RME Audio Fireface UCX User Manual
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RME Audio Fireface UCX User Manual

Usb 2.0 / firewire 400 digital i/o system 8 + 8 + 2 channels analog / adat / spdif interface 24 bit / 192 khz digital audio 36 x 18 matrix router 2 x midi i/o stand-alone operation class compliant operation midi remote control
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User's Guide
Fireface UCX
®
The most powerful portable FireWire
and USB audio interface!
™
TotalMix
24 Bit / 192 kHz
™
™
™
SyncAlign
ZLM
SyncCheck
™
SteadyClock
USB 2.0 / FireWire 400 Digital I/O System
8 + 8 + 2 Channels Analog / ADAT / SPDIF Interface
24 Bit / 192 kHz Digital Audio
36 x 18 Matrix Router
2 x MIDI I/O
Stand-Alone Operation
Class Compliant Operation
MIDI Remote Control

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Summary of Contents for RME Audio Fireface UCX

  • Page 1 User's Guide Fireface UCX ® The most powerful portable FireWire and USB audio interface! ™ TotalMix 24 Bit / 192 kHz ™ ™ ™ SyncAlign SyncCheck ™ SteadyClock USB 2.0 / FireWire 400 Digital I/O System 8 + 8 + 2 Channels Analog / ADAT / SPDIF Interface...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Digital Recording..........21 Clock Modes - Synchronization ......22 Operation under ASIO 10.1 General ..............23 10.2 Channel Count under ASIO .........23 10.3 Known Problems ..........24 Using more than one Fireface UCX.......24 DIGICheck Windows ..........25 Hotline – Troubleshooting........26 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 3 26.1 8-Channel AD/DA Converter ....... 50 26.2 2-Channel Mic Preamp ........50 26.3 Monitor Mixer ............50 26.4 Digital Format Converter........50 26.5 Analog/Digital Routing Matrix ......50 26.6 External Interface for iPad ........50 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 4 MIDI Remote Control 30.1 Overview ..............80 30.2 Mapping ...............80 30.3 Setup ..............81 30.4 Operation .............81 30.5 MIDI Control ............82 30.6 Stand-Alone MIDI Control ........83 30.7 Loopback Detection ..........84 30.8 OSC (Open Sound Control) .........85 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 5 32.5 DS – Double Speed ..........95 32.6 QS – Quad Speed ..........95 32.7 Noise Level in DS / QS Mode ......96 32.8 SteadyClock............96 Diagrams 33.1 Block Diagram Fireface UCX....... 97 33.2 Connector Pinouts ..........98 Miscellaneous Accessories............100 Warranty..............100 Appendix..............

  • Page 6: Important Safety Instructions

    When mounting in a rack, leave some space between this device and others for ventilation. Unauthorized servicing/repair voids warranty. Only use accessories specified by the manufacturer. Read the manual completely. It includes all information necessary to use and operate this device. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 7: General

    User's Guide Fireface UCX General User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 8: Introduction

    1. Introduction Thank you for choosing the Fireface UCX. This unique audio system is capable of transferring analog and digital audio data directly to a computer from practically any device. The latest Plug and Play technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user. The numerous unique features and well thought-out configuration dialog puts the Fireface UCX at the very top of the range of computer-based audio interfaces.

  • Page 9: First Usage - Quick Start

    Phones is a low impedance line output of highest quality. It provides a sufficient and undis- torted volume even when used with headphones. The rear panel of the Fireface UCX features four analog inputs, six analog outputs, the power socket, and all digital inputs and outputs.

  • Page 10: Quick Start

    TotalMix reach about –3 dB. The analog line inputs of the Fireface UCX can be used with +4 dBu and -10 dBV signals. The electronic input stage can handle balanced (XLR, TRS jacks) and unbalanced (TS jacks) input signals correctly.

  • Page 11: Installation And Operation - Windows

    User's Guide Fireface UCX Installation and Operation – Windows User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 12: Hardware Installation

    After the Fireface UCX has been switched on (see 6. Hardware Installation), the hardware as- sistant finds a Fireface UCX. Insert the RME Driver CD into your CD-ROM drive, and follow further instructions which appear on your computer screen. The driver files are located in the directory \Fireface_USB and \Fireface_FW on the RME Driver CD.

  • Page 13: Driver Update

    Control Panel, Software. Click on the entry 'RME Fireface'. 7.4 Firmware Update The Flash Update Tool updates the firmware of the Fireface UCX to the latest version. It re- quires an already installed driver. Start the program fut_usb.exe. The Flash...

  • Page 14: Configuring The Fireface

    8. Configuring the Fireface 8.1 Settings dialog - General Configuration of the Fireface UCX is done via its own settings dialog. The panel 'Settings' can be opened: • by clicking on the fire symbol in the Task Bar's system tray The mixer of the Fireface UCX, TotalMix, can be opened: •...
  • Page 15 (Lock, No Lock), or if there is a valid and synchronous signal (Sync). The third column shows the sample frequency detected by the hardware (coarse recognition, 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz etc.). In Clock Mode the clock reference is shown. See also chapter 32.1. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 16: Settings Dialog - Pitch

    Therefore the internal clock can be set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, but not to a value in be- tween. SteadyClock, RME's sensational Low Jitter Clock System, is based on a Direct Digital Synthesizer (DDS). This superior circuitry can generate nearly any frequency with highest pre- cision.

  • Page 17: Operation And Usage Playback

    9. Operation and Usage 9.1 Playback The Fireface UCX can play back audio data in supported formats only (sample rate, bit resolu- tion). Otherwise an error message appears (for example at 22 kHz and 8 bit). In the audio application being used, Fireface must be selected as output device. This can often be found in the Options, Preferences or Settings menus under Playback Device, Audio Devices, Audio etc.

  • Page 18: Dvd-Playback (Ac-3/Dts)

    (tab Sounds, scheme 'No audio'). Note 2: The DVD player will be synced backwards from the Fireface. This means when using AutoSync and/or word clock, the playback speed and pitch follows the incoming clock signal. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 19: Notes On Wdm

    9.3 Notes on WDM The driver offers a WDM streaming device per stereo pair, like Analog 3+4 (Fireface UCX). WDM streaming is Microsoft's current driver and audio system, directly embedded into the op- erating system. WDM streaming is hardly usable for professional music purposes, as all data is processed by the so called Kernel Mixer, causing a latency of at least 30 ms.

  • Page 20: Channel Count Under Wdm

    RME's sophisticated tool DIGICheck is an exception to this rule. It operates like an ASIO host, using a special technique to access playback channels directly. Therefore DIGICheck is able to analyse and display playback data from any software, no matter which format it uses.

  • Page 21: Analog Recording

    The level of the front-side analog inputs can be optimized via TotalMix (Input Channel Settings, Level or Gain), or directly at the Fireface UCX by the encoders and the 7 segment display. A Signal LED and a Clip LED help to find the correct gain value.

  • Page 22: Clock Modes - Synchronization

    A digital system can only have one master! If the Fireface’s clock mode is set to 'Master', all other devices must be set to ‘Slave’. The Fireface UCX utilizes a very user-friendly, intelligent clock control, called AutoSync. In AutoSync mode, the system constantly scans the digital input for a valid signal. If any valid sig- nal is found, the Fireface switches from the internal quartz (Clock Mode –...

  • Page 23: Operation Under Asio

    The Fireface UCX supports ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM). The Fireface UCX MIDI I/O can be used with both MME MIDI and DirectMusic MIDI. 10.2 Channel Count under ASIO At a sample rate of 88.2 or 96 kHz, the ADAT optical input and outputs operate in S/MUX mode, so the number of available channels is reduced from 8 to 4.

  • Page 24: Known Problems

    Lock instead of Sync, the devices have not been set up properly! The same applies when using more than one Fireface UCX - they all have to be in sync. Else a periodically repeated noise will be heard.

  • Page 25: Digicheck Windows

    Therefore a global mixer for all units is not possible. When using more than one Fireface UCX the USB/FW bus might get overloaded. To prevent this connect all units to different busses. See chapter 32.3 and 32.4 for further notes on USB and FireWire performance.

  • Page 26: Hotline - Troubleshooting

    • Check that there is a valid signal at the input. If so, the current sample frequency is dis- played in the Settings dialog. • Check whether the Fireface UCX has been selected as recording device in the audio appli- cation.

  • Page 27: Installation And Operation - Mac Os X

    User's Guide Fireface UCX Installation and Operation – Mac OS X User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 28: Hardware Installation

    After the Fireface has been switched on (see 14. Hardware Installation) install the drivers from the RME Driver CD. The driver files are located in the folder \Fireface_USB and \Fireface_FW on the RME Driver CD. Installation works automatically by a double-click on the file Fireface USB.pkg or Fireface.pkg.

  • Page 29: Driver Update

    A progress bar will indicate when the flash process is finished (Verify Ok). After the update the Fireface UCX needs to be reset. This is done by powering down the Fire- face for a few seconds. A reboot of the computer is not necessary.

  • Page 30: Configuring The Fireface

    16.1 Settings Dialog Configuring the Fireface is done via its own settings dialog. Start the program Fireface USB Settings. The mixer of the Fireface UCX (TotalMix FX) can be configured by starting the pro- gram Fireface USB Mixer. The Fireface’s hardware offers a number of helpful, well thought-out practical functions and options which affect how the card operates - it can be configured to suit many different require- ments.
  • Page 31 All channels (default) activates all 18 input and output channels. Analog +SPDIF + ADAT 1-4 disables channels 15–18 (from ADAT). Analog + SPDIF activates all 8 analog channels plus SPDIF. Analog activates only the eight analog channels. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 32: Clock Modes - Synchronization

    A digital system can only have one master! If the Fireface’s clock mode is set to 'Master', all other devices must be set to ‘Slave’. The Fireface UCX utilizes a very user-friendly, intelligent clock control, called AutoSync. In AutoSync mode, the system constantly scans the digital input for a valid signal. If any valid sig- nal is found, the Fireface switches from the internal quartz (Clock Mode –...

  • Page 33: Mac Os X Faq

    17. Mac OS X FAQ 17.1 Round about Driver Installation The driver with the file suffix zip provided by RME is a compressed archive. Zip is directly sup- ported by OS X, a double click on the file is all one needs to do.

  • Page 34: Channel Count Under Core Audio

    1/2, without further delay/latency. Use Speaker Setup to freely configure the playback to all available channels. Even multichan- nel playback (Surround, DVD Player) can be set up this way. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 35: Using More Than One Fireface

    Core Audio function Aggregate Devices, which combines several devices into one. The current driver supports up to three Fireface UCX. All units have to be in sync, i.e. have to receive valid sync information either via word clock or by feeding synchronized signals.

  • Page 36: Hotline - Troubleshooting

    • Check that there is a valid signal at the input. If so, the current sample frequency is dis- played in the Settings dialog. • Check whether the Fireface UCX has been selected as recording device in the audio appli- cation.

  • Page 37: Inputs And Outputs

    User's Guide Fireface UCX Inputs and Outputs User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 38: Analog Inputs

    21.2 Microphone / Line Front The two balanced microphone inputs of the Fireface UCX offer a digitally controlled gain of 0 to 65 dB via XLR/TRS combo jacks. The gain range is 65 dB, adjustable in 1 dB steps over a ran- ge of 55 dB.

  • Page 39: Instrument / Linefront

    21.3 Instrument / Line Front Inputs 3/4 of the Fireface UCX are exceptionally flexible. Several gain and impedance options make them the ideal receivers for both line and instrument signals. Line Inputs 3/4 have balanced line inputs as 1/4" TRS jacks. The electronic input stage is built in a servo balanced design which handles unbalanced (mono jacks) and balanced (stereo jacks) correctly, automatically adjusting the level reference.

  • Page 40: Analog Outputs

    As with the analog inputs, the analog output levels are defined to maintain a problem-free op- eration with most other devices. The headroom of the Fireface UCX lies between 9 and 15 dB, according to the chosen reference level:...

  • Page 41: Digital Connections

    ADAT In Interface for a device sending an ADAT signal to the Fireface UCX. Carries the channels 1 to 8. When receiving a Double Speed signal, this input carries the channels 1 to 4, at Quad Speed the channels 1 and 2.

  • Page 42: Midi

    False channel status is a common cause of malfunction. The Fireface UCX ignores the received header and creates a totally new one for the output signal. The Fireface UCX new output header is optimized for largest compatibility with other digital devices: •...

  • Page 43: Word Clock

    The received word clock signal can be distributed to other devices by using the word clock out- put. With this the usual T-adapter can be avoided, and the Fireface UCX operates as Signal Refresher. This kind of operation is highly recommended, because •...

  • Page 44: Technical Description And Background

    22 MHz from a slow word clock of 44.1 kHz is no problem anymore. Additionally, jitter on the input signal is highly rejected, so that even in real world usage the re-gained clock signal is of highest quality. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 45: Cables And Termination

    Termination in the Settings dialog (see chapter 24.1). In case the Fireface UCX resides within a chain of devices receiving word clock, plug a T- adapter into its BNC input jack, and the cable supplying the word clock signal to one end of the adapter.
  • Page 46 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 47: Stand-Alone Operation

    User's Guide Fireface UCX Stand-Alone Operation User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 48: Operation And Usage

    While the three rotary encoders and the clear colour display of the Fireface UFX are missing in the Fireface UCX, it still uses the same engine inside, and subsequently has all the stand-alone features found in the UFX. The full Mackie Protocol and MIDI remote support makes it possible to use the unit even without connected computer, still being able to change many parameters.

  • Page 49: Class Compliant Mode

    USB port. Then just connect the UCX and get started! More information on this, as well as demonstration videos, can be found on the RME website. To use the unit normally under Windows and Mac, the state CC on has to be switched to oF by pushing the knob again at any time.

  • Page 50: Examples

    The perfect headphone monitor mixer! 26.4 Digital Format Converter As TotalMix allows for any routing of the input signals, the Fireface UCX can be used as ADAT to SPDIF/AES converter, ADAT to two SPDIF splitter, two SPDIF to ADAT converter, and SPDIF coax to optical converter.

  • Page 51: Totalmix Fx

    User's Guide Fireface UCX TotalMix FX User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 52: Routing And Monitoring

    Compressor, Expander and Auto Level. Here are some typical applications for TotalMix: • Setting up delay-free submixes (headphone mixes). The Fireface UCX allows for up to 9 fully independent stereo submixes. On an analog mixing desk, this would equal 18 Aux sends.
  • Page 53 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 54: The User Interface

    The visual design of the TotalMix mixer is a result of its capability to route hardware inputs and software playback channels to any hardware output. The Fireface UCX has 18 input channels, 18 software playback channels, and 18 hardware output channels: TotalMix can be used in the above view (View Options 2 Rows).

  • Page 55: The Channel

    The arrow symbol at the bottom minimizes the channel width to that of the level meters. An- other click maximizes it again. A mouse click with held Ctrl key causes all channels to the right to enlarge and minimize at once. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 56 The gain (fader knob position) of the currently active routing (the submix selected in the third row) is shown as white triangle. Background: TotalMix has no fixed channel fader. In case of the Fireface UCX there are 9 stereo Aux sends, shown alternately as single fader within the channel strip.

  • Page 57: Settings

    Phase L. Inverts the phase of the left channel by 180°. Phase R. Inverts the phase of the right channel by 180°. Note: the functions Width, MS Proc, Phase L and Phase R affect all routings of the respective channel. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 58: Equalizer

    Note: TotalMix has an internal headroom of 24 dB. Extreme boosts with overlapping filters can therefore cause an internal overload. In any case such an overload is displayed by the Over LED of the channel’s level meter. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 59 Presets have special names. For example Telephone (LC+EQ) will sound much better when the LC has been activated additionally to the EQ, as the LC is set to an unusual high fre- quency of 500 Hz here. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 60: Dynamics

    9.9 s. Includes same functions Preset. described on the previous page for the Equalizer. The names of the Factory Presets make clear whether Compressor, Auto Level or both (C+A) have to be switched on. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 61: Section Control Room

    The choice is limited to ADAT 1/2, as at 192 kHz the other ADAT channels are not available anymore. The output for the Cue signal, which is usually Main, can also be set to one of the Phones outputs. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 62: The Control Strip

    DSP Meter. Shows the DSP load caused by activated EQ, Low Cut, Compressor, Auto Level, Echo and Reverb. The DSP of the Fireface UCX has an automatic load limiter. If no DSP resources are left further effects can not be activated.

  • Page 63: View Options

    This view saves a lot of space, especially in height. O-Names. Display of the original names of channels when they had been renamed by the user. FX. Opens the window to set up the effects Reverb and Echo. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 64: Snapshots - Groups

    Hide Channel in MIDI Remote 1. The selected channels are hidden for MIDI remote (CC and Mackie Protocol). Hide Channel in OSC Remote 1. The selected channels are hidden for OSC remote con- trol. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 65 Layout Preset. That makes it very easy to see and to verify which channels are mixed/routed to the current output. Sub makes checking and verifying of mixes, but also the mix editing itself, a lot easier, and maintains perfect overview even with lots of channels. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 66: Scroll Location Markers

    When the TotalMix FX window is intentionally made small in width, so only a few channels are shown. • When some or all EQ or Dynamics panels are open. Then all relevant settings are always visible, but require a lot of space horizontally. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 67: Reverb And Echo

    Adjustable from 5 kHz up to 20 kHz. Room Scale. Determines the size of the room, thus changing density and length of the reverb effect. Adjustable from 0.5 up to 2.0. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 68 Feedback. Feedback to produce further echoes. Width. Adjusts the stereo width of the echo signal from 100 (stereo) to 0 (mono). Volume. Adjusts the level of the echo effects signal sent to the FX return bus. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 69 Factory: Includes 10 examples for the configuration of the Reverb Reset: Resets the Reverb or Echo Rename: The Presets 1 to 16 can be renamed. The changes will be shown in both lists Recall and Save to. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 70: Preferences

    Settings in the unit are lost. Graphics Use D2D (Change requires restart). Default on. Can be deactivated to use a compatible but CPU-taxing graphics mode, in case graphics problems show up. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 71: Settings

    Dim. Amount of attenuation for the Main Out in dB. External Input. Selects the stereo input that replaces the mix signal on the Main Out when activated. The volume of the stereo signal is adjusted by the slider Gain. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 72: Midi Page

    TotalMix level meters in the preferences. Note: When MIDI Out is set to NONE then TotalMix FX can still be controlled by Mackie Control MIDI commands, but the 8-channel block is not marked as remote target. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 73: Osc Page

    Options Activates Send Peak Level. transmission of the peak level meter data. Peak Hold activates the peak hold function as set up for the TotalMix level meters in the preferences. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 74: Hotkeys And Usage

    Copy Submix. Copies the whole submix of the selected output into memory. All input and play- back faders from that routing will be included. Paste Submix. Writes the previously copied submix to the currently selected output. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 75: Menu Options

    Total Reset. Playback routing 1:1 with mixdown to Main Out. Switches off all other func- tions. Store current state into device. The unit can store up to 6 setups (the current state) in its own memory. This function is especially useful when working in stand-alone mode. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 76: The Matrix

    View options, as they don’t make sense here. Instead the button Mono Mode lets you decide whether all the actions per- formed in the Matrix are valid for two channels or just one. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 77: Tips And Tricks

    – the Main Out and the other Hardware Output. Even better: the faders of both outputs are still active, so the signal level can be adjusted individually. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 78: Recording A Submix - Loopback

    With Loopback active the EQ of the input is not in the record path, only in the monitoring path, even when the Option DSP – EQ+D for Record is activated. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 79: Ms Processing

    Low Cut, Expander, Compressor or Delay. The most basic application is the manipulation of the stereo width: a change of the level of the side channel allows to manipulate the stereo width from mono to stereo up to extended. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 80: Midi Remote Control

    Snapshot 1 - 8 select Main Out F10 - F12 select Cue Phones 1 - 3 *Tested with Behringer BCF2000 Firmware v1.07 in Mackie Control emulation for Steinberg mode and with Mackie Control under Mac OS X. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 81: Setup

    TotalMix also supports the 9th fader of the Mackie Control. This fader (labelled Master) will con- trol the stereo output faders (lowest row) which are set up as Main Out in the Control Room section. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 82: Midi Control

    16 Controller numbers are used: 102 up to 117 (= hex 66 to 75). With these 16 Controllers (= faders) and 4 MIDI channels each per row, up to 64 faders can be controlled per row (as re- quired by the HDSPe MADI). User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 83: Stand-Alone Midi Control

    30.6 Stand-Alone MIDI Control When not connected to a computer, the Fireface UCX can be controlled directly via MIDI. Stand-alone MIDI is controlled in TotalMix FX, Options / Enable MIDI Control. The current state of this option is stored in the Setups and with the current state, and used when going offline.

  • Page 84: Loopback Detection

    MIDI output. As soon as it detects this special note at the input, the MIDI functionality is disabled. After fixing the loopback, check Enable MIDI Control under Options to reactivate the TotalMix MIDI. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 85: Osc (Open Sound Control)

    27.8.3. An OSC implementation chart can be downloaded from the RME website: http://www.rme-audio.de/download/osc_table_totalmix.zip RME offers a free iPad template for the iOS app TouchOSC (by Hexler, available in the Apple App-Store): http://www.rme-audio.de/download/tosc_tm_ipad_template.zip The RME forum hosts further information, more templates (iPhone…) and lots of useful user feedback.
  • Page 86 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 87: Technical Reference

    User's Guide Fireface UCX Technical Reference User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 88: Technical Specifications

    • 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 User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 89: Midi

    • Level range: 1.0 Vpp – 5.6 Vpp • Lock Range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz • Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns • Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz) User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 90: Digital Outputs

    • Temperature range: +5° up to +50° Celsius (41° F up to 122°F) • Relative humidity: < 75%, non condensing • Included power supply: Internal switching PSU, 100 - 240 V AC, 2 A, 24 Watts User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 91: Technical Background

    PLL tracks the receiver's frequency. If an ADAT or SPDIF signal is applied to the Fireface UCX, the corresponding input LED starts flashing. The unit indicates LOCK, i. e. a valid input signal (in case the signal is also in sync, the LED is constantly lit, see below).

  • Page 92: Latency And Monitoring

    RME's Zero Latency Monitoring. The term describes the digital path of the audio data from the input of the interface to its output. The digital receiver of the Fireface UCX can't operate un-buffered, and together with TotalMix and the output via the transmitter, it causes a typical delay of 3 samples.

  • Page 93: Usb Audio

    An additional small safety buffer on the playback side has proven to be very efficient and useful. It is therefore implemented in all RME interfaces. Under Windows the Fireface UCX uses a fixed additional buffer of 32 samples with USB and 64 samples with FireWire, under Mac 32 samples, which is added to the current buffer size.

  • Page 94: Firewire Audio

    Additionally the Fireface provides a special mechanism which allows to continue record and playback in spite of drop-outs, and to correct the sample position in real-time. Detailed informa- tion on this topic can be found in the Tech Info FireWire Audio by RME – Technical Background on the RME website: http://www.rme-audio.com/english/techinfo/fwaudio_rme.htm...

  • Page 95: Ds - Double Speed

    14, 10 or 8 channels. This limitation is independent from the sample rate. As can be seen in the following table, in 192 kHz mode there is no difference between the setting All Channels and An+SP+ADAT 1-4, as the Fireface UCX offers only 12 channels in Quad Speed mode anyway. Limit Bandwidth...

  • Page 96: Noise Level In Ds / Qs Mode

    32.7 Noise level in DS / QS Mode The outstanding signal to noise ratio of the Fireface UCX AD-converters can be verified even without expensive test equipment, by using record level meters of various software. But when activating the DS and QS mode, the displayed noise level will rise from -111 dB to -107 dB at 96 kHz, and –93 dB at 192 kHz.

  • Page 97: Diagrams

    33. Diagrams 33.1 Block Diagram Fireface UCX User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 98: Connector Pinouts

    TRS plug to TS plugs is required. The pin assignment follows interna- tional standards. The left channel is connected to the tip, the right channel to the ring of the TRS jack/plug. User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...
  • Page 99 User's Guide Fireface UCX Miscellaneous User's Guide Fireface UCX © RME...

  • Page 100: Accessories

    Audio AG does not accept claims for damages of any kind, especially consequential damage. Liability is limited to the value of the Fireface UCX. The general terms of business drawn up by Audio AG apply at all times.

  • Page 101: Appendix

    FireWire: Windows 3.073, Mac OS X: 3.14, Firmware 23 DSP: Firmware 220. TotalMix FX: 0.989 Although the contents of this User’s Guide have been thoroughly checked for errors, RME can not guarantee that it is correct throughout. RME does not accept responsibility for any mislead- ing or incorrect information within this guide.

  • Page 102: Declaration Of Conformity

    D-09648 Mittweida Germany The Basic Remote, in some special packages included, is a product of RME Trading Ltd., Hong Kong. In case a disposal of electronic waste is not possible, the recycling can be done by Audio AG. For this the device has to be sent free to the door to:...

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