RME UCX

The Fireface UCX is a highly integrated pro audio solution in an ultra-compact format for studio and live recordings. It continues RME's long tradition of designing compact high-end interfaces, packing into a half-rack size unit what usually would be spread out over two or three 19 inch panels.

In doing this the Fireface UCX marks a new packing record: 300 electronic components more than inside the already well-stocked Fireface UC! 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.

The result is 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 great usability of the Babyface through the included RME remote. With the Fireface UCX RME reinvented an already perfect 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 included 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 8 channel recording and playback, and the addition of truly professional I/Os.
• All in all the Fireface UCX is the new compact-sized dream interface, created with care for every detail, and a new premium solution for any desktop and live usage, without compromises in sound, stability and ultra-low latency operation.

• 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 UCX converters operate independently from the quality of the external clock signal, as if they are working with internal clock all the time - guaranteeing a prestine sound quality!

• SteadyClock allows the Fireface UCX to control the sample rate freely on its own. The settings dialog includes a direct choice of the video and audio world's most often used sample rates.

• ICC . Intelligent Clock Control not only displays every clock status, but will also retain the last valid input sample rate in case of failure of the external source. Other renowned RME technologies like SyncCheck offer a quick detection of clock problems.

• DIGICheck . The UCX comes with RME's unique software tool box for metering, testing, measuring and analyzing digital audio streams. It provides a multi-track recorder, calculates the level meters peak and RMS in hardware and is able to analyze and display playback data from any software, no matter which format the software uses.*

• Stand Alone Operation with Setup Recall . Additionally internal memory allows for the permanent storage of six different states of the unit. Therefore the Fireface UCX is able to operate fully stand-alone, without any connected computer. In stand-alone operation it can transform into totally different devices by the simple click of a button. Furthermore, in this mode TotalMix FX can also be controlled via MIDI. Application examples include: 8-channel AD/DA converter, 4-channel mic preamp, monitor mixer, digital format converter, analog/digital routing matrix.

AD, Line In 5-8, rear

• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 111 dB RMS unweighted, 114 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 10 Hz - 20.6 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 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, 114 dBA @ 44.1 kHz (unmuted)
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 20.4 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 45 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 5 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

Word Clock

• BNC, switch for internal termination 75 Ohm

System Requirements

• USB: Computer with at least Pentium Core 2 Duo CPU

• FireWire: Computer with OHCI compatible FireWire Port 400 (1394a) or FireWire 800 port (via adapter cable).