signal or word clock
Sample rates
32 kHz up to 192 kHz, variable (Sync/word clock)
Sample rate range
AES: 28 kHz - 204 kHz, word clock: 28 kHz - 204 kHz
Jitter
< 1 ns, internal and all inputs
Jitter sensitivity
PLL operates even at 100 ns Jitter without problems
Comes with DIGICheck
the ultimate measurement, analysis and test tool
Input 8 x AES, 2 x MIDI, word clock (BNC)
Output 8 x AES, 2 x MIDI, word clock (BNC)
Input word clock
BNC, Signal Adaptation Circuit (functional from 1.2 Vpp input signal), termination via jumper
Output word clock
BNC, low-impedance driver stage, 4 Vpp into 75 Ohms, short-circuit-proof
MIDI input and output
via four 5-pin DIN jacks