All user reviews for the RME Audio Fireface UCX

I use this soundcard as the core of my home studio where I produce my music and mix and master songs for other people.
I also use it as MIDI interface for my synths, an also to record them with Live.
I use Live 9 to produce my music and Reaper for mixing and mastering and this card works fine in any situation with my two workstations.

I chose it specially for TotalMix FX, which allows you to do complex routings and access a very good EQ and compressor without using the PC's processor.

UTILIZATION

Very stable drivers, both with Live and Reaper. The overall latency of 7ms is imperceptible (for example, playing a guitar plugged directly into the card and using headphones to not disturb the neighbors, hahaha).

GETTING STARTED

Very easy installation, as well as the overall setup, no incompatibilities. The TotalMix software might make you scratch your head in the beginning, but you'll get it fast enough.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using it for a bit over a year now (I used to have an FA-66, a Native Instrument Audio Kontrol, which I still use live because it's super sturdy, and also a MultiMix 8) and it is perfect for all my needs, besides having an excellent performance (compared to the other soundcards I mentioned, the difference in terms of audio quality is flagrant).

TotalMix FX is a big plus due to its routing prowess and its quality DSPs.

It's not cheap, but you know what you are getting.

I'm not an easy guy when it comes to buying gear! I like to take my time, nose about everywhere and ask everybody questions! I previously had a Firebox (my first soundcard)! I had just gotten my first monitors (KRK) and didn't have much money! I opted for a low-budget card (about $400). As time went by, my home studio grew! It was about time to move on to serious things! I had some spare money, so I made myself a treat! Watch out, the plane has left the gate! In terms of quality, it's like a dream come true! I can record in my room as if I were in Abbey Road! Everybody works with RME now! I see it everywhere!

Personally, I don't use ADAT (fiber optics) nor SPDIF! I only use the jacks!

It's not bad via USB, it works quite good! With the condition that you don't connect it to a USB hub, unless you connect it to the grid! Because it is self-powered by the computer, which is cool!

With Firewire it blows my mind, but modern computers use this format less and less!

UTILIZATION

I work with Reason Record! I have guitars (acoustic, electric, e-bass, cello), a Moog Slim Phatty, an MPC 2000XL! So I'm über-happy with the sound of the recordings! It goes up to 192,000Hz!

No updates or anything else needed every month!

GETTING STARTED

The installation is not too complicated.

I still use windows xp on my desktop computer! The MIDI function doesn't work! Although I haven't updated it, because I'm afraid nothing will work then! But on my laptop Pc running windows 8 everything works correctly, I also tested it on a mac and it works fine!

OVERALL OPINION

+ The sound quality
+ USB and FireWire!
+ 192000Hz!
+ The preamps with input and output compressor! Yes, gone are the days when the films I download sound louder when there's action and softer when there's only dialog ^^)

- It lacks pots on the front panel!
- The software (it resets to default when you press F4, F5, etc. And they are the keys to change windows on Reason Record! So if you are working with headphones because you girlfriend is asleep, you'll have lots of fun!

It's expensive but its quality is really good.

I had a babyface and had the need of a light and quality interface for mobile recordings and live.

UTILIZATION

RME, my love... the optimized drivers are the most stable on the market.
w7 64bit + i5 8gb, I can easily get down to 3ms of latency!

GETTING STARTED

I still haven't looked into every feature of TotalmixFX, but given the possibilities it's very powerful and versatile.
I still haven't tried to connect it to an ipad or a linux system, but it looks promising!

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for a month, my purchase was well-thought-out and I think it's gonna last.
You can't demand much more from such a small unit.
And if you ever need more, there's the UFX... Twice the inputs with full RME quality.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

Converters! Price.

Which instruments and systems (console, preamp, DTD ...) you use it and how connections? ...
Logic, machinedrum, AT4040 microphone jacks for audio, Presonus Bluetube preamble, MPC and synthesizers ...

For what purpose?

Audio recording, midi.

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard, ...)?
Mac Pro 8-core 16GB SSD Hard Drives
Os 10.7

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?
Yes no worries

What software do you use most often?
Logic and live for inspiration

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

Generally between 30 and 40 tracks. But I never pushed to max ...

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?
Yes

The general configuration is easy?

Yes, however it is a logic that can destabilize the beginning but once grip is Ok

The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

Not have the opportunity to bone up ... But I have to find solutions to my problems quite easily.

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
For 8 months.


Have you tried many other models before buying it?
I owned an audio delta m pci port and an apogee duet ... I kept!

What is the particular feature you like best and least?

The command is good and it comes with a long cable that allows you to configure workstation.
The ability to move the mouse (control volumes, the input level etc. ..)
However the inputs on the rear panel are close enough ... I had to change my race cables to make it shine.

Converters of high quality!

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

Correct. Yes, but I look for a universal audio which allows for the famous plugins ... only downside price!
In addition, the rms is provided with two or three nice effects (compressor, reverb and chorus)

Excellent features but no MIDI control with a sequencer (DAW).
For those who don't agree with my opinion: It can be useful for people who need MIDI automation, be tolerant!

UTILIZATION

No MIDI control,so it's useless in my studio.

GETTING STARTED

Very simple connections.

OVERALL OPINION

Excellent unit, BUT...
After assigning the Fireface MIDI inputs/outputs in the DAW and arming the track, Totalmix sends no MIDI messages: The MIDI track remains empty and the MIDI message VUmeter doesn't move.
I tried all sorts of configurations, with and without MIDI cables: It's impossible to transmit MIDI messages between Totalmix and the DAW.

RME ─ who is very active in the forums ─ has no intention of developing this function.
Bummer!

I was looking for much more than my entry-level quality materials, with a constraint: use Linux as much as possible, because I have multiple operating systems including FedoraCCRMA, ubuntustudio, Tangostudio and KXstudio, and other time time experimentation.
I only used because there is everything you need in preamps, phantom and inputs of all kinds for instruments, microphones and power lines including optical digital.
For now, only a little midi keyboard with virtual synth for my home studio is in the works, but I is electric guitars, piezo, low active / passive, and various acoustic instruments with a microphone Rode NT2A. the number of physical inputs enables stable for each of my instruments wiring, simplifying management studio I hope. I will update after restarting the studio.
My configuration: Ordinary VAIO 2010 64-bit, 8GB of RAM, two processors, external drives with USB 2.0. and Windows 7 X64. The sequencer is Reaper in general, except Linux: Qtraktor, Audacity, under Qjackcrtl JACK.

UTILIZATION

Windows drivers are stable, provided to avoid plugging and unplugging hot, she loses control. Management software are delivered with more than stable, but require a little practice to understand, we are dealing with a full console routing, not a single sound card "IO".
I have not reached the limit playback / recording, but 35 tracks effortlessly read with some VST effects at the same time do not fear him visibly.
For updates, I do not know, buying is still new, it has had an update.
As for using Linux DC (USB2.0 compatible) mode, it comes up with a little practice and savvy to put in CC mode, but drivers "class compliant USB 2.0" for my Linux distributions need a patch that I have not been able to find. In short, it is recognized but does not work. AAARRRGGGHH!
So, not possible to measure the latency and capabilities in Linux, which would have been nice and would have allowed me to test listening too, or the number of tracks etc.. I look forward to updates version hoping the best on that side.
I put great only as regards Windows.

GETTING STARTED

Easy installation with the supplied CD, or the executable downloaded from the manufacturer's website.
General configuration easy with software:. A "settings" for the buffer settings, sample rate etc, the other "TotalMix" for routing, effects, mixer in all its forms.
Incompatibilities: yes but for once the fault of Linux and ALSA bug that covers all class compliant USB 2.0, so all hardware specifications USB2.0. There will be no better off with another manufacturer.
The manual is clear and sufficient in English, 102 pages still quite dense but useful. For Francophones only they can usefully refer to the manual sister UFX, which exists in French and corresponds to almost everything, including routing, Totalmix and its uses. More.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had a few months, but I use it in the studio at the moment. I had a Multimix USB4 two Line6 Toneport before and I have not tried anything else before buying.
Like most sound clarity: with the computer speakers can already hear a difference and clarity in my own mix that I did not hear before, and with the studio monitors or headphones, the listening crystal. I guess (and hope) that future recordings will benefit from the clarity and I can get better at recording and mixing. Too bad for Linux, it is shredded for now, but again, this is not the fault of RME ... Although the specifications of public driver, or a Linux driver, considering the price, it would not be well received.
In terms of money, I'm not disappointed but I can not compare, with no other materials of the same range. At the same time, for these kinds of opportunities, not to mention the sound quality, though a bit subjective, routing, number of input / outputs including digital, I feel there is a good value.
With experience, I would do this choice, I feel like a little gem interface, this is the first time I material of this quality and it feels good.

I made a hardware change, with a resale fireface400 for UCX, for use USB (over firewire).

Being very satisfied with the 400, I went by the new model from RME. I use all the connections, analog + digital, and everything works nickel.

I like the ability to use the effects of the card live, I use including compressor and high-cut (gate), and even a little reverb if needed.

Use + live recording. The TotalMix is ​​excellent to handle everything!

UTILIZATION

Super stable drivers - use with Reaper.

GETTING STARTED

Installation super quick and relatively simple.

Detailed manual and despite the complexity, we found it easily.

OVERALL OPINION

Use for 4 months (but before 6 years fireface400).

Not tried anything else, it fits my needs well.
I love TotalMix and the possibility of using the standalone unit.

2 preamps I would have liked more, it not eat bread

Good quality / price ratio, even if we would ever!
I remake this choice, or maybe I'll take the model above (UFX).

The Fireface UCX is an USB interface that is made by RME. This interface is extremely low latency and caused no issues with using it on my Windows PC running Vista. This interface gives 36 channels of audio and each channel can be used at 1 time. But up to 8 analog and 10 digital channels can be recorded on 18 different tracks.

UTILIZATION

Setting this interface up was not hard, but it does take a little more time than your average interface because it is loading up the drivers and software. The low latency converters are great on this interface, I have read bad reviews in the past of people saying that the latency was an issue for them and RME has not done a good job with this interface but to me the converters are great!

GETTING STARTED

The sound quality when using this interface is top notch, there are A/D and D/A high quality converters on all of the Ins and Outs up to 192 kHz. The best thing about the quality is that it will not color your sound, and it will not lose quality on your sound. It will record exactly what you give it, so having a good microphone is crucial when working with this interface. This interface sounds great but it does nothing magical, you will still need to have a good microphone and room acoustics to get the best possible quality. But when paired with a good microphone this interface is one of the best out!

OVERALL OPINION

The price of this interface is pretty high but it is well worth the sound. The microphone and instrument preamps are excellent and all of the channels have switched 48V phantom power with LEds on the unit for clipping and signals. There is nothing not to like about this interface, I say make the investment in purchasing this because you may not need to ever purchase another interface after you get the Fireface UCX.

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UTILIZATION

View global opinion

GETTING STARTED

View global opinion

OVERALL OPINION

I do not often leave reviews on AF but I think this product deserves to be recognized at its fair value!

Interface with high quality preamps also very very good build quality and RME really superb!
The UCX also allows access to the USB or Firewire (useful when you see the new mac book pro for example) and I do not regret paying a bit more for this option (as opposed to CUs Only USB memory).

The program is simple to use TotalMix and complete the RME converters are really good, in short I am very happy with my purchase (made about 6 months ago).

I would recommend the product to anyone wanting a pro interface and works well with a good quality / price ratio, it is reliable and well made with a very good audio quality (after if you want to thousands of dollars in the prism do not deprive yourself if you can afford it ).

The characteristics - see website rme
My goal was to make an upgrade to my studio, including a new PC and a new sound card with a level above the previous (M-Audio Delta 66) both in terms of the number of inputs / outputs as quality point of view.
The specifications being:
-Stability
Latency-equivalent to PCI
-A top quality conversion
The preamps-good quality - good suffisemment to make choices is taken
One possibility-control monitors
After extensive research, the UCX is the only option I've found, especially the latency score equivalent to USB PCI. But it was also to include remote monitoring of output level.

UTILIZATION

Installation - trivial.
Stability RME - copy.
Latency with buffer 128 - input: 3.5 ms, output: 3.9 ms -> mission accomplished (used in USB 44.1kHz).
I used the latest drivers and latest firmware.
My machine is beefy: i7 3770, 8GB RAM, SSD, windows 8-64 bits.

GETTING STARTED

see above

OVERALL OPINION

While talking about the principal: the sound.
After reading moultes reviews and opinions on the interest to upgrade its converters. Does ca means? justifies the difference does the price etc ... I was curious to see the effect. Result: the difference is obvious. More details in the sound, more potato, bass and more defined herein. It is as if a veil was regulator. And I want to clarify that the difference is obvious even using the DA only: playing with virtual synthesizers only.
It is important to clarify that my monitors were qualibres depending on the piece of way to obtain the frequency response as flat. I imagine someone trying to evaluate ca with HP stereo, in which case the difference is insignificant. In short, the answer is: ca worth it, but there are steps to respect essential preliminary before making a change in sound card.

These are the converters and the total mix that motivated my choice. I had a Presonus FireStudio mobile just before ... Day and night! I finally find what I falait for my chain after its long years.

I use it with a hp pavillion pc 2.10ghz, 1 GB RAM, 2 dual core 64, 32 bits, a preamp GainStation an SPL, a voice over works from TC Helicon, behringer speakers monotoring (entry level) , microphone mxl v67g, tt1 prodipe.

I use it for recording vocals only.

1st Test: brilliant! I discover a new horizon!

UTILIZATION

For the moment no problem of drivers are very stable probably among the best.

As software, I am on Studio One, Audacity, Magix music maker hip hop.

I did not try the number of simultaneous tracks but there is no secret, the PC is more powerful and has more memory you have of tracks.

Level latency, with a buffer of 256 I was 6 ms in and out, and buffer 128 has a 3 ms in and out also. And remember that latency depends primarily on your system on the PC.

GETTING STARTED

For the instalation, very easy, you plug it all (before turning on the pc), pc is switched + interface, we inserted the CD and AC drives.

Yes the setup is very simple even if everything is in English. No incompatibilities within minutes you're done.

OVERALL OPINION

I depui one day, I made the first test today and it is very conclusive.
I had a presonus Firestudio who ridiculed by the beauty ucx Fireface! It is well worth the more expensive interfaces. The sound is clear, limpid, transparent is a good momentum for very beautiful recordings I am very satisfied anyway.

Pros: converters -> amazing! a signal pure and natural. Nice round and transparent, and even gentle enough, simply qualté professional. Probably the best converters in this price range

The Pre -> the slap! I did not expect such a quality preamps waoouuw!

Total mix a little difficult at the beginning but with knowledge we found it quickly and it is very good.

I remake that choice without hesitation.

Well if you want quality, must pay the price.

Purchased in order to change a configuration Live aging and heavy to carry, I focus on finding a map are reliable, small, open and efficient.

Everything is now connected to a laptop with Cubase 5 ASUSTEK N56V.

The goal is to replace our two PC Live (Sound & Video) by one .... I will update this notice as soon as I turned the whole well and verified that everything is stable when the PC is turned Cubase (6 tracks + plugs) and Resolume (VJ real time)!

UTILIZATION

For the moment, apart from a small problem in display TotalMix that is quickly resolved by going to find the info on the RME forum (I give you the way if you have bugs: in TotalMix, présez F2, and window at the bottom uncheck "Use D2D") the whole is very stable in its config only with a latency of 3 ms ...

Very old card user EMU 1820 ... I got scared seeing the interface TotalMix ... but in fact we found it very quickly and is easy to configure several config for its use (live, recording, ecuote headphones, listening monitors ...).

The only complaint the basic remote, it does not do much of anything and you can not program the two buttons ... at least for us, she will do well by allowing its use with a hand mixer set on its own level of click in the headphones!

GETTING STARTED

Apart from the display in bp indicated above TotalMix: RAS.

Even a firmware update is super easy! RME and the site is currently updated regularly.

The manual is in English and German ... but it is doing quite well
in half an hour you take your marks and must confessed that it is flexible enough to use!

Cohabitation with the PC sound card Asus is going very well ...

OVERALL OPINION

Used for a month, no problem.

It's expensive, but it works and it sounds!

To be continued with an update of that opinion after testing its config and videos and the first true live in!

What characteristics have motivated your choice? The converters

I use it with a slice neve LB + 1073 + 1073 LBEQ Lunchbox

taken for Singing and guitars

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable, I first installed the USB drivers and then Firwire
more often they are updated.
I use Protools with 10

GETTING STARTED

I had to reinstall protools to correctly use the map

The general setup is easy and the manual is clear and sufficient, but in English

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a week
the most is the sound quality the least, no master volume on the map to the Phone and not the general. Everything is managed from a TotalMix
I had already tried an M-Audio ProFire 2626
Price / quality ratio, Very expensive!
With experience, I would do this choice

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