I'm considering the RME UCX II, RME UFX II, or RME 802 FS interface and I'm looking for pros / cons and advice from users or those in the know that can help me decide which unit is best to connect to the list of gear below. I don't mind spending the higher $ if that offers extra connectivity options for future gear acquisitions. I will be using Ableton Live and the Total Mix Software on a MacBook Pro M2 chip running on OS Sonoma 14.2.1.

Headphones, ADAM 7v Monitors, Roland MC 707, Novation 49 SL MK III, OB-6, JUNO 106, (likely one more synth I don’t have now), 1 bass guitar, 1 guitar. I have a Bored Brain Patchulator Patch Bay to help manage a few effects pedals and move things around. I assume a pre-amp won't be needed?

Thanks for the advice!

 

I use RME products since 2006: great choice and not cons that I can think of except the price.

You could go with a babyface and an external analog to adat 8 line/pre ins (even a behringer ada 8200) but if you think you will expand your setup with more than 1 or 2 synths/other gear you should definitely go with the UCX II.

802 or even more the UFX II seems overkill to me.

If you're not planning on using more than 2 microphones and more than 2 instrument inputs at the same time you'll not need any preamp with the UCX II. Same thing with a Babyface Pro FS plus an ADAT 8 ins line/Pre, in that case if you choose something with 8 Pres you'll have plenty of Pre inputs for a total of 10 pre channels + 2 line/instrument inputs.

If you have the money buy the UCX II so that you have all in one package with the added benefit of RME quality conversion on the analog to digital ins (if that matters to you) but if you wanna spend 350 euros less go for the babyface plus an ada 8200 (that will do the job just fine).

Just my 2 cents

 

Thanks for the info! I'm need to have more than 2 mics and 2 instruments at the same time. I think I'm going with the 802FS or UFXii.

 

UCX II will get you 20 ins: like I said 802 or UFX seems overkill to me (I currently have a Fireface 800), I'd spend my money on other things but if you think you'll expand your setup on more than 20 ins it could be the right choice. Regardless of your choice you'll be pleased, have a nice time with your new gear!

 

RME is the most serious and trustworthy company with the most reliable interfaces and professional support. Best drivers and driver update support of any other company.
Ive been using RME since year 2000. Went for Focusrite when firewire came - and then back to RME after Focusrite killed my speakers...
The price isnt worth talking about since you can use them for 10-25 years with any issues of OS compability etc.

 

I got them all, so feel free to specify any questions you have,
so far my thoughts:
FF 802 lacks ability to control main monitors volume, it's a deal breaker for me so, I sold it long time ago and never looked back,
that said, if you'd need a portable rig, using just headphones, then it's still a good device for good price
FF UCX II has a cute form factor, I'd say it's rather expensive for what connectivity it offers - so depends what I/O you need (or may need in close future), also it's a pity it has only one USB port, so you can't comfortably use USB recording + ARC USB controller simultaneously
FF UFX II is a newer revision of original UFX, I'm not ashamed to use both from time to time, if you need versatility this is it
FF UFX III is a newer revision of UFX+, its main advantage is MADI, which is basically useless for most users

if you don't need EQ+Dynamics in TotalMix, then something like RME Digiface USB with bunch of ADAT converters will provide best value in terms of I/O and flexibility

 

of course you can, why would it not work, you just connect the ol usb1 controller to the comp
that's it, no need to connect to the interface.

 

I jumped from a 2012 Babyface to a UCX II and bought that because of now using a stereo hardware synth, two mono synths, have two mics always plugged in and available, plus my electric guitar pedal board terminating with a stereo delay pedal. The ADAT input is used for an external AD for the individual outputs of an analog drum machine. I haven't had an issue with it as the driver is rock solid. The only input I've not used is the midi input.

I'd buy it again and sing it's praises.

 

No cons imo.

 

Been using RME interfaces/cards since 2000 - solid drivers, perfectly decent converters and pres. You can get a lot done and go a long way with RME tech.

 

I haven't been using RME that long. only 3 years. I'm annoyed about the other crap I bought before.

Pro:
performance, latency
sound
interference resistant
excellent drivers, multiclient
drivers get updated
i/o count, extendability

Cons
High price for 19'' models

 

indeed, but, beauty of those newer interfaces is, you can connect ARC USB directly to it, and since you can map rec/play/stop functionality to it, it makes it a compelling option for standalone recording, without a computer

 

lack of backlit circle around main knob and wireless remote controller
ADI-2 DAC has both those features, but lacks TotalMix....so I gotta use both ADI-2 DAC and HDSPe AIO

 

Important!

Tell me @tzzsmk I'm looking forward to a spring picture in your profile, but there's nothing. We have easter soon, man

 

Hi!

I have used RME soundcards a long way back. Recently i sold my HDSP AIO and upgraded to RME UFX II. I made a choice between RME UFX II and RME 802 FS where i choose the UFX II. Mainly because i got a fair deal second hand. I think they are quite similar. The 802 FS is of course the newest but it all comes down to your needs. Both use RME totalmix wich is fantastic and stable drivers. You also have the new function Room EQ that you can use for room correction.

I think you get louder volume from the headphone outputs on the UFX II and maybe "better" preamps but that is subjective. They both have exellent I/O possibilites
RME has a really nice forum where you could investigate further with questions and they are really nice gays there with a lot of knowledge. Also, look here for comparison: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=35156
Good luck!

 

Get an Fireface UFX 2 or 3, and be happy for the rest of your life.

 

HammerFall 9652, HDSPe AIO and Fireface UFX in use here... Before the hammerfall I had attempted to use a Lynx One. Lynx == biggest pieces of junk in the universe because they have shit for drivers, but decent hardware... Before the Lynx fiasco it was various semi-pro sound blaster type interfaces that all basically sucked in comparison to RME pro interface hardware and drivers. I still have the original Hammerfall and it works fine, vintage ~ year 2001. The Fireface UFX was the last piece I got a mega-deal on (less than a grand) second-hand which has been flawless in operation since I got it in 2017 along with the AIO card... Before taking the big plunge in cash for brand new RME gear you might think about seeking out second hand channels for RME gear. You can save yourself a shit-ton of cash and not have to worry about what you're getting because the RME stuff is basically timeless.

 

Last edited: Feb 29, 2024

If there were a nuclear world war the only survivers would be roaches and RME devices.

 

no idea what you're talking about