just follow the thread until you find the possible solution :)
About the word-length question, yes it's a OSS-only parameter. When using the ALSA backend the driver probes for the available bit-depths 32, 24 and 16bit, in this order, automatically selecting the best for which the driver supports. If 32 bit is supported, it will be set that way. You only have the option to force it to be 16bit, but there's no option for fixing it at 24bit. Anyway, this should be not an issue in your particular case, as the inner ALSA driver module accepts 32bit so, let it be.
I've found this thread on LAU maillist, which might shed some light into your problem with the RME Digi 96/8 PRO:
http://music.columbia.edu/pipermail/linux-audio-user/2006-September/038684.html
just follow the thread until you find the possible solution :)
About the word-length question, yes it's a OSS-only parameter. When using the ALSA backend the driver probes for the available bit-depths 32, 24 and 16bit, in this order, automatically selecting the best for which the driver supports. If 32 bit is supported, it will be set that way. You only have the option to force it to be 16bit, but there's no option for fixing it at 24bit. Anyway, this should be not an issue in your particular case, as the inner ALSA driver module accepts 32bit so, let it be.
Cheers.
--
rncbc aka Rui Nuno Capela