Rme digi96 8 pad windows 8

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Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O now has a special edition for these Windows versions: Windows 7, Windows 7 64 bit, Windows 7 32 bit, Windows 10, Windows 10 64 bit,, Windows 10 32 bit, Windows 8,
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit, Windows Vista Starter 64bit, Windows 8 32bit, Windows Vista Ultimate 32bit, Windows 10 Pro 64bit, Windows 7 Enterprise (Microsoft Windows NT) 64bit, Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise 32bit, Windows 10 Mobile 64bit, Windows 10 Team 64bit, Windows 7 Starter 64bit,

Driver Model	OS	Original Upload Date	Last Modification	Driver File	File Size	Compatible Computer Models	Availabilty To Instalation Manager
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O A2.11.1282.1	For Windows 7 32 bit	9/20/2014	12/27/2016	all_drivers-a2.11.1282.1.exe	87kb	Acer TravelMate 8531, Lenovo ThinkPad T410s, Sony VGN-SZ79MN_C, HP PW689AA-ABS D4085.SE, HP P6210y-ABA NY545AA, LG R590-PARU1BT, LIGHTEDGE 965LTCK, IBM 2669WCC, IBM 9210WLV, Fujitsu Blubb, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 73278	For Windows 7 64 bit	12/28/2014	12/30/2016	ofvqzgy-73278.exe	153kb	Seneca Pro46956, Gateway GT5228J, LG R560-CR20K, HP HP ENVY TS 17 Notebook PC, IBM 2373WMZ, HP HP compaq nx7000, Lenovo 6463WSS, IBM IBM System x3400 M2 Server -[7837K9G, NEC PC-VT5500D, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 41.1489	For Windows 7	12/15/2014	12/30/2016	all_drivers-41.1489.exe	63kb	LG LW70-JJKG, HP NM798AA-UUZ IQ532ch, Lenovo 23242F3, Fujitsu FMVA54EW, HP NY584AA-AC4 600-1010b, Panasonic CF-52JE203NW, Sony VGN-NS328J, Exper DIAMONDW-539, Dell Vostro 1540, HP PS303AA-ABH t870.nl, Apple IMac8,1, Creative AIO1900 Series, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 1.1242.13	For Windows 10	11/26/2014	12/28/2016	drpc-1.1242.13.exe	154kb	NEC PC-MJ30XRZJDU83, HP PS414AA-AB5 W1268HK, Lenovo 3000 J205 Desktop, Gateway 6840, IBM Razo, HP KB003AA-B14 m9180.be-a, Sony VGN-AW150Y, Packard Bell IMEDIA F5750, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 3371.12	For Windows 10 64 bit	2/13/2015	12/27/2016	all_drivers-3371.12.exe	198kb	Fujitsu FMVLRD50P, HP P6-2453es, WIPRO WIV37455-0863, Acer AcerPower 8000, NEC FC-S16W, Acer AS5737Z, Biostar TP45 HP, HP HP Pavilion dv8000, Lanix Lanix Corp, Sony SVE15127CAP, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 2.101.198	For Windows 7 32 bit	11/17/2014	12/29/2016	ejldxcso-2.101.198.exe	117kb	ASUS 900, Epson ST160EEMR2, HP HP Pavilion dv5000, LG LW20-13DT, Toshiba Satellite 1415, Lenovo ThinkPad Edge 15, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 1.121.137	For Windows 7 64 bit	12/28/2014	12/27/2016	all_drivers-1.121.137.exe	22kb	Toshiba SATELLITE PRO C850-19G, Toshiba Dynabook Qosmio E10/370LSJ2, Packard Bell IMEDIA MC 5303, Gigabyte GA-6PXSV3, HP HP Compaq nx7400, Dell PowerEdge R220, Sony VGN-TZ27MN_B, IBM 8424Y11, HP GS184AA-AB0 a6240tw, Sony VGN-NS240D, HASEE QJC4, Dell Studio 1457, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 631.188	For Windows 7	12/21/2014	12/30/2016	all_drivers-631.188.exe	199kb	HP HP Compaq 6735s, Haier H53, Panasonic CF-W8EWYAJP, Gateway E-155CG, Samsung 900X3F, IBM ThinkCentre A52, Intel Intel G33 Series, WIPRO WSG37425W7-0012, Lenovo 6475VE6, IBM 2668WGY, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O V3071.18	For Windows 10	1/12/2015	12/30/2016	all_drivers-v3071.18.exe	165kb	HP KQ519AA-ABU IQ500.uk, Sony VGN-SZ76GN_B, Sony VGN-A317M, VVIKOO VI P67 PRO, FIC LM10W, HP KA763AA-ABU s3360.uk, Toshiba SATELLITE C55-A-16Z, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 1.1289	For Windows 10 64 bit	10/1/2014	12/27/2016	jiibvwnss-1.1289.exe	82kb	HP HP Pavilion TS 14 Notebook PC, Sony VGN-NS25G_S, ASUS C90S, WIPRO WSG37555W7-0288, HP PP121AA-ABF m1155.f, HP NM920AA-ABU m9639uk, HP 27-1015ef, NEC PC-LS150LS1KSG, Gateway M-6888u, Sony VGN-FW148J, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 33621.1	For Windows 8	2/14/2015	12/30/2016	all_drivers-33621.1.exe	156kb	HP HP Compaq nc8000, Fujitsu FMVCE70J7, Fujitsu PRIMERGY TX150, Fujitsu FMVFB70NT, Zenith Persidio, Sony VGN-CS26G_R, Acer Dalle, Sony VPCEL15EN, Sony VPCEB48FJ, Dell PowerEdge 4600, Lenovo 6071W8L, Olidata H8DA8/H8DAR, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O 8292.19	For Windows 7 32 bit	2/15/2015	12/27/2016	all_drivers-8292.19.exe	158kb	Sony VGNZ890G, Lenovo 3000 V100 Notebook, Lenovo ThinkPad Edge E530, ALFATRON SpA DN1020/M, HP HPE-400es, Sony VPCZ23M9E, HP EC577AA-B1U d4180.se, RadiSys C2SBM, Gateway P-6317 HSN, and more.
Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O U21.12.12.1	For Windows 7 64 bit	1/30/2015	12/27/2016	-u21.12.12.1.exe	100kb	Gateway GM5632E, HP HPE-310t, HP VS312AA-UUG HPE-025be, Packard Bell IMEDIA X5609 BE, Packard Bell IMEDIA 8006, NEC VERSAP550 NN680209359, and more.

Please Note: There are particular operating systems known to have problems with Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O:

• Windows 10 Enterprise
• Windows RT
• Windows 8 Enterprise
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows 7 Starter
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB

If you encounter problems with the direct download for these operating systems, please consult the driver download manager for the specific Rme Digi96 8 Pad 24 Bit Analog I O model.

Request a driver

Driver Updates DIGI96 Series

List of current and older driver updates

Windows 2000/XP Driver

Version 2.11: Bluescreen fixed on power-down of certain computers (W2k SP4 Dual CPU). (06/2005)

Version 2.10: Support for sleep and resume mode. In AutoSync mode, a request for a different
sample rate than the input one (caused a change to Master mode) is no longer
supported. The systray menu of the settings program did not vanish after a right mouse
click. (03/2004)

Version 2.04: New: Support for DVD multichannel playback 4/6/8 channels (16 bit/48 kHz). (02/2003)

Version 2.02: Metronome style clicks on right channel after boot. Output mode Input wasn’t
re-activated after use of ASIO or GSIF. (06/02)

Version 2.01: Under certain conditions no sound with BPM Studio kernel driver. Under certain
conditions no sound at analog output (muted.) Force ADAT wasn’t activated upon boot.
(05/02)

Version 2.0: GSIF added. BPM Kernel driver added. Multiclient operation ASIO/MME, GSIF/MME,
ASIO/GSIF, MME/ASIO/GSIF. MME wave devices defined as under Win 9x. Option Force ADAT.
Option A/S Conv. Performance in MME playback operation much improved. MTRR
re-activated. Dynamic load according to the number of activated ASIO inputs. Lowest MME
latency reduced from 23 ms to 6 ms. Settings dialog improved. Real-time control of all
functions improved. 32 bit mono operation fixed. No alternative ASIO dll anymore
(audiomidifix) — this one is now standard. Tab ASIO (now Mode) displayed only when
DIGI96 series card is present. Monitoring control improved. Bugfix: Samplerate of the
analog input wasn’t set correctly under ASIO. (05/02)

Version 1.36: MME record devices did not operate correctly after ASIO operation. (04/01)

Version 1.35: SPDIF Out can be used with DVD software player. Analog output will be muted in
AC-3/DTS operation. Automatic sample rate change for AEBx-I when starting record. ZLM
bug fixed (did not work when no playback device was active.) (03/01)

Version 1.31 includes alternate ASIO drivers for the VIA chipset 694. ADM routing improved, in
case some inputs were de-activated. (11/00)

Version 1.3: includes new routines which result in nearly jitter-free audio/MIDI timing under
ASIO. Bugfix ASIO DIGI96 series: Clock mode was set to master. (10/00)

Version 1.1: Settings dialog completely re-written, new wave device names and numbering,
performance improved on critical systems, installation problem when ‘P&P OS = Yes’
solved. Settings dialog for PST, volume slider removed for old PRO, ADAT format
extended to Input Internal (AEBx-I operation.) Improved ASIO multithread compatibility.
(09/00)

Version 1.0: Initial release. Support for all cards of the DIGI32, DIGI96 and Hammerfall series,
MME and ASIO, Plug and Play WDM technology. (08/00)

Windows 98/SE/ME Driver

Version 4.96a: Dummy playback routine added. (10/2001)

Version 4.96: SPDIF Out can be used with DVD software player. Analog output will be muted in
AC-3/DTS operation. Automatic sample rate change for AEBx-I when starting record.
(03/01)

Version 4.95: ADM routing improved, in case some inputs were de-activated. (11/00)

Version 4.94: Mixed Mode GSIF and ASIO did not work in 16 bit resolution. (08/00)

Version 4.93: Unsupported mixed modes ASIO/GSIF disabled (06/00)

Version 4.92: DirectSound multi-device operation: start/stop in DS and DS/ASIO/MME/GSIF mixed mode
improved. ASIO Settings dialog: latency table added. Gigasampler interface (GSIF)
2/8-Channel 24 bit/96 kHz implemented (06/00)

Version 4.90: Numbering in multi-card operation corrected, full USB compatibility (no stuttering
anymore when sharing USB interrupt), improved internal ASIO callbacks, dialog when
exiting the TrayTool, multi-device operation for DirectSound, simultaneous operation
DirectSound/MME on different stereo devices, settings dialog cleanup. ASIO driver 4.91
(04/00)

Version 4.82 enhances the interleave support: monitoring for all 8 channels and ZLM added. Volume
faders removed for old PRO, which does not support this feature. ASIO driver 2.52
(01/00)

Version 4.80 fixes a bug with PRO and PAD (loss of volume settings when changing from normal to
double speed), and includes the updated ASIO driver 2.5 (new name scheme.) (01/00)

Version 4.70 includes some changes in DirectSound (DS part no longer compatible to Windows 95,
DirectSound de-activated by default.) (12/99)

Version 4.60 no longer shows an XLR input in the DIGI96/8 settings dialog. ASIO driver 2.4.
(10/99)

Version 4.50 includes volume sliders for the new DIGI96/8 PRO revision (blue PCB.) ASIO driver
2.3. (9/99)

Version 4.40 includes several little bugfixes and an improved ASIO and DirectSound handling. ASIO
driver 2.2. (7/99)

Version 4.30 adds hearing-linear volume sliders for the PAD. Redundant resets removed. ASIO driver
version 2.1. (6/99)

Version 4.20 includes a bugfix for DIGI96 (Professional button didn’t work), improved registry
entries and ASIO 2.0 support (ASIO Direct Monitoring.) (6/99)

Version 4.10 includes a bugfix for Pentium II computers (SyncAlign did not work as expected.)
8-Channel interleave mode disabled when SPDIF is fed. Error in inf file fixed. (5/99)

Version 4.0 has all driver files renumbered to the same version. Bugfix: crash in 24 bit mono mode
fixed, sample position in Interleave mode fixed. New: support for DIGI96/8 PAD,
enhanced monitoring behavior in Full Duplex mode, new switch A/S Converter. Changing
the latency in ASIO no longer requires to reboot driver or program (ASIO version
1.80.) (4/99)

Version 2.8 fixes a bug in the settings dialog when using several identical cards: wrong numbers
were displayed. (2/99)

Version 2.7 comes with an enhanced monitoring behavior. When in record mode the card will always
be in monitoring mode, even when starting and stopping a playback (Full Duplex.) In
earlier versions monitoring wasn’t re-activated when stopping playback. This was also
true when using ‘Input’ mode plus record. ASIO version 1,0,0,7. (1/99)

Version 2.6 fixes an incompatibility between Direct Sound and Windows 95 (driver did not load.)
Bugfix change of sample rate in Direct Sound playback. New: Uninstall of autostart
entry and link on the desktop using control panel/software. ASIO version 1,0,0,6.
(1/99)

Version 2.5 fixes only a small bug (card’s names on the sheet tabs in multicard usage were wrong),
but brings a totally rewritten ASIO driver (1,0,0,5.) (1/99)

Version 2.1 adds DirectX support in 2-Channel playback mode. Bugfix reset function with small
buffers (crash in Rebirth.) (12/98)

Version 2.0 includes a new settings dialog, available from an icon in the systray, a link on the
desktop and a shortcut. (12/98)

Initial Release Version 1.0 includes all routines and features of the DIGI32 Series (see Tech Info
driver updates of DIGI32 series.) But this driver is one for all cards
(96, 96/8, 96/8 PRO.) Version 1.0 includes an ASIO driver (version
1,0,0,2) for 8-Channel usage with 96/8 and 96/8 PRO. (10/98)

Windows NT Driver

Version 3.86: ZLM bug fixed (did not work when no playback device was active.) (07/2001)

Version 3.85: No changes for DIGI96 series. (11/00)

Version 3.84: Settings dialog completely re-written, new wave device names and numbering,
performance improved on critical systems. Settings dialog for PST, volume slider
removed for old PRO, ADAT format extended to Input Internal (AEBx-I operation.)
Improved ASIO multithread compatibility. (09/00)

Version 3.83 includes a bugfix for the DIGI32 series. All notes on Windows 2000 removed from
readme.txt (separate driver.) (8/00)

Version 3.82 completes the monitoring behavior under MME, sets ‘Coaxial’ as default (Hammerfall),
and allows MME operation when ASIO is deactivated in the background. (4/00)

Version 3.81: Only one installation routine (archive) installing driver, ASIO and DIGITray.
Automatic installation of all cards present in the system without the need to press
‘Apply’. The Apply button works as usual under Windows. Initialization of all cards.
Dialogs clean up. Exit dialog added to right mouse click on DIGITray. Default settings
corrected for all cards. Analog output of the PRO/PAD operational directly after boot
up. (3/00)

Version 3.80: Completely revised drivers with MME, ASIO and DIGITray Tool. (3/00)

Version 3.72: Bugfix Dual Processor operation using ASIO and Win2K (interrupt routines changed.)
Bugfix DIGI32 series (wasn’t recognized anymore.) (12/99)

Version 3.70: SyncAlign now operational between playback and record, monitoring totally
re-written, MTRR acceleration improved, bugfix NT DirectSound (analog output of PRO
and PAD were muted by DS.) (11/99)

Version 3.66: bugfix multiple card operation under Windows 2000. (10/99)

Version 3.65 is a maintenance release with internal changes only valid for our NDA partners.(9/99)

Version 3.64 includes support for Project Hammerfall, but no MME device. Operation is restricted
to ASIO. Adds volume sliders for the new DIGI96/8 PRO revision (blue PCB.) (8/99)

Version 3.58 solves problems at the analog input of the PAD: format switching fixed, stereo
devices and 8-Channel interleave disabled, redundant resets removed. (7/99)

Version 3.55 completes the PAD support (timer routines Analog modified) and adds a button to
de-activate SyncAlign. Bugfix Pentium optimization, bugfix doubles speed reset DA.
(6/99)

Version 3.51 includes enhanced internal routines (state per device), improved Full Duplex behavior
(erase routines rewritten), support for DIGI96/8 PAD, support for ASIO, CheckInput
for ADAT. (4/99)

Version 3.35 includes ZLM (Zero Latency Monitoring) and an improved behavior at load/reload of the
driver (storing settings/formats.) (3/99)

Version 3.33 finally supports all capabilities of the DIGI96 hardware: Mixed Mode, Enhanced Full
Duplex, mono, word clock. (2/99)

Version 3.30 fixes small bugs when setting the default format and in the status displays. (1/99)

Version 3.29 fixes a bug in Full Duplex mode (format was not set correctly.) (1/99)

Version 3.28 brings the same design as the Windows 95/98 driver: Track, Output Level, Input/Output
Status, Clock Mode. (1/99)

Version 3.27 includes some bugfixes (AutoSync, sr display, capability entries), but no new
functions. (12/98)

Initial Release Version 3.24 is an improved version of the DIGI32 driver with additional Enhanced
Full Duplex support. (12/98)

Mac OS X Driver

Version 1.4: Re-written Settings dialog: is now installed during driver installation into the
folder ‘Applications’, is started automatically and stays in the dock when exited. Fix:
stutter and click effects solved. (03/2005)

Version 1.3: Settings dialogs improved: un-neccessary hard drive access removed. Added card number
in multidevice operation to device and each stream name. Added support for power
management (resume/sleep). Added workaround for crash on wakeup from sleep on dual G4
Macs. The system profiler no longer claims the driver to be incompatible and not
loaded. (02/2004)

Version 1.2: Additional internal synchronisation routines prevent continued buffer offsets
(stutter/distortion) caused by wrong clock/wrong sync. (02/2003)

Version 1.1: Higher compatibility through increased offset. (01/2003)

Version 1.0: Initial release, complete functionality. (01/2003)

Mac OS 9.x Driver

Version 1.6: Bug fixed where too many extensions in the system prevented the driver from being
loaded. Latency table added to settings dialog. (07/2001)

Version 1.5: ADM routing improved, in case some inputs were de-activated. (11/00)

Version 1.4: Crash with SonicWorx fixed. (08/00)

Version 1.3: Problem with USB Floppy Enabler fixed. (07/00)

Version 1.2: Slot recognition no longer hard coded. Settings are no longer stored in NVRAM but in
a preferences file. SM can no longer be used to select an input. SM playback is now
only one file (Sound Component) for all cards. Several improvements in SM handling
(automatic setting of sample rate, level display for record, system sounds.) ‘Alt. ASIO
mode’ added for Logic. Input mode no longer disabled after playback. Output Status
display fixed. Several problems in the Settings dialog’s internal structure fixed
(crash when changing to another tab, wrong settings transferred etc.) Wrong playback
speed in SM after ASIO operation fixed. (06/00)

Version 1.0: Initial release of a totally re-written Sound Manager and ASIO 2.0 driver (that’s why
the version number starts again with 1.0.) (05/00)

RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver is a windows driver .

Common questions for RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver

Q: Where can I download the RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver’s driver?

Please download it from your system manufacturer’s website. Or you download it from our website.

Q: Why my RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver doesn’t work after I install the new driver?

1. Please identify the driver version that you download is match to your OS platform.

2. You should uninstall original driver before install the downloaded one.

3. Try a driver checking tool such as DriverIdentifier Software .

As there are many drivers having the same name, we suggest you to try the Driver Tool, otherwise you can try one by on the list of available driver below.

Please scroll down to find a latest utilities and drivers for your RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver.
Be attentive to download software for your operating system.

If none of these helps, you can contact us for further assistance.

RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver download list Description: RME DIGI96/8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I/O) driver setup Version: 4.2.8 Date: 09 Sep 2014 Filesize: 0.81 MB Operating system: Windows XP, Visa, Windows 7,8 (32 & 64 bits)

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Filename: RME DIGI96_8 PAD (24 Bit Analog I_O).zip
Version: 002.001.001.000
Date: 2005-06-14
Filesize: 107.20K
Operating system: Windows XP,Vista, Windows 7

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Filename: RME DIGI96_8 PST.zip
Version: 002.001.001.000
Date: 2005-06-14
Filesize: 107.50K
Operating system: Windows XP,Vista, Windows 7

RME’s DIGI range of soundcards offers comprehensive cross‑platform support, high audio quality and lots of extras, such as digital format conversion.

Founded in 1996, Germany‑based RME Audio have gained an enviable reputation over the last few years, largely for their excellent Hammerfall range of soundcards (reviewed in SOS September 1999), which provide rock‑solid performance with low latency settings. This is possibly because they develop all their hardware in‑house, including lower‑level components such as the PCI and ADAT interfaces, giving them full control over every aspect of the design. Their products have also appeared in disguised form from other manufacturers such as SEKD (as the PRODIF range) and Steinberg, who currently market both a rebadged Hammerfall and DIGI 96/8 PST model.

The subject of this review is another member of the DIGI 96 range, which currently consists of five models. The basic model is the DIGI 96, featuring a single S/PDIF optical in and out; the 96/8’s optical I/O is switchable between S/PDIF and eight‑channel ADAT formats, and the 96/8 PRO adds an XLR connector for AES‑EBU compatibility and a stereo analogue output. The 96/8 PST foregoes the XLR connector in favour of a stereo analogue input, while the DIGI 96/8 PAD is the model under review here. As the flagship of the range it incorporates every feature of the others in one card, giving it an S/PDIF co‑axial in and out, an optical in and out switchable between S/PDIF and eight‑channel ADAT formats, AES‑EBU in and out on XLRs, and 24‑bit/96kHz stereo analogue I/O.

Overview

The DIGI 96/8 PAD is a compact 5.5‑inch PCI card, featuring a pair of stereo quarter‑inch jacks for the analogue I/O — users will need some sort of splitter lead to separate the left and right channels for connection to other gear. Completing the backplate socket quotient are two Toslink sockets for optical duties, and a nine‑way D‑type connector for attaching the supplied adaptor lead. This is about nine inches long and carries an in‑line XLR plug and socket for AES‑EBU connection, plus a pair of in‑line phono sockets for co‑axial digital I/O. Also on the backplate is a useful red error LED that remains lit until a valid signal is detected at any one of the digital inputs.

On the card itself are various additional connectors and jumpers. There’s a digital input suitable for connection to a CD‑ROM’s digital output, or to synchronise another DIGI card, and a Sync output for which a suitable short cable is also supplied. A pair of jumpers lets you switch analogue input sensitivity between ‑10dBV and +4dBu: it’s a shame that this can’t be done by software switching, but this preset approach does tend to make for a cleaner signal path. The default ‘jumper in place’ settings are for the more sensitive ‑10dBV, but if your gear will provide the required +19dBu for 0dBFS, you’ll get slightly lower noise levels removing them. Finally, two three‑pin connectors are also provided to connect the optional WCM (Word Clock Module).

Drivers & Software Options

I’m pleased to report that the DIGI 96 series not only has drivers for Windows 95/98 and NT 4.0, but also for Windows 2000, Mac OS, and even Linux, Unix, and Solaris. There have been dozens of releases for all the various platforms, each either curing bugs, improving performance, or adding new features. I downloaded the latest version 4.96 drivers for my PC running under Windows 98SE. These support any combination of DIGI 96‑series cards, as long as they are sync’ed together, either by using a common clock signal at their inputs, or by using the optional word clock module mentioned previously.

The DIGI was correctly detected without a hitch, and I was up and running within a couple of minutes, with a new shortcut and Taskbar icon, both of which launch the comprehensive Settings utility.

The Windows 95/98 drivers support MME, DirectSound, ASIO 2.0, and GSIF, as well as full multi‑client operation as long as all applications use the same audio format. You can even set up different sample rates at input and output if desired. Windows normally sees the ADAT input and output as four stereo pairs, although an eight‑channel single device is also supported. The ADAT mode is fairly transparent to use: once your software accesses more than two tracks, it switches into this automatically.

The digital I/O is very versatile, with a Mixed mode allowing you to select ADAT in and S/PDIF out or vice versa, while SyncAlign ensures that whatever you choose, all the channels remain in sample‑accurate sync with each other. Input clock can be set to Optical, Co‑axial, Internal, XLR, or Analog, or you can use the AutoSelect option to search among the digital inputs for a valid clock signal to lock onto. An Input Status window displays the current settings. Along with the error LED on the card’s backplate, this makes tracking down digital problems comparatively easy, especially with helpful error messages such as ‘No Lock’, ‘Out Of Range’, ‘Stereo’, or ‘ADAT’. I was also impressed by the attention to detail with options such as Check Input, which prevents recording if (for instance) you’ve selected a 44.1kHz sample rate in your software, but the detected input clock is at 48kHz.

There are three options for general monitoring: Automatic patches the input signal to the output when it’s activated for recording, while Play Only prevents this causing digital howlround when patched to a digital mixing desk, and Input patches real‑time signals through to the output whenever playback isn’t active. Zero‑latency monitoring is available both as Punch I/O mode when using Samplitude, and when using the ASIO 2.0 drivers in any suitable host application.

Output & Clock Options

When in ADAT mode you can select which pair of channels to monitor through the D‑A converters and analogue output, while in S/PDIF mode, the analogue output defaults to channels 1 and 2. Various options such as Consumer/Professional format and Emphasis can be altered to taste on all digital outputs, and the card creates a completely new header for widest compatibility with other digital devices. The analogue output has four‑way switched attenuation, along with variable faders, so that you can adjust output level over a 72dB range. This makes it compatible with virtually all external gear, as well as handy for headphone monitoring.

The Setting utility provides a range of options that makes it a real pleasure to use the DIGI 96 series with a wide variety of other gear.Force ADAT mode lets you record or play back stereo files, but transfer them to an ADAT device. You just select which of its four pairs to use inside your software application. In conjunction with the Input monitoring mode, you can use this for real‑time S/PDIF to ADAT conversion, and the stereo input signal is then copied to all four stereo pairs at the output (sadly, this function isn’t currently available in the NT or 2000 drivers). Conversely, selecting A/S Conv converts an ADAT input to S/PDIF output: you can choose which one of the ADAT stereo pairs is routed to the S/PDIF output using the Track buttons.

It can get confusing dealing with digital clocks manually, but unless you do it correctly you’ll end up with skips and jumps in your audio. To make things easier, RME provide an intelligent AutoSync mode that sticks with the low‑jitter internal clock unless a valid clock is detected at the active input, when it switches over automatically. This should be a great help during ‘on the fly’ recordings, since you don’t have to rely on the external clock being present before you start, and it also enables multiple DIGI cards to be synchronised from one input signal. However, there are some situations in which this mode can cause digital feedback, when you should switch the card to Master clock mode. A third Word Clock option is available if you’ve fitted the optional WCM module.

Performance

Unusually, while the A‑D converters are from AKM, and employ the AK5383 chip also found in M‑Audio’s flagship Delta 1010 model, the D‑A converters are from a completely different company: the Analog Devices AD1852 chip. Listening tests against my new benchmark Echo Mia proved that these D‑A converters were well up to scratch. There were subtle differences between the two, with the Analog Devices AD1852 of the RME card having a marginally sweeter, more natural, and open sound than the AK4528 of the Mia, as well as slightly better stereo imaging. However, on some material I preferred my Mia, so it was a close‑run race.

The A‑D converters also performed well, and I measured the RMS background noise at ‑109dB in 24‑bit/44.1kHz mode — an excellent figure, and identical to that of M‑Audio’s flagship Delta 1010, which uses the same converters. Doubling the bandwidth to 24‑bit/96kHz reduced this to ‑101dB, again in line with the Delta 1010, placing these two cards joint best in my table of noise results.

Four ASIO buffer sizes are available, and I managed to run Cubase VST at the lowest 256‑byte setting, giving me a very good 6mS latency with a 44.1kHz sample rate. The GSIF drivers also worked flawlessly in GigaStudio, and after a few tweaks I did get both applications running simultaneously, although RME don’t recommend this. Both the DirectSound and MME drivers also worked very well, giving me 15mS glitch‑free latency with the stand‑alone version of Pro 52.

Final Thoughts

When I first received this soundcard for review, I expected it to be a good all‑rounder for those who need to record, playback, and interface with a wide variety of digital and analogue gear. I was surprised at the number of unexpected features such as S/PDIF to ADAT conversion, intelligent AutoSync and the various ways to support multiple cards, and beyond all I was impressed by the attention to detail. No stone has been left unturned in the design and execution of this RME soundcard, and I repeatedly found myself wishing that my own had features such as the informative Input and Output Status displays, and the Check Input safe mode.

I haven’t come across any other soundcard quite like the DIGI 96/8 PAD for comparison, but it does seem good value at £365 considering everything on offer, and would be an ideal choice for any musician with an ADAT or DAT recorder who wants to move into computer editing. There’s no built‑in DSP monitor mixer for the inputs and playback channels as on some cards, but then these other cards don’t provide the versatile ADAT and S/PDIF conversion options.

For those who don’t need all its facilities, the other four members of the DIGI 96 series provide different feature sets at lower prices, while those needing more analogue I/O could add external ADAT‑compatible converters. The DIGI 96 series may have been around for several years, but it’s a sign that RME got it right first time that they are still selling so well. As long as they carry on making and supporting them there’s no reason why this shouldn’t continue.