If the RME does what it claims to do (i.e provides a multi-channel MME device), you should be able to play a multi-channel file using MediaPlayer. If it is only offering stereo, there should be some method of changing that via System->Settings->Multimedia->etc, or by some RME-provided utility. If there isn't, then it may be that the card cannot do what RME says it can do!

The WIN32 programs in the CDP Multi-Channel Toolkit (free download via the CDP home page below) can be used to check multi-channel MME drivers. Specifically, the program 'playsfx' reports the number or MME devices available, and the number of channels each of those devices supports, and can be used to play a m/c file. Other programs provide a quick means of constructing multi-channel files for testing and other purposes.

I will be updating 'playsfx' soon to support WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE WDM drivers for Win98SE, Win2000, etc. In these systems, even a stereo card will then report 65536 channels available, as the System can automatically downmix all incoming WAVE_EX files to whatever the card supports.

BTW, the new VideoLogic 'SonicFury' 6-ch card (under £80) claims to support WAVE_FORMAT_EXTENSIBLE, so may be a useable cheap m/c card, of the kind hopefully Linux drivers will be developed for, soon. Has anyone tried this card yet?

Richard Dobson

Michael Iber wrote:

Hello, how can I get multiple channels with my rme under windows 98????? I only get stereo in/out. Thanks Michael Iber