All user reviews for the RME Audio Fireface 800

-What characteristics have motivated your choice?
Its number of channels. And system stability.

-With what instruments or systems (console, preamp, DtDs ...) use it and how you connect? ...

Park microphone (vocal, drums, Gratt, violin ...) Combined with a OctaMic D ADAT. Roland Fantom G6 Workstation, MPC 1000 ...

For what purpose?
Recording and multi-listening ^ ^

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)?
Asus V-P8Z68 Pro/GEN3
Proc. Intel Core i-7 3.50 ghz
Kingston 16 gb ram
Corsair SSD HDD 3120 GB sata Force 3 (system / project)
Velociraptor 320 GB SATA HDD (bank)
2 x 500 GB HDD (data)
Alim. Corsair HX 650
UAD Quad Core
TI FW card
...

UTILIZATION

-The drivers are stable?
There is not another question??
...
Yep!!

-What software do you use most often?
Cubase 6

How many tracks do you manage to record / play simultaneously? ...
I recorded something like twenty track at the same time without problems.
Read? lol 100 + ^ ^

-Are they updated frequently?
We speak of RME there or not??

What You Get-latency?
Input / output around 4/5 ms

GETTING STARTED

-The installation is done it without problem?
I'll answer even to this kind of question!

-The general configuration is easy?
Yes as long as they do with the logic of TotalMix and after it's cake.

-Have you encountered any incompatibilities?
No, because when I took the card, I had anticipated Texas Instrument chipset.

-The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
Dou you spique angliche? Otherwise the French manual is in pdf on the net.

OVERALL OPINION

-How long you use it?
Good at the risk of sounding crazy, I had a FF800 ago it 7 years, I had sold it to pass on a Tascam DM-3200, I sold 2 years later ... RME FF800 for a ^ ^ What I have to sell because the sound is no longer part of my main activity:-S But I still wanted to redeem myself a little map to compose from time to time. And what I bought??? Well yes a UC RME!! The Crazy Gauls!!

-Did you tried many other models before buying it?
Uh .... Alesis I / O gizmo thing, does that count? ^ ^

-What is so special that you love the most, least?
All, quality preamp, Converto, stability, possibility of development, ease of routing etc. .... Everything, everything, everything!! Even the color ^ ^

-How would you rate the quality / price?
A Auvergne will tell you it is still too expensive! But here, the quality is really the appointment.

-With experience, you do again this choice?
No, I will take a RME ^ ^ (pissed off with these questions!)

External firewire audio format 19 ", 1 unit.
The power supply is 220v intgre (ya right! I do not like the transformer).
Construction heals.
FireWire 800 or 400 (cable supplied)

Connectivity complte (I / O jack symtriques, asymtriques, preamp with XLR, HiZ simulator with drive and amp, ADAT x 2, SPDIF)

For CHARACTERISTICS compltes, see the website builder and doc (including diagrams on pages functional trs instructive possibilitsreles on the map)

Current config: Nvidia Chipset, Athlon 1800, 256MB RAM, 2xHDD 7200 (1 OS, 1 Data), so small config (Firewire Controller VIA PCI card)

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I use this card for the purchase principaly analog (I do not use it - for now - its ADAT ports, SPDIF, clock, etc. ..)

On this last point (I / O analog), I find that the markting RME is not extremely clear, in fact, I thought this card possdait 8 Analog I / O (including 4 XLR with preamp). It's not quite a. .. (Better actually)

In order:
analog in 1 - jack and jack symtrique the arrirre asymtrique forward SETTING THE gain (between HiZ) note the two inputs can operate at the same time. .. What has served me tell you, in the end it shares the same track on my squenceur ... certe. But at the connection, it is very practical because conncetiques UNUSED (branches, but no signal) off automatically below a certain threshold ... basically, you can have almost all branches of physical inputs (one front scraper, and a direct out behind the console and use one or the other without dplugger every time and especially without spurious signal when either produces no signal)
analog in 2 - jack the symtrique arrirre
analog in 3, 4, 5, 6 - jack the rear symtrique
analog in 7, 8 - symtrique jack or XLR with the rear preamp (power supply and 48v) forwards. Same functionality of using the connection between one, so for example if you plug a synth STREO arrirre the times and from time to time, you use microphones, you can use the XLR inputs without dpluguer drriere. In short, a sort of patch.
analog in 9, 10 - with XLR preamp (and 48v power supply) before the

Analog out 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 - jack the rear symtrique
9.10 out analog - or even adjustable headphone headphone out using 9 / 10 (jack STREO non symtrique)

What about the preamp (level I would have AIM functionalist a low cut and a phase inverter in addition to the 48v power supply (by soft dclenchable is this dernire) and why not a limiting enclenchabe or not ... but between the good, the one eyeing the ct of DDIS caractstique of preamps and not sound card ... but all the same ...

Numrique level, I do not control much, but I think that both ADAT port are made for the future (at least for mine, and the future addition of such converters Kroener ADI8 or RME)
For these Functions: 8 / 10 (the preamp could be better provided)

UTILIZATION

Installation: 5 minutes no problem at all.
I have all of the same install the latest firmware and drivers in the crowd. So I work with the last date (date of the notice sf)

I met the incompatibility with Cool Edit Pro. So I'm looking for a soft more "pro" that works in ASIO (I currently test in samplitude demo ... the choice is not made)

The config for RME driver is very well done. All parameters are ditables in real time (buffer note, it is convenient). A global pitch numrique lends the DAW other instrument, ca can be useful for that registers trs old instrument ...

The manual is in English only (though I bought my card in France ...) is not a concern, but all the same ... a could be included.

GETTING STARTED

For the moment the drivers are stable.
I have not had it better to light the card before the PC ... From the unwavering stability.

I use this card for now with vesrion samplitude demo. I'll see later in the choice DEFINITIONS.
I get easily 5 ms latency on my little config. Not bad.

For now, I recorded 8 tracks simultanment (drums) and do a payback of 10/12 tracks.
Everything is going well for now. I do not force the plug either. Some EQ, dynamics and reverb or two to ...

Its level: it's clean! no background noise, the preamp is of good quality. They are dynamic and appear transparent (compared to a goldmike Tfpro and P2, I think respect the overall gear cohrence)
I see (or hear) a significant difference with my old config:
- Front console behringer preamp for mic -> Map Hoontech ADDA2000 -> behringer console -> Behringer speaker monitoring
- Now: SPL or TFPro preamp (or preamp Intgr map) -> RME Fireface -> Behringer speaker monitoring.

I agree there were too many changes at once to issue all the good points the card only (the path has been shortened, I no longer use the behringer console for playback) ... but the overall feel of pure sound skips to the ears ... in short I'm happy and I have the feeling of being without something more mid-range with my old config.

a note on the HiZ between simulator and drive and cabinet. It's convenient, may be of service, but all the same gadget ... to record an ide in 2 minutes (you click on two buttons in the software of the RME and it's done ...) but good for just less time and much more ism, soft as AmpliTube trash or do better ... much better ...

OVERALL OPINION

I had this card in December. So trsrcent.
However, need several months to apprcier its functionality and its quality.
It is hard to see on the reliability (contrustion physical drivers)

I could compare my Hoontech (I always) is clearly not the same CATEGORY (not the same price either)
The ratio quality price is good I think. It is a card much, but from direct competition (MOTU) She is doing well plutt (I / O supplmentaires note and better quality preamp seems there ...) quality in price, there are any quality Vant ... so you must be a certain amount to prs to audio with a reliable product that sounds as fine tuning plutt computer and concsions (compared to my Hootech)

In short, an investment, but I am satisfied with my purchase.
J'espre did not make another choice of sound card before many years (I plan on notemment between ADAT supp)

For the price, a regret, a software bundle could well apprciable t (compared to the Digidesign 02 Rack for example) ... I do not know me, a bundle version of Sonar or Samplitude?

Firewire
sound recording and mixing
PC Pentium 4, 2GB, 400GB HDD
Console O2R, Avalon, Cubase, DBX

UTILIZATION

Firewire transfer not always stable and that poor compared to my motu 2408
Incompatibility at the synchros. Test on a G5 mac bipro, driver problem
Configuration siimple but other than that quibble over problems of malfunction
Manuel a bit light

GETTING STARTED

Drivers unstable, I have to reboot and reinstall quite often also quite often (I tried on 4 different PC and it's always the same problem
A big problem of latency as compared to a motu 2408 which is pretty cool the top
the sound is really lacking in scope, it is a bit dry and tight and do not expect to mix with this card, I find that it lessens the mix, serious!
The motu 2408 is cheaper and much better. Otherwise, to 450 euros, esi quatafire prefer, which is not bad for 3 more times cheaper.

OVERALL OPINION

I work in a studio pro or a lot of stuff is regularly tested (often just to try, mlus low to high) and in the order I put Pro Tools, MOTU 896HD, MOTU 2408, Esi quatafire, and long after RME (I am not paid by the competition, you worry, but there is a kind of snobbery around the map, kind of, it was German so it's good, but no, jomox is good, but not RME!

- What technical specifications motivated your choice?
The possibility of routing, quality "heard" of the mic, the possibility to use it standalone (without PC).
- For what purpose?
Home studio. Composition (Cubase SX), retouching and editing audio (Wavelab) video editing (Premiere Pro).
- What is your config (motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?
Asus P5AD2 - P4 3.6 GHz - 4GB RAM - 200GB hard 4 (1 x 3 x SATA and IDE).
- Which instruments or Systmes (console, prampli, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...
Pramplis microphone, DAT, MD, K7, monitors Yamaha MSP5.

UTILIZATION

- Installation is it without problem?
This installation does Premire couraging drivers with the latest issue date (V2.1.0.2), I have not used the driver CD that came with the machine. Same thing for the soft internal (flash) that I put in V1.89 days. No worries particlier installation, except that the machine does not recognize his Premire power, and that contrary to indications given in the manual (connecting the equipment then turn it on), the recognition was done by turning first and then connecting. No big deal, but I am having the same issues possible ...
- Have you experienced any incompatibility?
Not at the moment, APRS use in my main apps (Cubase, WaveLab, Premiere).
- The configuration gnrale is easy?
By reading the manual and APRS some tests, we can say yes.
- The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
It depends on the passages. Some features are trs well documented, others leave little doubt casts (three FireFace use of a port in simultann IEEE1394b (800M). But overall, it is fairly complete, translation Franaise is not stupid, and reading one feels that the designers have sought rpond couraging a product that users' expectations.

GETTING STARTED

- The drivers are stable?
For now, no worries in WaveLab (V3) or Cubase (SX3). However, I got a crash in Premiere with fixed lattence 2ms (problem seems he known in RME, and was to be rsolu with the latest driver). But this problem has occurred only once, in Premiere, and as I chose to keep the lattence 4ms, has not impede me. I must say that it is still a bit cool (just a few hours of use) to be REALLY goal.
- Are they often put day?
I do not know at the moment, Premire install, drivers dats of commencement in May
- What software do you use most often?
Cubase, WaveLab, Premiere.
- What you get lag?
4 ms. I know we can go lower (2ms), but worked perfectly as is and that the delay is too low to induce me GNER, I leave as a.
- How many tracks you get record / playback simultanment? ...
At least eight recording, I'm not away with all the 8 analog inputs. No worries (a right would have even surprised).
In reading, I did a test with 32 tracks wav 48K / 16 bit (full tracks of songs diffrent Events and not to rely too much on the "proofreading" RAM) without any dcrochage.
Not tested pousss with many recording tracks while playing many tracks, my main need is to record a track or two while reading a few.

OVERALL OPINION

- How long have you use it?
Few days.
- What is the particular feature you like best and least?
The Settings window Settings (inputs, phantom power supply, etc.) is a bit unreasonable in bulk, but people come here all the same. Too bad the PC is Necessary for the activation of phantom power supplies, but good. Routing possibilities inputs / outputs are excellent, I sold my patch 48 points!
- Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
No.
- How do you report qualitprix?
Trs good.
- With the exprience, you do again this choice? ...
Yes!
- Other
Cubase SX3 apprci does not change the digital audio interface, and crashed systmatiquement each boot (ACCS violation in module ASIO). I have to uninstall and reinstall the. No worries however for Wavelab and Premiere. I put on a good sr on behalf of Cubase.
If using FireWire on 800M (IEEE1394b) under WinXP SP2, consider installing the patch from Microsoft that fixes the bug speed limit (limit DBiT 100M after installing SP2).

I use this card with a PC / Pentium 4 (875P chipset, 2 Gb RAM, FireWire 400, IDE & SATA HDs). The goal was simply to record multiple synthesizers, and analog to ADAT. Also, I was interested in the stand-alone mode. Life is made: the Fireface exists.

UTILIZATION

Installation is transparent and takes place very easily - not enough to read the manual. I read it, and ultimately find it rather well. I repeat the remark of someone else: it is a pity not to have the French version directly included in the carton. Nothing detrimental, however.

For those who use the ADAT, two in / out are available and of course be used simultaneously. Remember to switch between ADAT and SPDIF in the configuration tool (RME Settings).

The creation of the bus in environments Steinberg and Cakewalk is not a problem. I've heard of users very satisfied with the ProTools couple RME / Logic or the couple RME/Nuendo3 (note neutral naturally hum).

GETTING STARTED

Nothing to say about the drivers. RME seems to excel in this field and perfectly control the Mac and PC. Special mention to the page dedicated to FireWire tests on their site, which, incidentally, is regularly updated (you'll notice that all drivers, including the "degraded" are downloadable).

The routing matrix is ​​impressive: a soft brick high-end leaving the other behind. The mixer in Nuendo is one of the clearest I know.

The headphone output is very good.

OVERALL OPINION

This board has no direct competitor. The sound is cold and it suits me very well. I have other cards (including a lynx) and I think the FireFace800 has the best quality / price ratio. Remember, above all, quality of technical support associated with this card (clear reactivity Arbiter, located in France, and expertise of RME).

I just change my MOTU 2408 mk3 for FireFace.

Premire surprises:

- The lighting, the FF will hold in 5 seconds, the MOTU took forever.
It automatically synchronizes the incoming signal WordClock, whereas with the MOTU had to open the setup before recording (for those who work with external converters).
He had to think to the MOTU off before the extinction of the computer, otherwise it caused a hissing tweeters that would not stand long. With the RME, no problemo, it's silence.
Trs-setup complete
Mix it
-L 'in between Instru faade
-MIDI IN / OUT
Regrets:

No-PAD to the MIC.
Out-MONITOR and PHONES are spares, I wish a stereo output volume indpendante adjustable headphone as the MOTU.
-No vritable AES-EBU.
-J 'lai purchase without manual or invoice, if someone could send me a pdf in FRENCH, please. Thank you.

UTILIZATION

Install, no problem

GETTING STARTED

Drivers stable

OVERALL OPINION

Not yet had time to compare the converters.

I bought the Fireface 800 for the purpose of recording instruments.
I was looking for:
- Enough for times between micro micro amps,
- From an instrument
- Line inputs in sufficient numbers ...
- Numriques inputs (optical if possible) to connect my multi-effects, and in the future other devices numriques
- Expandable in Firewire

Oh I forgot: I was looking for a builder who is also updating its drivers regularly, and offers support in France.

Here, well it's 100% done with the Fireface!

I turn my computer at a P4 3.2 Ghz, 2GB RAM, 236 GB HD 10000 t / min SATA. Config muscle for music only.
PS The motherboard is an ASUS P5AD2 Deluxe, I prcise because I read that Asus brought the problem to the Facilities audionumriques ... Not my case anyway!

Level instrument, I plug the bass from the instrument (I will discuss below), microphone + vocal microphones times on rhythm guitar amp pramps between line amp when you can not make noise, and between optical SPDIF for multi-effect guitar solo (Korg AX3000G)
The electronic battery for now, I use the MIDI port.

UTILIZATION

Install without problem. Updating the driver on the RME website and presto it works.
The configuration is fairly simple, the manual is very helpful on this point. Arbiter sent me a French version which brings even more when especially the config TotalMix.

GETTING STARTED

No crash so far, drivers are trs stable set day once (latest version) and the firmware.
I use XP with Service Pack 2 (no choice) and I have not had any problems with Firewire. I still apply the procedure for Microsoft to update the parameter in the registry (to put S400/S800 S100 instead of default).
I use Cubase SL3 and I have no problems.
The latency is inaudible, I forget to use TotalMix and direct monitoring in cubase so with the passage time tural effects does not affect me ...
I have yet to test the recording of more than 3 tracks. I will return to days later.

The use of TotalMix is ​​still really easy and convenient, especially with the graphic that allows a few clicks to configure the routing I / O freely. Each input can be sent to any output, or even all, all a few clicks. Also you can then flash the memory of the Fireface to keep the stand alone configuration!

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two weeks

What I like:
- The instrument input: no sound is frankly incredible. I enable the formulation of HP (but even without it very well) and the sound is perfectly respected and even promoted. I even found him a lamp its type amp (Fender) on which I played before. Always it is that direct recording gives excellent results. The gain is adjustable in faade.
- The pre-amps are excellent bill, and adjusted the level by potentiometers on the faade (handy)
- The phantom power can be active on each by clicking between micro,
- Headphone output with level rglage the faade (ca both practice)
- TotalMix: super simple and extremely powerful
- Matrial of quality!

What I dislike:
- The overdrive on the instrument between ... gadget ... same for the LIM (but I have not yet fully understand the usefulness!)
- Uh ... The price!

I wanted to beginners FIREPOD (presonus) but did not of optical and one coax between numrique .. But mostly they taient out of stock, I have been spirited to the Fireface. After ngo (bought 1200 euros), I consider it a great product. To say that the report is good qualitprix I would need more references. J'hsitais also with the MOTU traveler, but the important thing is that I do not regret my purchase, on the contrary, I have a powerful and reliable tool trs hands

I would do such a choice without any hsitation!

- This card works on both PC and Mac, with a Portable or a round => not restrictive
- 4 good prampli trs, trs transparant => trs well taken for acoustic (piano, guitar, vocals ...)
- Map trs complte: 10 votes ana, SPDIF or AES / EBU, ADAT 2 (optical or digital) with scroll trs => 28 in
- My config: Dell Inspiron 9300 1.73 ghz (60 GB HD 7200 trs, 1 GB RAM)
- I use it to catch tail piano, and it IDAL (practice with the zero-latency routing, which allows for a mix of DIFFERENT microphones in the headset to be the comfortable when taking!), stable trs, trs good sound!

UTILIZATION

No-problem installation
-No problem of incompatibility
It is very easy configuration, the TotalMix requires a good half hour to be included (not so easy at first that the CueMix motu, but once assimil is very practical and ergonomic trs !)
- I have not opened the manual (I have a motu 2408 mk3 (very good card for that matter) when I was working with a tower, and I'm used to computer music for several Anns ... I immerse myself in need again later trs SPECIFICATIONS)

GETTING STARTED

- Trs stable drivers (0 bugg for now)
- Apparently they are being updated regularly, we'll see ...
- I am 512 buffer with SX2 because right now I only do audio and I use TotalMix (where it is unnecessary latency)
- For the moment I record 3 channels at once exprience but I'm not worried about being able to record 16 simultaneous carefree

OVERALL OPINION

-For 10 days, but not enough to get an ide enough prcise product!
"I do not like the fact that there have not indpendant knob for volume monitoring (I have a UB802 branch between the card and the amp to have a volume knob indpendant)
- I had one:
1st: 2408 mk3 (very good map, stable on a Dell Dimension 8300 and also on a Mac, but one suspects!) But since I'm on a laptop, I'm the s deal because it only works with a PCI card (also motu dvelopper will have a PCMCIA card that would make the same office that 424PCi for use on portable PC and Mac (as the Multiface! !) ide Good is not it!

2nd: Firepod (good converters pramplis but some colors (my ear) and not unlike the routing Presonus foretold when it was released! Presonus we lied??
Moreover Denfert that Aralis a test of the FIREPOD on AF, should make his test day because it is giving false information to our music site MEMBREX prfr (AF) as saying again: "A virtual mixing table to route any input to any output, and should make its appearance. We look forward to see ..." Dear Denfert, October 05 we are, you had to contact connatre presonus and a little more about you before you write anything! We have viterait of Energy Expenses useless!

=> The FIREPOD is unusable as a pice mistress of a studio (and I my words PSE) is a card troubleshooting but not a pro card, however there that see mdiocrit of drivers (a ds that cracks often charge a little number of tracks and a few plugs yet my config is specially computer music), nothing to do with RME or MOTU, Moreover, with the RME, without changing my config, the same title (quite heavy) will crack any more!

I ended up with was useless to talk any longer of the Firepod, it would make a PUB and it does not MRIT!

- Report quality Price: under trs good opportunities and sound (I pay a little more 1200 euros)

- If it is not fragile and the only time I will say, I choose the same referrer

RME if you read me, would it be possible to assign the Volume button Stereo headphone output (for a volume of Hardware Monitor). If possible via an update firmware has INTERESTED all owners of Fireface800. Thank you

Update: Premire SERIES of tests and measures on the FF800:
ftp://ftp2.fsms-paris.com/fsmspari/MEMOIRES/Samuel.tracol/dossier_tech_audio-fireface800-RME.pdf

Performance is generally Verify and confirm all the ads from the manufacturer.

One regret: the alignment of levels has a low possibility consquence back of "strong" levels (maximum +19 dBu!) Which can be quite professional Gnant in a configuration that is easy to see happen higher levels of ...

- Good quality of the clock. Synchonization in WC it seems to signal a redlivre he trs own: apparently a toilet out of some tables in the mix numriques s'avrerai insufisant electrical level (good output table but APRS 2 meter cable, you have to forget ...): the Fireface saved me a blow by providing a "regnrateur 'clock ...
- The standalone DCID me: the Fireface can run standalone (without computer) in a configuration that can come in the flash-boi box. This allows to use it as pramp indpendant-converter, or as numrique interface (ADAT to AES for example ...).

- The establishment of a Controller twelve o'clock on, but for now just gross dcoffrage, with little possibility of configurations shoots ... Too bad. (If anyone ever reads me ... RME)

UTILIZATION

Manual in English, but you can ask the importer en version (arbiter). (It could provide the standard ...) ->-1pts!

Getting Started with the total mix is ​​scary (GUI a bit overloaded ...-1pt!) To beginners but rvle a powerful tool trs routing.

GETTING STARTED

STABLE drivers (under win2k pc) has been a while since I had not think of as a. ..
Used with Samplitude and wavelab.

Most recent internship SHIFT RME constantly bring new features ... It has the luxury of on-board computer chip with a "house" (FPGA) programmable easy!

OVERALL OPINION

Use for beginners in September 2004.
Report quality unbeatable prices.
Quality of pramp / converters: I use to make of the classic, and it is more than adequate in terms of price vis vis the concurrency. For pramp / converters for micro heater, trs is satisfactory.

Converters, high-end
The 192-k
-Format firewire / adat
-Performance
Its inputs, outputs and especially many monitoring rm for pilots

, Connected behind one of my laptop, a hp p4 3000mghz
the goal is to build my fleet of production / mixing and live

compared with a 192L wamirack card I have and which is already admirable (but not perfect, the grain of the Fireface is gggranddddiose (+ dynamism, refinement in the grain, db .. enhanced treble sound even better , .. I am delighted

I'm out the 8-track outs in the wamirack 192k tracks directly in the Fireface .. the buffer is set to 512 by 192 k. ... live4 two (I do not pass through mixer)
I have to equip a second laptop p4 .., I'm saving for a second

UTILIZATION

Installing fun
I first go around on the net, I flashed the rack .. installed the updates
rocket science

I received a big spiral English manual .... and a booklet in french very clear .. congratulations for rm a very important detail

GETTING STARTED

On his first day everything is niquel

apparently the drivers are constantly updated in
.. I use-live4, reaktor5, REASON3

compared to the wamirack192 esi, buffer latency and latency of the soft ds Fireface is very very low .. unheard of

OVERALL OPINION

I love her rack
its power supply cable to computer format
what I like is that it not freeze when the sound goes from soft (Reason to its settings panel is strange .. for now

this is my best interface in terms of quality
I have a wamirack192l with very good converters, but also below the rms

I had an Edirol FA101 that I do not recommend ... because there is no listener edirol, followed by some drivers .. darling (600euros) .. but it is on design points important as the concerns of breath, the abscence of ergonomics laborious mix .. .. in short, all the OPOS F800

magifffique parcontre craft a flat ... it's so delicious that my laptop is bad ducoup the road

this interface is far from being super stable as the infallible wamirack
short repeated crashes .. alas

I am mixed on this point. because its price is expensive
(I use it in its entirety) except ADAT and word clock

A completely professional grade interface. I track live instruments with Neumann M149 tube, AEA R84, RE20, Rode and modified Shure SM 57s , all in a real studio through high end tube pres and 1950s vintage mic pres etc... This interface has phenomenal sound quality even at 44.1.

The multiple connections allow me to connect a Lexicon hardware digitally via SPDIF. I also use all my vintage tube gear - not only to track- but to mix as well in Logic pro in the same way as you use plugins..except they are the real thing! and with the same flexibility as a plugin. So if you desire to be able to use all your analog gear to mix in the box alongside your plugins simultaneously, this interface makes it happen and Logic pro 9 is set up for it, so it is very easy.

UTILIZATION

The clock is so good it has become the master clock in the studio. Clocking makes an audible difference in terms of audible phase shift harshness. I have not yet used the mic pres, as I have plenty of amazing vintage ones by Altec, UA, UREI, and a Buzzaudio MA2.2.

The headphone monitor volume is very powerful and clean. The overall sound -if coupled with Logic pro 9- approximates the sweetness of 30 ips Ampex tape in general character and vibe (at 44.1). At higher rates it becomes more" Hollywood soundtrack" in detail level and vivid transient response as well as dynamic range perception.


GETTING STARTED

getting started was simple, it actually suprised me with how easy it was.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I am shure it will sound very different depending on what DAW you have ( protools, nuendo, cubase all have their own sound character due to differing algorithms and design priorities.

But the great news is it's superb -smooth non ear-fatiguing- performance at CD quality 44.1.

I hope this gives an idea of how this unit performs in strictly professional circumstances (the studio has a IT 20 series II Furman balanced power supply conditioning) for very long hours at a time.

number of inputs and outputs, ADAT, quality preamps, stability

UTILIZATION

really stable, works like a real virtual table thanks to a TotalMix that bears his name, I'm working on iMac and I never had any problems

TotalMix at first glance a bit complicated but really great, reinjection, etc. ....

good preamp, very transparent and superb converters, beautiful bass definition

GETTING STARTED

simple
no paper manual, the French is in pdf format (remember to ask)

OVERALL OPINION

at first I thought I was over-equipped, all these inputs and outputs and everything went well filled up quickly because I opted to work in hardware, the convertos are waiting for you, TotalMix is super to configure its parameters and I run some knob in midi through BCN44 (notably the speaker volume)

headphone jack super hi-Z input, nice, really a pro product 

good, since I have convertos mytek, superb, but the Fireface does not fall shy

Centerpiece of my home studio!

Plugged into a PC that was already a little dated (Athlon 2600 + dual-body 2gig RAM ... etc)
It is connected to a Central Station, analog of course, to enjoy its excellent converters NA.   All with good cables. I returned several preamps, including a UA LA-610 and an SPL Gain Station. It is also connected to a Neutrik patch.

It is very well built and seems very solid. No surprise, the connection is Neutrik. Very abundant, also: 4 preamps with XLR or jack, 1 DI jack, 8 inputs + 8 outputs TRS lines, 16 I / O in ADAT, SPDIF, MIDI + Wordlclock. What to do!

I made 10 with the AES / EBU

Previously I had a Motu Ultralite, good interface, but also had become the weakest link in my home studio!

UTILIZATION

Drivers? A wonder! With the Motu I had no problem, but this one is 3 floors above! The 56 channels can be controlled by a console, the famous "Total Mix", and any input, any playback channel and are routable to any output with each other forever!

The card is fully configurable via its inteface soft and reacts in real time to any change! In addition, drivers are frequently updated.

Anyway ... Welcome to the professional world!

GETTING STARTED

Installation without worry, as it has never crashed!

the manual is a wealth of information!

OVERALL OPINION

The sound? Compared to the Motu Ultralite:
- In pure monitoring, basses are sharper, more vibrant and a little more clarity it seems to me.
- When recording a little more of everything. Clarity, presence, dynamic ...

The preamps are impeccable, but without particular color. It's pro but functional, period. Good dynamics and big transparency. They do not have the class of Gain Station, but that would be asking a lot!

In short, the great class! The converters are impeccable, the clock is reputable, the Firewire block is built by RME (these are the only ones doing this) in conjunction with excellent drivers! No wonder it runs! 3ms latency with harm to my PC, but with a powerful Bécanne power 1ms is achieved! Wow!

And it's made in Germany!

I was interested in the 2-Port ADAT to record a concert that was a part of a digital table. The Firewire 800 was indispensable because the 400 was not enough with my Vaio (cracks) at low latencies Used now with a mac book pro, so exclusively with Firewire 800. Very stable

UTILIZATION

The drivers are the most stable on the market. So I dare to use instead of a console for live (with cubase5 Pro9 and logic). Never had a problem until today.

GETTING STARTED

The total mix is highly efficient but quite confusing ... It still takes me 30 seconds to put the ideas in place before each use ... even after 4 years .. 

OVERALL OPINION

I love the quality converters ... the choice of the level of inputs and output (-10dB, 4dB, HiGain), the number of runs, the total power mix, especially the stable DRIVERS 

I like less the coldness and hardness of the preamp microphones (catastrophic when taken together with  a Neumann TLM 103) ... On the other hand, it gives definition to a live SM 58.

The quality / price ratio is very good given the confidence we have in the gear (it's so rare) during the various sessions