RME Fireface UCX II 40-Channel Advanced USB Audio Interface

The Fireface UCX II 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 advanced interfaces, packing into a half-rack size unit what usually would be spread out over two or three 19 inch panels.

The most powerful & portable RME Audio USB Interface
This unique audio system is capable of transferring analog and digital audio data directly to Windows and Mac computers. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user. Numerous unique features like a well thought-out Settings dialog and an integrated routing solution realize a quick, comfortable and efficient operation of the Fireface UCX II.

The Fireface UCX II houses two mic/line preamps in XLR combo configuration on the front panel, along with two digitally controlled line/instrument inputs, followed by a headphone jack, various control buttons, a display, and the main volume knob. At the rear is a set of ten analogue balanced line inputs and outputs, MIDI I/O, ADAT I/O, AES/EBU and SPDIF I/O, USB 2.0 as well as a switchable word clock I/O.

With the SteadyClock FS, the Fireface UCX II features the latest clock and jitter rejection technology from RME. Based on a femtosecond clock, SteadyClock FS reduces the intrinsic jitter when converting from and to analogue over all digital formats to a new all-time low.

Full Stand-alone Functionality
Control all device states directly from the front panel for convenient, direct access to all features. Four keys and the encoder, the high-resolution and clear color display, and a well thought-out menu structure enable the user to quickly change and configure the device’s settings. Additionally internal memory allows for the permanent storage of six different states of the unit. Therefore the Fireface UCX II 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 TotalMix FX can also be controlled via MIDI.

40-Channels ready for your Mobile Recording Rig
DURec is an integrated digital recorder for all inputs and outputs directly to USB memory devices via the rear USB port. It allows to record on USB thumb drives or hard drives with up to 2 TB capacity. The recording functionality is provided by the internal DSP, and is therefore independent from a connected Windows or Mac computer. This USB port can alternatively be used for direct connection of RME’s optional ARC USB remote control.

The Direct USB Recording converts the Fireface UCX II into a stand-alone field recorder and a powerful multichannel live player for previous recordings, e. g. for virtual sound checks. Live concerts, band rehearsals or spontaneous jam sessions can be directly recorded and played back from the medium - even completely stand-alone without computer or software. All input and output channels can be individually chosen for recording and playback.

Powerful Applications for Mixing, Monitoring and Measurement included
The Fireface UCX II comes with the TotalMix FX DSP mixer offering comprehensive routing and monitoring options, as well as the DIGICheck Analyzer allowing to measure and analyze the digital data feed in both directions with maximum precision. TotalMix FX can completely replace an external mixer, enabling the creation of multiple latency-free monitor mixes with EQ, Dynamics, Reverb and Delay for any outputs, incl. main monitors and headphone mixes for musicians.

The additional TotalMix Remote is a remote control for TotalMix FX, to control the hardware mixer and effects in RME audio interfaces. 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. Easily adjust all the mixer and FX settings from a distance, via Ethernet and WiFi.

DC-Coupled Outputs - CV/Gate Voltage Control
Most audio interfaces are traditionally designed with what is called 'AC-coupled outputs', where capacitors are used to filter out any extreme low frequencies.

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.

All of the Fireface UCX II’s line-level outputs are fully DC-coupled, allowing for the sending of control voltages (CV) or Gate information to modular synthesizers (such as the popular Eurorack and Moog/MOTM/Synthesizers formats) and other studio hardware.

Key Features

• 8 x Analog I/O
• 2 x XLR/TRS Mic/Inst/Line
• 2 x Line/Inst Input
• 1 x Phones Output
• 1 x AES I/O
• 1 x ADAT I/O
• 1 x SPDIF I/O Coax
• 1 x Word Clock I/O
• 1 x MIDI I/O
• Class Compliant Mode
• TotalMix FX
• ARC USB
• RME USB 2.0
• DC-coupled Outputs
• SteadyClock FS
• DURec
• AutoSet Digital Gain Controla

Technical Specifications

AD, Line In 5-8, rear
Resolution AD: 24 bit
Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA
Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 20.8 kHz
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 3 Hz - 45.8 kHz
Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 2 Hz - 92 kHz
THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
Channel separation: > 110 dB
Input: 6.3 mm TRS jack, electronically balanced
Input impedance: 8 kOhm unbalanced, 12 kOhm balanced
Input sensitivity switchable to +19 dBu and +13 dBu
Variable gain: 0 to +12 dB
Minimum level for 0 dBFS: +1 dBu, -1.2 dBV
Line In 3-4, front
As AD, but:
Additional Gain stage: 0 up to +12 dB
Maximum input level, +19 dBu, Gain 0 dB: Line +19 dBu, Inst +13 dBu
Maximum input level, +13 dBu, Gain 12 dB: Line +1 dBu, Inst -5 dBu
Input impedance: Instrument 1 MOhm. Line 13 kOhm balanced, 9 kOhm unbalanced
Input Gain Inst: +6 dB
Input mode: Line balanced (TRS), Inst unbalanced (TS)
Microphone In 1-2, front
As AD, but:
Input: XLR, electronically balanced
Input impedance: 5.4 kOhm
Gain range: 75 dB
Maximum input level, Gain 0 dB: +18 dBu
Maximum input level, Gain 75 dB: -57 dBu
EIN: -128 dBu A-weighted, 60 dB gain,150 Ohm, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Line In 1-2
As AD, but:
Input: TRS, electronically balanced
Input impedance: 10 kOhm balanced, 5 kOhm unbalanced
Maximum input level, Gain 0 dB: +24 dBu
Maximum input level, Gain 75 dB: -51 dBu
DA, Line Out 1-6, rear
Resolution: 24 bit
Dynamic range (DR): 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA
Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 20.8 kHz
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz - 45 kHz
Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 5 Hz - 89 kHz
THD: < -108 dB, < 0.0004 %
THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
Channel separation: > 110 dB
Maximum output level: +19 dBu
Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, servo-balanced
Output impedance: 75 Ohm
Output level switchable +19 dBu, +13 dBu, +4 dBu
DA - Stereo Monitor Output Phones (7-8)
As DA, but:
Output: 6.3 mm TRS stereo jack, unbalanced
Maximum output level at 0 dBFS, High: +19 dBu
Maximum output level at 0 dBFS, Low: +4 dBu
Output impedance: 1 Ohm
Max power per channel @ 32 Ohm load, 0.1% THD: 210 mW (2.6 Vrms, +10.5 dBu)
MIDI
1 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks
Galvanically isolated by optocoupled input
Hi-speed mode: Jitter and response time typically below 1 ms
Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output
Digital
Clocks: Internal, ADAT, AES, SPDIF, word clock
Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)
Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero
PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter
Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
Supported sample rates: 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

Digital Inputs
AES/EBU
1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vpp)
SPDIF compatible (IEC 60958)
Accepts Consumer and Professional format
Lock range: 27 kHz - 200 kHz
Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)
SPDIF coaxial
1 x RCA, according to IEC 60958
High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vpp)
Accepts Consumer and Professional format, copy protection will be ignored
Lock Range: 27 kHz - 200 kHz
Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)
ADAT Optical
1 x TOSLINK, format according to Alesis specification
Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
Double Speed (S/MUX): 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz
Bitclock PLL ensures perfect synchronisation even in varispeed operation
Lock range: 31.5 kHz ㄴ 50 kHz
Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)
SPDIF compatible (automatic detection)
Word Clock
BNC
Internal termination 75 Ohm switchable
Automatic Double/Quad Speed detection and internal conversion to Single Speed
SteadyClock guarantees super low jitter synchronization even in varispeed operation
Not affected by DC-offsets within the network
Signal Adaptation Circuit: signal refresh through auto-center and hysteresis
Overvoltage protection
Level range: 1.0 Vpp ㄴ 5.6 Vpp
Lock Range: 27 kHz - 200 kHz
Jitter suppression: > 50 dB (2.4 kHz)

Digital Outputs
AES/EBU
XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
Output level Professional 4.5 Vpp, Consumer 2.6 Vpp
Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz
SPDIF coaxial
1 x RCA, according to IEC 60958
Output level Professional 1.2 Vpp, Consumer 0.6 Vpp
Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz
ADAT
1 x TOSLINK, format according to Alesis specification
Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
Double Speed (S/MUX): 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz
Word Clock
BNC
Max. output voltage: 5 Vpp
Output voltage @ 75 Ohm termination: 4.0 Vpp
Output impedance: 10 Ohm
Frequency range: 27 kHz - 200 kHz

General
Power supply: external power supply
Typical power consumption: 13 Watts
Current at 12 Volt operating voltage: 910 mA (11 Watts)
Dimensions incl. rack ears, full depth (WxHxD): 265 x 44 x 155 mm (10.5" x 1.73" x 6.1")
Dimensions without rack ears, body depth (WxHxD): 215 x 44 x 130 mm (8.5" x 1.73" x 5.1")
Weight: 910 g ( 2.0 lbs)
Temperature range: +5ㄴ up to +50ㄴ Celsius (41ㄴ F up to 122ㄴF)
Relative humidity: < 75%, non condensing