Take a tour of RME’s new flagship audio interface.
The RME Fireface UFX III is the latest USB 3 flagship audio interface from RME, representing the pinnacle of RME’s audio interface design.
With an extensive range of analogue and digital I/O across its 188 channels, as well as a powerful, professional feature-set, the Fireface UFX III is the ideal centrepiece for any professional recording setup – from studios, to live audio and multi-channel location music recording.
Alongside its 12-channels of high-quality analogue I/O, the UFX III offers versatile expansion options via ADAT, MADI and AES digital connectivity; powerful features like SteadyClock FS, Advanced DURec, Autoset and MIDI-over-MADI; and extensive software control via TotalMix FX, TotalMix Remote and DIGICheck NG.
Take a tour of RME’s new interface, the new center of your studio.
RME Fireface UFX III Overview Video
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Front Panel
The front panel features four XLR and TRS Combi inputs for recording microphones and line-level devices, as well as guitars and other instruments when set to Hi-Z mode.
Each preamp is digitally controlled, with individually switchable phantom power, and up to 75dB of gain.
Two headphone outputs allow for monitoring of any combination of input, output and software playback channels, whilst the first of two MIDI I/O connections offers control for keyboards, electronic instruments and other MIDI-controlled devices.
A front panel USB connection allows users to record up to 80 input channels straight to external hard drives and USB thumb drives, via the Fireface UFX III’s ‘Advanced DURec’ feature.
Full control of the device is also available directly from the front panel, with a TFT display showing signal levels for all inputs and outputs at a glance.
A large encoder provides control of the main volume and headphone outputs, with four buttons and two additional encoders additionally providing access to the full menu system.
Back Panel
The rear panel offers a flexible selection of analogue and digital I/O, for interfacing with a wide range of other pro audio devices such as mixing consoles, AD/DA converters, microphone preamps, and other studio hardware.
Eight balanced line level inputs and six balanced line level outputs are provided on TRS connections, with a pair of main XLR outputs for easy connection to studio monitors.
All of the UFX III’s outputs are also DC-coupled, allowing users to send CV or Gate signals to modular synthesizers and other hardware that accepts control voltages.
On the digital side, two pairs of ADAT I/O offer an additional 16 inputs and 16 outputs, both of which can also be used for SPDIF optical I/O.
AES/EBU is provided on XLR connections for integration with AES-3 devices, including studio monitors that feature AES inputs.
MADI I/O is available on both optical SC and coaxial BNC connections, and is responsible for a large portion of the UFX III’s high channel count.
Up to 64 channels can be recorded or outputted to other MADI-equipped devices, such as RME’s 12Mic preamps and M-32 Pro Series of AD/DA converters, with remote control available via MIDI over MADI.
All digital formats can be used simultaneously, making the UFX III a perfect central hub for recording studios and live audio engineers working with large numbers of instruments and other studio outboard.
Connection to a computer, laptop or iPad is made via the USB 3 port, with a USB 3 to USB-C cable also included in the box, whilst a second MIDI connection provides further options for sending and receiving MIDI control data.
RME ARC USB
The Fireface UFX III also features a direct connection for the ARC USB, RME’s desktop remote control.
Available as an optional extra, the ARC USB is a customisable monitor controller for all RME interfaces and sound cards, and provides quick access to functions like monitor and headphone level adjustments, as well as microphone input gains and Talkback.
User-definable shortcut keys can be used for features like Mono, Dim and Speaker switching, along with the loading of saved mixer states, and controls for recording with DURec in standalone mode.
Find out more about the ARC USB remote
SteadyClock FS
The clock signal is an essential part of any digital audio system, with reliable clocking crucial for consistent, high-quality and sample-accurate recording and playback.
Like all of RME’s latest generation of devices, the Fireface UFX III features SteadyClock FS, RME’s next-generation digital clocking technology.
SteadyClock FS guarantees high-precision audio across all of the UFX III’s 188 channels, as well as providing a highly-accurate reference clock for other digital devices, when used as a studio Clock Master.
TotalMix FX
The full potential of the Fireface UFX III is revealed with TotalMix FX, RME’s powerful and highly flexible software controller.
Powered by an on-board FPGA, TotalMix offers full control over all of the UFX III’s 188 channels of audio, with EQ and Dynamics effects on every input and output, and zero-latency monitoring available for every channel.
Additional Delay and Reverb FX are available as sends, allowing vocalists and other musicians to quickly dial in a high-quality comfort reverb during recording.
Any combination of inputs – as well as software playback channels from a DAW – can be combined into a submix, providing each individual hardware output with its own independent mix of analogue, digital and software sources.
Mixer states can be saved as snapshots for instant recall, and channels can be shown and hidden to create custom layouts.
A comprehensive Control Room section provides shortcuts to commonly used monitoring features like Mono, Monitor Dim and Level Recall, speaker switching and Talkback, and any output can be assigned as a Master Output.
Faders can also be grouped together to create fader groups, providing control over multiple outputs via a single fader, and signals can be looped back as inputs internally via the UFX III’s on-board DSP.
Finally, TotalMix Remote provides network control, allowing the UFX III to be controlled from any Mac or PC on the same network, whilst RME’s DIGICheck NG software offers an additional set of professional analysis tools, such as frequency analysis, phase correlation, and Peak and RMS level metering.
Class Compliant Mode & Standalone Operation
The Fireface UFX III can also be run as a powerful standalone recording and playback device, without the need for a computer.
Up to 6 states can be stored to the UFX III’s internal memory, allowing it to be used as a standalone microphone preamp, AD/DA converter, digital mixer, digital format converter or hard disk recorder.
A Class Compliant mode enables all 94 input channels to be used for recording with an Apple iPad, which when paired with the TotalMix for iPad app, offers the same powerful routing and mixing capabilities as the desktop application.
DURec
DURec is RME’s Direct to USB Recording feature, allowing up to 80 channels of audio to be recorded and played back using a USB memory stick or external hard drive.
Operating entirely via the UFX III’s internal DSP, DURec enables the UFX III to operate as a standalone hard disk recorder, and can be used for applications such as multi-track field and location recording; performing virtual soundchecks at a venue; or for creating simultaneous backup recordings during a recording session.
Recording and playback of large projects on-the-go is made easier thanks to the ability to save settings from TotalMix FX directly to the UFX III, allowing sessions to be set up and stored in advance, and quickly loaded on-site.
The Ultimate Professional Audio Tool
With its unrivalled selection of analogue and digital connectivity; flexible routing and monitoring control via TotalMix FX; full-standalone operation and class compliant mode; and industry-standard, ‘rock-solid’ drivers for Mac and PC, the Fireface UFX III is the ultimate professional tool for high-end studios, live audio and location recording applications.