RME Fireface UCX

The RME Fireface UCX is a half rack unit, which is actually more powerful, than most 19 inch units. The USB & FireWire Audio Interface that represents simultaneously a new premium solution for any desktop and live usage, without compromises in sound, stability and ultra-low latency operation. The new compact-sized dream interface was created with care for every detail.

The RME Fireface UCX continues the tradition of the tremendously successful compact interfaces made by RME and combines it with the usability of RME Babyface through the optional RME remotes. Like this, the unit is not just a smaller version of the smash hit UFX, with the HFX-core, the preamps and the complete effects engine.

By improving existing features and characteristics plus adding sophisticated new ones, RME reinvented an already perfect product. The result is an awesome combination of RME's most successful products and a highly integrated pro audio solution in an ultra-compact format for studio and live recordings.

In doing this the RME Fireface UCX marks a new packing record: 300 electronic components more than inside the already well-stocked predecessors. In a tremendous effort RME packed once again all the latest technologies, introduced with the award winning flagship UFX, plus a bunch of newly developed ones, into a half 19 inch housing with full mobile usability.

Features

• Premium solution for any desktop and live usage without compromises in sound, stability and ultra-low latency operation
• Low Latency mastering grade converters with outstanding specifications.
• Two mic preamps with the premium technology from RME's high-end recording bestsellers Micstasy and UFX, including the AutoSet overload protection.
• A newly developed Hammerfall audio core, supporting USB and FireWire with the maximum performance and ultra-low latency operation, combined with the legendary RME driver stability and maintenance, on both bus protocols.
• TotalMix FX with the complete Fireface UFX DSP engine, including all effects up to 192 kHz.
• Monitoring Controller: Combining the impressive flexibility of the TotalMix FX monitoring tool set and the optional RME Remote Control.
• RME's unique DIGICheck metering and analysis toolbox for Windows PC and Mac.
• Plus support for RME's Advanced Remote Control, active jitter suppression technology, professional reference level support, advanced stand-alone functionality, full 192 kHz operation, and last but not least two high speed MIDI I/Os.
• First professional audio interface with Class Compliant mode to work with Apple's iPad, for perfect stereo up to 18 channel recording and playback

Specifications

• AD, Line In 5-8, rear
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 111 dB RMS unweighted, 113 dBA
- Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 6 Hz - 20.6 kHz
- Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 6 Hz - 45.3 kHz
- Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: -1 dB: 5 Hz - 90 kHz
- THD: < -105 dB, < 0.0005 %
- THD+N: < -98 dB, < 0.0012%
- Maximum input level: +19 dBu
- Channel separation: > 110 dB
- Input: 6.3 mm TRS jack, electronically balanced
- Input sensitivity switchable to Lo Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
- Input level for 0 dBFS @ Lo Gain: +19 dBu
- Input level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
- Input level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

• Line In 3-4, front
- As AD, but:
- Additional Gain stage: 0 up to +12 dB
- Maximum input level, Lo Gain, Gain 0 dB: Line +19 dBu, Inst +13 dBu
- Maximum input level, -10 dBV, Gain 12 dB, Line: -7,5 dBu, Inst: -13,5 dBu
- Input impedance Inst: 470 kOhm
- Input Gain Inst: +6 dB
- Input mode: Line balanced (TRS), Inst unbalanced (TS)
- CLIP LED: 0 dBFS
- SIG LED: -60 dBFS

• Microphone/Line 1-2, front
- As AD Line In 5-8, but:
- Input: Neutrik XLR/TRS Combo jack, electronically balanced
- Input impedance: XLR 2 kOhm, TRS 8 kOhm balanced
- Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA
- Low Roll Off -0.5 dB: 18 Hz, -1 dB: 12 Hz
- Gain range: 0 dB, +10 up to +65 dB
- Maximum input level XLR, Gain 0 dB: +10 dBu
- Maximum input level XLR, Gain 65 dB: -55 dBu
- Maximum input level TRS, Gain +0 dB: +21 dBu
- Maximum input level TRS, Gain +65 dB: -44 dBu
- CLIP LED: 0 dBFS
- SIG LED: -60 dBFS

• DA, Line Out 1-6, rear
- Dynamic range (DR): 111 dB, 113 dBA @ 44.1 kHz (unmuted)
- Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 8 Hz - 20.4 kHz
- Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 6 Hz - 45 kHz
- Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 6 Hz - 90 kHz
- THD: -100 dB, < 0.001 %
- THD+N: -96 dB, < 0.0015 %
- Channel separation: > 110 dB
- Maximum output level: +19 dBu
- Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, servo-balanced
- Output impedance: 75 Ohm
- 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 - Phones, 7/8, front
- As DA, but:
- Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, unbalanced
- Output impedance: 30 Ohm

• World Clock: BNC, switch for internal termination 75 Ohm

Connectivity

• 18 Input/ 18 Output channels
• 8 x Analog I/O
• 2 x Mic/ Line Preamps, digitally controlled
• 2 x Line / Instrument inputs, digitally controlled
• 1 x SPDIF I/O coaxial
• 1 x ADAT I/O (or 1 x SPDIF I/O optical)
• 1 x Word Clock I/O
• 2 x MIDI I/O (via breakout cable)
• 1 x FireWire 400
• 1 x USB 2.0 (USB 3 compatible)
• Optional: Advanced Remote Control
• TotalMix FX (with UFX effects engine)

System Requirements

• USB: Computer with at least Pentium Core 2 Duo CPU (see the list of Tested Systems with USB chipsets).
• FireWire: Computer with OHCI compatible FireWire Port 400 (1394a) or FireWire 800 port (via adapter cable).

Driver Requirements

• Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2 (32 & 64 bit)
• Apple Mac OS X 10.5 Intel or up (Core Audio)

Windows and Mac OS X drivers are completely identical in terms of features and functionality.
* Some features in DIGICheck are not available in the Mac version.