RME have announced a new high-end multi-channel audio interface, called the UFX. A 1U rackmount device, the UFX provides both USB and Firewire 400 connectivity, so will be compatible with a wide variety of computers and laptops (including all Mac models).There are a generous 30 inputs and 30 outputs in total, in a variety of digital and analogue formats. On the way in, there are eight line-only inputs, four mic/line inputs (these appear on the front panel for easy access), two eight-channel ADAT inputs, plus a stereo AES3 digital input. Going the other way, there are eight line outs, two stereo headphone outputs (also located on the front panel), two eight-channel ADAT outs and a stereo AES3 output. One of the ADAT inputs and one ADAT output can optionally be used as optical S/PDIF I/O.
Usefully, there are two independent pairs of MIDI I/O, one located on the front panel and another on the rear. A pair of BNC connectors provides word-clock I/O, while a front-panel USB port, labelled Memory, will eventually enable you to connect a USB drive for recording, even without a computer connected! This functionality hasn’t been implemented yet, and details such as maximum track count weren’t available at the time of writing, but they should be soon, and we’ll cover them in detail in a forthcoming review.
Finally, a small nine-pin socket on the rear is for connecting an optional remote monitor controller, which we’ll get onto later.
The four mic preamps are the same type as can be found in RME’s Micstasy, and these digitally controlled affairs can supply up to 65dB of gain, the exact amount being governed either by the front-panel buttons and rotaries, or RME’s TotalMix software. The front-panel XLR/jack combi sockets can also accept either line or high-impedance instrument-level signals, and nominal operating level for these can, again, be set either from the front panel or via TotalMix. Indeed, the same is true of all the UFX’s analogue inputs and outputs: 0dBFS can be set so that it equates to an analogue level of +2dBV, +13dBu or +19dBu, on a per-channel basis, to ensure optimum level matching with your existing gear.
The A-D and D-A converters within are apparently completely new designs, and are capable of an impressive 115dB and 118dB dynamic range, respectively (both figures are A-weighted).
A large knob on the front functions as a monitor controller, and can be used to adjust the level of either the speaker outputs (which can be chosen from the front panel or within TotalMix), or, in conjunction with the front-panel buttons and menu system, the headphone outs. There’s also a talkback function, where the talkback input can be chosen in TotalMix or from the front panel. On the right-hand side of the fascia resides a high-resolution display, which aids setup (most of the UFX’s configuration options can be set here), and also provides accurate level metering.
The TotalMix software that comes with all of RME’s interfaces has been significantly revised for the UFX, and is now called TotalMix FX. In addition to the routing and mixing functionality that all versions of TotalMix provide, TotalMix FX has a number of effects and signal processors built in, which run on DSPs inside the UFX rack. Every input and output channel benefits from a three-band parametric EQ, a variable high-pass filter, a compressor, an expander, a polarity-invert button, a trim control, an M/S tool, and an Auto-Level function. There are also built-in reverb and echo effects, which can be accesed by all channels via a send.
The control room section has also been updated, and now features a cue output for quick auditioning of any TotalMix outputs. There are four mute, solo and fader groups, and all channels can be individually switched between mono and stereo operation. UI enhancements include a two-row mode, which reduces the mixer height to two rows for smaller displays; a slim-channel mode, which horizontally collapses selected channels to save space, or to allow TotalMix FX to function as a meter bridge; and each channel can be expanded to show EQ and dynamic processing settings.
The aforementioned remote control is a compact affair, and it provides monitor level control (as well as dim switching), as well as level-setting storage and routing settings recall. No price was available for the remote control at the time of writing, unfortunately, but we do know that the main UFX unit will retail for £1799 including VAT. For more information, check out the RME web site, below.
