I just got a new job and some money, and I was thinking of upgrading from my motu mk2 to a rme pro fs black edition. If i buy this what can I expect?

I'm guessing more clarity, no need for my headphone amp to drive my hd600s, good drivers/low latency, expandability if I ever get gear.... dunno.

Right now I live in a shitty studio apartment, probably will stay here a while so no use for monitors and everything I do is ITB. I'm hoping if I get this things will sound as crisp as they can on my headphones and I'll be set on a great interface for life.

Also am interested in it's clipping ability but not too sure about how that works tbh. Heard it sounds great, also heard it doesn't sound great... I dunno. Eventually I WILL buy monitors, but in no hurry as I can't really use them here so hoping for the best interface to maximize my headphones. My computer is beefy, so I can't really think of what else I would spend the money on for music gear. I could upgrade my headphones I suppose (to what I don't know) but would rather get an interface that does them justice first.

Any thoughts?

 

I'm asuming you mean the ADI-2 pro FS Black edition. Sadly, this is more a beefed up ADC/DAC than an audio interface as commonly known, so no mic inputs for example (the XLR/TRS combo inputs are line only). Also i'm not sure but i think the ADAT I/O only works as 2 channels (which is weird but idk) so not a lot of expandability either. The only way i think something like this would be useful is if you needed very high sample rates or DSD operation, which for a home studio is kinda overkill, specially if it means leaving other more useful features out.

A better option would probably be the RME fireface UCX II, which is an actual audio interface and has the features you'd expect from one. It's also a bit cheaper.

 

Last edited: Jul 23, 2024

thanks for the info! I was wrong about it having phantom power, i totally thought it did. kinda of a deal breaker. glad i asked before I bought it ha. i'll do some more research!

 

Its a high quality DAC/ADC as mentioned, has a great headphone amp + crossfeed options for mixing on headphones, very clean pristine sound! Only has line inputs so no mic inputs/preamps here. The specs speak for themselves, plus you get a very nice spectrum analyzer and great rme drivers. I love mine and use it as an audio interface.

 

I had the original RME Babyface, and when I decided to buy a new interface went with the UCX II because of the additional analog inputs, but if you have no need for that the Pro FS should serve you well. In the 10 years I've been using RME I've not had any issues at all and their support is crazy great when it comes to even old discontinued gear. I can't speak of the clipping question, but the headphone output is fantastic on my UCX II and I'm sure it could drive a heard of wild stallions.

Sexy!!

 

i RARELY use my mic but i do like having the ability to use it if i want, but i suppose i could also go for a single channel preamp as well if i got the adi-2 pro fs black edition. never had one outside of the motu, something like that might be cool. i'm never gonna need a lot of inputs as i dont record anything live except if i attempt to sing, but eventually i might want to get some actual gear if i can afford it and if that can't be expanded much then... hmmm. yes i'm having more doubts, but the thing i really wanted from it was the "pristine sound" and i'm not sure that same chip/sound is in the other interface mk_96 recommended and lois lane has, the ucx II. dilemas. oh well i'll have a month or two before i have enough money anyway so i have some time to sweat over it.

 

I've got the 2/4 pro. Honestly, what you're most likely to notice is nothing. It is perfectly clean enough to be entirely transparent, but does its job perfectly

 

After the good advice I got here I am purchasing a ucx ii Friday! Thanks everyone.

Ps Thompson the uk retailer is having a sale on rme right now, the ucx ii is 1255 instead of 1699 I believe. I'm in the US so pricing may be different but hey it's a sale!

 

The UCX II is solid and I'm sure you'll put it to good use and enjoy it for years.

RME and SPL are way more expensive in the US than they are here in Europe.

 

Last update on this thread, probably. Got my ucx ii. More detailed less distortion at high volume than the motu/headphone amp. Good purchase now I just gotta buy more toys to use with it. Will save for a rack Furman power conditioner and compressor next I think!