RME Audio Fireface 400, User Manual

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User's Guide Fireface 400
© RME
31. TotalMix: Routing and Monitoring
31.1 Overview
The Fireface 400 includes a powerful digital real-time mixer, the
Fireface mixer, based on
RME’s unique, sample-rate independent TotalMix technology. It allows for practically unlimited
mixing and routing operations, with all inputs and playback channels simultaneously, to any
hardware outputs.
Here are some typical applications for TotalMix:
•
Setting up delay-free submixes (headphone mixes). The Fireface allows for up to 9 (!) fully
independent stereo submixes. On an analog mixing desk, this would equal 18 (!) Aux sends.
•
Unlimited routing of inputs and outputs (free utilisation, patchbay functionality).
•
Distributing signals to several outputs at a time. TotalMix offers state-of-the-art splitter and
distributor functions.
•
Simultaneous playback of different programs using only one stereo output. The ASIO multi-
client driver allows to use several programs at the same time, but only on different playback
channels. TotalMix provides the means to mix and monitor these on a single stereo output.
•
Mixing of the input signal to the playback signal (complete ASIO Direct Monitoring). RME not
only is the pioneer of ADM, but also offers the most complete implementation of the ADM
functions.
•
Integration of external devices. Use TotalMix to insert external effects devices, be it in the
playback or in the record path. Depending on the current application, the functionality equals
insert or effects send and effects return, for example as used during real-time monitoring
when adding some reverb to the vocals.
Every single input channel, playback channel and hardware output features a Peak and RMS
level meter, calculated in hardware. These level displays are very useful to determine the pres-
ence and routing destinations of the audio signals.
For a better understanding of the TotalMix mixer you should know the following:
•
As shown in the block diagram (next page), the record signal usually stays un-altered. To-
talMix does not reside within the record path, and does not change the record level or the
audio data to be recorded (exception: loopback mode).
•
The hardware input signal can be passed on as often as desired, even with different levels.
This is a big difference to conventional mixing desks, where the channel fader always con-
trols the level for all routing destinations simultaneously.
•
The level meter of inputs and playback channels are connected pre-fader, to be able to
visually monitor where a signal is currently present. The level meters of the hardware’s out-
puts are connected post-fader, thus displaying the actual output level.