I am a producer and field recordist hoping to upgrade my field recording gear to something more convenient.

I currently use Schoeps mics and mic-pres (and M/S matrix) with a HHB PortaDAT.

(Yes... I know DAT is an outdated format... BUT... the HHB's A/D converters sound GREAT!!!... MUCH better than Sound Devices, IMO).

However, the HHB is big and heavy, and DAT tape is definitely a pain (and ever harder to find). So I am hoping to find a better solution for A/D conversion and digital data recording.

I was considering the BabyFace for the A/D conversion part, but still need a simple digital recording device that could take SPDIF audio (I don't want to pay for a unit with more mic-pres and A/D conversion, which I already have).

I friend suggested the UFX with DURec, and I am really excited to see the direct-to-USB thumbdrive (or other drive) recording option!!! That rocks!!! However, the UFX is AC-powered, and so the claim by RME that the UFX is a "field recorder" is untrue. Field recording needs to be off the AC power grid.

Is there any plan within RME to go one step further, and crate something as portable as the BabyFace, plus the USB recording option, and with DC power for external battery power? (Designed for carrying, rather than rack-mounting, would be ideal also.)

You would be making me, and probably a lot of other people, very happy!