This is normal and does not cause any damage.

1 It would be a nice feature, a helping hand for soundchecks, even better if it can be a auto-soundcheck, setting the input gain 5dB lower than the auto-set.

2 A line level output shall output a mic level signal ?  I would do a cable loopback and compare and adjust the levels in Totalmix.

3 Yes, the Mac audio driver Core-Audio does sample rate conversions on the go to provide the correct music to you.

Hi ramses and waedi,
As you are "masters" of Babyface (and others), may I ask you if you have an answer to my post #1397? I never received a response, unfortunately... THANKS A MILLION!

Before I look to manuals and technical data, could you please 1st of all clarifiy which product you have?
Babyface, Babyface Pro or Babyface Pro FS?

Then can you be more specific? You have at your output a signal (e.g. sine) of 0 dBFS
and then you see it on Analog 1+2 IN 9.5 dB higher or lower than 0 dBFS?
And on Analog 3+4 IN you see 0 dB? Same as on Analog 1+2 OUT?

When you use loopback in the digital domain, then you will get the same level. Maybe a little difference. If I remember right, MC told on forum that the Loopback signal will be slightly reduced (~ -0.2) to prevent overload/overs when recording at the input.

Suspicion, could have to do with different reference levels in the analog domain.

Thanks.

@ramses: I have Babyface Pro and Babyface Pro FS, same behavior on both units. You correctly interpreted regarding signals.
@waedi: Correct, no other channels routed to that output and FX = OFF
@Kubrak: I am aware of the gain switch on Babyface Pro FS, it is set to + 4 dBu
I am using NTi MR-Pro Signal Source.
Thank you for your response, highly appreciated :-)

This is my calculation for BBF Pro FS

You should see a difference of 9 dB not with loopback cabled between AN1+2 OUT -> AN1+2 IN,
you should see this between AN1+2 OUT -> AN 3+4 IN
which is "case 2" in the screenshot below, balanced connection assumed.

See also manual ch 9.6 Analog recording:
Input channels 3 and 4 are found as TS jacks on the right side of the Babyface Pro. These Hi-Z universal inputs have an input impedance of 1 MOhm. The input gain is controlled and per-formed digitally and limited to 9 dB. An additional hardware-based
reference level optimizes the signal to noise ratio. Choices are +4 dBu and -10 dBV.

Therefore please ensure for AN 3+4 IN, that
a) the digital gain is set to 0 (click to wrench symbol) and
b) that ref level has been set to +4 dBu.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5skhr648 … k&dl=1

Hi everyone,
I’m experiencing a recurring issue with my Babyface Pro FS that I haven’t been able to diagnose, and I’m hoping someone here may have seen something similar.

Setup

MacBook Pro 16" (M1 Pro)
macOS Sequoia 15.5
RME USB driver 4.16
Babyface Pro FS powered by an external power supply
USB connection through Intona 7055-B (High-Speed USB Isolator) Intona plugged directly into the MacBook USB-C port
→ No USB hub in the chain
MacBook is powered via MagSafe (not via USB)

Issue

After power-up, everything runs perfectly stable at first
After about 60–90 minutes, sporadic audio dropouts begin
The issue occurs regardless of software:
Ableton Live, Apple Music / Spotify, YouTube / Safari
CPU / system load does not affect the issue
The Babyface does NOT fully disconnect
BUT: the orange microphone icon in the macOS menu bar briefly disappears, then reappears
During that moment, audio drops out completely for ~0.3–0.5 seconds
The dropouts become more frequent over time
Rebooting the MacBook does not fix the issue
However: switching to a different USB-C port on the MacBook immediately resolves the dropouts
→ then the system runs stable again for a longer time

Potentially relevant context

Before switching to the Babyface Pro FS, I previously used an RME Digiface USB, which also suffered from dropouts / brief USB interruptions during live shows.
Because of this, I purchased the Intona USB Isolator and a power conditioner (Furman).
Now with the Babyface Pro FS, the problem is different (no full disconnect), but it is similarly reproducible: dropouts that worsen over time.
In the studio, the same Mac USB port is 100% stable:
A CalDigit hub with multiple SSDs, display connections, other USB devices and an RME Fireface 802
No dropouts even during multi-hour sessions
So far, the issue appears only in live rigs, not in the studio.

Has anyone seen the behavior where the macOS microphone icon briefly disappears (but the interface doesn’t fully disconnect), causing short audio dropouts?
Could the Intona be forcing a USB resync that macOS handles silently as a brief audio interruption?
Are there macOS USB / power management settings or known workarounds that could influence this behavior with Apple Silicon Macs?
Would it be useful to test the Babyface without the Intona, or are there recommended USB port configurations for Apple Silicon laptops?
Are there known improvements or fixes in upcoming firmware/driver revisions regarding USB stability on macOS Sequoia?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated — especially if someone has experienced similar long-runtime-related dropouts without a full disconnect.

Thanks in advance!

Hello. I'm new to Rme babyface pro fs and I see you Ramses have extensive experience. I was interested that you mention controlling the dynamics via software. I can't get compressor permission on my Babyface pro fs. The only thing I can control is Eq, low cut filter and Reverb and delay. But not the dynamics. I don't know if I'm missing something or I didn't understand you. Please excuse my poor English and I trust you won't mind replying to the older post. I wish everyone a nice day.

Dynamics compressor is not included, not available.
Babyface ProFS doesn't have a DSP chip for this.

Change MIDI In/Out to Dual-Input in TotalMix FX

I use my BF Pro FS on the road and my question is: would it be possible to switch the MIDI Output to a second Input instead? I don't need any outputs playing live but I have two physical controllers for which I prefer DIN MIDI over USB. Currently I have to utilize a MIDI splitter but to reduce any additional devices it would be nice to know if the Babyface's hardware architecture would allow for a flexible MIDI Configuration via TotalMIX (In/Out, In/In, Out/Out).

Thanks!

Thank you very much for your reply. I thought I was missing the connections, but you confirmed my understanding that the babyface pro fs doesn't have a dsp chip for it. Have a beautiful day.

I own the babyface pro fs and love it's sound. As a music producer, for me, the different filters are only confusing. With what filter should I produce and how does that influence dicissions i make during mixing and mastering. For pure listening enjoyment I could just choose the filter that I like, if I heard any difference, which I don't know.
So for music production it makes more sense to have the most common filter.
But in all honesty, I have 3 generations of RME converters, starting with a ADI-8AE (very old) and I can work reliably with and enjoy all 3 generations. I never mis having the best when working on the oldest. But RME always goes for neutral and that they are.

Thank you very much for your reply. WHAT you say makes sense. I was just curious. And can I ask if you can hear the difference in the D/A conversion via the ADI-8AE compared to the babyface pro fs? Do you feel Rme has moved on over the years? Sorry if my questions sound stupid, but I have never personally had another Rme converter, only now my Babyface pro fs. I'm a Rme newbie.

The thing is I can not do double blind test. It is to complicated. When i got the babyface new  i thought it sounded a  bit better, more clear and spacious, but now a few years later, i work with the babyface and a hdsp9632 on 2 locations and even when working on the same projects I never mis anything or have the feeling it sounds suddenly less good when switching to the older device, so in reality without expectation bias they probably sound the same.
And btw your questions are far from stupid and you ask them in a nice way!

Hello, new Babyface Pro FS user here. I'm using it with an Arturia Fuse 8in ADAT expander to track drums mostly. Total Mix is....well...you know, lol. I spent several days with the manual and beginners video series before I received the unit and um welll....you know. I have no idea.

So here's my first question: I was unable to monitor anything, and not getting input to the mic inputs. I am getting playback signal and signal in both main and headphone outputs in Total Mix, but no sound. Until I turned on the Arturia, which had been cabled via ADAt to the Babyface the whole time, I just wasn't using it for my initial experiments. As soon as I turned it on I was able to monitor and get mic input signal from Babyface channel 1 and 2. Nothing is attached to the Arturia, but it seems to require turning it on if the optical cable is attached to the Babyface to get any monitoring. Is this normal? On my previous interface it didn't matter if the ADAT expander was turned on, and I just kept it attached whether I was using it or not.

Thank You for the response. I don't know how to attach screenshot of Fireface USB settings. But basically it's:

Babyface Pro (serial Number)
Firmware v322
Driver v3.223
Optical out ADAT
clock mode
sample rate 48000hz
Clock Source Internal (I tried both)
Input status
ADAT Sync 48kHz

I can see a playback signal from my DAW and in both main output and headphone output. But I can't actually hear anything unless my ADAT expander is both plugged in and turned on. Then it's fine. If ADAT is unplugged I get same results as having it turned off. Visual signals for daw playback, nothing for hardware inputs andcan not hear anything in headphones or mains. So it has to  be a setting of some sort or something needs to be rebooted perhaps?

Okay to reiterate and simplify my issue: I can get DAW output on software outputs and hardware outputs, both headphone and main, but can't hear anything. Or get any signal to mic inputs. Both of these issues are resolved if my ADAT expander is turned on. Even though I'm not running anything through it.

Yes my computer is using an older system for Mac 10.14.6 Mojave. It's old but works fine with the Babyface if the ADAT expander is turned on. I bought the unit partly to run on older computers, which is one of it's primary selling points. That and USB2.

Totalmix 1.97. That's what gets installed with the compatible driver etc... for my system. Not sure if I can upgrade Total Mix without upgrading the drivers etc...  I did a total reset and it didn't help. Output fader is up. Everything works great if ADAT is turned on. Which, thankfully is how I generally use it, but that may not always be the case.

So that is not normal behaviour. I don’t always turn on my adat expander and it never causes a problem.

Please try Totalmix 2.00 and perform a Total Reset.

Make sure the toslink cables are connected to the correct ports.
Input and output are the same plug so to mess-up these is easy to happen, altough there is no danger or issue by such.

Your interface has to work correct by its own before you add other equipment.

Disconnect all adat, make Total reset and use the new Totalmix, play music from computer and listen thru headphone output.

As soon this works fine, then start to add adat.

The Saga continues. I tried the Babyface on another computer 1 system up from the laptop I use for recording, so Mac Catalina, 10.15. I installed TotalMix 2 and tried listening to music. It worked. Also tried a midi instrument in Ableton and it also worked. No idea why it doesn't on the laptop. Unless I have the ADAT connected. Deeply strange....

Thanks for providing the outcome, interesting case...

It was actually the cable, I believe. The usb cable that comes with the Babyface is not universally replaceable. The hub had nothing else attached, but I thought would help with powering the Babyface. Obviously I was wrong.