RME Audio Babyface user reviews ( 8/10) - 14 user reviews

Users reviews

• 07/25/12

  theaudioandvideoguy's review "Get a used one"

  Characteristics

  The RME audio interface was created to be very mobile. It was designed to be able to be taken to different places so you can always have your music with you and be able to create no matter where you go. One thing that I noticed about this interface is that it comes in different colors. This is one of the first interfaces that I have seen that can come in different colors for style, I have seen the one pictured above and I have even seen a pink one before. Its kind of crazy how you can pick a different color.

  Utilization

  192 kHz is what you will get when using the RME Audio Interface, and not too mention it’s a USB interface as well. There is an extra headphone output option as well, which I though was really good to have this one such a smaller unit. Most larger interfaces have that option not a mobile one. It does also have midi I/O as well, you will be able to have great control over your music when using the RME Audio Interface.

  Getting Started

  All latencies on the mac and pc are both low, but I did experience a little more of a lag when using it on my pc than I did on my mac. I am not sure why this was, it could be that my pc is a few years older than my mac, but I have not had any other latencies on that pc before so maybe it was an issue with the interface and the daw.

  Overall Opinion

  It’s a great interface, you can pick your own color and get a great sounding recording from such a small stylish device. If you are looking to purchase one brand new it will cost you a good piece of money. I say purchase it used or refurbished to save your self some money.
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• 05/24/11

  Aerodrink's review

  Characteristics

  After 10 years with my RME Multiface (10 years of happiness - we must recognize that with RME you always for for what you paid), and as I no longer need as many inputs / outputs I decided to buy a Babyface.

  Utilization

  As usual with RME, the presentation is neat (metal shell, vu-meter, solid jog) and the product is professional and compact.
  
  
  
  Latency is super low (Guitar Rig on a Vaio Z11 VPC7E with a i5 core), between 1 and 3 milliseconds, the sound is good.

  Getting Started

  No pb.

  Overall Opinion

  The highlight of this soundcard is that it brings together both a quality preamp, a multifunction jog dial, a vu-meter, analog inputs + digital audio outputs (ADAT) and MIDI, a multi-effects processor ... Finally, the RME software is of high quality as always, whether drivers or TotalMix sotfware (routings are possible in all directions).
  
  
  
  I use it for four months.
  
  
  
  For the user who does not need lots of inputs / outputs and wishes to take advantage of high quality, it is THE solution in my opinion. Do not forget that despite its low latency, Babyface is USB-2 so we can put on any recent or laptop without needing anything else (I think about the PCI / PCIe ExpressCard, a firewire port, etc.. which are often necessary with the a bit upscale soundcards).
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• 02/26/13

  SiLiQireX's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Imperfect"

  Characteristics

  Using PC with Windows 7 Pro x64. Focal CMS-65.
  
  
  
  I made this choice encouraged by my excellent experience with the RME Fireface 400.
  
  RME is part of the manufacturers that I trust.
  
  
  
  FireWire is carried away, the USB to continue, choose a USB interface seemed sensible.

  Utilization

  The drivers are stable.
  
  Composition for use with Ableton Live VST.
  
  Latencies are good as usual with RME.

  Getting Started

  The installation at RME is what I call a copy: a wiring simple. The drivers require installation manual (I prefer it to an installer whose operations may sometimes seem obscure).
  
  The manual is also excellent, very thorough and understandable.
  
  
  
  I encountered major problems with this interface with my PC.
  
  In fact, this interface is rather conceived for laptop and my desktop I have a problem of mass (ground loop).
  
  
  
  Clearly, I have a noise (bzz) on my lower continuous output only with my monitors connected (no guitar, no mic). The fireface 400 in the same configuration worked perfectly without any noise.
  
  RME on the official forum, I saw that I was not the only one to encounter the same problem. Several options, depending on the configuration of each. In my case, a direct box is required. : (

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 2 weeks and finally, contrary to the advice read on the internet. The audio quality is down to the Fireface 400.
  
  
  
  The Babyface and Fireface UC share the same converters (Apogee Duet same as it should appear?) Are slightly lower than the Fireface 400/800. The Fireface UCX / UFX converters have better qualities than their elders Fireface 400/800.
  
  
  
  I regret slightly my purchase which was to replace my Fireface 400 interface to enjoy a more modern and advanced ergonomics and TotalMixFX. I won ergonomics, gained slightly in latency, lost in I / O.
  
  
  
  And above all, I must buy a direct box (ART DTI some advise on the forum RME). This does not enchant me add a little box in the middle of my string output, I have no regrets qu'RME integrated management of this mass natively the Babyface.
  
  
  
  I do not keep very long.
  
  
  
  For those who have the budget Babyface: MOTU Ultralite prefer.
  
  The wealthy: go on a UCX RME.
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• 08/19/12

  Oliviercool's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " A baby indestructible"

  Characteristics

  External USB sound card with a potential of 10 inputs - 12 outputs with 1 set of input - output digital optical ADAT or S / PDIF inputs and 2 - 4 analog outputs + 1 set of inputs - MIDI output can in most cases settle for only the USB connection to feed.

  Utilization

  This is really a cute baby that we have here in our arms. Pace with Ferrari (without red damage ^ ^), this card is a winner. In fact indestructible metal, this card is great on the road as rails railway.
  
  
  
  The pilot included TotalMix software mixing and routing that exploits DSP chips included in the map to ease up the computer's microprocessor. I tested it on a netbook (only input - output), and it works wonder.
  
  
  
  It's just a pity that this card has two analog inputs - two more really should not luxury.

  Getting Started

  On both PC and Mac: impeccable. It's just a pity that the manual in French was not delivered in paper format. PDF only.

  Overall Opinion

  What I love:
  
  - Super good sound
  
  - Super TotalMix
  
  - Super strong
  
  - Super beautiful blue color
  
  - Super Ferrari
  
  - No external power needed, despite the presence of the power connector.
  
  
  
  What I like least:
  
  - Do only 2 analog inputs
  
  - A little heavy
  
  - A little bulky
  
  - Almost all connectors on breakout cable
  
  - This is not printed "Babyface" under the logo of EMR damage
  
  
  
  Hat really there, Mr. RME.
  
  
  
  Other variants of this model:
  
  - RME Babyface Silver: The same but silver.
  
  - RME Babyface Limited Snow Edition (1500 pieces were produced only): The same but with the breakout cable with RCA instead of XLR cable white. With white wires.
  
  - RME Ladyface: The same but pink bombon
  
  - Alva Nanoface: The same or almost without input - output ADAT (Dispose however, the input - output S / PDIF digital optical) but with one pair against additional input.
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• 07/07/12

  Spawn-X's review ( translated ) Improve this translation "Reliable and convenient. RME quality."

  Characteristics

  -What characteristics have motivated your choice?
  
  Portability.
  
  The multiple input / output.
  
  The ADAT despite the size of the interface.
  
  The stability of drivers I already knew who had other brand models.
  
  
  
  -For what purpose?
  
  A bit of nomadism with Cubase, Reason, Live, Band In A Box, but also a more sedentary at home in a tiny cut, leaving me little room.
  
  
  
  -What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)?
  
  Currently, an old Dell laptop that is soon to retire in favor of a trendy resort i7 Casawave home. The Dell in question is not free of problems (worries Controller USB / Firewire / ExpressCard particular), I can not really interact with the interface the way I want. But a few weeks ago, I used a round at my place of work (music school) mounted PIV 3.2 GHz with 4GB of ram without any problems except the limited resources of this machine.

  Utilization

  -The drivers are stable?
  
  RAS. Probably among the best writing market.
  
  
  
  -Are they updated frequently?
  
  Mostly yes. The RME team is also quite reactive and often takes care of very quickly reassembled worries.
  
  
  
  -What software do you use most often?
  
  As mentioned above, mainly Cubase 5 and Reason 6.5, as well as separately in Rewire. But also many Band In A Box 2011.5 (current to assist students in improvisation), and of course for Guitar Pro tabs. Live 8 less.
  
  
  
  What You Get-latency?
  
  Cubase, I turn to 2.5ms for recording. I can go down a little, but firstly I do not necessarily feel the need, and secondly, my two machines are not the wrath of war were at their birth. However, the park of the apps I use, for its part claims logically evolved more power. Despite that, it turns all m ^ m fine.
  
  
  
  -How many tracks do you manage to record / play simultaneously? ...
  
  I have had the opportunity to record with Babyface + a shitty ADDA8000 Berho taken for "lives" of a group in his rehearsal room. Thus, a total of 10 tracks analos carefree.
  
  Reading is another problem because I think the question is not rotated. It can indeed be expected to play a mix of project phase including the high number of tracks do not all play in m ^ m time. If we are faced with such a project, and knowing that phase mix should be increased the latency to retrieve the max resource calculations for effects, well we is necessarily in a situation as eloquent as the question seems to say. I said so. Phase mix, maximum latency, I went up to a hundred runs smoothly. Taken in phase, the max I've tested was a 30aine track while you read a 10aine recorded new tracks. All without the station bronchus masses. Obviously, all this gives only a vague idea of ​​the real power since the question does not mention the number of active plugs or m ^ m the type of these plugs. Therefore difficult to give an objective opinion on the matter without going through a test project that everyone could load him m ^ m on its own station and according to their DAW ...
  
  But hey, trust me, if you have an interface more cheap, the Babyface will necessarily seem like Night VS Day. I tested quite a few other interfaces more or less supposed to work in the m ^ m category (in terms of size / benefits but not the m ^ m rate), and I can tell you that there is Photo no. Go to RME will change your life.

  Getting Started

  -The installation is done it without problem?
  
  It is an understatement. One click, one plug, and it rolls.
  
  
  
  -Have you encountered any incompatibilities?
  
  Yes and no. I'm actually faced with an inconsistency on the part of my laptop and no matter what the interface used. This is a concern for USB controller on the CM of the laptop. This controller is actually, unfortunately, common to all three protocols that are USB, Firewire, and ExpressCard. Normally, this controller is not common and each port has its own controller. But in some "big" manufacturers, we go to the economy, and the controller built into the CM is not only common, but make matters worse, this controller is found to be rotten and poses many problems of workflow, and in particular, audio. You probably know that the board is to make it obligatory for a Texas Instrument chipset when it is desired to use an audio interface FireWire port. Well in this case, it is exactly the problem m ^ m, except that the purchase of a good expresscard> USB chip IT solves absolutely no problem since the controller is crappy upstream. So if you plan to use the BabyFace on a tower, you still have the ability to change one element to circumvent this potential problem. But with a laptop, it's more the story m ^ m. So before you inquire from users of this interface and laptops, to make sure they do not have this problem. Nothing is ever certain, since manufacturers of laptops can always change the characteristics of an element of the chain, but at least you are warned.
  
  
  
  -The general configuration is easy?
  
  Yes and no. The basic functions are not very difficult to take in hand, but depending on your degree of logic and knowledge in the field of audio, it is quite possible that you have a little more difficult to apprehend the Total MIX (now Total FX MIX recently also for BabyFace). This application for managing I / O (and effects) is at once one of the strongest market and one of the least easy to understand when one is not already inured in this area. It's simple, it is the nerve center of your system. With this software, you can direct any (s) source (s) to any (s) output (s), in other words, you have a bunch of headaches in perspective. C'que but it's good! Without ADAT converter, the BabyFace is obviously more limited in terms of in / out, therefore, it greatly eases the mind work with Total MIX. But once familiar with the interface of this app, chances are you'll want to move to a more powerful brand. I changed my Fireface 400 here just a question of fact for the benefit of portability BabyFace. But the FF400 uses the m ^ m routing software. And most brand models as well. What changes is the maximum number of In / Out that can handle the different models.
  
  
  
  -The manual is clear and sufficient?
  
  Largely, yes.

  Overall Opinion

  -How long you use it?
  
  Since only 11 months for BabyFace, but I'm using, as said above, the RME long.
  
  
  
  -What is so special that you love the most, least?
  
  The pros:
  
  * Audio quality.
  
  * The quality of manufacture.
  
  * The reliability of software as hardware.
  
  * The format in a handy portable backpack laptop.
  
  * The effects embedded in the new Total FX MIX.
  
  The -:
  
  * Certainly, the breakout cable (breakout) which, via a
  
  D-SUB connector to add the physical I / O on
  
  obviously too small an enclosure for supporting him m ^ m.
  
  The breakout cable is on the one hand not very practical, but more importantly,
  
  it is quite fragile. I plan my shot of making a
  
  small remote box that would contain him m ^ m the connectors
  
  and that I could connect to via BabyFace "extension"
  
  D-Sub/D-Sub provided and which is in turn a little more reliable
  
  Besides being more common to buy (without breaking the bank).
  
  * Given that the various inputs / outputs are deported
  
  on a D-Sub, I regret that the BabyFace does not ultimately
  
  more input / output internally (without using the ADAT).
  
  4 inputs on combo XLR / Jacks and many outputs m ^ m in size
  
  would have been really great.
  
  * There is good 4 outputs, but two pairs of passes
  
  necessarily by a headphone. It is therefore necessary
  
  has a suitable cable "Y" a little blah.
  
  From the * m ^ m way, one of the two is switchable in analos ins
  
  fashion high-impedance (to directly connect a guitar or
  
  a passive bass). It's bad, of course, but most
  
  competitors officiating in the m ^ m this class offers
  
  function on at least 2 inputs.
  
  * The big wheel coupled to the switch used to control SELECT
  
  Total parameters of MIX. That's cool, but alas, some
  
  parameters can be controlled in this way. The
  
  basic operation of this wheel is substantially the m ^ m
  
  the Fireface 400. Clearly, you select which parameter is
  
  driver, and the wheel changes the value. It would be very
  
  easy to allow the wheel to drive any
  
  setting on the screen. But I think the decision of EMR was
  
  taken and to avoid having to include an LCD display to
  
  BabyFace because the shell in such a case, it is necessary to
  
  have a visual feedback to know what driver (which is
  
  the case on its FireFace with LED display), gold, with the
  
  BabyFace, this means of visual inspection is to be the software
  
  Total MIX. So you lose the interest of such a possibility
  
  steering. That allows the rest BabyFace when m ^ m a certain level
  
  visualization via LED In, Out and Phones and the LED Sun
  
  (Which concerns only the headphone output) coupled to two VU meters
  
  LED may flash to indicate which input / output and
  
  selected. It would therefore certainly solutions to
  
  achieve this faultless.
  
  
  
  -Did you tried many other models before buying it?
  
  I'm in the computer music since the late 80's. I started at the time Atari / Amiga. So I can say without much error that ... yes, I've tried a sling ... ;)
  
  
  
  -How would you rate the quality / price?
  
  Clearly excellent for this type of product.
  
  
  
  -With experience, you do again this choice?
  
  Yes, eyes closed. However, I plan to soon complete this interface by larger models. The BabyFace for wandering, and a large model RME to stay permanently in the studio / school.
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• 01/27/12

  planetslide's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Of happiness!"

  Characteristics

  Sound card external USB2 port, 192 kHz 24-bit, Connectivity:
  
  10 Input / 12 Output channels
  
  2 x Analog Input
  
  4 x Analog Output
  
  1 x ADAT I / O or 1 x SPDIF I / O optical
  
  1 x MIDI I / O
  
  1 x USB 2.0
  
  2 x Mic Preamp with digitally controlled gain
  
  1 x Hi-Z instrument input
  
  TotalMix FX (with EQ, Reverb, Echo)
  
  I use a unique guitar home studio, taking a track at a time. So I is rather high quality stuff with a reduced number of entries. My PC is a Core2 Quad 4GB RAM running Vista.
  
  The detailed specifications of the beast is on the manufacturer's website. This tape clearly in the high-end, the limit is primarily in the number of entries, compared to RME products much more expensive.

  Utilization

  6 months of use, no stability problems encountered. I use the card as main card of the PC, and of course for computer music, with the excellent Reaper. I reach to 2.6 ms latency with excellent sound quality to my ears.
  
  I can achieve my personal models with ten tracks simultaneously treated with several vst plugins carefree (also thanks to Reaper!). In short, it perfectly meets my expectations.
  
  I have not done so up to date. It works just fine, so we'll see later. RME is very active around their products, they released updates to drivers regularly. It does not feel abandoned after purchase.

  Getting Started

  The installation was done in 2 min and from any worries. It's true plug and play, even in windaube is saying! This fits perfectly with the direction "nomadic" of this card.
  
  The ergonomics of the Babyface is very well thought out. The menu is small, easy to use (we do everything intuitively with three buttons) and very versatile.
  
  The manual is very neat and a nice touch of humor. It is quite clear without being transcendent, but is doing well with him.
  
  The refinement of the settings is obtained using the soft "TotalMix FX" which itself, requires a bit of time to master it. But there is a real virtual console very powerful and very subtle in its settings, with reverb and echo effects integrated quality (perfect for voice), in short, a pure joy!

  Overall Opinion

  I left a Presonus Firebox sound of good quality, but a little "plastoc" and increasingly hot, which ended in smoke on my desk ..! So I searched the net a card in a higher range. I retained the brand RME from its excellent reputation and I found that babyface in his catalog that matches my needs and my budget.
  
  I love the look and simplicity of the card on the desk, combined with the power of the FX TotalMix software that allows you to adjust the settings very finely and register of ready-made configs adapted to their needs. Time spent at the outset to set the card saves you a lot in common use then.
  
  This card is expensive (> 500 euros for 2 analog inputs), but we feel that RME has absolutely no quality which sold off its reputation in the pros for years. The sound quality is top and the card is extremely stable and comfortable, what more?
  
  We will see life but I feel it's really solid (no overheating, a thick metal case, sturdy buttons, a simple and robust connectivity, etc.)..
  
  RME Congratulations!
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• 01/04/12

  L.Fox's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " The Big Slap"

  Characteristics

  I needed a new sound card, my old Edirol up I decided to limit it uprage.
  
  Which motivate the choice, the different views on the canvas and Af on the stability of the beast, the quality of the converter.
  
  
  
  I also liked the portable side of things, and finally to what finally convinced me that the control of monitoring directly on the card (before I had a controller SM Pro Audio that I could just sound)
  
  
  
  To use it is a home studio use of more traditional disappointed I plug my 2 preamps, plus a small ADAT converter (used to manage my headphone amp, power amp, my microphone "office" for talk to the singers and musicians ..)
  
  
  
  I put 9 because perfection is not of this world, but the card responds in every way to my expectations ..

  Utilization

  So unlike the last notice posted (for info on the same config), it's easy ..
  
  
  
  I opened the box, plug in the card, throw the manual, and put the installation CD ... 1 min later installation finished, I open Cubase, I select the Babyface and everything works without any worries or no adjustment ..
  
  
  
  I admit I look for 2 minutes how to mount the master volume (I would have had more time to find the manual and search in)
  
  
  
  In terms of latency I fall below 4ms, perfect

  Getting Started

  Trouble-free installation (see above), configuration (I had nothing to configure ..), no incompatibilities ..
  
  
  
  The manual?? There should be a day when I open it to tell you if it is clear: D

  Overall Opinion

  In recent days, but what a slap sound! I rediscovered my pair of monitors, the quality is there and it means, compared with the Edirol FA 101 that was in place until now.
  
  
  
  What I like most portability, monitoring and management of the super simple thanks to the large knob (which is slightly notched for that matter), what I like least, not yet found, we'll see when I push it into the the limit.
  
  
  
  The value for money is correct, can be a bit expensive, but hey we get something for nothing.
  
  
  
  And yes if it again (or rather to advise) that would be the eyes closed
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• 10/24/11

  pyexperience's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  What characteristics have motivated your choice?
  
  Conversion to 192 khz and decision making adat symmetric usb therefore compatible with the mac mini and my laptop
  
  
  
  Setup a fair bit Windows 7 32 bit, Core 2 Duo, USB 1.6 for ICH8 mgz,

  Utilization

  Latencies of 3.05 and 3.49 as input to the output buffer 512 and a 192 khz.
  
  the high impedance input has a better signal to noise better than my BBE di-1000

  Getting Started

  the new total mix and more complex compared to that before.

  Overall Opinion

  I have had several sound cards usb m-audio duo, dsp factory, tc of Firewire and the RME HDSP 9632.
  
  
  
  I
  
  
  
  - And the wheel and view-meters are really useful
  
  - 2 headphone
  
  - Rm quality in a pocket-sized
  
  
  
  I like less
  
  
  
  - The plastic wheel
  
  - No compressor and a delay that I do not know what to do with
  
  
  
  
  
  It's not a card to stay home or to the live music or swinging on a wall and watch these mails is less than the power of my laptop is too limited.
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• 07/21/11

  jerhexa's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " and boom!"

  Characteristics

  Features to discover on the RME site.
  
  Utlisatisation Home Studio (electro and rock music).

  Utilization

  The drivers seem very stable no worries.
  
  I use Fruity Loops and Cubase Electro for the rest.
  
  I have, for now, recorded by a voice on Fruity loops:
  
  I lowered the latency is 3ms and the sound is decent (though I have not taken the best microphone for that.).

  Getting Started

  Installation is as simple as "hello". I have not needed the manuel.Mais for novices: Brush up on your English or your German!

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for two days.
  
  Before I worked on an Edirol FA-66 (nice card for a beginner).
  
  I changed it for Babyface and I took advantage to buy acoustic foam and a DBX 223 crossover XS to adjust my system fostex (2 + PM0.5 SUB MKII PM2 that cut too high at 120 Hz): While there, the slap!
  
  The sound is much more precise on any frequency! a real pleasure!
  
  
  
  Given the gear value for money for the Home Studio, C Nickel: 539 euros, it is better to save some and pass on this type of gear.
  
  I REFER choice really no problem!
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• 07/19/11

  hugues.peeters's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Disappointment ..."

  Characteristics

  see below

  Utilization

  see below

  Getting Started

  see below

  Overall Opinion

  Sorry for not sharing the enthusiasm around this map, but for me the RME Babyface is a small disappointment.
  
  
  
  I expected a lot of promises made by RME about the low latency of the map. But I never managed to open a project just so that no output or crackle "hoquettent" even with the settings from the highest buffer (2048 samples at 48 KHz !!!).
  
  
  
  Some argue that my laptop is suffering from a bad configuration. Maybe .... But I will make note still a small Behringer UCA 222 (twenty times less expensive!) Took charge of these projects on the same laptop without flinching ...
  
  
  
  Config: MacBookPro 13 "(2010) in Bootcamp with Windows XP SP3
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