Hello and welcome to the RME forum.
RME offers an AVB recording interface.
https://www.rme-audio.de/de_digiface-avb.html
And all new RME preamps and converters (12Mic, M-32 Pro, M-32 Pro II, M-1610*, …) offer MADI and AVB.
There are also variants supporting Dante additionally (12Mic-D, M-32 Pro II-D)
If you are thinking of replacing the devices anyway, then I would think again about which is the better choice for you, MADI or AVB. My opinion is that MADI is easier to implement and operate.
If you are working with different sample rates (most of us do so) one disadvantage of AVB is, that AVB devices do not automatically follow the clock set in the AVDECC controller:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 54#p195954
I would rather not talk you into it, if you want AVB, that's no problem. However, I wanted to address this point because I think it's important, as such a setup also involves a certain amount of investment.
BTW … are you familiar with MADI?
The benefits of using MADI
a) Hardware
There is more variety in the MADI area in terms of the basement, the recording interface which performs the routing with TotalMix FX. These recording devices with MADI also offer a greater variety of connections in a standard 19" form factor with only one height unit, which is very compact.
Side note: with the UFX III you are even getting new/advanced features like the new Room EQ: (and Crossfeed), see
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=38691
b) Operation
With MADI, it is easier to change the sample rate when changing projects. Usually, all devices follow the clock rate of the master (use 96k frame for your MADI devices to get this).
Furthermore, cabling is flexible using standard OM3 or OM4 multimode cables up to 2 km between devices (up to 10 km between devices with "single mode"; on special order or if your devices support SFP modules you can choose as you require).
Regarding recording interfaces with MADI support, here two examples:
I don't know what other devices you require in total for the final solution, but generally spoken:
A) USB based with one MADI bus: the new UFX III is a solid starting point for everything and already brings plenty of useful features. Now also the converters of the reference converter ADI-2 Pro FS, and there is also the new Room EQ and Crossfeed for these "flagship" devices.
See RME Webpage: https://www.rme-audio.de/de_fireface-ufx-3.html
B) PCIe based with 3 MADI buses: HDSPe MADI FX. Slightly different feature set. There is the focus on delivering plenty of MADI I/O ports and some basic I/O ports that you can use well (AES, MIDI, phones output).
See RME Webpage: https://www.rme-audio.de/de_hdspe-madi-fx.html
Example: Typical MADI setup with UFX III
PC---------USB--------- Optional: ARC USB (for operating TM FX easier)
|
USB3
| Optional: Reference Converter with special features
| +----- AES, ADAT1 or ADAT2--->------ADI-2 Pro FS R BE or ADI-2/4 Pro SE---- Act. Monitors or Headphones2
| | \----- Headphones1
+--UFX III (clock master)----------->--------+
| |
| | MADI (OM3/OM4)
| |
+-----Converter(s)-----Preamp(s)----<---+
[clock slaves, following the sample rate of the UFX III as master]
My setup as another example
I have been using the RME flagship devices for many years and like the rich feature set (I had UFX, UFX+ and now I have UFX III). See here: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … iii-en-de/
Your other devices
You wrote, "My current setup has multiple MOTU AVB devices connected with the MOTU AVB hub."
What other devices, which port capacity is behind that (Mic, Analog Inputs and Outputs needed)?
Which sample rates do you use for your work?
BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14