1. How do you compress before the ADC in units like Fireface UCX?
I've got an RNC hardware compressor, and sometimes I like to insert it in the signal path, after the preamp and before the ADC, of my humble [M-Audio Omni I/O which has a Delta 66 card].

Looking at the diagram for the UCX, page 91 (manual link on bottom left: http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_fireface_ucx.php ), it looks like the ADC takes place immediately. So, how could my RNC be used to compress the signal before hitting the UCX ... would I need to use a separate stand-alone preamp >> RNC >> line inputs of UCX? (And said preamp would have to be quite expensive, wouldn't it, to not be the weak link in the chain compared to the rest of the UCX's high quality audio handling ...?).

2. How is the Mic/Line input controlled in Stand-Alone Mode, where the only monitoring indicators are "Signal" and "Clip"?
Without the software mixing which is not available in Stand-Alone Mode, it seems like it would be quite hard to get the gain staging right using the preamp controller knob.

Thanks -

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Alexis -Cubase 6.5.0/SX3.1.1.944, XP SP2, 4GB RAM (1GB not accessible, but used just to balance the computer so it doesn't tip over); Delta 66 in Omni i/O Studio; Motif8; UAD-1

Hi Alexis,

The UCX doesn't have insert points, so yes, if you want to run a line level compressor prior to the ADC you'll need a separate mic preamp.

For gain setting in stand-alone mode you're pretty much reliant on the metering in whatever you're feeding from the UCX.

Quote Sam Inglis:

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Hi Alexis,

The UCX doesn't have insert points, so yes, if you want to run a line level compressor prior to the ADC you'll need a separate mic preamp.

For gain setting in stand-alone mode you're pretty much reliant on the metering in whatever you're feeding from the UCX.

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Thanks, Sam. Re: the bolded bit of your response - I can see a certain level of unease about whether the preamp trim is set properly in that situation - perhaps a tendency to overcompensate with a trim level set far too low so as to be super-duper double-pinkie sure that there is not going to be any clipping on an unplanned loud bit.

I guess experience gained through use of the unit when connected to the computer would help in knowing the right trim level to set in stand-alone mode ...

Thanks again, Sam!

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Alexis -Cubase 6.5.0/SX3.1.1.944, XP SP2, 4GB RAM (1GB not accessible, but used just to balance the computer so it doesn't tip over); Delta 66 in Omni i/O Studio; Motif8; UAD-1

Well, if you're using it with an iPad recording app or similar, then that should have adequate metering. Likewise it you were using it as a stand-alone A-D converter feeding another interface. Not sure I can think of an obvious use for the UCX as a wholly stand-alone unit, it's not really intended as a mixer for live use for example.