Topic: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

I've noticed Babyface models come out every 4-5 years (Original in 2011, Pro 2016, Pro FS 2020).

There's very little to improve about the current model - can't mess with perfection - maybe locking XLR ports? Curious if anyone thinks we'll see an upgrade due in 2025.

Wherever you are reading this, I hope your day or night is going well! Long live RME.

2 (edited by ramses 2024-05-17 11:58:00)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

Although I am a big fan of lockable ports, I am not sure whether this fits well to a mobile device like the BBF, which has been designed for mobility.

Maybe RME's intention (not to use lockable XLR ports) is here to offer a mobile device without any sharp edges,
which you can put into any bag without damaging something (clothes, etc).

Regarding your point changes every 4-5 years, this is most likely pure occasion, as RME devices have usually a longer life cycle.
Many things can be changed in the FPGA by flash upgrades and also driver upgrade.
There were surely other drivers for upgrading BBF and BBF Pro than simply to change the product regularly every 4–5 years.

In my opinion, the BBF Pro was a major overhaul of the BBF after its successful launch as a mobile device and brought many useful changes. Then RME surprised with another update, again with very useful changes, among them faster converters, FS clock, two switchable reference levels for Main Out and many other details.

I think now the product is near perfect so that there is not much left to be optimized further.
Keep in mind, that USB2 bus power also results in certain limitations.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

If a new babyface would use USB3, not for bandwidth of course, it would have double the power available, which could alleviate some limitation maybe. Not that I am in any way hindered by them at all so I would not upgrade, cause I am to happy with my BF pro fs.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632

4 (edited by ramses 2024-05-17 13:02:23)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

vinark wrote:

If a new babyface would use USB3, not for bandwidth of course, it would have double the power available, which could alleviate some limitation maybe. Not that I am in any way hindered by them at all so I would not upgrade, cause I am to happy with my BF pro fs.

I know why you mention this, because of power, but I think USB3 is here not in scope anyway for some other reasons.
USB3 would not only bring benefits to the customers:

1. many people will be happy that they only need a USB2 port, in cases, where only a few USB3 ports are available and already in use for other things. For example on laptops or older systems.

2. USB2 has usually no compatibility issues, nearly all USB2 controller seem to be compliant to USB standards to a high degree. If you look into RME manuals, then there are only USB controller incompatibilites mentioned for USB3. As if the implementation of USB3 is more complex and some 3rd party chips are not compliant enough to the standard.

3. USB3 allows for 5 m cable length, USB3 cables allow only 3 m and have often double and tripe shielding which can make the cable a little more stiff.

USB3 better only in cases, where it is really justified, where you require it for bandwidth reasons (number of channels).

Finally, saves some production costs, also cables are less expensive. No major reasons, but a nice side effect.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

Maybe RME's intention (not to use lockable XLR ports) is here to offer a mobile device without any sharp edges,
which you can put into any bag without damaging something (clothes, etc).

Ah that's a good point! It is very aerodynamic!

I think now the product is near perfect so that there is not much left to be optimized further.
Keep in mind, that USB2 bus power also results in certain limitations.

Right, that makes sense. Amazing what it can do on USB2 bus power!


Appreciate the responses folks! I enjoyed reading everyone's insights smile

6 (edited by kkbhatta 2025-04-02 12:49:22)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

My wishlist for Babyface new version:
1. Durec recording (they have to find space for another USB port)
2. Compressor in Totalmix channels
3. Independent headphone outs (currently they linked to same physical output)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

Compressor would be handy, compressor with sidechain if it will be added to TM even more. And deesser would be nice.

As I use Babyface for DJing, those additions would be welcome.

But trully said, it is great as it is.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS

8 (edited by stephan_martin 2025-04-28 19:14:41)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

Wishlist in order of importance to me:
1. Room EQ
2. Crossfeed
3. Connector using USB-C (USB2 can still be used if there's no benefit using USB3, but over USB-C)
4. Independent D/A headphone outs
5. XLR Combo Jacks

9 (edited by ramses 2025-04-28 21:06:30)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

Wishlist in order of importance:

1. USB-C to overcome power limit
2. Two additional Hi-Z Inputs (to support playing with two guitarists and making vocal recording at the same time)
3. Independent D/A headphone outputs (to support #2)
4. Full implementation of FX (to support #2)
5. Display
6. AES I/O for connecting external devices (Amp Emulation, RME reference converter)
7. Word Clock
8. A pair of separate analog I/O (external devices, FX, guitar emulation)
9. DURec
10. RoomEQ (Crossfeed only if possible)

I am not sure whether all is feasible regarding price and power budget of USB-C.

Mic1 Mic2 Inst1 Inst2    ------ DURec---------
   |      |      |      |          ----- Word Clock----
*** BBF Pro FS xyz ***  ----- ADAT I/O ---- Preamp
   |     |        |     |          ----- AES I/O ----- Guit Emulation #1
Analog1+2  Ph1 Ph2       ----- Analog 3/4 IN+OUT--- Guit Emulation #2 or ext Effect
Monitors

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

I need a new portable interface and the lack of totalmix FX dynamics processing is holding me back on a Babyface Pro FS.
Really hoping we will see a new version sometime soon - based on prev releases it might be "due"

11 (edited by waedi 2026-04-25 01:00:44)

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

A 12V powerbank can make the UCX ll portable ?

https://www.thomann.de/de/harley_benton … nk_mk2.htm

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

12

Re: Babyface Upgrade Cycle

Yes, but not these, which are for guitar floor FX only, have wrong polarity and don't supply enough current (power) on 12V.

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=25745

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME