RME Fireface UFX II

Product overview

The RME Fireface UFX II is a 60-channel 192 kHz high-end USB audio interface in a 1U 19-inch enclosure: four mic/instrument preamps, 12 analog inputs and outputs, two ADAT ports, AES/EBU, word clock, two MIDI ports, DURec recording and SteadyClock FS.

The front panel carries four Neutrik combo inputs for microphones, line and instruments, two high-power headphone outputs, a colour display with three push encoders, MIDI 2 and the MEMORY USB port for DURec. The rear provides eight balanced line inputs, two balanced XLR monitor outputs, six balanced TRS line outputs, two ADAT optical I/Os, AES/EBU, word clock, MIDI 1 and a REMOTE port for the optional ARC USB. With 30 inputs and 30 outputs, TotalMix FX with a complete effects system and Room EQ, DC-coupled outputs and full stand-alone operation, it suits high-end home studios and commercial production facilities alike.

Key features

• 30 inputs / 30 outputs: 12 analog, 16 ADAT and 2 AES/EBU each way
• 4 x mic/instrument/line inputs: PAD-free mic circuit with +18 dBu maximum input level, 75 dB gain range, 48V and AutoSet
• 8 x balanced line inputs, 2 x XLR monitor outputs (up to +24 dBu) and 6 x TRS line outputs
• 2 x high-power headphone outputs, +19 dBu, 2 Ohm, 200 mW into 32 Ohm
• DURec: record all inputs and outputs directly to USB memory via the front MEMORY port
• 2 x ADAT I/O (also optical SPDIF), AES/EBU, word clock and 2 x MIDI I/O
• SteadyClock FS clock and jitter-suppression technology
• TotalMix FX with EQ, dynamics, reverb, echo and Room EQ
• DC-coupled line outputs for CV/Gate control of modular synthesisers
• Full stand-alone operation with colour display and Setups; Class Compliant mode; ARC USB REMOTE port

DURec: Direct USB Recording

DURec is an integrated digital recorder for all inputs and outputs, writing directly to USB thumb drives or hard drives with up to 2 TB capacity via the front MEMORY port. Recording is handled by the internal DSP, independent from a connected computer. RME describes it as turning the unit into a stand-alone field recorder and multichannel live player, for example for virtual soundchecks. All 60 channels can be individually chosen for recording and playback.

Premium conversion and preamps

RME's premium AD/DA converters and optimised analog circuits reach 119.5 dB SNR (A-weighted) on the mic inputs and 118.5 dB on the line outputs, with THD+N below -110 dB. The PAD-free mic circuit accepts up to +18 dBu and offers 75 dB of gain, with an EIN of -129.8 dBu. The TRS input of each combo socket doubles as a 1 MOhm instrument input.

TotalMix FX and Room EQ

TotalMix FX creates as many independent submixes as there are outputs, with a complete DSP effects system of EQ, dynamics, reverb and echo, so musicians get latency-free monitor mixes, as RME puts it. Room EQ adds a 9-band PEQ with delay and volume calibration for the main monitors. TotalMix FX for iPad controls the hardware mixer and effects in Class Compliant mode, and DIGICheck is included for analysis.

Stand-alone and control

The colour display and three encoders give direct access to all settings, and memory Setups let the Fireface UFX II work without a computer, for example as preamp, converter or monitor mixer. The optional ARC USB connects to the REMOTE port or to the computer and talks to TotalMix FX directly, with 15 assignable buttons, an encoder and a footswitch jack.

DC-coupled outputs for CV/Gate

All line-level outputs are fully DC-coupled, sending control voltages and gate signals to modular synthesisers and other studio hardware.

In the box

• RME Fireface UFX II
• USB 2.0 cable, 1.8 m
• Power cord
• Manual

Free RME software: TotalMix FX, TotalMix Remote and DIGICheck. Drivers for Windows and macOS; Class Compliant mode with TotalMix FX for iPad.

RME Fireface UFX II: frequently asked questions

Can the Fireface UFX II record without a computer?

Yes. DURec records all inputs and outputs to a USB thumb drive or hard drive (up to 2 TB) through the front MEMORY port, using the internal DSP.

How many channels does it have?

60 at 48 kHz: 30 inputs and 30 outputs, made up of 12 analog, 16 ADAT and 2 AES/EBU channels each way.

Does it fit in a rack?

Yes. It is a 1U, 19-inch unit (48.3 cm wide including rack ears) with an internal power supply.

Can I use it with an iPad?

Yes. In Class Compliant mode, TotalMix FX for iPad gives full control of the hardware mixer and DSP effects.

Where can I buy the RME Fireface UFX II in India?

The RME Fireface UFX II is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Commercial studio tracking

Track a full band with four front preamps, 16 ADAT channels and individual headphone mixes.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the RME driver and set the sample rate.
2. Set mic gains with the encoders while watching the colour display.
3. Build latency-free headphone mixes with reverb and EQ in TotalMix FX.
4. Record up to 30 inputs at once.

Tip: Set the XLR monitor outputs to +24 dBu, Hi Gain, +4 dBu or -10 dBV to match your speakers.

Workflow 2: Live recording with DURec

Record a concert or rehearsal straight to a USB drive, with or without a laptop.

Connections

Setup

1. Insert the USB drive and open the DURec page on the display.
2. Select the channels to record.
3. Start recording at the unit; the internal DSP handles everything.
4. Play the multitrack back through the outputs for a virtual soundcheck.

Workflow 3: Mixing with outboard and monitor calibration

Use analog processors as inserts and calibrate the monitoring with Room EQ.

Connections

Setup

1. Match output and input reference levels to your outboard.
2. Set up hardware inserts in your mixing software.
3. Calibrate the monitors with Room EQ in TotalMix FX.
4. Control volume and dim from the encoder or the optional ARC USB.

Workflow 4: Stand-alone preamp and converter

Use the UFX II without a computer as a 4-channel preamp and 12-channel AD/DA for a digital console.

Connections

Setup

1. Configure routing in TotalMix FX with a computer connected.
2. Store the configuration as a Setup.
3. Disconnect the computer: the unit keeps working.
4. Recall Setups from the front panel.

Workflow 5: Theatre and live playback

Play multitrack show audio and cues into a console or speaker system.

Connections

Setup

1. Select word clock as clock source.
2. Route playback channels to analog and ADAT outputs in TotalMix FX.
3. Use DURec as a backup player if needed.
4. Trigger cues from your playback software; MIDI 1 and 2 control external devices.

Workflow 6: Modular synth and CV/Gate production

Combine modular synthesisers, MIDI gear and software in one rack interface.

Connections

Setup

1. Route CV and gate tracks to outputs 5-8.
2. Use Hi Gain output level for the widest voltage range.
3. Record the modules on line inputs 5-8.
4. Sequence two MIDI ports with 32 channels.