RME / Digiface AVB Audio Interface

256ch 192kHZ USB audio interface.

■Audio interface
■USB3.0
■AVB

A new standard for network audio presented by RME
Digiface AVB supports the audio network technology ""AVB"", which is attracting attention for its high convenience and scalability, and handles up to 256 channels of audio data, bridging the gap between computers and AVB networks.

The connection to the computer is via USB 3.0, and up to 128 channels can be transferred to and received from the AVB network at a sampling frequency of 192 kHz while maintaining the low latency and stability provided by RME's driver technology. It also allows management of channel streams in units of 2 to 32 channels.

This compact audio interface allows free mixing and routing using TotalMix FX and AVDECC controller software. It also supports the protocol ""MILAN"", which guarantees compatibility between AVB devices and their management.

The Digiface AVB is a mobile AVB audio interface with a small housing and a headphone output terminal that allows high-quality headphone monitoring. It is a product that supports both Mac and Windows computers and manages the transmission of audio data using the AVB protocol stack.

■Main features
・48 kHz 24bit 128 channel recording/playback, 128 channel I/O
・96 kHz 24bit 64 channel recording/playback, 128 channel I/O
・192 kHz 24bit 32 channel recording/playback, 60 channel I/O
・Buffer size/latency setting: selectable from 32 to 8192 samples
・Equipped with 100 Mbit/s compatible Gigabit Ethernet port
・Settable transmission network latency: 0.3125 ms to 2 ms
・Clock mode: slave, master
・TotalMix: latency-free submix and perfect ASIO direct monitoring
・TotalMix: 4096 channel mixer with 46-bit internal processing
・Independent analog/line headphone output with submix output
・DIGICheck DSP: Hardware-based level meter, Peak/RMS measurement

・USB error analysis

・High compatibility with existing AVB equipment: MILAN compatible

・IEEE 802.1 BA compliant AVB stack

・IEEE 1722 AVTP / 1722.1 AVDECC compliant

AVB advantages

AVB (Audio Video Bridging) is a standard for transmitting video and audio over Ethernet established by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), and is an audio network technology that is expected to be highly convenient and expandable.

AVB and MILAN devices (including switches) share extremely accurate time information by using a subset of the PTP standard called gPTP (generalized precision time protocol) on the IEEE802 network.

This allows the transmitting device to specify the timing at which each audio sample is played on the receiving side. By adding a time offset to each sample when it is transmitted, the receiving side can know the final sound timing and sound is generated based on the received nanosecond-precision timestamp. This allows for extremely accurate and low latency network transmission.

For more information, please refer to AVB Details.

MILAN Support
MILAN is a protocol that guarantees interoperability at both the device media and device management layers. MILAN products are therefore AVB products, but not all AVB products are MILAN products. To implement, products must be checked and adjusted to meet the strict requirements of MILAN.

RME has updated existing AVB products to implement MILAN and added necessary features, such as support for the highly efficient 32-bit AAF audio format in 8-channel streams. As for switches, any AVB-compatible product can be used with MILAN as is.

MILAN guarantees compatibility between different AVB devices, allowing for simple setup between compatible devices.

■What's in the box
USB 3.0 cable, cable auxiliary hook, rubber feet, Digiface AVB Setup Guide, Digiface AVB Japanese User Guide, DIGICheck Japanese User Guide

■Technical Specifications
Gigabit Ethernet Port
RJ45
100 Mbit/s, 1 Gbit/s
Standard port LEDs: connection (yellow), data transmission (green)
Straight and crossover cable support (Auto MDI-X)
Up to 16 AVB audio streams
AVDECC conversion of status and control data
Remote control via network (TotalMix Remote)
Word Clock Input
BNC, no termination (10kΩ)
75Ω internal termination function
Double/quad speed auto-detection/single speed conversion
Word Clock Output
BNC
Maximum level: 5 Vss
75Ω termination level: 4.0 Vss
Internal impedance: 10Ω
Analog Phones Output 33/34
Dynamic Range (DR): 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA
Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz to 20.8 kHz
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz to 45 kHz
Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 0 Hz to 89 kHz
THD @ -1 dBFS: - 96 dB, 0.0016%
THD+N @ -1 dBFS: -95 dB, 0.0017%
Channel separation: >100 dB
Output: 6.3 mm TS jack, unbalanced
Output impedance: 2 Ω
Output level (0 dBFS, 1 kΩ load): +9.5 dBu
Maximum power @ 0.1% THD: 50 mW
Digital
Clock: Internal, AVB, Word Clock
Supported sampling rates: 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
General
Power adapterUSB bus power
Power consumption when idle: 1.5 watts
Power consumption when operating on 5 V bus power: 300 mA
Maximum power consumption when idle: 2 watts (400 mA)
Dimensions (WxHxD): 112 x 26 x 83 mm
Weight: 300 g
Operating temperature: +5° to +50°C
Relative humidity: 75% or less, no condensation

■ Operating environment
Windows 7 / macOS Sierra or later・1 x USB 2.0 or 3.0 port・Computer with Intel Core i3 or higher CPUWindows 7 / macOS Sierra or later
1 x USB 2.0 or 3.0 port
Computer with Intel Core i3 or higher CPU
* To build an AVB network, you need a switching hub that supports AVB.