All user reviews for the RME Audio Fireface UFX

I was looking for a sound card can have many inputs and many outputs. This can by adding two additional converters to 30 entrées/30 outputs.
What I have today. I have a studio and loves all or redébrancher reconnect every time I record. Therefore, everything is plugged in simultaneously battery (10 microphones, three guitars, two basses, three songs, 1 keyboard + hardware)
All connected to a Mac with 16MB and Logic Pro 9 and Logic Pro X now.
Everything can be run at the same time and it does not ppose of resource problem.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable, no latency, the simple but effective effects a low memory if they are all used for all tracks at the same time.

GETTING STARTED

The installation is simple. But the configuration settings and need more refinements for this sounds really good. The manual is clear but not detailed enough in my opinion.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for over a year and NIOHC would do this without hesitation. this is the bomb

Getting to lodge itself in one rack unit 4 mic preamps (more correct), 8 line inputs, 1 and 2 AES Adat ... not bad.

8 line inputs are connected to two quad preamps, which gives me 12 mic in flight 4 U, any good classic pickup.

Any recent computer will work well with this interface because it takes both USB and Firewire.

UTILIZATION

RME drivers have a reputation for being very reliable and this is true regardless of the platform.
I use this interface mainly with Pyramix (PC) and also with Pro Tools (Mac).
In my case, latencies do not matter because I do not do rere and I hardly ever use returns for musicians.

GETTING STARTED

As with all RME interfaces, the first startup is fast, then the moment comes when one reads a bit to tour features.
These are high, especially with the integrated recording, a brilliant idea.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had a little over a year and I have gained enormously in space during my travels. The interface is nice. And then you can save a backup in case of trouble with the main station is a nice touch

A clear answer: its USB 2.0 connection

I previously used the Fireface 800 that gave me any satisfaction, apart from the issue of Firewire connection. This type of connection is endangered, and a good part of my work consisting of capatations Live disability that did not become more severe: almost no laptops equipped with Firewire, or even expansion slot for express card R34, I struggled to find a correct card and MSI LaCie, this set represents undoubtedly the weakest link in the chain. The USB 2.0 connection solves all

I use the 'UFX with a custom made preamp CRS 8 input table or sometimes Sonosax to 8 channels. 4 mic inputs of the UFX are efficient and seamless integration with other channels ... all line outputs from mixers are pluggées on the rear of the UFX and 12 analogue channels are stored on the sequencer Samplitude.
The PC is recording an MSI with 8GB Ram I running W7-64, audio streams are recorded on HDD Seagate 1TB connected via a USB 2.0 output.

The PC studio also run under W7-64 with an I7 and a Gigabyte motherboard with X58 chipset and 18GB of RAM.

Rating for this item: 9/10

UTILIZATION

The drivers are extremely stable, the site provides all RME SHIFT timely. So far, I am limited to 18 tracks in 24/88 without any difficulty.
Latency of 7 ms with a buffer size of 256 MB

I've never seen crackling, noise or other interference in relation to the size of the buffer. For projects exceeding 8 tracks, I wear the buffer size to 512MB by prudence, no more.

Rating for this item: 10/10

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done "like a breeze" ... In my case, I downloaded the RME website the latest drivers and firmware and everything went without difficulty anicroches.Aucune installation or incompatibility.

However, we regret a certain lack of intuitiveness in TotalMix FX: read a user manual is always useful, but here it is really necessary. And even after six weeks of intensive use, I would not swear that I master all the possibilities, huge it is true, TotalMix ..!

One difficulty comes from the interaction of the channel configuration between the sequencer software and TotalMix FX: you really think about what you are doing.

As the manual (English version / German AND French version) is very good, but I would say longer limited to a detailed statement of possibilities rather than a guide "Hands On" which would be useful for decision hand. However, for a good commentary on the connection to use for connections balanced / unbalanced: a wiring error and harmonic distortion increases significantly.

I would say a convenient summary and schematic commands as a card or flyer would be welcome!

Rating for this item: 7/10

OVERALL OPINION

I use the UFX for about 7 weeks. Before that, I worked daily with the RME Fireface 800 with great satisfaction and I have not tried other brands before deciding.

The +: quality converters

The - the price ... but the quality is paid and price / quality ratio is excellent.


With experience, you do again this choice?: Yes, certainly

Rating for this item: 9/10

What characteristics have motivated your choice? 8in / 8OUT analog + adat ports for future expansion, signal conversion and brand reputation.

For what purpose? I use it for my personal projects and to give courses of computer music.

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)? Mac Pro 8 cores / 10 GB RAM / 128 MB SSD + 1TB Sata

What instruments or systems (console, preamp, DtDs ...) the use and how you connect? I connect my external synth it with Klotz cable and microphone and monitors with Vovox. Note that the partners, via TotalMix, can cope with two pair of monitor and it is easy to switch from one to the other through the software interface.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable? Absolutely, I have no stability problem penny OS X 10.7.x (Lion)

How often are updated? I watch from time to time but it is known that RME monitors its products and its users and responsive.

What software do you use most often? Logic Pro 9

What you get lag? It depends on the project (size and configuration), Ubut average below 7ms

How many tracks do you manage to record / play simultaneously? I have not tested in this particular sense, but for now, I have not encountered any performance problem.

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problem? no installation problems, it installs, it reboots and it works.

Have you encountered any incompatibilities? no, no.

The general configuration is easy? Finger in the nose. The TotalMix is ​​very well designed, although one can always improve with a small function by here and there, but RME cares and has already evolved well done!

The manual is clear and sufficient? Yes, they are doing things in RME It is a manual, a real one.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it? I use it for 5 or 6 months intensively as I am every day from 6 to 8 pm at the studio.

What is so special that you love the most, least? The flexibility of the signal through TotalMix, the quality of the signal conversion, incidentally, do not overlook the cables, as with audio of this quality do not use cheap cables. Manufacturing quality made in Germany, neat and tidy.

Did you tried many other models before buying it? I had a lot of audio card in the past, one I kept for as long as it was the fire Creamware but back then I was on PC, but coincidentally, another German product. (In addition to working for the Service of France Creamware I knew them well).

How would you rate the quality / price? Quality to its price.

With experience, you do again this choice? Absolutely, in fact, I will soon add an ADI-8 DS (or QS, I would see this ...) to enjoy 8 in / 8 out further.

It's a product I HIGHLY recommend.

Digital audio interface with FW and USB2 port, with the menu:
- 12 analog inputs (4 line / preamp / DI / 48V phantom power), 12 analog outputs (including 2 stereo headphone outputs and XLR main output with adjustable front listening)
- 1 AES / EBU (XLR or optical port via ADAT2) + 1 AES output.
- 2 double ADAT ports (compatible SMUX2 and 96kHz and 192kHz is SMUX4) I / O
Or a total of 30 I / O @ 48kHz, 22E / S @ 96KHz and 18E / S @ 192kHz

DSP with compressor / expander, EQ 3-band + low cut filter for all the channels + 2 FX sends (reverb and echo) with possible return on all outputs. Loopback function to return directly to an input output (consumes one entry) without a patch or external cables.

LCD Control Panel (Setting possible in standalone memory + 8).

I am using bit DSP but it can be useful because I do not compress at tracking and in some cases, it is useful for the voice compressor for the comfortable listening of the musicians (mostly singers) and add some rvb .

Used in Snow Leopard (OS X.6) book with a Mac Pro @ 2.4GHz and 4GB of RAM.
Leopard (OSX.5.8) minimum is required to use the UFX.

I bought this model because it was the latest model released by GCR and I intend to keep for several years (thus upgrading capability with up to 30 I / O).

UTILIZATION

- No worries met either USB or Firwire (except over-consumption CPU FW on Leopard, which was settled by the support RME in 1 week). I even had trouble making a choice between one or the other (as used in FW may have a USB port on my Mac).

- Used primarily with PT9 (and a little Logic Express 9), no compatibility issues, although the buffer to 32 samples may not be recognized with PT9. It is really stable with a buffer of 128 samples and really comfortable to 512 samples.
Logic includes the feature that disables the monitoring software and can use the TotalMix FX instead. What does not (yet) PT9 (the total mix works but / / listening to PT9). Not a problem when working alone (it requires a small gym) but a little trickier with musicians.

- Drivers and firmware updated regularly. Product Support RME and effective listening and response.

- For DA converters, the sound is still finer, bass less flat than the slobbering Digi002.

- For the AD converters, I expected something "colder" and more "right". In fact, it's pretty "physiological" (but no loudness effect either) and therefore more musical. It may lack a bit of "body" in the lower midrange but I have not yet compared with other converters (RME ADI series or FF) or higher-end (Apogee, Lavry, etc.).

The background noise is very low (-110 dBFS) and easily measurable with peakmeter and / or the measurement tools that RME offers.

- For the preamp, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of onboard preamp into sound card. They are far from being ridiculous and are a real alternative in the face of external preamps (depending on the type of sound recording and microphone used). Similarly for AD converters (lack of "body") but it can be an advantage. Compared to Solo110 eg, the sound is less clear, punchy and raw (the 110 is quite distinctive and flattening at the bottom just med) but cons cleaner and finer.

Excellent on acoustic rhythm guitars and DI (electric guitar) or with a bass DI that this would be too aggressive and medium / colored. These 4 entries are also very good entries in lines (2 dB + eligibility compared to other entries 21dBu or 19dBu instead). They are also a plus for live recording (micro air / surround, stereo pairs, groups, etc.)

Again very low background noise, max gain of 65dB but generally static with microphones or DI, I ride the gain to about 35-40dB (50dB with M88TG).

- For the DSP effects:

Compressors are very transparent (if properly adjusted of course). They both compressor and expander (used as a gate).

The EQs are basic but are fine enough to be usable (no effect to aliasing in the treble). Necessarily easy to use by considering the size settings but widely usable.

The reverb and echo effects excited me less. Suffice, to send in the headphone for musicians (their role) or just help them live, but that's all.

We can save the track pre and post DSP but this setting is global for all tracks. The low-cut filter and phase inverter are included with the DSP effects (which is not always practical if you need to clean the rumble or eliminate the effect of proximity to decision).

- Total FX mix is ​​pretty damn good (as we understand the principle of premix) and allows a many (too many?) Possibilities. Each physical output can receive its own premix between direct inputs and software outputs.
So be careful not to listen twice to the same track under penalty of phasing effect see feedback.

Some outputs can be dedicated to listening as well as primary and secondary plays with headphones can cue any exit to the main outputs.

It can also control the TotalMix with a control surface (or generic MIDI MCU). This overcomes an external monitoring system (the 5.1 is not yet supported).

Today I can hardly do without analog patch (I also use the UFX digital patch which is rare and expensive external), console mix (premix headphones) and control system monitoring.

GETTING STARTED

No worries for installation. We must download the latest drivers on RME's site (updated frequently) and pay attention to the good match drivers / Firmwater.
Only drawback, you must use the USB to update the firmware and therefore must install both FW and USB drivers even if you only use the FW.

The manual comes with the interface (which is rare and practical) but in English and German only, and quickly became obsolete with updates.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall very satisfied.

Positive point: the general quality of the product (preamps), its many configurations, the product support.

Negative points: the price a bit high (1600-1700 euro would have been fair but it came out just last 2 months) especially since some functions will not serve everyone. The FF800 is a good alternative if you do not need to work with DSP or many inputs in high resolution (192kHz).

In this budget, I probably make this choice again, though at metric halo there are also good interfaces (but the 2882 starts to be a bit old). I acquired the UFX just before PT9 was announced and wanted to use it as a converter. ULN8 and was off-budget (and not ADAT). With PT9 and Vienna Ensemble Pro, the ADAT is less important. But the upgrade to the higher end line (MH ULN8 or Lynx Aurora) is not justified in my case (home studio).