• Registered: 2024-02-23
  • Posts: 3

Topic: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

Could somebody explain me what would be the right way to have more mic preamps (like 10 more) and all connected to the same UCX2 and controlled via TotalMix FX? I believe the RME 12Mic could be connected to UCX2? If so how? Thanks!

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-02-23 13:30:32)

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 3,455

Re: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

Yes it's possible with some cables, not only one cable.
The Adat bus can provide 8 channels at up to 48kHz sampling frequency.
Aditional 8 channels can be connected via 8 cables to the analog line inputs.
All inputs are part of Totalmix, for controlling the 12Mic an aditional software is ready to use, the remote control "Midi Remote".

M1-Sonoma, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue
  • Registered: 2024-02-23
  • Posts: 3

Re: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

So to be precise - I would need:

  • an Analog Breakout Cable, balanced D-sub 15-pin to 4 x XLR Analog, 2 x MIDI, 1 x Phones   to extend UCX2 line inputs

  • MADI Cable Simplex (Fiber optic cable) to connect both devices?

Would I be able to take advantage of multiple phone outputs (on both devices) and control them via TotalMix?

4 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2024-02-23 13:40:19)

  • waedi
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: Swiss Zürich
  • Registered: 2020-12-08
  • Posts: 3,455

Re: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

No, sorry, the UCX ll has no Madi.
The 12Mic has Adat ports and the UCX ll too, those have to be connected with 2 toslink cables.
This way you can receive 8 mic inputs from the 12Mic and send 1 stereo-signal to the headphone socket at the 12Mic.
All signals routing in Totalmix.
No breakout cable needed.

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

5 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-02-23 17:29:07)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,112

Re: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

You need only one TOSLINK cable between 12Mic and UCX II.
Reason:
- the UCX II has only 1x ADAT I/O
- the 12Mic has only ADAT outputs ...
So, you can only route 8 Mic channels from 12Mic to UCX II

Better would have been to get an 802 FS or UFX II, which have 2x ADAT I/O
By this, you could have connected the 12Mic with 2 TOSLINK cables to be able to use all 12 Mic channels (at single speed).

Even better would have been to get an UFX III with MADI to connect the 12Mic via MADI.
Note, while we are at it, you would also need to buy an RME SFP (Transceiver) for the 12Mic.

When using ADAT you need to make the 12Mic to act as clock master and UCX II as slave.
Or .. you need to use WC.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • Registered: 2024-02-23
  • Posts: 3

Re: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

Thank you both @waedi and @ramses - much clearer now!

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,112

Re: Extending UCX2 with more preamps

Giedras wrote:

Thank you both @waedi and @ramses - much clearer now!

I wrote a little about clock synchronization.
Maybe it contains some additional helpful information for troubleshooting for you.

https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=39041

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13