User’s Guide DIGI9636
© RME
19
13.4 Known Problems
In case the used computer has no sufficient CPU-power and/or sufficient PCI-bus transfer
rates, then drop outs, crackling and noise will appear. We also recommend to deactivate all
PlugIns to verify that these are not the reason for such effects.
Unfortunately some newer UltraATA66 and UltraATA100 hard disk controller (also Raid
controller) seem to violate against the PCI specs. To achieve the highest throughput they hog
the PCI bus, even in their default setting. Thus when working with low latencies heavy drop
outs (clicks) are heard. Try to solve this problem by changing the default setting of the
controller (for example by reducing the 'PCI Bus Utilization').
Another common source of trouble is incorrect synchronization. ASIO does not support
asynchronous operation, which means that the input and output signals must not only have the
same sample frequency, but they must also be in sync. All devices connected to the
Hammerfall must be properly configured for Full Duplex operation. As long as SyncCheck (in
the Settings dialog) only displays 'Lock' instead of 'Sync', the devices have not been set up
properly!
14. Operation under GSIF (Gigasampler Interface)
14.1 Windows 98/SE/ME
The GSIF interface of the Hammerfall’s Windows 98/SE/ME driver allows direct operation with
Gigasampler and Gigastudio, with up to 18 channels, 96kHz and 24bit. Additionally the driver
supports multi-client operation. For example ASIO can use channels 1/2 and Gigastudio (with
GSIF) channels 3/4 simultaneously, and so on.
Gigasampler/Studio requires a lot of the computer’s calculation power. An optimum
performance is achieved with a stand-alone GSIF PC. If this is not an option we recommend to
set the ASIO latency to the highest value (186ms). This should allow you to achieve a problem-
free simultaneous operation of ASIO and GSIF. Gigastudio itself will still work at a very low
latency.
Please note: The Hammerfall requires identical formats when used in multi-client operation! All
programs simultaneously accessing the hardware MUST use the same sample rate.
Simultaneous operation of GSIF and ASIO requires to use different channels. As Cubase
VST always uses tracks 1/2 these tracks must not be activated in Gigastudio/Sampler.
Additionally the tracks activated in Gigastudio/Sampler have to be de-activated in the ASIO
software (for example in the Master Bus section of Cubase).
14.2 Windows 2000/XP
Basically as under Windows 9x. Differences: GSIF under W2k/XP uses a modified interface,
which needs interrupts (similar to ASIO). Therefore the user can now set and change the
latency (under W9x latency was fixed inside Gigastudio). However, when using the
Hammerfall, the latency is always the same as the one selected for ASIO operation. This can
cause performance problems on slower machines when using GSIF and ASIO at the same
time.
Please note that the W2k/XP driver fully supports multi-client operation, including the
combination MME/ASIO. So for example Cubase, Gigastudio and Sonar can be used
simultaneously, provided each of these programs uses its own audio channels exclusively.
Please also note that Gigastudio is running unexpectedly in the background (thus blocking its
assigned audio channels), as soon as the Gigastudio MIDI ports are used – even when
Gigastudio itself hasn't been started.
