• loph
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Topic: Recomended PC connection for FF UCX

Hello Forum,

though I feel this might be a FAQ, I haven't found any stringent information for my problem on this site.

The Situation:
I've puchased a Fireface UCX (and Otamic XTC) in 2015 and hooked it via Firewire on a MacBook (running Windows7). That worked perfectly and I am very happy with that setup until today. But now, I have to purchase a new 'music computer' and I wonder, if there's a recommened hardware configuration for my RME modules.

There're several options:
1. Somehow continue to use the Firewire-Port. This is my favourite option, but it seems to be difficult today. No Computer has built-in Firewire connectivity anymore. There are FW-PCIe cards to build into desktop computers, but I hear those cards might not work very well.

Are there recomended Firewire PCIe cards (that work with Winows 10) out there?


2. Use USB instead. I very much liked my Firewire-Setup and the fact, that the unit is 'buspowerd' that way. Because there're so many different USB-standards nowadays, is there anything I have to consider when builing my music PC concerning the USB-Connectivity?


Instead of buying a desktop music-PC, I'm also thinking about a new laptop. I'm afraid, it is impossible to keep up the Firewire connection on a laptop. But other than that, are there laptops that work exceptionally well with the RME Fireface UCX?

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2021-10-20 10:34:39)

  • ramses
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Re: Recomended PC connection for FF UCX

UFX+, Octamic XTC via MADI is the ideal setup.
When using UFX+ you have the choice to connect to the PC through USB3, Thunderbolt (both is possible for Windows, Apple, Desktop or Laptop). Even USB2 is possible but then without MADI as 30ch interface, but even this way you could connected the XTC through ADAT instead.

Other big advantages by MADI.
1. You do not need any dedicated MIDI cabling for remote controlling the XTC in TotalMix FX as Auxdevice. This is BTW a very nice thing, as you can store and recall the most relevant preamps settings by TM FX. This you do all through the MADI cable as there is a so called "MIDI over MADI" feature.
2. longer cable lengths possible (ADAT=10-16m, MADI 2km between each of the devices in a serial setup
3. any speed up to double and quad speed possible as MADI offers 64 channels at single speed, 32ch at double speed (88,2/96 kHz) and still 16 at quad speed (192 kHz).

If you want to get a new PC now .. forget Firewire, its since many years only a legacy technology.

With Apple you can get it to run with the original Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter, but this is somehow cumbersome and a little expensive (Apple adapter are not cheap).
Windows 10 has no official Firewire support anymore and you need to work then with a not supported Legacy Driver. I wouldn't recommend that anymore for any new setup.

In terms of sustainability. If you would buy now a firewire based interface, if you want to sell it in maybe in 3-15 years, then it will only become more difficult to get a good price for it. USB is a de-facto standard now and newer USB standards are compatible to older USB standards. If you compare the Latencies you will find, that RME USB driver performs as well as Thunderbolt (external PCIe) and PCIe cards, see my overview:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … 8-RME-UFX/
Direct link to picture: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/index.ph … es-v2-jpg/

Here a review of my setup with UFX+ and Octamic XTC to give you an overview about such a setup:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … Cber-MADI/

If you should have any USB compatibility issues with USB from chipset or if you want to have a really isolated/autark USB controller for the recording interface then can get e.g. a Sonnet USB card with Fresco Logic USB3 chip (FL1100).
https://www.sonnettech.com/product/alle … 4port.html

You can check the UFX+ manual, RME has tested this FL chip and its directly supported by Windows 10.
See ch 40.3.
https://www.rme-audio.de/downloads/fface_ufxplus_d.pdf
https://www.rme-audio.de/downloads/fface_ufxplus_e.pdf

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • vinark
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Re: Recomended PC connection for FF UCX

My babyface pro uses the same driver and is working great on usb on the motherboard (asus intel) onboard ports. But it is a desktop, not a laptop. I would not ecpect any issue. Working firewire cards are also possible, except I have only experience reading about them here, there are many advices which to get and not.

Vincent, Amsterdam
https://soundcloud.com/thesecretworld
BFpro fs, 2X HDSP9652 ADI-8AE, 2X HDSP9632
  • loph
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Re: Recomended PC connection for FF UCX

Thanks a lot for those really insightful answers (especially ramses)