HDSPe ExpressCard

In the year 2001, RME started a revolution in mobile audio recording by introducing the HDSP system, consisting of a CardBus card plus an external I/O box. Thus, the first professional multitrack system for laptops was born.

While many products become obsolete after a few years, continuous firmware and driver updates have kept RME's HDSP system a cutting-edge product with high-end performance. With the HDSPe ExpressCard, the HDSP system is still at its best”and compatible with all newer laptops with ExpressCard slots.

The HDPe ExpressCard uses RME's own audio bus, already known from the PCI version, operating in combination with Multiface II, Multiface, Digiface, and the RPM DJ interface. This way RME offers a seamless upgrade path to the faster PCI Express computers. Current RME interface owners will not lose investments made for HDSP breakout boxes when changing from Cardbus to Expresscard interfaces.

RME's HDSPe Express Card is not based on a PCI to PCI Express bridge, which would simply add PCIe to existing PCI technology. It is a genuine PCI Express solution which consequently takes full advantage of the format, achieving significant performance gains in multitrack audio. Thanks to RME's flash update technology, future firmware improvements, adjustments, and bugfixes can be installed easily at any time. Furthermore, the Secure BIOS Technology ensures that the card stays fully functional even when the flash process fails.

The ExpressCard is based on the PCI Express Base Specification v 1.1. It represents a 1-Lane PCI Express endpoint device and supports 2.5 Gbps line speed. Thanks to the packet-based full duplex communication, the card provides a transfer rate of up to 500MB/s - 250MB/s in each direction.

The connection between ExpressCard and I/O box is established using ordinary FireWire cable (IEEE 1394, 6-pin). The data transfer does not use FireWire protocol, but RME's own proprietary bus protocol. The supplied cable is 12 ft. long. The ExpressCard does not provide power to the attached I/O-box. Therefore, a compact and lightweight hi-tech switch-mode power supply is included.