• Registered: 2017-12-17
  • Posts: 25

Topic: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

I've used a Fireface UCX for years and it includes Total Mix, but I've pretty much neglected this forum.  I've been running on Mac OS 10 on a mini but plan to upgrade.  Anyhow, I'm running 10 because I used to use Pure Music to feed the Fireface.  It could use REW to balance the feed to my stereo system.  That went away with Pure Music but now I see the latest TM may give it back.  What do I need to know?

I guess the first question is whether the hardware supports it or if that matters.  How do I determine that?

The next question is software.  I presume I will need a later OS but how recent?  Next is the use of REW itself.  I previously used a calibrated mic to balance the room with REW but that was from within Pure Music somehow [I've forgotten].  How does it actually work with the latest TM?  The postings I've seen aren't really clear about that.  It appears it depends on something I should already know.  An old friend frequently referred to CIPU, Clear If Previously Understood.  I think I'm in that boat.

Mac Mini
Fireface UCX
Balanced output to Classe Power Amplifier and HSU subwoofers.

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-08-06 19:08:07)

  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,132

Re: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

Hi,

I suggest you read the latest announcements of RME here on RME user forum:

Regarding Room EQ and supported HW:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=38411
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=39428
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=38691

New TotalMix FX 1.96 preview:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=39809

[...]The collaboration with Sound ID/Sonarworks already hit the press. Version 1.96 includes support for the free alternative REW (Room EQ Wizard). Exporting the EQ files as ‘formatted text’ makes them compatible for import into TM FX Room EQ. You’ll find an entry ‘Import REW –> To left channel / To right channel’ at the bottom of the Preset dialog. Using REW is not as streamlined as SoundID, though. You need to set the EQ parameters for export manually....[...]

For Room EQ, you need a recording interface which has a 2nd FPGA for FX effects and which has enough resources free for that new functionality. Sorry, old UCX is not supported. You should look for e.g.,: UCX II, 802 FS, UFX II or UFX III. I recommend UFX II. It got an overhaul of analog and digital section. Same converters as in the older version of reference converter ADI-2 Pro FS.

See also some YouTube Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThnD4__RMB0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja-qxkIqbWY

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2017-12-17
  • Posts: 25

Re: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

Thanks.  That seems to indicate I will be able to use this on my UCX II and the curves will be preserved.  However, it is not at all clear how to use my calibrated mic and REW to actually do the room correction.

I'm not near my machine right now but I recall there was a calibration file I needed to use to "correct" the mic response.  I think there was some way for Pure Music to access that.  Then I plugged the mic into the mic inputs on the Fireface and played tones which I used to adjust room response. It has been a long while but I seem to recall REW could generate the tones.  So . . .

How do I access the mic calibration file?
How do I generate the tones using REW or some other source?
Can I separate the subwoofer feed from the mid-high feed; ie, 4 output channels but stereo signal?
Perhaps most important, will this work with Mac OS 10 or must I wait until I upgrade?  [I'm running 14.5 on my MBP but I don't know how far I can take the mini.]

What else am I missing?

Mac Mini
Fireface UCX
Balanced output to Classe Power Amplifier and HSU subwoofers.
  • ramses
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
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Re: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

rbpeirce wrote:

Thanks.  That seems to indicate I will be able to use this on my UCX II and the curves will be preserved.  However, it is not at all clear how to use my calibrated mic and REW to actually do the room correction.

From what I see, from your 1st post and what you write into your signature you own an "UCX" and not an "UCX II".
The old UCX doesn't support Room EQ.

If I remember right, then all your questions about REW or mic calibration are answered in recording forums
and on the REW site.

It should be no big effort to install REW and RME driver to your computer.
Then you know whether the software is still running on your Apple.
There are different drivers available now for the UCX ... but why don't you simply use the one which worked up to now?
It is anyway only a test for REW software.

You need a different recording interface anyway. But then you know already that REW is running, no matter which mic you use in particular.

Here some infor about Mac drivers, I am pretty sure you will find a working one, also for the UCX II or whatever interface you will choose: https://rme-audio.de/driverkit-vs-kernel-extension.html

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2017-12-17
  • Posts: 25

Re: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

Thanks.  I'm away right now but I think I actually have a UCX II.  I set that signature up about seven years ago and didn't really know about the fine points.

I'll check the REW site.

I already have REW on my mini, altho I haven't used it for years.  I don't know about the latest drivers.  My current package is from May, 2023, but I see there are more recent ones.  I think I'll wait until I get the mini as far as it can go before trying to install them.

I don't know what you mean about a recording interface.  When I used Pure Vinyl/Music the software supported using the Fireface for input and output but that was just to Pure Vinyl/Music.  I had a balanced line from my turntable to the mic input.  The RIAA curve ran in software.  I don't remember how I connected the mic but I can probably figure that out when I get back.  My original question was sort of based on wondering if the new TM software did the same thing.  In other words, it is pretty clear the software supports adjusting the response, but if you need test signals to do that, how does it get them?

I'm sorry if I'm not totally clear about all of this.  That's because I'm not totally clear about any of this.

Mac Mini
Fireface UCX
Balanced output to Classe Power Amplifier and HSU subwoofers.

6 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-08-07 14:00:44)

  • ramses
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Re: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

rbpeirce wrote:

Thanks.  I'm away right now but I think I actually have a UCX II.  I set that signature up about seven years ago and didn't really know about the fine points.

The UCX was introduced in 2012, the UCX II in 2021.

If you have your device that long (approx 7y) well then guess what you have ;-)
UCX, like you wrote in your signature, not UCX II.

You can read my posting here, that the UCX II is a complete overhaul of the device with plenty of new features.
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=33222

You can also very easily recognize it when looking to the front of both devices. The very different displays and the new design should be easy to distinguish. A glance at the product page would have sufficed.

New UCX II

https://www.rme-usa.com/files/uploads/RME-Products/External/Fireface-UCX-II.png

vs

old UCX

https://archiv.rme-audio.de/images/products/products_fireface_ucx_4b.jpg

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Registered: 2017-12-17
  • Posts: 25

Re: New to Forum and I have a question about Total Mix

I'm back and it is a UCX.  I also discover I can't find the calibration file for my Dayton calibration mic.  However, looking at the cabling it appears the mic plugs into a USB slot on the mini so I'm assuming REW generates a signal the mic picks up.  It has been a really long time since I played with this at all so it will take a while to figure anything out.

Mac Mini
Fireface UCX
Balanced output to Classe Power Amplifier and HSU subwoofers.