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RME HDSPe AIO Pro Sound Card Review

RME AIO PRO


The HDSPe AIO Pro from RME Audio is the successor to the HDSPe AIO. The “Pro” adds an improved clock, additional headroom and switchable I/O levels of +24 dBu, +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +4 @ 0 dBFS. We've been running the original AIO in one of our systems for several years with great results. When the AIO Pro was announced we wanted to see if the improvement in specs would be worth the upgrade. We also had to consider if we'd be willing to give up our AO4S-AIO-192 AIO expansion card and its 4 additional analog outputs as RME no longer offers this option with the new AIO Pro.


The AIO Pro uses the same drivers and Total Mix software and all the great routing features, so it's an easy upgrade. Just replace the existing AIO in the same slot. The AIO and AIO Pro use the same breakout cables. However, we found it curious that RME flipped the position of the connectors on the card. That threw us off at first when we attempted to connect the breakout cable to the same position on the card. We assumed they would be in the same position. We're not sure why the engineers decided to do this but in a custom installation with minimal access to the computer it would have been helpful to have the connectors in the same position as the original AIO. We're also still perplexed why RME does not include the proper balanced breakout cable with the AIO Pro. Who is using the unbalanced stuff with a $1k sound card?  Of course, we already have the balanced version from our original AIO but anyone buying an RME PCIe card for the first time might be disappointed when opening the box to find the RCA breakout versus the balanced option.  


So how does the AIO Pro sound? The RME AIO Pro sounds great. It has a slightly more lifelike and velvety sound than the original AIO. There's a little more air and space and more detail. It's also a very quiet card. With the card connected and output at maximum with our external mixer and monitors cranked up, there's just the sound of air and the inherent noise in the external electronics. The AIO Pro is nearly dead silent with no interference audible from the PC. This provides for a transparent and clean mix that is critical when mastering. But our exisisting AIO card is already pretty darn good. 


Is it worth upgrading from the original AIO to the AIO Pro? Is it worth giving up the 4 additional analog outputs from the AO4S-AIO-192? For some folks maybe. We don't use the AO4S-AIO-192 as much as we originally thought we would but we still really like having it when we need it. Also, the AIO still holds it own it against its big brother the AIO Pro. Many folks might struggle in a blind test to pick out the difference in sound between the two. We would. We believe the AIO Pro is more lifelike and clean but RME's last two releases are both really good. So the specs are better and the sound is maybe a little better but if you're currently happy with your current AIO don't expect an OMG moment. 


If you can benefit from the improved specs, tighter clock, switchable output levels and the subtle increase in sound quality than the AIO Pro is certainly worth considering as an upgrade.  If you're in the market for an extremely versatile and master quality PCIe sound card for the first time the AIO Pro should be at the top of your list.  


Visit RME for all the specs and features of the AIO Pro.

Details
Category: Production and Creative
Published: 18 July 2022

Skylar Grey - Coming Home


The 4th made us think of this anthem. We never get tired of Skylar's voice.
Details
Category: Music Mix
Published: 04 July 2022

Cannons - 3 Pack Pretty Boy, Ruthless and Hurricane

Like Gwen Stafai meets the Cocteau Twins and Flock of Seagulls. Mezmerizing, fun sonic candy. Looking forward to hearing more of their stuff



Details
Category: Music Mix
Published: 24 May 2022
  1. Top Drawer - Song of a Sinner
  2. Postmodern Jukebox 1950s cover of "STAY" by The Kid LAROI
  3. The Los Angeles Rams Steal the Draft
  4. Walking in Staten featuring Marc Cohn, Pete Davidson, Big Wet and Method Man
  5. Polyverse Comet Reverb Review
  6. Olivia Jean - Night Owl
  7. RME AO4S-AIO-192 AIO Expansion Board Review
  8. Derek Minor (ft. Hollyn) - Change the World
  9. The Robots are Here and They're Here to Help
  10. Korg opsix FM Synth Review
  11. Man Blows up Tesla after Being Frustrated with Battery Repair
  12. BENEE - 3 Pack - Tough Guy / Supalonely / Snail
  13. Kelly Clarkson - Underneath the Tree Live!
  14. Lord Huron - Mine Forever
  15. Ladyva - Ladyva's Stomp
  16. Clif Family Winery
  17. ART Precision Phono Preamp for Turntables Review
  18. Metric - Brie Larson - Blacksheep - Emily/Brie Mashup - 2021
  19. Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphones Review, 250 Ohm version
  20. Draymond and KD Interview
  21. Cosmo's Midnight and Ruel - Down for You (rooftop remix)
  22. Seven Nation Army - White Stripes Cover featuring Haley Reinhart
  23. Shure SM7B vs. Electro-Voice RE20
  24. Chayce Beckham - 23
  25. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Noise Canceling Headphones Review
  26. Greta Van Fleet - My Way, Soon
  27. The Mouse Model
  28. ATEN CS1942DP Review - 2-Port USB 3.0 4K DisplayPort Dual-Display KVMP Switch
  29. Mackie 1402 VLZ4 Mixer Review
  30. Rex Orange County - Loving is Easy
  31. Dude Puts Cat in Kong Trailer and It's Brilliant
  32. funkyfresh merch
  33. Foo Fighters Cover Mississippi Queen in Memory of Leslie West
  34. Will Ferrell Takes on Norway
  35. Northern California Rainstorm
  36. Skullcandy Riff Wireless Headphones Review
  37. dbx 286s Mic Preamp/Processor Review
  38. iZotope RX 8 Advanced Review
  39. Grady - Can You Hear The Moon
  40. Christmas in Chicago - Pre Pandemic Remix
  41. SNL - Stu, Parody of Enimen's Stan with a Christmas Twist
  42. Michigander - Let Down Music Video
  43. Earth Wind and Fire Live in San Antonio in the 80s
  44. Seal - Don't Cry
  45. FMR Audio Really Nice Compressor RNC1773 Review
  46. Colony House - Silhouettes
  47. Genie in a Bottle - Christina Aguilera ('60s Style Cover) ft. Brielle Von Hugel
  48. Sara Bareilles - F*ck You/Gonna Get Over You (VEVO Presents)
  49. Simply Speakers Foam Speaker Repair Kit for JBL 4408a Monitor Review
  50. APRE - Without Your Love
  51. Hatchie - Obsessed
  52. A Good, Basic Office Chair for Working From Home
  53. Yamaha MSP5 Studio Monitor Review
  54. Best Router and Cable Modem Combination for Distance Learning and Work
  55. Laser Printer During Shelter in Place
  56. Miley Cyrus - Slide Away
  57. The Desert Beauty of Joshua Tree is Breathtaking Day and Night
  58. Tame Impala - Lost In Yesterday
  59. Ashun Sound Machines Hydrasynth Review and Roger Austli aka 'the sun god RA' Hydrasynth Bank
  60. Beach Bunny - Sports
  61. See an Eco-Friendly Backyard Cottage in 700 Square Feet
  62. Boyz II Men Kobe Bryant National Anthem Tribute - Beautiful
  63. East/West Bowl Pro Edition - Key and Peele
  64. A Fun, Modern Family Home Designed to Survive Wildfires
  65. My Stick - Yoda's Jam from the Last Jedi
  66. Lewis Capaldi and Alicia Keys - Someone You Loved Live
  67. Santa Baby - SNL -
  68. Stevie Ray Vaughan - Texas Flood Live
  69. Sump'n Claus
  70. Lizzo Truth Hurts Live
  71. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You - Full Color in Tokyo
  72. Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You - Black and White Version
  73. Toby Redd DVD/CDs
  74. Halsey - Beautiful Stranger
  75. James Bond - No Time To Die
  76. New Motorola Razr - The Smart Flip
  77. Grouch - Movie Trailer
  78. The Fall Color of New Hampshire in 4K
  79. Beatles Please Please Me - 1 Day Album
  80. Other World Computing Dual Bay SATA Drive Dock Review
  81. Lo-Fi Music to Chill/Study with
  82. Lana Del Rey - F-It I Love You & The Greatest (Official Video)
  83. Marina - To Be Human
  84. ILLENIUM, Jon Bellion - Good Things Fall Apart (Lyric Video)
  85. You've Never Seen a Barn Conversion Like This
  86. SampleTank 4 Max Review
  87. KRK 8s V2 Subwoofer Review
  88. Mr. Roger's Neighborhood Trailer
  89. JBL 306P MkII Powered Monitor Review
  90. Best Hard Drives for your NAS or DAS and Video Editing
  91. H.E.R Hard Place
  92. Brad Paisley - My Miracle
  93. Anderson Paak - King James
  94. Death Valley POV Fly Through
  95. MARINA - Orange Trees
  96. Skyler Stonestreet - It Kinda Hurts
  97. OK Go - The One Moment
  98. Asha Mevlana's Tiny Amplified House
  99. Feel It Still - Portugal The Man ('60s "Mr. Postman" Style Cover)
  100. Apple Color Flood ad

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