RME Fireface UCX - 36-Channel USB/FireWire Audio Interface
Features
- 18 Input/18 Output
- 2 Mic/Line Preamps with Phantom Power
- 8 Analogue I/O
- S/PDIF and ADAT I/O
- Wordclock
Description
The Fireface UCX from RME is a USB/FireWire digital audio interface that provides thirty-six channels of audio (eighteen inputs and outputs) with all channels available simultaneously. It features two, low distortion, digitally controlled microphone preamps with up to 65 dB of gain, excellent signal to noise ratio, and a flat frequency response. Each channel can be individually switched to deliver 48 V phantom power.
Two front panel TRS inputs can operate as Hi-Z inputs for plugging in up to two guitars or other instruments with no other hardware required. LEDs for signal, clip, and activated phantom power give a complete overview of the unit's status. AutoSet allows for digitally controlling the gain in the event of impending overload to prevent clipping the A/D convertor, while simultaneously not degrading sound quality that would occur if using additional analogue circuitry.
The included DSP-based TotalMix software mixer supports full independent routing and mixing of all eighteen inputs and output channels to all eighteen physical outputs. Up to nine independent stereo sub-mixes, plus a comprehensive control room section, offer excellent monitoring capabilities and routing flexibility. The software includes a complete effects engine with all effects available at all sample rates.
The per channel effects include three-band parametric AEQ, adjustable low cut filter, auto level, compressor, expander, MS processing and phase reversal. Reverb and echo effects are available for all channels via a stereo send and return bus. The effects section not only adds a lot of flexibility to the recording chain, but makes latency burdened recording obsolete. The main functions of TotalMix can be remote controlled via MIDI with any Mackie Control compatible controller.
Features
Interface
- Low latency mastering grade convertors
- Two microphone preamps using technology from RME's Micstasy and UFX interfaces, including the AutoSet overload protection
- Newly developed Hammerfall audio core, supporting maximum USB and FireWire performance and ultra-low latency operation, combined with excellent driver stability on both bus protocols
- TotalMix FX software with the complete Fireface UFX DSP engine, including all effects up to 192 kHz
- Monitoring Controller combines the flexibility of the TotalMix FX monitoring tool set and the optional remote control
- Support for the Advanced Remote Control
- DIGICheck metering and analysis toolbox for Windows and Mac
- Active jitter suppression technology
- SteadyClock allows for controlling the sample rate freely with a comprehensive choice of video and audio sample rates
- ICC (Intelligent Clock Control) displays clock status and will also retain the last valid input sample rate in case of failure of the external source
- SyncCheck offer a quick detection of clock problems
- Coaxial S/PDIF input/output at up to 192 kHz sample rate
- ADAT input/output expands the interface by eight channels, available simultaneously with the analogue channels, or used as optical S/PDIF
- ADAT supports sample rates of up to 192 kHz (S/MUX4)
- Wordclock input and output (BNC) with switchable termination
- Two high speed MIDI I/Os on breakout cable
- Functions stand-alone •Full 192 kHz operation
- Class compliant mode works with Apple's iPad for up to eight channel recording and playback
- Half rack unit
TotalMix FX
- Improved usability over previous version
- Improved control room section for the main output (studio monitors) and phones
- Cue for quick listening to other outputs
- Separated monitor panel
- Four mute, solo and fader groups each
- Switchable mono and stereo channel view
- Channel options including stereo width, MS processing, L/R phase
- Trim Mode adjusts the volume for all routed signals of a channel and allows for modifying the volume of all sends of a channel simultaneously, equalling a hardware's trim functionality
- Unlimited undo and redo
- FX sends and returns - one send bus for every input/playback channel with reverb/echo
- Expandable channel view for channel settings, AEQ and dynamics setup
- Slim channel mode for selected or all channels, to save space or give a metre bridge view
- Two-row mode reduces the height of the mixer to two rows for smaller displays
- Extended matrix window with mono/stereo mode, undo/redo, display of phase and mute
Specifications
Connectivity | USB 2.0 (USB 3 compatible) FireWire 400 |
Inputs | Analogue 2 x XLR/TRS Combo Microphone/Line (front panel) 2 x 1/4" TRS phone Balanced Line (front panel) 4 x 1/4" TRS phone Balanced Line (rear panel) Digital 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF 1 x TOSLink ADAT optical 1 x BNC Wordclock (75Ω with switch for internal termination) |
Sample Rate | 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz |
Gain Range | Microphone +65 dB Line 1-2 +65 dB Line 3-4 +12 dB Instrument +6 dB |
Input Level | Microphone XLR, 0 dB gain: +10 dBu XLR, +65 dB gain: -55 dBu TRS, 0 dB gain: +21 dBu TRS, +65 dB gain: -44 dBu Line 0 dBFS @ lo gain: +19 dBu 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV Instrument Lo gain, 0 dB gain: +13 dBu |
Input Impedance | Instrument 470kΩ |
Outputs | Analogue 6 x 1/4" TRS phone Balanced Line (rear panel) 1 x 1/4" TRS phone Line/Headphone (front panel Digital 1 x RCA coaxial S/PDIF 1 x TOSLink ADAT optical 1 x BNC Wordclock (75Ω with switch for internal termination) |
Output Level | Line 1-8, Phones 0 dBFS @ hi gain: +19 dBu 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV |
Output Impedance | Line 75Ω Line 7-8, Phones 30Ω |
MIDI | 2 x 5-pin DIN MIDI In (on breakout cable) 2 x 5-pin DIN MIDI Out (on breakout cable) |
Dynamic Range | Output 111 dB, 114 dBA @ 44.1 kHz (unmuted) |
THD | 100 dB, <0.001% |
THD + N | -96 dB, <0.0015% |
Signal to Noise Ratio | Microphone 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA Line In 111 dB RMS unweighted, 114 dBA |
Crosstalk | >110 dB |
Frequency Response | Input 10 Hz to 20.6 kHz, -0.1 dB @ 44.1kHz 5 Hz to 45.3 kHz, -0.5dB @ 96 kHz 5 Hz to 90 kHz, -1.0dB @ 192 kHz Output 5 Hz to 20.4 kHz, -0.1 dB @ 44.1kHz 5 Hz to 45 kHz, -0.5 dB @ 96 kHz 5 Hz to 90 kHz, -1.0 dB @ 192 kHz |
Display | CLIP LED: 0 dBFS SIG LED: -60 dBFS |
Power Supply | 9~18V DC via included power adapter |
Power Consumption | 12 W |
Drivers | PC Windows XP SP2, Vista, Windows 7 (32- and 64-bit) Mac OS X 10.5 or higher, Intel (Core Audio) |
Dimensions | 8.5" x 1U |
In The Box
- RME Fireface UCX - 36-Channel USB/FireWire Audio Interface
- External Power Supply
- 6 ft (1.8 m) USB 2.0 Cable
- 6.6 ft (2 m) TOSLink Cable
- Driver CD-ROM
Reviews
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James
Upgraded from an Apogee Duet to this cos I needed more in/outs. After experiencing Apogees shocking driver support, the Quartet was no longer an option. Their hardwares lifespan is about 5 yrs, after which time you'll need to upgrade your audio interface because I upgraded my Macs operating system which it didn't support. After doing some homework & scanning the forums, it seemed everyone was singing the praises of RME. I want an interface that lasts 10 years if I'm going to be shelling out some serious dosh, & these guys have hardware their drivers still support that's 13 years old! German made & built like a tank, (no WW2 puns intended) this things rock solid & works flawlessly.Read more Read less
Details
- Product: RME Fireface UCX - 36-Channel USB/FireWire Audio Interface
- Manufacturer: RME
- Model: UCX
- SKU: FIREFACEUCX
- RM Product #: 31046
- Warranty: 2 year manufacturer warranty