Operation under ASIO

Start the ASIO application and select HDSPe AoX as the audio I/O device.

The driver supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM).

The HDSPe AoX-D’s MIDI I/O can be used with both MME MIDI and DirectMusic MIDI.

At a sample rate of 88.2 or 96 kHz (Double Speed mode), the amount of channels is halved. At a sample rate of 176.4 or 192 kHz (Quad Speed mode), the amount of channels is quartered.

When changing the sample rate range between Single, Double and Quad Speed the number of channels presented from the ASIO driver will change too. This may require a reset of the I/O list in the audio application.

Known Problems

Troubleshooting Audio Performance and Synchronization in the HDSPe System

CPU Performance and PCIe-Bus Transfer Rates

Insufficient CPU power or PCIe-bus transfer rates can result in dropouts, crackling, and noise.

To mitigate these issues:

  • Increase the buffer size in the Settings dialog of the HDSPe system. This resolves most performance-related issues.

  • Deactivate all plugins to ensure they are not contributing to these effects.

  • Reduce the number of channels in the Settings dialog.

  • Disable power saving mechanisms (such as Core Parking) by activating the High Performance power plan in Windows.

  • Search the RME user forum on topics related to DPC latency to find suggestions on how to optimize your system.

Synchronization Issues

Proper synchronization is critical for error-free operation.

Note the following:

  • The card does not provide sampling rate converters for asynchronous operation. Input and output signals, the sampling rate set in the settings dialog, and the audio application’s project settings must match.

Use the SyncCheck feature in the Settings dialog:

  • If it displays Lock instead of Sync, the devices are not properly configured.

  • When using multiple HDSPe cards, ensure all cards are synchronized. Failing to do so will result in periodically repeated noise.

ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM)

The HDSPe system supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM).

Note the following:

  • Not all programs fully support ADM. The most commonly reported issue is incorrect stereo panning behavior.

  • Avoid setting TotalMix FX hardware outputs (third row) to mono mode, as this can disrupt ADM compatibility.

Audio and MIDI Drift or Deviation

If you experience:

  • A drift between audio and MIDI.

  • A fixed deviation where MIDI notes are positioned slightly before or after their correct location.

Adjust the following settings in Cubase/Nuendo:

  • Enable the Use System Timestamp option (this setting was recommended at the time of documentation).

  • The HDSPe system supports both MME MIDI and DirectMusic MIDI. Test both to determine which works better for your specific application.

By addressing these areas, you can ensure optimal performance and compatibility for your HDSPe system.