Fireface UC
36-Channel high-speed USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Connectivity and Features
The new interface not only makes the leading-edge RME Fireface technology available for every PC and Mac computer, it also provides a unique low-latency concept and a high grade of performance and compatibility, making the dream of the perfect and future-proof mobile pro audio recording solution come true.
The Fireface UC features all of the proven RME analog and digital circuitry. It is the only device in its class with active jitter suppression, enhanced stand-alone functionality and complete controllability from the front panel, highly flexible I/Os in professional quality, and an unsurpassed 648-channel matrix router - at sample rates of up to 192 kHz.
Integrated DSP mixer
All inputs and outputs can be freely mixed, routed, and distributed with RME´s TotalMix FX software. Up to 9 totally independent stereo submixes can be set up. Every output channel, and every submix channel can be recorded directly and without external cable loops. TotalMix can be completely MIDI remote controlled. The DSP-based hardware calculates RMS and Peak levels for all channels, without causing any significant CPU load.
Analog I/O
Eight analog inputs and outputs (all balanced, except outputs 7/8) with software controlled reference levels (-10 dBV, +4 dBu, Lo/HiGain), realized discretely in the analog domain, ensure highest dynamic range and fidelity. Inputs 5 to 8 on the rear feature RME's proven level references, -10 dBV, +4 dBu and Lo Gain can be selected in the settings dialog, equivalent to +2 dBV, +13 dBu and +19 dBu for digital full scale. The same applies to the balanced rear analog outputs 1 to 6. The hi-power phones output offers high volumes even with low-impedance headphones.
Preamps
The Fireface UC features 2 balanced microphone inputs with a digitally controlled input stage, individually switchable 48V phantom power, and Neutrik Combo connectors for XLR and TRS. These can also be used as additional line inputs. A pre-amplification of up to 65 dB (adjustable in 1 dB-steps over a range of 55 dB), exceptional EIN (Equivalent Input Noise) performance even at low pre amplification settings, and extremely low THD+N let these preamps surpass many reference devices. All level settings are 100% reproducible and can also be comfortably adjusted by software. Inputs 3 and 4 are flexible universal balanced inputs. They operate exactly like inputs 5 to 8 on the rear and can be adjusted to accept standard studio input levels (+4 dBu, LoGain). The input impedance can be switched from line (10 kOhm) to instrument (470 kOhm), and offers an additional analog input amplification of up to 18 dB in steps of 0.5 dB.
Digital I/O
One ADAT I/O provides digital connection to mixers and converters. In combination with an ADI-8 DS/QS or OctaMic II, there are up to 16 analog inputs (respectively 12 @ 96 kHz). The coaxial SPDIF I/O (up to 192 kHz) is fully AES/EBU compatible. SPDIF can also be accessed through the optical I/O.
Word Clock & MIDI
A Word Clock input and output plus two MIDI I/Os (special breakout cable included) complete the list of features and turn the Fireface UC into an entire audio system of the highest quality.
More 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
* Minimal latencies are not guaranteed as they depend on the specific computer and application.
TotalMix FX - Mixing/Routing with superior features for Studio and Live Work
Since 2001 TotalMix added unlimited routing and mixing to RME‘s audio interfaces. Its unique capability to create as many independent submixes as output channels available turned it into the most flexible and powerful mixer of its kind.
DigiCheck - The Secret Weapon of High Resolution Audio Measurements
RME Audio interfaces not only provide you with a professional digital audio interface, but also with a free available software tool: DigiCheck, for metering, testing, measuring and analyzing digital audio streams.
Accessories
Specs
Fireface UC
- 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)
All specifications are subject to change without notice.
Drivers
Fireface UC
Update to version UFX: 361/163/344/29, 802 A: 20/9/9/12, 802 E: 112/101/101/9, 802 FS: 227/ 214/ 30, UCX: 49/260/27/14, UCX II (6): 43/34/21, UCX II (7): 106/34/104, UC: 127/138, Babyface: 226, Babyface Pro & FS: 206/320.
Update to firmware revision UFX: 361/163/344/29, 802: 20/9/9/12 (A), 112/9/101/101 (E), 802 FS: 227/30/214, UCX: 49/260/27/14, UCX II (6): 43/34/21, UCX II (7): 106/34/104, UC: 127/138, Babyface: 226, Babyface Pro & FS: 206/320.
macOS 11 or up USB series DriverKit driver, v. 4.17.
USB 2/3 Kernel Extension driver for macOS 11 ( Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura and up) Check OS Version. Version 3.33. Supports Intel and Mx.
version 3.223. Compatible to 10.12 (macOS Sierra) up to 10.15 (macOS Catalina) Check OS Version. Mx users please download macOS 11 and up USB Series Driver.
Update to version UFX: 361/163/344/29, 802 A: 20/9/9/12, 802 E: 112/101/101/9, 802 FS: 227/ 214/ 30, UCX: 49/260/27/14, UCX II (6): 43/34/21, UCX II (7): 106/34/104, UC: 127/138, Babyface: 226, Babyface Pro & FS: 206/320.
Version 2.23. Compatible to 10.9 (OS X Mavericks) up to 10.13 (macOS High Sierra) Check OS Version. Legacy build, newer drivers are version 3.x. M1 user please download macOS 11 and up USB Series Driver.
Version 1.68. Last driver to support 10.5.
Update to firmware revision UFX: 361/163/344/29, 802: 20/9/9/12 (A), 112/9/101/101 (E), 802 FS: 227/30/214, UCX: 49/260/27/14, UCX II (6): 43/34/21, UCX II (7): 106/34/104, UC: 127/138, Babyface: 226, Babyface Pro & FS: 206/320.
Version 1.253, for Windows 8 and up.
Version 1.253, for Windows 8 and up.
Version 1.253, for Windows 8 and up.
Version 1.246, last driver for Windows 7.
Version 1.253, for Windows 8 and up.
Version1.093.
TotalMix FX V 1.97. This zip includes only TotalMix FX, to update TotalMix when using older drivers that come with an older TotalMix FX version.
Installation: Exit TotalMix FX completely and copy the app into the Applications folder, overwriting the old file.
TotalMix Remote V 1.43 - App to remote control TotalMix FX via ethernet and WiFi from other devices with Mac OS 10.12 or up. Universal Binary, supports Intel and Mx. Please note: can not be run on the same computer where the host TotalMix FX is used. This download is not TotalMix FX, which is part of the driver installation.
TotalMix FX V 1.97. This zip includes only TotalMix FX, to update TotalMix when using older drivers that come with an older TotalMix FX version.
Installation: Exit TotalMix FX (right click systray icon) and copy the new version into Windows\System32, overwriting the old file.
TotalMix Remote V 1.43 - Program to remote control TotalMix FX via ethernet and WiFi from other devices with Windows OS (PC, Tablet). Please note: can not be run on the same computer where the host TotalMix FX is used. This download is not TotalMix FX, which is part of the driver installation.
Universal binary, runs natively on Intel and Mx machines. DigiCheck NG V 0.91 requires macOS 10.13 (High Sierra) or up.
EBU R-128 Meter. Surround Audio Scope with ITU weighting. Stereo / Multichannel / Global Level Meter, Spectral Analyser, Vector Audio Scope, Correlation Meter, Bit Statistic & Noise. In this version a display of plaback data is not possible via Core Audio, only via hardware level. Supports all cards of the HDSPe, FireWire and USB series. (09/14/2018).
Differences to v 4.53: EBU R-128 Meter. Surround Audio Scope with ITU weighting. Simultaneous usage of multiple cards in all functions. Displays fully configurable (e.g. channel selection). Multichannel Level Meter freely configurable. MMCSS for Vista. Many improvements on surface and internal operation. Supports all current interfaces plus DIGI 9636/52. DIGI32 series and DIGI96 series are no longer supported. (10/05/2020).
V596 adds compatibilty for HDSPe MADI FX and XT with DK firmware.
DigiCheck NG V 0.91 requires a Direct3D 12 capable graphics card and Windows 10 or up.
DigiCheck NG V 0.91 requires a Direct3D 12 capable graphics card and Windows 10 or up.
Stereo Level Meter, Multichannel Level Meter, Global Level Meter, Spectral Analyser, Vector Audio Scope, Correlation Meter, Totalyser, Bit Statistic & Noise, Global Record. ASIO support, multi-client operation, display of +dBFS levels, display of playback data, K-system, free reference/scale, third colour. New: Hardware Level Meter. RMS Slow and RLB weighting filter. Optional Correlator. Level meters vertical/horizontal. Presets with hotkeys. Support for Fireface 400, newer Fireface 800 drivers, HDSP series WDM driver. Record functionality Global Record. Compatible to HDSPe PCI and HDSPe MADI/MADIface
Stereo Level Meter, Multichannel Level Meter, Global Level Meter, Spectral Analyser, Vector Audio Scope, Correlation Meter, Totalyser, Bit Statistic & Noise, Global Record. ASIO support, multi-client operation, display of +dBFS levels, display of playback data, K-system, free reference/scale, third colour. New: Hardware Level Meter. RMS Slow and RLB weighting filter. Optional Correlator. Level meters vertical/horizontal. Presets with hotkeys. Support for Fireface 400, newer Fireface 800 drivers, HDSP series WDM driver. Record functionality Global Record. Compatible to HDSPe PCI and HDSPe MADI/MADIface
Manuals
Fireface UC
Latest manual for Fireface UC
version 2.0 02/2019