• Registered: 2023-04-22
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Bad signal out 3 after routing

Hi. I have a problem with my RME Fireface 800. After routing the signal and assigning the audio tracks to separate outputs on the DireFace 800 (1-8),
output no. 3 in the Rme Fireface 800 does not play with full bandwidth and is definitely quieter,
almost by half. There is a lack of dynamics and low frequencies. There is an impression as if the sound played with medium tones. The remaining outputs 1,2,4,5,6,7,8 play properly, with a full belt and much louder.

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Online
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 4,172

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

Can be a symptom of internal power supply is dying

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

3 Reply by oli77sch (edited by oli77sch 2023-04-22 11:35:52)

  • Registered: 2016-06-14
  • Posts: 1,142

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

Some questions:
- does the level meter of this hardware output in TotalMix show the correct signal?
- how do you listen to the outputs / where are they connected to? Could the issue also be caused by a bad cable? EDIT: or caused on the receiving unit, whatever that is?

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2
  • Registered: 2023-04-22
  • Posts: 4

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

Mix total shows the correct signal. Neutrick based cable. I listen to the sound on the Mackie 24-8 table.

  • Registered: 2016-06-14
  • Posts: 1,142

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

zygmunt.golonka wrote:

Mix total shows the correct signal.


So it’s a hardware issue

Neutrick based cable. I listen to the sound on the Mackie 24-8 table.

Have you tried a different cable and / or another input on the Mackie? Or also another sound source on the particular channel on the Mackie. And - maybe a stupid question - is the cable plugged properly? I would double check such simple things before looking further to avoid unnecessary effort.
Btw: do you use balanced or unbalanced cables?

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2
  • Registered: 2023-04-22
  • Posts: 4

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

Yes - I tried various inputs into Mackie. I use balanced cables. All entrances in Mackie are operational. Today I also measured the FireFace 800 outputs with a 1khz 0db signal. I did this and swapped inputs and outputs in different configurations. Each time out 3 RME gave a low signal. Output 4 in RME is also low, but still quite correct.

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Online
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 4,172

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

A measurement is possible with a cable loopback.
Record into the DAW what is coming back from each hardware output.
It can be a helpful documentation for the repair.

M1-Sequoia, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2016-06-14
  • Posts: 1,142

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

zygmunt.golonka wrote:

Yes - I tried various inputs into Mackie. I use balanced cables. All entrances in Mackie are operational. Today I also measured the FireFace 800 outputs with a 1khz 0db signal. I did this and swapped inputs and outputs in different configurations. Each time out 3 RME gave a low signal. Output 4 in RME is also low, but still quite correct.

So it’s really a hardware failure on the Fireface 800 as it seems. Good idea from waedi to make some recordings for documentation. You also can use Digicheck for further measurements.

UCX - FF 400 - Babyface pro - Digiface USB - ADI-2 (original)
Mac mini M1 - Macbook pro - iPad Air2
  • Registered: 2023-04-22
  • Posts: 4

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

I suspect that the cause of the low and incorrect signals on outputs 3 and 4 is the partial failure of the electrolytic capacitors. It would be good to have an RME fireface 800 electronic diagram. Maybe someone has it?

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,690

Re: Bad signal out 3 after routing

Sorry, there are no schematics.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website