RME Fireface UCX - 36 Channel USB and FireWire Audio Interface

The Fireface UCX is a highly integrated pro audio solution in an ultra-compact format for studio and live recordings. This solution features an awesome combination of RME's most successful products: Fireface UFX, Firefaces UC/400 and Babyface. The Fireface UCX is not just a smaller version of the smash hit UFX, with the HFX-core, the preamps and the complete effects engine. The UCX continues the tradition of RME's tremendously successful compact interfaces and combines it with the Babyface's usability through the optional RME remotes. With the Fireface UCX RME reinvented the product, by improving existing features and characteristics plus adding sophisticated new ones:

• 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
• On top of it: The Fireface UCX is the first professional audio interface with Class Compliant mode to work with Apple's iPad, for perfect stereo up to 18 channel recording and playback and the addition of truly professional I/Os

Inputs and Outputs
The UCX provides 36 channels of audio - 18 I/Os. All channels can be used at the same time. Up to 8 analog and 10 digital channels can be recorded onto 18 separate tracks. All outputs can be used for ASIO Direct Monitoring purposes.

Analog I/O
The UCX provides 8 analog I/O in a very flexible combination:
8 Inputs
On the rear: 4 balanced TRS. On the front: 2 XLR inputs with Mic/Line preamps (65 dB Gain) and 2 Hi-Z capable TRS Line/Instrument inputs.

8 Outputs
On the rear: 6 balanced TRS outputs. On the front: One additional TRS stereo phones (playback channels 7/8). The high power phones output offers high volumes even with high-impedance headphones.

Sound Quality
Equipped with a new 2011 A/D and D/A high-performance converter design all I/Os operate at up to 192 kHz. The AD/DA conversion supersedes the outstanding technical specifications of the Fireface UC/400 with an impressive 114 dBA dynamic range on both record and playback.

Low Latency Converters
All analog I/Os use a low latency converter design with impressive 14 samples for the ADC and 7 samples for the DAC, independent of the used sample rate. These values are about a quarter of the Fireface UC/400 (43/28) and even outperform much more expensive devices.

Professional Level Support
The UCX supports the common professional studio levels: -10 dBV, +4 dBu, Lo / HiGain. The software-controlled reference levels, realized discretely in the analog domain, ensure highest dynamic range and fidelity.

Microphone/Instrument Preamps with AutoSet
Quality over quantity
The UCX provides two high-end mic and instrument preamps - built right into the front. Like the famous UFX ones, both preamps use core technology of RME's Micstasy.

AutoSet
The UCX offers a unique RME feature which was previously available only in the high-end microphone preamp Micstasy and the UFX. With the digitally controlled gain, the UCX can reduce the gain automatically, thus providing perfect protection from overload with no degradation of the audio signal, which does not have to pass any additional electronic circuitry.

Digital I/O, Word Clock & MIDI
SPDIF: The UCX provides a coaxial SPDIF I/O working at up to 192 kHz.
ADAT: One 8-channel ADAT I/O expands the UCX by 8 channels available simultaneously with the analog channels. They can be used to connect an 8-channel AD/DA converter, a mixing console or to insert an effect device.
SPDIF: The ADAT I/O can be used as optical SPDIF I/O, making the UCX connections even more flexible.
Word Clock & MIDI: A word clock input and output with switchable termination plus two MIDI I/Os on a breakout cable complete the I/O list and turn the Fireface UCX into a professional audio system with universal usability.

TotalMix FX
• New design and improved usability
• Improved Control Room section for the main output (studio monitors) and phones. Cue for quick listening to other outputs. Separated monitor panel
• Four mute, solo and fader groups each
• Switchable mono and stereo channel view
• New channel options: Stereo Width, MS Processing, Phase L/R
• Trim Mode: Adjusts the volume for all routed signals of a channel. This option allows to modify the volume of all sends of a channel simultaneously, qualling a hardware's trim functionality
• Unlimited Undo and Redo
• FX Sends and Returns: One send bus for every input/playback channel with Reverb/Echo
• Expandable channel view for channel settings, EQ and Dynamics setup
• Slim channel mode for selected or all channels, to save space or give a meter bridge view
• 2-Row Mode: reduces the height of the mixer to two rows for smaller displays
• Extended Matrix window with mono/stereo mode, Undo/Redo, display of phase and mute

The DSP-based TotalMix mixer supports fully independent routing and mixing of all 18 input and playback channels to all 18 physical outputs.

Every input and output channel comes with a luxury feature set, comparable to a full-scale digital console. The effects per channel include 3-band parametric EQ, adjustable Low Cut, Auto Level, Compressor, Expander, MS Processing and phase reversal.

Two DSPs ensure an impressive performance even in extreme applications. As usual with RME, TotalMix is available with all channels at all sample rates, completely unlimited. The second dedicated DSP only renders effects and therefore always has sufficient resources.

The complete effects section not only adds a lot of flexibility to the recording chain, but makes latency burdened software dispensable. TotalMix can easily replace any external mixer. The main functions of TotalMix can be remote controlled via MIDI with any Mackie Control compatible controller.

Hammerfall-X-Core: USB & FireWire
RME is the only manufacturer that doesn't use a third party USB or FireWire audio technology, but its own, self-developed Hammerfall Audio Core with an outstanding performance and uncompromised pro audio features.

USB2.0 Like other RME USB2.0 interfaces the Fireface UCX has been optimized for highest performance under Windows and Mac OS.

FireWire The completely redesigned FireWire technology of the HFX-Core provides the UCX with the same exceptional compatibility and performance as RME's USB solution.

Class Compliant Mode
The Fireface UCX is the first fully professional audio interface with the option to be used as Class Compliant interface
The Class Compliant mode is a standard that is natively supported by operating systems like Windows, Mac OSX and Linux distributions. No proprietary drivers are required, the device will be directly recognized when the CC mode is activated by the button on the front panel.

The Class Compliant mode allows for connecting the UCX to any Apple iPad !
The UCX provides the iPad with the professional analog I/O connections it lacks. Superb microphone preamps with EQ, dynamics, even with the AutoSet feature, in addition to professional balanced line outputs and a hi-power headphone output that also excels with high impedance headphones.

In addition, instead of using the jitter-prone USB clock, the UCX works with its own internal SteadyClock.

Supported Inputs and Outputs
When connected to an iPad, the analog mic/line input 1 works with mono apps, inputs 1 and 2 with stereo apps and up to 8 inputs with 8-channel applications, like MultiTrack DAW and Music Studio.

Audio Routing and Processing
The UCX is also a very powerful tool in CC mode and can even be pre-configured via TotalMix FX under Windows/Mac.

SteadyClock
RME's unique jitter suppression technology guarantees perfect sound quality throughout, making the device completely independent from the quality of external clock signals. Due to the highly efficient jitter reduction, the DA converter operates independently from the quality of the external clock signal, as if they are working with internal clock all the time. Moreover, a clean signal with minimal jitter is available on all digital outputs.

ICC
Intelligent Clock Control (ICC) not only displays every clock status, but will also retain the last valid input sample rate in case of failure of the external source.

DIGICheck
The UCX comes with RME's unique software tool box for metering, testing, measuring and analyzing digital audio streams.

Stand Alone Operation with Setup Recall
The Fireface UCX can operate fully stand-alone, without any connected computer. In stand-alone operation it can transform into totally different devices by the simple click of