RME Fireface UFX II

Fireface UFX II - The USB Flagship Interface

The unique Fireface UFX II is the premier solution to transfer analog and digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any source.Numerous unique features, well thought-out configuration dialogs, an industry-leading mixing engine and monitoring solution, professional DSP effects and class-leading analog circuits with latest digital converters put the Fireface UFX II at the very top of the range of computer-based audio interfaces.

RME Fireface UFX II front panel (click to enlarge)

Features

With exceptional flexibility and compatibility, the inclusion of DURec (Direct USB Recording), and RME's famous low latency hardware and driver designs, the Fireface UFX II delivers a rich feature set that will appeal to users in both high end home studios and commercial audio production facilities.

With capacity for 60 audio channels (30 input and 30 output), support for sampling frequencies upward of 192 kHz, and the flexibility provided by USB connectivity, the new Fireface UFX II is an ideal solution to a wide range of recording, mixing, and monitoring applications.

The Fireface UFX II offers excellent flexibility that enables the interface to fit seamlessly into a myriad of production environments. Analog, ADAT, AES, SPDIF, and USB 2 are all standard on the Fireface UFX II.

Equally impressive is the unit's channel count: 12 analog, 16 ADAT, and 2 AES for 30 channels input and 30 channels output. Further, with support for USB 2 connectivity, the new Fireface UFX II can integrate with RME's optional ARC USB remote controller.

All new AD/DA converters

The RME Fireface UFX II features the German manufacturer's latest high-end AD/DA converters, optimised analogue I/O circuits and improved SNR and THD values, guaranteeing pristine, crystal clear and transparent audio. The newly designed PAD-free mic circuit design, with +18 dBu maximum input level and 75 dB gain range, delivers trouble-free operation for the most demanding of recording situations.

RME's Fireface UFX II incorporates premium AD/DA converters, optimized analog I/O circuits, as well as improved SNR and THD values to guarantee pristine, crystal clear and transparent audio. A new PAD-free mic circuit design with +18 dBu maximum input level and 75 dB gain range provides trouble-free operation for the most demanding recording environments.

Low impedance Hi-Power Phones outputs

The high-power onboard headphone outputs (2 Ohms) feature +19 dBu maximum output level, providing ample output power and volume to both high and low impedance headphones.

Improved DURec USB functionality and Compatibility

The RME Fireface UFX II also features RME's unique DURec (Direct USB Recording) function via the USB port on the front of the interface, allowing for recording and playback of all inputs and outputs directly to USB memory devices such as USB thumb drives or hard drives. This second generation hardware offers improved functionality and compatibility whilst providing greater reliability than ever before, even with slower or multi-partitioned USB hard drives.

RME Fireface UFX II rear panel (click to enlarge)

Optional: RME Advanced Remote Control USB (ARC USB)

The new Fireface UFX II can integrate with RME's optional ARC (Advanced Remote Control) USB remote controller, providing users with quick access to all of the most used functions of TotalMix FX, as well as improved standalone operation. The ARC USB can be connected to your computer or directly to your UFX II via the Remote connection on the back of the unit. It has 15 freely assignable and illuminated buttons, one encoder wheel, and a TS jack to connect a foot switch.

The ARC USB is a USB 1.1 MIDI remote control for the Fireface UFX II. Thanks to operating as a UAC 1 class device, it is natively compatible to Windows and Mac OS X. As soon as it is present in the operating system, TotaIMix FX will automatically detect the ARC USB, and communicate with it via simple MIDI remote commands to control the UFX II.

TotalMix FX

Since 2001, TotalMix has added unlimited routing and mixing to RME audio interfaces. Its unique capability to create as many independent submixes as output channels available, turned it into the most flexible and powerful mixer of its kind.

With supported hardware, TotalMix FX includes a complete effects system, which not only adds flexibility to the recording chain, but also makes latency saddled software solutions obsolete.

TotalMix FX can completely replace an external mixer, enabling the creation of multiple latency-free monitor mixes with EQ, Dynamics, Reverb and Delay for any outputs, incl. main monitors and headphone mixes for musicians.

TotalMix FX for iPad™ App

TotalMix FX for iPad™ adds full control over hardware mixer and DSP effects for Fireface UFX+, UFX II, UFX, UCX, 802, Babyface, Babyface Pro and MADIface Pro when in Class Compliant Mode, and lets you create, store and load complete mixes directly from the iPad™

General

• Power supply: Internal switching PSU, 100 - 240 V AC, 36 Watts
• Idle power consumption: 19 Watts
• Typical power consumption: 22-25 Watts
• Dimensions including rack ears (WxHxD): 483 x 44 x 210 mm (19" x 1.73" x 8.5")
• Dimensions without rack ears (WxHxD): 440 x 44 x 210 mm (17.3" x 1.73" x 8.3")
• Total depth: 240 mm (9.4")
• Weight: 3 kg ( 6.6 lbs)
• Temperature range: +5° up to +50° Celsius (41° F up to 122°F)
• Relative humidity: < 75%, non condensing

Analogue

AD, Line In 1-8, rear
• Resolution AD: 24 bit
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 113 dB RMS unweighted, 116 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz – 20.8 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 3 Hz – 45.8 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 2 Hz – 92 kHz
• THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
• THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Maximum input level: +19 dBu
• Input: 6.3 mm TRS jack, electronically balanced
• Input impedance: 8 kOhm unbalanced, 12 kOhm balanced
• Input sensitivity switchable to Lo Gain, +4 dBu
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ Lo Gain: +19 dBu
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Variable gain: 0 to +12 dB
• Minimum level for 0 dBFS: +1 dBu, -1.2 dBV

Microphone In 9-12, front
As AD, but:
• Input: XLR, electronically balanced
• Input impedance: 3.4 kOhm
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Gain range: 75 dB
• Maximum input level, Gain 0 dB: +18 dBu
• Maximum input level, Gain 75 dB: -57 dBu
• CLIP LED: 0 dBFS • SIG LED: -60 dBFS

Instrument In 9-12, front
As AD, but:
• Input: 6.3 mm TS jack, unbalanced
• Input impedance: 1 MOhm
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 114 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Gain range: 42 dB
• Maximum input level, Gain 8 dB: +21 dBu
• Maximum input level, Gain 50 dB: -21 dBu

DA, Line Out 3-8, rear
• Resolution: 24 bit
• Dynamic range (DR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 20.8 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 45 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 5 Hz - 89 kHz
• THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
• THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Maximum output level: +19 dBu
• Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, servo-balanced
• Output impedance: 75 Ohm unbalanced, 150 Ohm balanced
• Output level switchable Hi Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

DA - Stereo Monitor Output XLR (1-2)
As DA, but:
• Output: XLR, balanced
• Output level switchable 24 dBu, Hi Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ 24 dBu: +24 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

DA - Stereo Monitor Output Phones (9-12)
As DA, but:
• Output: 2 x 6.3 mm TRS stereo jack, unbalanced
• Maximum output level at 0 dBFS, High: +19 dBu
• Maximum output level at 0 dBFS, Low: +2 dBV
• Output impedance: 2 Ohm
• Max power per channel @ 32 Ohm load, 0.1% THD: 210 mW (2.6 Vrms, +10.5 dBu)

MIDI

• 2 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks
• Galvanically isolated by optocoupled input
• Hi-speed mode: Jitter and response time typically below 1 ms
• Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output

Digital

• Clocks: Internal, ADAT, AES, MADI, word clock
• Low Jitter Design: < 1 ns in PLL mode, all inputs
• Internal clock: 800 ps Jitter, Random Spread Spectrum
• Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)
• Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero
• PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter
• Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
• Supported sample rates: 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

Digital Inputs

AES/EBU
• 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vpp) • SPDIF compatible (IEC 60958)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

ADAT Optical
• 2 x TOSLINK, format according to Alesis specification
• Standard: 2 x 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 2 x 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 x 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz
• Bitclock PLL ensures perfect synchronisation even in varispeed operation
• Lock range: 31.5 kHz – 50 kHz • Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1

SPDIF optical (ADAT2)
• 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

Word Clock
• BNC
• Internal termination 75 Ohm switchable
• Automatic Double/Quad Speed detection and internal conversion to Single Speed
• SteadyClock guarantees super low jitter synchronization even in varispeed operation
• Not affected by DC-offsets within the network
• Signal Adaptation Circuit: signal refresh through auto-center and hysteresis
• Overvoltage protection
• Level range: 1.0 Vpp – 5.6 Vpp
• Lock Range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

Digital Outputs

AES/EBU
• XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
• Output level Professional 4.5 Vpp, Consumer 2.6 Vpp
• Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
• Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
• Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

ADAT
• 2 x TOSLINK
• Standard: 2 x 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 2 x 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 x 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz

SPDIF optical (ADAT2)
• Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
• Sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

Word Clock
• BNC
• Max. output voltage: 5 Vpp
• Output voltage @ 75 Ohm termination: 4.0 Vpp
• Output impedance: 10 Ohm
• Frequency range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz