RME MADIface XT II

Product overview

The RME MADIface XT II is a 394-channel Triple MADI USB 3.0 audio interface: three MADI ports, two mic/line preamps, AES/EBU, word clock and MIDI in a compact desktop unit, with SteadyClock FS, on-board DSP effects and full stand-alone operation.

Two optical MADI ports and one coaxial MADI port carry up to 192 channels in each direction at 48 kHz. Two front XLR/TRS combo inputs with 48V phantom power and AutoSet take microphones or line sources, two balanced XLR outputs feed your monitors, and a separate high-power headphone output can also work as an unbalanced line output. AES/EBU and MIDI arrive on a D-sub with an included breakout cable. The colour display, two encoders and four keys let you set up the unit without a computer, and USB 3 Class Compliant mode transmits all 394 channels without a driver.

Key features

• 3 x MADI I/O: 2 x optical (SC) and 1 x coaxial (BNC), 64 channels each at 48 kHz
• 394 channels over USB 3.0: 196 record / 198 playback channels at 48 kHz; USB 2.0 compatible
• 2 x mic/line preamps on XLR/TRS combo sockets, 75 dB gain range in 1 dB steps, 48V phantom power and AutoSet
• 2 x balanced XLR line outputs, switchable +24, +19, +13 and +4 dBu
• High-power headphone output, 1 Ohm output impedance, 210 mW into 32 Ohm
• AES/EBU I/O (SPDIF compatible), word clock I/O and MIDI I/O, plus 3 x MIDI over MADI
• SteadyClock FS, RME's femtosecond clock and jitter-rejection technology
• TotalMix FX with DSP EQ, dynamics, reverb and echo, plus Room EQ with 9-band PEQ, delay and volume calibration
• USB 3 Class Compliant mode with all 394 channels, for Mac, Windows and Linux without a proprietary driver
• Full stand-alone operation with colour display, 6 memory Setups, MIDI remote and ARC USB port

Triple MADI on your desk

Each MADI port accepts and generates 56- and 64-channel mode plus 96k Frame, with up to 64 channels at 48 kHz, 32 channels at 96 kHz (S/MUX) and 16 channels at 192 kHz (S/MUX4). Optical MADI runs on standard SC connectors (62.5/125 and 50/125 fibre), coaxial MADI on 75 Ohm BNC. On a USB 2.0 port the unit stays usable with a reduced channel count on MADI 1.

Analog inputs and outputs

The two Neutrik combo inputs reach a signal-to-noise ratio of 118.5 dB (A-weighted) with THD+N below -104 dB. The XLR outputs deliver 116 dB dynamic range (A-weighted) at up to +24 dBu, and the headphone output reaches +19 dBu with a 1 Ohm output impedance. Gain is set from the front MIC/GAIN key or in TotalMix FX.

TotalMix FX and Room EQ

TotalMix FX gives fully independent routing and mixing of every input and playback channel to every output, with RME's latency-free submixes. The DSP adds 3-band EQ, Low Cut, Reverb, Echo, Compressor, Expander and Auto Level. Room EQ adds a 9-band parametric EQ with delay and volume calibration for monitor systems, including surround set-ups. TotalMix Remote controls the mixer from an iPad or another computer over Ethernet or WiFi.

SteadyClock FS

Based on a femto clock, SteadyClock FS reduces the intrinsic jitter of the MADIface XT II to an absolute minimum and filters clock jitter from as low as 1 Hz. The unit clocks from its internal clock, MADI, AES or word clock.

Class Compliant and stand-alone

In Class Compliant mode the operating system recognises the MADIface XT II directly and all 394 channels are transmitted at once, with several channel-order formats. Without a computer, the unit works as a stand-alone MADI router, mic preamp and monitor controller: store up to six complete Setups, control it via MIDI, or connect the optional ARC USB to the rear REMOTE port.

In the box

• RME MADIface XT II
• AES/MIDI breakout cable
• USB 3 cable, 1.8 m
• External power supply with locking DC connector

Free RME software: TotalMix FX, TotalMix Remote and DIGICheck. Drivers for Windows (Intel and ARM) and macOS (Intel and ARM).

RME MADIface XT II: frequently asked questions

How many channels does the MADIface XT II handle?

394 channels at 48 kHz: 196 inputs and 198 outputs over USB 3.0. At 96 kHz it records and plays back 100/102 channels, at 192 kHz 52/54 channels.

Does it need a driver?

RME drivers are available for Windows and macOS. In Class Compliant mode no proprietary driver is required, and all 394 channels are still available.

Can it work without a computer?

Yes. Set it up from the colour display and keys, store up to six Setups, and use it as a stand-alone MADI router, preamp and monitor controller, with MIDI remote and ARC USB support.

Does it work with a USB 2.0 port?

Yes. The USB 3 port is compatible with USB 2.0, with a reduced channel count on MADI 1.

Where can I buy the RME MADIface XT II in India?

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

Workflow 1: Live multitrack recording over MADI

Record every channel of a live show from a MADI-equipped mixing console straight into a laptop.

Connections

Setup

1. Install the RME driver, or select Class Compliant mode in the Options menu.
2. Set the console and the MADIface XT II to the same sample rate and MADI format (56 or 64 channels).
3. Arm up to 64 MADI channels per port in your recording software.
4. Check sync and levels on the display's global level meters during soundcheck.

Tip: Use the coaxial MADI 3 port or MADI 2 for a second console or stage rack: three ports give up to 192 channels each way at 48 kHz.

Workflow 2: Virtual soundcheck playback

Play a recorded show back into the console to tune the mix without the band.

Connections

Setup

1. Record the show as in workflow 1.
2. In TotalMix FX, route the playback channels to the MADI 1 output.
3. Switch the console's channel inputs to the MADI return.
4. Play the session and adjust the console mix as if the band were on stage.

Workflow 3: Studio hub for MADI converters

Connect MADI AD/DA converters, a mic preamp rack and a monitoring system to one desktop interface.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the clock master in TotalMix FX or the Options menu; use SteadyClock FS for the lowest jitter.
2. Route converter channels to your recording software and the main mix to the XLR outputs.
3. Set the XLR output level (+24, +19, +13 or +4 dBu) to suit your monitors.
4. Adjust monitor and headphone volume with encoders 1 and 2.

Tip: Room EQ in TotalMix FX corrects your monitors with a 9-band PEQ, delay and volume calibration.

Workflow 4: Broadcast and OB MADI routing

Route, split and monitor MADI signals between three MADI devices in an OB van or machine room.

Connections

Setup

1. Build the routing between MADI ports and AES in TotalMix FX.
2. Store it in one of the six Setups.
3. Disconnect the computer: the unit keeps routing stand-alone.
4. Monitor any signal on headphones from the front panel.

Tip: The 64-channel MADI format can be switched to 56 channels or 96k Frame per port to match the connected device.

Workflow 5: Driverless multichannel recording

Record up to 394 channels on a computer where you cannot or do not want to install a driver.

Connections

Setup

1. Select CC (Class Compliant) as the interface mode in the Options menu.
2. Choose the channel-order format that suits your recording software.
3. Set mic gain with the MIC/GAIN key and the encoders.
4. Select the MADIface XT II as the audio device in your software and record.

Workflow 6: Location recording with mics and MADI

Combine two local microphones with a MADI stage box for a concert or orchestral recording.

Connections

Setup

1. Switch on 48V for condenser mics after connecting them.
2. Use AutoSet to protect the mic inputs from overload.
3. Record the room mics together with all stage box channels.
4. Monitor on the high-power headphone output.

Tip: Optical MADI runs up to 2000 m, so the laptop can sit far from the stage.