All user reviews for the RME Audio Fireface UC

RME's reputation, the desire to move to a serious sound card after trying many models of entry-level and mid-range.
I use a macbook 2.2 ghz 2007, 3GB Ram, 500GB HD and 7200T / m.
I use it on stage for Live 8 and drive a sampler, and at home for models or record tracks final.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable,
J'utlise Live 8, and rarely Logic.
I record rarely more than 2 tracks at the moment, and I read a 20taine with plugs in all directions.
I'm not aware of updates to drivers.
In terms of latency I have obtained a very low, but I had a problem with a project a little loaded, but my computer is full!

GETTING STARTED

The installation caused me problems at first because I did not understand the need to turn the knob so that the card is in AP (for Apple), it was invariably on the PC.
Since no worries, it remains for me to manage the total mix, by the way I want to know how to route to get the headphone on an output (7 / 8) and listen to another (1 / 2) for example.
I have not encountered a conflict and I'm not too checker the manual!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since the early 2011, I have tried many cards before: Edirol, Presonus Firepod one, an inspiration, Motu, an Mbox mini, in no particular order, and there is no picture at all levels of RME is well above the quality of catch, stability, etc ...
I love the sound, flexible routing, the quality of converters, different connectors ...
It's a bit expensive but good, and I will redeem it first instead of procrastinating, with intermediate models that eventually resell ...

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

Side in a small Swiss army knife half-rack. Everything is there: 2 CMOP quality preamps, analog I / O, I / O ADAT / SPDIF, Word Clock, 2 MIDI I / O ...
I also wanted a nickel finish and especially a serious and worry-free brand, which provides regular updates of its drivers and meet the technical service. They are few and RME is one of them.

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard ,...)?

Mac Book Pro dual core 2.2 gz (old model)

With which instruments or systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) do you use the connection and how? ...
For what purpose?

Output: Connected on a pair of headphones monitor + monitoring + other headphone when I do a voice session.
Input: two microphones, one for the vocalist / singer for a talkback.

It may seem under-used, but I like the idea of ​​being able to meet almost any situation.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?

Yes

They are often updated?

Yes, really not worry about that.

What software do you use most often?

Ableton Live, Logic

How many tracks you get to record / playback simultaneously? ...

For now, I'm just taken the voice, so a track.
However, I have heard it read usb, the Fireface no more than four tracks beyond 44.1kz. I have not tried it so I do not confirm.

What you get lag?

My computer is rather feeble and is still subject to the cleat plug-ins, so I'm always up latency, even when I made my voice (I use the time lag on the mode 0 Total Mix).

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems? Have you experienced any incompatibilities? The general configuration is easy? The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

Yes

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?

6 months

Have you tried many other models before buying it?

Apogee Duet

What is so special that you like most and least?
The overall quality: everything is good, preamps, converters, word clock. In addition, it works without any problem. I have not much to complain, but I have not pushed to its limits.
If we had to say a least it would be the only notched button to control everything and the lack of level meter. Nevertheless, I control via midi and it works very well.

How would you rate the quality / price? With experience, you do again this choice? ...

The value for money is excellent, and in this range, I would do this choice.

What motivated my choice are quality converters, low latency and move on something really pro.

UTILIZATION

Drivers-very stable
"I use the Fireface with Fl studio 9 software xxl, cubase cubase sx 2 and 5 (no worries on these 3 software, everything works fine once you get everything configured properly.
-I recorded a track so I can not really speak to ca. Having said that I read at least 40 tracks simultaneously tranquillou
"I get it a latency of 6 ms, which is very good.

GETTING STARTED

Installation on Windows 7 is a little galley because you have to install everything manually, but once we found the manip gonna fast (but well before finding the manip ... lol)
No incompatibility. The manual is quite clear, although in English.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 months. Before acquiring the Fireface I had a Line 6 UX2 then Edirol FA-101.
+ What I like is the quality of the converters, low latency, mic preamps clear and transparent so that the top level of the headphone output. What I like least ... lol probably the price, 849 euros for a small audio interface it's still relatively expensive, but hey, hopefully the quality is there ...
The value for money is good but not excellent, I think it is expensive for what it is. I think at 650 euros it would have a value for money excellent.
I remake that choice without hesitation.

It is an external audio interface connected by USB2.

It has 8 inputs and 8 analog outputs.

The entries are as follows:
2 XLR Mic inputs with 48v power supply and gain control
2 instrument / line inputs with adjustable gain and impedance (in jack 6.35)
4 balanced line inputs (jack in 6.35)

And outputs:
6 balanced line output jack (6.35)
2 x line / phone unbalanced (stereo mini jack)

There are also 16 digital inputs / outputs and 2 ADAT optical inputs / outputs have AES-EBU SPDIF cinch.

So a total of 20 inputs / outputs.

Here is a short description.

For more info, the site of EMR:
https://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_uc.php

UTILIZATION

Installation on Windows XP is automatic.
I did once installed and since then no problem.
Everything works nickel.

on the other hand, Windows 7, you must install the drivers "by hand".
The automatic installation is blocked by Windows security.

No problems in recording and playback

I have not yet registered more than two tracks simultaneously.

on the other hand, no problems playing more than 20 audio tracks in the mix.

The drivers seem stable in the 2 systems. No problems for 2 weeks of use.

I get to have a latency of 7.5 ms and 7.5 ms recording playback, so 15 ms in total, which I think is not bad considering the number of entries available.

GETTING STARTED

I found this really easy to use interface.
I had a creamware pulsar which worked very well (PCI) but needed a storm of neurons in each new project.
The software that drives the EMR are really intuitive and easy to use.

The converters seem at least as good as those of creamware, if not better. I have not yet had time to get a true opinion on this subject.

The manual (in English and German) is very comprehensive. It must be possible without them if you know already what type of stuff.

OVERALL OPINION

After 2 weeks of use in home studio, I'm really happy with this card yet.

It remains to explore use live, and to really judge the quality of the converters.

It's still expensive materials for non-professional, but it certainly is a sustainable investment. The production looks good.

chose me at the USB due to the death of firewire and insurance, in light of the seriousness of the mark, having something of reliable and stable.
I had an Alesis io2 so look good in front ...
I use a macbook pro that has 3 years, a 2.4 GB intel core duo two, a MD421 and a B1 and I discover the true potential of these two microphones as well as my G2 KRK 5.

UTILIZATION

drivers are stable even if with logic, the CPU resources are consumed faster (I have the minimum required config for the card) and I had to learn that we need to send the tracks on different buses to divide history the effort of each heart.
AC once assimilated, how happy!

I get to play 30 tracks with 3-4 effects without problèmes.Je can not talk about input latency accurately but I must say that I can put effects and recording without noticeable latency even on a big project as previously mentioned


GETTING STARTED

I have not had to worry especially if it is that we must not rush during installation:
if you do not read the leaflet, or at least the beginning, we pass beside the fact that we must configure the card between mac and pc ... after that it ride
I tried it with my interface osx 10.5 and Win XP Pro and Nuendo and nickel is

English manual but comfortable grip to start with a minimum of savvy and dig it after his English

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using a mois.j adore its integrated preamps (I had an Alesis io2 DMP3 + m-audio) that have power without blowing side to me.
I do not spend my time fixing my sound sources with eq or add gain and has therefore to optimize the blast but my mix which is a breeze thanks to the card and its preamp and output monitoring that low or high volume remains faithful.
Now, I spend 4 times less time to record, mix ... thank you rm.

Quality is paid, I went plaisir.je discovers the Middle Ages to 21th century

I did not really step back and am not able to compare with something like that but when I compose, I am concerned over the technical aspect and do not feel anxious about my mixes rehearing other than my castle ...
In conclusion: expensive but damn good. I only recorded 3 tracks simultaneously, but it works nickel.
alesis io2 is dead, long live rm uc!

external sound card usb 8 inputs (2 XLR microphone jack and the rest)

UTILIZATION

home studio in the living room! Taking his voice and acoustic guitar

GETTING STARTED

Impec

OVERALL OPINION

Here's a pop rock song where the voices are recorded with a microphone and Fireface UC AT http://www.hsbox.fr 4040 of my site. You can download it to listen to other media via download on the bottom of the webpage. The sound is raw, I applied a compressor limiter and reverb (a low level). But the raw sound is clean, it's crazy!
I did not have the means to do things with such a quality home. It really is a card that is worth its price! Go for it!
Cons by the manual is not in French and some gear such a shame ... c sharp forums Audiofanzine!

Need a card receiving converters with good possibilities for routing large soources whatever the input. I use it with a keypad, micro and sonar.

I wanted the USB so you do not have any problem related to the crash of incompatbilité chispset firewire encountered very often on the notebook with firewire also begins to disappear

I am running vista 32.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are of course as usual with RME, completely stable. Nothing to say about integration into your machine whether in terms of ergonomics, stability or latency. on the other hand card gets very hot but I guess that RME has designed the card and knowing that this has no effect on the functioning and the lifespan of the card.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is not as simple as other interface where you can just double click on an executable to implement everything, but there is not enough to repel any user either.

The manual is in English and must mail the bill to the French distributor to send you the translated version. When you receive it will be the manual of the Fireface 400. However, there are some differences. Moreover, the translation is word by word. So I find it very average for an interface at this price.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months but I had a multifaceted for several years.
In the same price range, I tried the MOTU which has more possibilities for plug-in and has excellent converters. However, I prefer RME which delivers a bit more fishing output, particularly at the headphone particularly low for MOTU. In addition, there is an option synchroniqtation Automatic clock in RME. So for the numerical advantage to EMR.

Here where I want to make a rant is quality preamp EMR. If they are good, the fact remains that they do not replace a preamp 500. Indeed, RME shows a gain of up to 65db. Or from 35db, the breath begins to become unbearable to be heard beyond. My card is left in the VAS and the finding is "normal operation". So forget the use of micro dynamics.

Pity that this price we can benefit from universal preamp and quality. But if that were the case, what would be the purchase of a separate preamp?

Last point, I regret the lack of plug ins and effects so that all competitors offer today, and some are of quality. there is not even low cut filters on the preamp.

To conclude, this is the best interface and you will be fulfilled for the functions they perform. But do not expect a card that does everything. it does not exist.

I put him 1O as a simple audio interface but I weighted my overall rating because of the preamp, the manual and the absence of certain treatments.

Tired of me struggling with compatibility issues of any kind (drivers, firewire chipsets ...) I opted to buy this sound card that offers good performance.
I work in live performances and I need an equipment performance, portable, reliable, robust.
The Fireface UC appears to meet all my expectations.
I have two config (2 laptops) a small tablet PC and a tx2670ef Toshiba Qosmio X500

UTILIZATION

unlike anything I had heard so far, the installation at home (and on the two configs) to require manual detection and restart.
This little contretemps was not prohibitive since after the restart everything was set so as nickel and does not seem to move (I bought it yesterday, so it's a bit early to judge).
20aine tested on a track with 4 or 5 plugs a little greedy, this does not seem to flinch (besides just being the creation of a new runway where it seemed to me to observe some crackling). I'm not descended minimum latency but at the penultimate step (128 sample I think).

GETTING STARTED

The total mix is a true bonheur.Il is complex and very clear at once. Everything can be routed in all sens.On can monitor the inputs outputs, choose what you want in the headphones ...
It's really very pro equipment.
Too bad there is no manual in French.
I put a little time to understand the functioning of the single notched button that adorns the front but once he got it is very convenient.
Too bad we can not switch the phantom power from the front.
Coming

OVERALL OPINION

to acquire this gear I could not give an opinion too developed.
However, I have long worked with two card presonus (FIREPOD and firebox).
I can not say that these cards are bad but they do not compare with the Fireface uc (not the same money either). The problem was that the two presonus not working on my tablet pc (to the point where I abandoned the idea of making audio) and not working well on my toshiba. What was my satisfaction when I saw that the Fireface works perfectly on both configs!
Finally I mention the sound quality. I did not recognize my fender when I plugged the card. She had an incredible punch! The isolation of these old guitars unsatisfactory I also have a big problem of buzz.
it has completely disappeared with the tablet PC and have only the residual qosmio (the screen is a 18.4 inch I take it must result in a strong induction). I do not understand the reason for this but this improvement is significant.
I also quickly tested a condenser microphone Oktava mk012 I must say that the result is stunning.
In short I do not regret having broken my piggy bank. Finally

I was looking for a usb card for my laptop (ASUS GigRAM I7 8) I use to mix or make some nomadic taken Cubase 5 64-bit. I have a big PC configuration and I wanted something comparable quality in top (drivers, product, connection, preamps, features etc.).. So I turned to the youngest of RME.
What is missing in the map? Perhaps an input / output XLR AES, but the rest is exactly what I need. So 9 out of 10. Super

UTILIZATION

drivers - very stable with very low latency in cubase in 24/48. I have not yet reached a limit of the runway.

GETTING STARTED

Is plug and play. Issue.Avoiding no manual? What for?

OVERALL OPINION

I use since the summer of 2010 coupled with a small pair of Genelec 8020. I had some very bad experiences with a map in HD96 MOTU FireWire or my desire to return to the USB (pending a new protocol under Gigabite?).
I like everything about this card, so nothing to redire.Si I knew I might be expected that all vouveau flagship EMR so ...

Any disconnects

UTILIZATION

Max msp ok ok ableton, reason

GETTING STARTED

ok too simple, a hamster is able to install it!

OVERALL OPINION

In three words: "This card disconnects!" Ultra stable on both Mac and PC, and especially a large dynamic range, and a stereo field phew! Compared to my old m-audio 24/96, there is no picture ....
The only Knob is very practical, while you control 2-stroke 3 movements, input, output, ADAT in / out ...
It disconnects

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

preamps and converters of high quality, total mix, connections, usb.
overall quality of the card.

With which instruments or systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) and you use the connection with what? ...

micro studio project, Schoeps, Neumann, Sennheiser, Oktava ...
different MIDI devices.
Sound Devices preamp, rm

For what purpose?

classical music recording, film post production (monitoring, voice over, dubbing, sound effects), home studio

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk ,...)?

pc, Win XP, AMD 4core, 4G ram (I work on a PC dedicated only to her, absolutely stable. I have another PC for the rest.)

UTILIZATION

Drivers Are Stable ?

yes

They are often updated?

enough

What latency you get?

set to 256 samples (can not go below my configuration with no audio clip)

7 ms input
6 ms output

What software do you use most often?

5 and protools cubase but unfortunately not with my rm

How many tracks do you manage to record / playback simultaneously? ...

since I, was not beyond: 38 audio tracks, 7 for MIDI and a lot of automation.

GETTING STARTED

Installation is it not working?

yes

The general configuration is easy?

yes but it is a pro card, it must therefore have a basic understanding of audio

The manual is clear and sufficient?

yes but in French, it would be even better

OVERALL OPINION

For how long have you been using it?

2 months

Did you try many other models before getting this one?

Motu, RME, Tascam and all digidesign

What thing do you like most/least about it?

+ Preamp (which contrary to what I read does not blow, it's blowing the microphones and preamps as his powerful (65db max) they amplify the breath of the microphones.)
+ Excellent converters
+ Total mix (great, more opportunity to escape back headphones with a different mix every time.) (It replaces a mixer much more expensive)
+ Full connectivity and sufficient for my use
+ Reliability, quality workmanship
+ The line out his powerful enough to plug headphones in dubbing, I plug 4 headphones without problem.
- A single hardware button for the settings (in stand-alone is not practical at all)
- Display on the interface (same reasons)

What is your opinion about the value for the price?

to get out but after the 850th, quality and versatility its there, it's very upscale and fully completed for which it is made. Compared to the stuff I see in the studio much more expensive, it does not have to blush.

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?

absolutely