RME Digiface USB

[HapHazzard]

I'm getting ready to compress my rig down to a laptop.
Getting a good used one is cheap so a backup is not so much an issue.

Q: Has anyone used the Digiface USB that is now being sold.

http://www.rme-audio.de/en/products/digiface_usb.php

I've had the older one and was delighted with it.

Hap

[mr_es335]

HapHazzard,

Never used one...but if it is like other RME stuff...it should be great!

I must say that the performance of the ZOOM UAC-2 and the UAC-8 have been just great!

I would imagine thought that RME is much better.

PS: Can you rent one to test it out?

[Richard Rupert]

I've had excellent results with the Behringer UMC 1820. 8 Mic pres and ADAT connection for another 8. SP/dif supposedly can be used concurrently for a total of 18 inputs. So if you don't need more than 16 or 18 inputs, I can recommend this interface.

[Dale B]

I'm interested to see the Digiface USB latency and how low you can run it on SAC without dropped buffers. The specification says no latency monitoring. Anybody got any experience running it under SAC? How many inputs and outputs are you running?

[cgrafx]

I'm interested to see the Digiface USB latency and how low you can run it on SAC without dropped buffers. The specification says no latency monitoring. Anybody got any experience running it under SAC? How many inputs and outputs are you running?

No latency monitoring is NOT a round trip process, it lets you mix and hear the inputs directly without going through the digital interface to the computer and back.

[HapHazzard]

The earlier Digiface had an HDSP card so it ran just like a 9652.

This will be running directly into the USB port but if it has the same engine as the MADIface, then I assume it's going to do the 2X32 easy. I've run at 4X128 (Floor Monitors only) and never told a soul. No one noticed. :-D

16ch min - 24ch max. is all I would need.

[HapHazzard]

I've had excellent results with the Behringer UMC 1820. 8 Mic pres and ADAT connection for another 8. SP/dif supposedly can be used concurrently for a total of 18 inputs. So if you don't need more than 16 or 18 inputs, I can recommend this interface.

I've Looked at the UMC 1820. Do you use it with SAC? If so, how low can you push the buffers? Will it do 2X128?

Hap

[Richard Rupert]

I've Looked at the UMC 1820. Do you use it with SAC? If so, how low can you push the buffers? Will it do 2X128?

Hap
I've got it fired up now, connected to this 8 year old HP laptop running Windows 10. I've got e-mail and several browsers open. I set the buffers at 2X64 with all 18 channels assigned. The load is bouncing between 2 and 4 % with one slipped buffer. ALWAYS when I first engage the engine, I get one dropped buffer. I found that to be the case with a Focusrite 1820 USB interface as well. Anyway, after looking at and deleting some e-mails while SAC has been running for about 15 minutes, I now have only 2 slipped buffers.

I just added 5 bands of e.q., compression and three aux sends to all 18 channels. That increased the load, bouncing between 10 and 12%, but added no slipped buffers. Rapidly hitting F keys adds no slipped buffers. It's been running for about 25 minutes now and I'm still checking e-mail with no negative effect... still only 2 slipped buffers.

Added 4 monitor sends of all 18 channels. Increased load to 15%. No additional slipped buffers.

Added 5 bands of e.q. to all four monitors on all 18 channels. Increased load to 38%. No additional slipped buffers.

Added compression to all four monitors on all 18 channels. Increased load to 49%. Still has only two slipped buffers.

I'd say it's worth giving it a try. I bought mine here: http://stores.ebay.com/vipproaudioinc/ It was listed as an "open box display model", but it looked like a brand new product in undisturbed packaging. I paid around $250 for it.

[HapHazzard]

I've got it fired up now, connected to this 8 year old HP laptop running Windows 10. I've got e-mail and several browsers open. I set the buffers at 2X64 with all 18 channels assigned. The load is bouncing between 2 and 4 % with one slipped buffer. ALWAYS when I first engage the engine, I get one dropped buffer. I found that to be the case with a Focusrite 1820 USB interface as well. Anyway, after looking at and deleting some e-mails while SAC has been running for about 15 minutes, I now have only 2 slipped buffers.

I just added 5 bands of e.q., compression and three aux sends to all 18 channels. That increased the load, bouncing between 10 and 12%, but added no slipped buffers. Rapidly hitting F keys adds no slipped buffers. It's been running for about 25 minutes now and I'm still checking e-mail with no negative effect... still only 2 slipped buffers.

Added 4 monitor sends of all 18 channels. Increased load to 15%. No additional slipped buffers.

Added 5 bands of e.q. to all four monitors on all 18 channels. Increased load to 38%. No additional slipped buffers.

Added compression to all four monitors on all 18 channels. Increased load to 49%. Still has only two slipped buffers.

I'd say it's worth giving it a try. I bought mine here: http://stores.ebay.com/vipproaudioinc/ It was listed as an "open box display model", but it looked like a brand new product in undisturbed packaging. I paid around $250 for it.

OK! That seems very intriguing. Great for punch-ins and client edits then taking a 32 ch rack. (lot more live demos then PA)
Thanks

Hap

[muzicman0]

I'm using the Behringer at work for a simple system, and running it at 1x128. I also experience the 1 slipped buffer immediately on starting the engine, but see no more. I have run it for days, and still only 1 slipped buffer. Granted, I am only running 3 stereo inputs, with EQ on each channel, and ~400 ms of delay on each stereo channel, but it has been rock steady. I believe it is a Haswell i3 running at roughly 3.3 Ghz. Windows 7 with Aero disabled (that is the only tweak I have done).

[Kurt Kroh]

I also experience the 1 slipped buffer immediately on starting the engine

Where are you finding a slipped buffer report or monitor? Is there an application I need to see this?

Thanks,

Kurt Kroh

[muzicman0]

Where are you finding a slipped buffer report or monitor? Is there an application I need to see this?

Thanks,

Kurt Kroh
just click on the load meter. It should pop up a box with the info.

[Kurt Kroh]

just click on the load meter. It should pop up a box with the info.

Thank you! I can't believe I didn't know that.

Kurt Kroh
KrohTech.com

[mr_es335]

Kurt,

Do not be too concerned...I think only Bob knows all of the "ins-and-outs" if SAW and SAC.

PS: Why not make your Web address into a link? Just use the "Link" button above. Also, perusing your site, you DO take lighting seriously! And I see that you are "Vegas person" as well. Do you get to meet up with Bob at all?

[Kurt Kroh]

I bought a Digiface USB. It is working very well. I had it working at two 64 sample buffers but had a few slipped output buffers per hour. I changed it to two 128 sample buffers and it is almost rock solid. I get a slipped buffer every once in a while. I put four ADA8200s on it and it sounds great. I am doing a conference this weekend. I will let you know how it goes.

Kurt Kroh
KrohTech.com

[Bob L]

Make sure to try the RealTime priority and single cpu option in the SAC Options menu... then save the default prefs... that may get on top of the slipped buffers.

Bob L

[Kurt Kroh]

Make sure to try the RealTime priority and single cpu option in the SAC Options menu... then save the default prefs... that may get on top of the slipped buffers.

Bob L

Thanks Bob,

Yes, i had been experimenting with those setting and found that worked best. This weekend I did 10+ hours of mixing on a win 10 laptop with no slipped buffers.

Best Regards,

Kurt Kroh
KrohTech.com

[Dale B]

Can you post a few pictures of your set-up? Sounds easy to transport and set-up.

[Kurt Kroh]

Can you post a few pictures of your set-up? Sounds easy to transport and set-up.

Yes, I will be setting it up over the long holiday weekend. I can post some pictures. It is becoming a nice rig.

Best Regards,

Kurt Kroh
KrohTech.com

[Kurt Kroh]

Here is my new rig.

2701

2702

Kurt Kroh
KrohTech.com[/QUOTE]

[Dale B]

Very nice! Good job! I still cant believe that that unit will run 32 channels ADAT through a USB 2.0 with no issues. Looks like you have a control surface hooked up to it also. Is that USB or MIDI? Details on that if you don't mind. And thanks for the pictures!

[Alexs]

Kurt, Did you ever try to use a rack with Behringer ADA8200 as a stagebox? Using a long (30 m) ADAT cables as a multicore. Just wondering whether it will work or not? )))

[mr_es335]

Alexs,

Kurt, Did you ever try to use a rack with Behringer ADA8200 as a stagebox? Using a long (30 m) ADAT cables as a multicore. Just wondering whether it will work or not? )))...I believe that the ADAT Extenders would be more applicable here. I did use an ADA-8200 along with a pair of ADAT Extenders - and it worked excellent.

[Kurt Kroh]

Kurt, Did you ever try to use a rack with Behringer ADA8200 as a stagebox? Using a long (30 m) ADAT cables as a multicore. Just wondering whether it will work or not? )))

Hello Alexs. No, I have not. I originally bought a MOTO LP32 to use in this rack and tried my MOTU 8A at the FOH position. I used a CAT6 cable between the two interfaces through the AVB ports. This configuration worked very well using the MOTU windows software, and in AMP, but SAC said the ASIO device was not a valid format. I love SAC and hope it gets more windows 10 compatible in time. I know that Bob is always working on something.

Best Regards,

Kurt Kroh,
KrohTech.com