All user reviews of 5/5 for the RME Audio Fireface 800

excellent audio quality digital interfaces / analogique...étant a fan of high fidelity, I needed a card that is rich in sound, a sound with material and shades ... I was served


I used a computer with virtual instruments and it was connected directly to be six solo.

for use with a home studio mac 13 '2009.

UTILIZATION

drivers are stable.
I use ableton live
full

GETTING STARTED

not without worries
no incompatibility
easy
manual clear

OVERALL OPINION

3 years
two models and c'' is the best ... but also the most expensive
the most is the quality at all levels,
least, I do not know
excellent value for money
I remake this choice or I will see if the same brand is most suitable products ... at the size ... but hey ... it is what!

Former user of a M-Audio Delta 1010 LT which was very good for its price, at some point he took a number of I / O more important.
RME my PC running with Windows 7 64 bit.
The board manages input a Nord Rack 2X, an Akai XR-20 and Novation Mininova.
The only audio output I use (so it remains free ... 6) is a NAD C315 BEE amp and speakers are B & W Solid backed by a small subwoofer Yamaha YST-SW45. See photo for an overview of the system.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable, no problem. They are updated one to two times per year by RME and their installation is easy.
I use a couple of VST in Reaper, and have not so far met with limiting the number of tracks ...
Working in 24-bit 48 kHz, the latency observed is 3 to 5 ms, imperceptible.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is easy but you still need to look a little on the doc when we do not know. TotalMix and the routing matrix are powerful but a little difficult to grasp at first!
The manual is clear and fairly comprehensive.

Yes I met an inconsistency, but without the certainty of the origin of the problem on my configuration, RME does not get along at all with Pro Tools 9 that I used before. Crashes, noise, ... I had to give a sequencer yet I began to master and enjoy. Since I've been in Reaper, no problem.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years. I have not tested other in the same category but as is my habit before a purchase I really searched the net to gather views and that is that ultimately the best fit for my needs.

Pros: Stability, converters and quality sound, low latency, the number and variety of I / O than enough in a home-studio approach, impeccable build quality.
The -: maybe some incompatibilities? But not sure so take with caution as it is my case and my opinion.

The price / quality ratio is good because in my opinion it is a quality card made to last.
With the experience I would do this choice, with means I would have perhaps turned into a FireFace UFX! (Most recent)

The number of I / O ports with 2 + Adat word clock.
Very stable. OCTOPRE max config with two different brands of Adat ports.
Management Mac (Imac and MAc book pro) and Nuendo.
Two Fireface 800 is easily link.

UTILIZATION

Stability and efficiency.
Minimum latency of 3ms

GETTING STARTED

Worry-free installation and configuration. Everything is clear

OVERALL OPINION

I migrated to RME UFX (port AES), otherwise I would have gladly kept.
It's almost plug and play. You must install and no longer mentioned.
That said, there is no obvious protection on connecting FireWire ports that remain fragile. For info and gained consciousness, I did change the ports 400 before selling.
Quality preamps is considerably very good.
The readability of the interface is not very intuitive at first but then it rolls.
The space of analog connections is a bit weak to join jacks of good quality.
This is a very powerful tool but not digital compatible with périphs analos, like all digital media.
Good investment.

number of input / output analog
quality of converters
driver frequently updated
strength, it does not move my rack since I bought it

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
excellent, updated frequently renewed

GETTING STARTED

no worries
the fireface mixer rout at first but just read the instructions and after it is happiness, it can route any signal how

OVERALL OPINION

yes, several models, I do not remember names, it's been a while I have this card since almost the beginning of its release.
excellent value for money
never enmerdé by drivers despite changes in windows.
this card is very flexible, we do what we want with
we get a neutral sound with this card.
I would take if I had the same eyes closed without looking at whether there's been better there since it came out.
I doubt there has been better in comparison with its price

I opted for the FF800 first for the number of converters RME board and for the fact that it corresponded exactly to my needs.

I use it for the tracking, mix, and everything that has to do with! It is planted in a Mac Pro 4 x 2.66Ghz, 8GB ram, all under OS 10.6.

I have a preamp / compressor AU 6176, RME convertos for him doing a very good job, nothing to say. Ditto on listening, listen with accurate (I tested on Adams, Yamaha, AKG headphones, Beyer, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser ..) it is in a category of material that the user enter in the world professional with a depth and precision that makes this tool very seriously.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable, the soft routing "-fireface mixer" is against confusing!

Protools, I get a huge lag, it is rather boring. I have tried in cubase.

GETTING STARTED

I have not regretted Mac instalation problems, however I tried a PC, the executable will not even launch, so a PC, I do not know ...

Aside from the fact that it is necessary to wash the brain before using the fireface-mixer and sharpen the eyes, it is a tool that can take over quickly if we already have serious notions of computer music, without it I do not see how a nobody can grasp the intricacies of routing in this gas. The manual is clear, but expect a good training day to run the beast.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for more than a year, and it is not obsolete in my config, again, this is a multiple inverter that can operate in stand alone for a ridiculous price, considering the number of channels conversion. Which converts an adi 8 8-channel AD / DA (ie 8 x 8 AD DA) costs € 1,300, the FF800 for the same price offers 10 concurrent AD and 10 AD (via ADAT and S / PDIF suddenly).

Unbeatable value for money, of course, given the conversion quality, stability and reliability of the clock.

I've never had artifacts with this interface, which was not the case presonus or alesis I had before.

Again this choice? Of course yes!

Inputs / outputs simultaneously - the four preamps microphones corrcts - both pipelines ADAT + SPDIF.
I work with a Mac Pro dual legacy in Logic.
I use coupled with a digital console (01V96) using two I / O ADAT + SPDIF.
(Which gives me 16 in / out + 2 adat in / out spdif (for the final mix)

UTILIZATION

Ultra stable driver mac OSX. I work in Logic.
More than 40 simultaneous tracks ...

GETTING STARTED

Nickel!

OVERALL OPINION

For 7 years, I wanted a sound card pro without blowing my budget. This card is not given, of course, but for the price and quality, it plays in the course of large ....
I would do this choice without doubt!

Unlike its concurrent, compatibility issues with the apps are rare! No problem connecting with the PC if I start after this one! Relatively low latency and high quality preamp!
Compared with preamps (Tube yet) for the FireStudio Tube, those of the EMR are more "transparent" and equally effective.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are the most stable I've used so far! I started with a Hercules FW16/12 which was a little gadget, and with a FireStudio Tube, where there were straightforwardly no drivers (incompatibility with some software, and other irritating crash ...)
The management software is provided with rather ugly ... but still VERY effective and highly functional, no crash or bug unlike the other two already pre-quoted.

GETTING STARTED

Installation without hassle, no crash out of nowhere. The two cards I had before my ALWAYS been a problem at the facility, and then NOTHING! And yet, the card begins to have the age and I turn in windows7 64bit!

OVERALL OPINION

This will be a year soon and I am more than satisfied!
It costs a goodly quite expensive compared to competition, but the tranquility at a price. And finally, I do not regret my purchase and I highly recommend it to all those like me who have known the joys of unstable drivers and other problems incomprehensible, and tantrums in rehearsals!

I put 9 because there are better convertos because it has no physical knob for volume and it has no built-in effects etc. .... and that new laptop does not have firewire (except mac) ...
but frankly for the home studio is at the top, the preamp quality headphone amp convertos of the very very good, I / O.
RAS is very clean!

UTILIZATION

Driver ultra mega stable pc .. whether is be on xp, vista or win 7 Vista64 64 ...
I never had a problem.
I rarely record more tracks.
I record the MIDI tracks with synths Vsti or externally, with voices and guitars of time.
A recording components and I have a 2ms latency (48ms buffer) with a PC running win7 64 on ssd and i7 2600k.

GETTING STARTED

Installation "finger in the knose"
the manual is clear, the routing is complex but logical so no worries

OVERALL OPINION

the key words are "efficiency, robustness, reliability and ENJOY THE EARS" it fills me frankly ... there may be better elsewhere now ... Orpheus or appolo ... but with the Fireface 800 can be of very good job already.
RME thank you, it really is secondhand in an excellent value for money ...

made in germany, height reputation.
I have a pentium duocore with Windows XP, 4g ram and chipset texas, it works very well.
word clock available (I use yet), optical inputs and outputs, SPDIF, TRS, opportunities to chain multiple maps .. that's heavy.

UTILIZATION

stable drivers.
I use ableton, reason, soundforge, mixvibes, etc. .. more software at the same time ..
10 inputs 10 analog outputs + 2 + Optical SPDIF -> great!
most: 1,7,8,9 and 10 entries lined front ... can work together!

GETTING STARTED

I have a patch in addition to avoid putting their hands behind the map to change the wiring for it is not practical when rack ...
Do not put it on a table after running if it's getting hot, but it works anyway .. Deutsch qualitat!
General config "easy", no incompatibility problem.
manual in English or German, normal English is essential in the manuals!

OVERALL OPINION

very happy, no problems in 4 years!
It's solid!
This product has existed for a decade I think it is always in the middle of the jungle sound cards, proof that this is not the m ****!!

Cons by now it's true there are table + sound card combo .. to see ...

quality of the recording.

UTILIZATION

drivers are stable.

Cubase, Logic, Ableton Live.

8 tracks on pc, mac 10 tracks.

very low latency

GETTING STARTED

no problem for instalation

this is to be used but the matrix is ​​well made and simple configuration and axcessible.

no incompatibilitée under pc and mac

the manual is quite simple and sufficient

OVERALL OPINION

4 years

echo, pro tools.

the +: quality converter
the preamp
the matrix
DIGICheck (vector audioscope)
the soliditée

The -: I do not see, be little more preamp with adjustable gain would be welcome
a stereo loop is on a mac to predict what the audioscope lost two in and two out but ...

very good value for money, ca seems expensive but it worth the cost

Yes I certainly do it again this choice, it is a very good card that I was disappointed jammais (it stays on almost 24/24)

I use it with Windows XP, Pentium IV, Texas Instruments FireWire chipset.
I bought it for its reputation and numerous inputs / outputs.
I use my home when I need quality sound for recording multitrack live in groups, and to the routing of sound (I do not know if this is the right term), c ' ie you can send any input hardware or software on any output with volume control for each shipment. It replaces the much more expensive system, and once settled there is no computer required. For example, send the sound in front of the PA, other things in return for a commissioner, other things in the line input of a camera etc..

It lacks a separate output with volume knob, which would connect the monitors directly without going through a mixer. The headphone output has volume and is also designed for this use (asymmetric top), but you have also connect headphones.

The DI is very good, a bit too bright perhaps, below the Avalon U5 but light years above the low-end DI.

UTILIZATION

I did not remember any stability problem. I use it with Samplitude. I sometimes recorded on 28 tracks.

GETTING STARTED

The translation of the French manual was not developed, but there was a much better version of the second, memory.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since 2004. Good quality / price ratio. I would do maybe not this choice because I need much less input than before, so I would look at other models, knowing that I am very satisfied with it, and it's still a chance very good choice, even for 10 tracks.

8 XLR inputs with preamps with excellent quality.
Headphone input facade.

Easy to move with a laptop.
Ability to chain multiple Fireface 800 and thus record more than taken all at once.

UTILIZATION

Extremely stable in FW 800 (PCI Card Belkin) (I sell elsewhere if interested in the world ca ...).

Used with Cubase or Samplitude.

I made my first record with, what precision in sound reproduction!
To listen:
www.seddmusic.com

GETTING STARTED

Simple, obvious.

OVERALL OPINION

Unfortunately, I am made the steal ...

But to redeem the eyes closed!

I was looking for a sound card impeccable both preamps that Converting, after searching a lot I turned to the Fireface 800.

I use it with or without a Firewire extra preamp. Mic, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass. The sound is clean, precise.

I have a quad core PC running XP that I use to record on Samplitude 10 Pro Reaper and the last. Nothing to say, this is good. I really tried to sound cards, it propelled me into another world.

UTILIZATION

Nothing to say about the drivers. The virtual mixer sometimes gives me trouble but I'm not a beast in the routing. However, with Reaper, I'll make one discovery. The ability to route anything to anywhere, with the Fireface mixer and virtual monster.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is no problem and the updates that are rare because the system tied. Apart from the mixer that requires learning, setup is easy. No conflict to date. Manual? Look, I do've never used!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for at least 4 years. What I like most is the sound, the less I do not know. Value for money justified.

I wanted some good preamps, the possibility of having a dozen entries, low latency, and a good conversion, on a budget: the Fireface was needed! This is a reference and an excellent choice.

It is connected to a computer controlled and core i7 with 4GB of RAM but only fit the bill!

I use it to save the black metal albums of my group, and sometimes other groups to repeat the headphone too.

I am not 10/10 because this material, although solid, has aged and USB connectivity seems more interesting today, and an interface and a more modern management. But cons, in terms of hardware, not a wrinkle!!

UTILIZATION

Drivers very stable, no problems or dropouts in Sonar.
I record and I read a dozen tracks simultaneously.

GETTING STARTED

No major problems of installation, except for the firewire chipset to be branded as Texas Instruments for the Fireface works, I had to buy a FireWire expansion card for my computer.

Once installed, the Fireface works quite intuitively, not even really need the manual, everything is clear, but it takes some getting used to the interface of the Fireface mixer anyway.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 2 years, bought used at the time, never any problem or incident.

I have not tried many other models before myself, but I had the opportunity to see alternatives rotate, and listen to the sound, including mixing consoles with converters who don ' did not look as robust as the Fireface.

It has a capacity of routing incoming signals to different outputs, which is extremely handy! But it is firewire ...

The value for money is unbeatable and in my choice I would do it again!

My choice was made following the opinion of someone more qualified than me on the subject, a good secondhand and I use it for almost 8 years with one or multiple PCs, all equipped with an Asus CM, 2 to 4G of ram and an intel mid-range (dual core) HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200tr / m su'il there anything more to standard.

A tube preamp and a small compressor, a guitar and you're done.
A remake, I make this choice without hesitation, I have never known instability problem to another ... except a firewire output that does not work, fortunately there are two ...

UTILIZATION

This card is very full in connectivity and allows very low latency, it's everything I asked him for the easy use of virtual instruments ...

It is used primarily with cubase ...

GETTING STARTED

Worry-free installation, hardware pro

OVERALL OPINION

8 years of trouble-free.
I tried other lower-end model, this is disappointing ...

The +: connectivity, latency, updates,

The Cons: price

Note: 9 because nothing is perfect in this world.