RME Fireface UC - Review
The new RME Fireface UC, designed for recording studios, is a sound card with interesting versatile characteristics which allows innovation-oriented DiJs to use it for most creative purposes, without being forced to restrict their creativity by a traditional setup limited by 2 decks and a mixer. We offer to your attention a review with an exclusive video made by Cioce DiJ.
The sound card is amply equipped with input and output channels, which, together with its compactness and reliability, makes it one of the most important sound cards in its market segment.
It is compatible with 2 most widely used operational systems, which are Mac OS and Windows, which, together with very low latency of a new drivers core, called Hammerfall, allows to use your console at your ease and convenience. Besides, thanks to 2 types of firmware applied, it is possible to use to the maximum the transfer rate, removing typical restrictions of traditional devices which use USB protocols.
The content of the package:
Sound card
Power supply unit
USB 2.0 cable 1.8 m long
Optical cable 2 m long
Adaptor for MIDI cables (2 in and 2 out)
Operating manual in English and German
CD-Rom containing the manual in pdf for PC and MAC
Main hardware features:
18 Input / 18 Output channels
8 x Analog I/O
1 x ADAT I/O or 1 x SPDIF I/O optical
1 SPDIF coaxial
2 MIDI I/O
1 USB 2.0
1 x Word Clock I/O
2 x Mic Preamp with digitally controlled gain
TotalMix
Other features:
Sample rates up to 192 kHz on all I/Os (including 2 ADAT channels with SMUX4)
Two digitally controlled Mic Preamps in high-end quality
Two balanced universal inputs for line and instrument signals
SteadyClock for maximum jitter suppression and clock refresh
Enhanced stand-alone operation with rotary encoder and front panel display
TotalMix: 648-channel mixer with 42-bit internal resolution
54 Level Meter Peak/RMS, hardware-calculated
Technical Specifications
Input AD: 6 x 1/4" TRS (4 x Line, 2 x Line/Instrument), 2 x XLR/TRS Combo connector (2 x Mic/Line), all servo-balanced.
Output DA: 6 x 1/4" TRS, servo-balanced, DC-coupled signal path. 1 x 1/4" TRS unbalanced
Input Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
Output Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
MIDI: 2 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable (4 x 5-pin DIN jacks), for 32 channels low jitter hi-speed MIDI
Dynamic range AD: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA
THD AD: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
THD+N AD: < -98 dB (< 0.0012 %)
Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
Dynamic range DA: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA (unmuted)
THD DA: -100 dB (0.001 %)
THD+N DA: -96 dB (0.0015 %)
Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB
Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
Sample rate internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 128, 176.4, 192 kHz
Sample rate externally: 28 kHz - 200 kHz
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 20.4 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.5 dB: 1 Hz - 43.3 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -1 dB: 1 Hz - 80 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
Output DA: 6 x 1/4" TRS, servo-balanced, DC-coupled signal path. 1 x 1/4" TRS unbalanced
Input Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
Output Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
MIDI: 2 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable (4 x 5-pin DIN jacks), for 32 channels low jitter hi-speed MIDI
Dynamic range AD: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA
THD AD: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
THD+N AD: < -98 dB (< 0.0012 %)
Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
Dynamic range DA: 110 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA (unmuted)
THD DA: -100 dB (0.001 %)
THD+N DA: -96 dB (0.0015 %)
Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB
Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV
Sample rate internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 128, 176.4, 192 kHz
Sample rate externally: 28 kHz - 200 kHz
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 20.4 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -0.5 dB: 1 Hz - 43.3 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
Frequency response AD/DA, -1 dB: 1 Hz - 80 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
Driver support:
Windows XP (from SP2), Vista, Vista 64, 7: Full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM and ASIO 2.0. WDM (DirectSound) with stereo and multi-Channel support. Mac OS X (10.5 or higher) Intel: Core Audio, Core MIDI.
Installation of drivers:
We should mention that at present (as of November 2nd, 2009) there is actually no installer/uninstaller for drivers for Windows; in order to install updated drivers downloaded from RME website to Windows you need to right-click on the file “fireface_usb.inf” and choose “install”.
After the computer is restarted, the mixer panel and the sound card setup panel will appear in the Windows tray.
Windows XP (from SP2), Vista, Vista 64, 7: Full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM and ASIO 2.0. WDM (DirectSound) with stereo and multi-Channel support. Mac OS X (10.5 or higher) Intel: Core Audio, Core MIDI.
Installation of drivers:
We should mention that at present (as of November 2nd, 2009) there is actually no installer/uninstaller for drivers for Windows; in order to install updated drivers downloaded from RME website to Windows you need to right-click on the file “fireface_usb.inf” and choose “install”.
After the computer is restarted, the mixer panel and the sound card setup panel will appear in the Windows tray.
Features of drivers:
DSP mixer panel – all inputs and outputs can be easily mixed and distributed with help of RME TotalMix panel. Actually you can set up to 9 absolutely independent submix channels. Every output channel and every submix channel can be recorded directly without the need to use external cables.
All the functions of the drivers support MIDI remote control. The DSP-based hardware calculates peak and RMS levels for each channel without causing any significant CPU load, everything is performed by the sound card itself.
USB settings panel:
It allows to adjust latency, volume and relative gains of analogue inputs and outputs, the type of digital output and MIDI clock.
Under Mac OS MIDI ports of Fireface UC are class compliant, and thus the operational system uses automatically the native MAC driver.
There is WDM and ASIO 2 support for PC platform, and latency values which you can get under both operational systems are really low. The tests we performed showed the same values as declared by RME, the minimal value in ASIO under Windows Vista 32 SP2 proved to be 48 samples while with a quite new Mac Book Pro with OSX 10.5 the value shown was 14 samples. This means that RME guarantees you a performance similar to that of a PCI Express interface but with USB 2.0 connection.
General considerations on possible connections:
Reference levels of all output channels are controlled via the software by a special drivers panel (-10 dBV, +4 dBu, Lo/HiGain), and all output channels are balanced (except outputs 7/8). If this soundcard is used for digital DJing purposes, the multiple output audio channels allow to use, for example, channels 1-2 and 3-4 with mixing software such as Traktor and channels 5-6 and 7-8 with Ableton Live, everything with low latency maintained.
It would also be interesting to try some alternative configuration when using the sound card with Ableton Live, which is possible owing to the extreme versatility of the program and of the soundcard in question. Thus it is possible to handle all output channels via an external multi-track mixer (for those who prefer to work with a traditional mixer); however the most interesting part are the inputs.
For example, a turntable can be connected to them in order to create samples through short scratches made on the fly and to manage them via the sequencer, in the same way as microphones, guitars, synthesizers, etc. Thus a creative DiJ may both express himself to the utmost in a live performance and use his talent in creating new music.
When using only Traktor in external mixing mode, it is possible to use 8 analogue stereo outputs in order to play 4 different tracks in sync, mixing them with a traditional 4-channel mixer.
The latest version of Traktor PRO, as well as the previous one, 3.x, allows to manage and mix up to 4 tracks simultaneously.
In case you use it in internal mixing mode, the high-power headphones output provides for high volumes even with low-impedance headphones.
All that has been said about Traktor can also be referred to version Pro of MixVibes, however here it is possible to handle 4 stereo inputs of the soundcard as well for timecode vinyls or CDs in order to control 4 virtual decks of the software.
With VirtualDJ, version Pro as well, it is possible to use more than 2 decks using special multi-instance skins which can be downloaded from the official website, thus configuring Fireface specifically in every instance launched (each of them has settings of its own).
It is also possible to use 4 decks both at the inputs and at the outputs with PCDJ DEX, even though DEX manages the signal of 2 timecode vinyls or CDs only, to inputs 5-6 and 7-8 of which it is possible to apply only effects.
10 channels digital I/O allow to connect the sound card outputs to highly professional DJ mixers such as, for example, Pioneer DJM-800/1000 or the new Denon DN-X1700, leaving the digital/ analogue conversion to the mixer itself.
2 MIDI I/O ports (a special breakout cable is included in the package) allow to attach MIDI devices in order to manage samplers or other mappable functions of the above-mentioned types of software.
Tools used for the review:
Mixer: Behringer DJM-700 (used for video review)
PC1: Packard bell - Easy note V7908 (XP Professional)
PC2: HP Pavilion - dv6-1240el (Vista 32)
MAC: MacBook Pro (OSX 10.5 series January 2006)
Listening tests performed with help of:
Power amplifiers: Crown DC-300A, Bryston 2B, Quad 303.
Loudspeakers: B&W 801, Mordaunt Short MS 3.10, Yamaha NS 10, Tannoy i12 + Sub, Mackie HR824, Auratone 5C.
Headphone: AKG K340, AKG K270, AKG K240, AKG K140, AKG K55, Beyerdynamic 770M, Beyerdynamic 150, Pioneer HDJ-1000.
The latest version of Traktor PRO, as well as the previous one, 3.x, allows to manage and mix up to 4 tracks simultaneously.
In case you use it in internal mixing mode, the high-power headphones output provides for high volumes even with low-impedance headphones.
All that has been said about Traktor can also be referred to version Pro of MixVibes, however here it is possible to handle 4 stereo inputs of the soundcard as well for timecode vinyls or CDs in order to control 4 virtual decks of the software.
With VirtualDJ, version Pro as well, it is possible to use more than 2 decks using special multi-instance skins which can be downloaded from the official website, thus configuring Fireface specifically in every instance launched (each of them has settings of its own).
It is also possible to use 4 decks both at the inputs and at the outputs with PCDJ DEX, even though DEX manages the signal of 2 timecode vinyls or CDs only, to inputs 5-6 and 7-8 of which it is possible to apply only effects.
10 channels digital I/O allow to connect the sound card outputs to highly professional DJ mixers such as, for example, Pioneer DJM-800/1000 or the new Denon DN-X1700, leaving the digital/ analogue conversion to the mixer itself.
2 MIDI I/O ports (a special breakout cable is included in the package) allow to attach MIDI devices in order to manage samplers or other mappable functions of the above-mentioned types of software.
Tools used for the review:
Mixer: Behringer DJM-700 (used for video review)
PC1: Packard bell - Easy note V7908 (XP Professional)
PC2: HP Pavilion - dv6-1240el (Vista 32)
MAC: MacBook Pro (OSX 10.5 series January 2006)
Listening tests performed with help of:
Power amplifiers: Crown DC-300A, Bryston 2B, Quad 303.
Loudspeakers: B&W 801, Mordaunt Short MS 3.10, Yamaha NS 10, Tannoy i12 + Sub, Mackie HR824, Auratone 5C.
Headphone: AKG K340, AKG K270, AKG K240, AKG K140, AKG K55, Beyerdynamic 770M, Beyerdynamic 150, Pioneer HDJ-1000.
Video review:
Conclusions:
Producers and DiJs can find this sound card very interesting, as it is a high-quality and versatile tool for recording and audio reproduction.
The results of the testing show a high-level performance. The sound card proves to have good latency even under PC platform, as for Mac – we didn’t have any doubts about it.
As we have mentioned above, as of the date of the review (see above) there are no installer/ uninstaller of drivers for Windows.
RME – Fireface UC is distributed in Italia by MIDIWARE and is available in best stores of musical instruments at the price of approximately 900,00 Euro (VAT included).
Credits:
RME Audio - www.rme-audio.de
MIDIWARE (Italian distributor of RME products) - www.midiware.com
Producers and DiJs can find this sound card very interesting, as it is a high-quality and versatile tool for recording and audio reproduction.
The results of the testing show a high-level performance. The sound card proves to have good latency even under PC platform, as for Mac – we didn’t have any doubts about it.
As we have mentioned above, as of the date of the review (see above) there are no installer/ uninstaller of drivers for Windows.
RME – Fireface UC is distributed in Italia by MIDIWARE and is available in best stores of musical instruments at the price of approximately 900,00 Euro (VAT included).
Credits:
RME Audio - www.rme-audio.de
MIDIWARE (Italian distributor of RME products) - www.midiware.com
Diego Ama (aka Puz DiJ) – practical mixing test under PC platform
Luigi Bressan (aka Luz DiJ) – Placing the lab at our disposal and video shooting
Andrea Zoppi (aka TexZK DiJ) – technical advice on PC platform
Gian Luigi Battistini (Natural Head Quarter Studio Ferrara) – technical advice and testing under Mac platform
Antonio Masiero – repair, modifications and design of professional audio equipment.
Luigi Bressan (aka Luz DiJ) – Placing the lab at our disposal and video shooting
Andrea Zoppi (aka TexZK DiJ) – technical advice on PC platform
Gian Luigi Battistini (Natural Head Quarter Studio Ferrara) – technical advice and testing under Mac platform
Antonio Masiero – repair, modifications and design of professional audio equipment.
By Cioce DiJ
(Translated and edited by Taissia Zubova)
