RME - Fireface UCX II 40-channel USB Interface

Product Information

Take a tour with our video below, or read on for a run-through of what this next-generation audio interface can bring to your recording studio or live performance setup. This little box represents incredible quality and features that are good enough for pros, and within reach for all who are serious about sound, making it my product of 2021.”

One of the most noticeable changes in comparison with the original Fireface UCX is the new front panel, which for the UCX II has been updated to reflect that of other next-generation RME devices (such as the Fireface UFX+ and RME 12Mic), and allows full and immediate access to all features of the interface. The specially developed, internal hi-performance switch mode power supply lets the 802 operate in the range of 100V to 240V AC, thus can be operated all over the world. It is short-circuit proof, has an integrated line-filter, is fully regulated against voltage fluctuations, and suppresses mains interference. Stand Alone Operation with Setup Recall As alluded to above, the Fireface UCX II is capable of full stand-alone operation. Up to six setups can be stored to the device itself, and can easily be called upon any time via the front panel. The original Fireface UCX was one of RME’s most popular interfaces, and we’ve no doubt its successor will prove to be just as important an entry in the history of RME Audio. Other digital options include AES/EBU and SPDIF I/O (via the 9-pin D-Sub and included breakout cable), which alongside the ADAT connections, can all be used simultaneously.Originally formed as a microphone manufacturer in 1964, Calrec celebrated 50 years as audio specialists in 2014. myMix is a decentralised, network based, audio mixing system for up to 500 audio channels. Its intuitive user interface with a large LCD display showing device and channel names makes it ideal for personal monitor mixing and other AV applications. In terms of product, overall, this device is really great. The product has no scratches on the surface. So beautiful. RME is a German company founded in 1996 by a small group of professional audio engineers and designers.

The Fireface 802 follows RME's tradition of providing flexible and expandable audio systems. Adding additional preamplifiers or more analog inputs is easily done via the dual ADAT optical I/Os on the rear. AES/EBU Existing RME users will be well-aware of TotalMix FX – RME’s software digital mixing controller, included free with all RME audio interfaces – which provides full routing and mixing control over all 40 channels of the Fireface UCX II, with EQ and Dynamics on every channel, plus Reverb and Delay FX sends. What's even better is that when I opened it up inside and got a free Thomann UK power cable, I was using it instead of the existing power cord, because it has a ground wire. The UCX II is a great-sounding, powerful audio interface for both studio and remote recording tasks. The two onboard preamps trend toward the transparent and neutral side of the scale and hold their own with many similar standalone models. The digital conversion is equally clean and transparent, and it is painless to add a favorite ADAT-equipped eight-channel preamp or expansion box and/or a stereo digital device or two, perhaps even digital-equipped monitor speakers. Wrap-upThe complete effects section not only adds flexibility to the recording chain , but even does away with the need for an external mixer or additional latency-inducing software. Latency-free monitor mixes can be easily created - complete with EQ and Reverb - e.g. for the main studio monitors and the headphone of the vocalist(s) in the recording room. An improved standalone mode and DURec functionality brought over from the UFX series highlight the UCX II’s credentials as a powerful, professional, and portable interface for recording on-the-go. This makes the UCX II a fantastic option for location sound recordists, as well as musicians and producers who want to be able to record live shows and jam sessions. Throughout its 25 year history, RME has been fully committed to a principle of flexibility - the more flexible a product, the more easily it can be adapted to new requirements. For company founder Matthias Carstens, this lies at the heart of RME's success: "The Fireface UCX II makes us proud and enthusiastic as it represents a natural evolution of our product range." As mentioned above, ADAT I/O is included for expanding the UCX II with other studio hardware such as microphone preamps and AD/DA converters, with MIDI I/O for control of instruments (like synths and drum machines), as well as for sending remote control messages to other hardware. With the original RME Fireface UCX now approaching ten years since its release, RME chose 2021 as the time to release its successor, a high-quality sonic upgrade that brings the UCX into line with RME Audio’s other latest generation of high-performance audio interfaces.

The RME Fireface UCX II has been selected as Production Expert reviewer Luke Goddard’s product of 2021. The successor to the popular Fireface UCX, the UCX II is RME’s most powerful 1/2U interface ever created. A flexible and mobile interface for use with Macs, PCs and iPads, the UCX II is a cutting-edge central hub for modern studio recording and live performance setups, and includes full standalone operation (with the option to create multi-channel recordings straight to USB storage devices, aka DURec). The ARC USB can be connected to any USB port on a Mac or PC, or directly via the Fireface UCX II’s DURec connection. Equally, an iPad, Fireface UCX II and ARC USB can be combined to form a compact yet extremely powerful mobile recording setup. Every input and output channel comes with a luxury feature set, comparable to that of a full-scale digital console. The effects per channel include 3-band parametric EQ (and adjustable Low Cut), a Dynamics section (Compressor, Expander), MS Processing and phase reversal. The Reverb and Echo effects unit is available for all channels by a stereo send and return bus, all of which is offered even at 192 kHz operation.ALVA offer a collection of durable audio products built to the highest standards. Forming a perfect complement to the products from our partners from RME, there's an extensive selection of professional cables and a range of other items designed to make studio or on-stage life easier. Update Dec 2021: We’re pleased to announce that the RME Fireface UCX II was chosen by Luke Goddard of Production Expert as his ‘Product Of The Year’!

There are also rare cases, beyond our control, when the delivery company itself has a problem which causes a delay in transit. In these situations we will do our utmost to liaise with the relevant delivery company to ensure delivery is completed as swiftly as possible. Read Luke Goddard’s full Fireface UCX II review for Production Expert or watch our overview video below to learn more about RME’s all-new Advanced USB Audio Interface. We’re impressed by the attention to detail in TotalMix and the associated hardware capability that sets RME apart. For example, the ability to properly live-monitor a mid/side pair of inputs, and individual reference level setting for each line in/out, making it more straightforward to connect up a wide range of external gear. TotalMix Remote mirrors the current state of the host system on the iPad and Windows/Mac computers - the entire mixing state, the complete routing, all FX settings, up to the level meters, and everything in real-time. The DSP processors of the Fireface 802 provide you with the complete feature set of a digital mixing console (but with only one effect send): You can create (almost) any number of channel strips and route them to your heart's content, edit the audio material with EQ, compressor, delay, reverb, etc., record or send it to monitor or aux channels, or convert the different digital input protocols to each other or to analog. In addition, all settings can be saved as presets and the unit is even ready to use in stand alone mode without a computer. By integrating open source MIDI control protocols you can remote control the Fireface 802 with any MIDI device or your iPad to use it e.g. live as a mixer or as a control center of your home theater or hifi system. The key point is that all this is done without any additional latency due to the calculation by specialized chips directly in the device.

Maximum 12 analog inputs & 8 analog outputs plus 2 independent headphone mixes in stereo (channel 9/10 & 11/12) The pot-controlled gain of up to 60 dB, adjustable over a range of 54 dB, is individually set for every preamp on the front of the 802. Whilst these frequencies are generally considered undesirable for audio - eating into headroom and potentially causing damage to other equipment - one instance where DC-coupling remains desirable is the world of modular synthesizers, where static or slow-moving signals are used for control over various parameters such as pitch note values or LFOs. Like other RME products before the Fireface 802 combines excellent analog circuit design with latest digital conversion technology. All balanced TRS & XLR I/Os as well as the two phones outputs offer outstanding low noise and distortion values. In best RME tradition and product philosophy converters and preamps don’t produce “sound”, they do not add or remove anything from the source signal, just capture it as it is.