• Registered: 2024-07-04
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Advice needed! (UCX vs UCX 2)

Hi fellow experts,

I'm an independent sound artist in need of advice. I'm torn between two options for a low-latency interface for live performances:

1. A well-maintained second-hand RME UCX for $750 USD

2. A brand new RME UCX II (though it's currently out of my budget to be honest)

My main priority is low latency for live sets with multiple outputs. I'm using a 14-inch MacBook Pro with M1 chip, running macOS 14.2.

The UCX II seems great but pricey. Is the older UCX still a solid choice for my needs? Will I be missing out on crucial features if I go with the UCX?

Any insights from those who've used either model would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

2 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-07-05 11:58:33)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,194

Re: Advice needed! (UCX vs UCX 2)

The new UCX II is more than simply a "little facelift", it brings a lot of new useful features:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 27#p171327

Some form the flagship interfaces UFX II, like:
- Preamps with 75 dB gain range
- direct connectivity for ARC USB which can be useful for stand-alone recordings.
- DURec (for stand-alone and backup recordings to an USB stick or disk)
- Display to make it better operateable also in stand-alone mode
- AES port, ideal for connecting a reference converter if you like, then you have still one ADAT port free for connecting e.g. an 8-port preamp
- Room EQ and crossfeed

It also has faster converters compared to the older UCX which is already quite dated, design and converter from 2012.

See also my comparison sheet: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=35156

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,774

Re: Advice needed! (UCX vs UCX 2)

And if you don't specifically need the features listed above, the UCX will indeed still work well for your purpose and the differences in DA converter latency will likely not be noticeable here. Both devices use the same driver.
If at some point you feel you can afford the UCX II or a future UCX III or UFX IV, the UCX will likely still have retained some resale value.

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • From: Valencia, Spain
  • Registered: 2024-04-18
  • Posts: 62

Re: Advice needed! (UCX vs UCX 2)

stagepresence wrote:

The UCX II seems great but pricey. Is the older UCX still a solid choice for my needs? Will I be missing out on crucial features if I go with the UCX?

Any insights from those who've used either model would be greatly appreciated.

Hello

I can't share any experience about UCX, only with UCX II and as RME customer since a short time.

I wouldn't worry about losing features by choosing UCX, specifically features that you don't yet know if you'll need or not, I'm sure that your Art will not be limited depending on one specific model of audio interface.

Choosing the UCX you'll receive the same attention here from the RME Staff and as Daniel Fuchs mentioned a device from 2012 uses the same driver as for current line products, maintaining the approach offering support for many years to any RME user, and this IMO is real value!

I hope you receive a response (personal experience) from a users/customer who shares its opinion having used both UCX and UCX II and good luck with your choice smile

UCX II FW106/34/104 v1.253 TM1.97 - PC Win11 23H2 / Fedora WS 41 - Reaper 7.27
  • Registered: 2024-07-04
  • Posts: 2

Re: Advice needed! (UCX vs UCX 2)

Thank you for the fast and detailed responses, I appreciate it. Especially the comparison sheet, good job RME for coming out with that.

6 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2024-07-05 07:10:01)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 13,194

Re: Advice needed! (UCX vs UCX 2)

stagepresence wrote:

Thank you for the fast and detailed responses, I appreciate it. Especially the comparison sheet, good job RME for coming out with that.

Thanks for the flowers, but I am not from RME, I am a customer like you.

On this occasion, Daniel is of course absolutely right when he says that the UCX is also a great interface.

I'm just thinking a little more long-term here.
Unlike many other recording products, RME offers first-class long-term driver and firmware support for its devices.

You can still get updates for devices that are well over 20 years old.  In this respect, costs are noticeably relativized if you look at them over a longer period of time.

This is supported or made possible by the internal design of the devices with FPGAs, which are programmable/flashable CPUs.
With RME the FPGA even handles the communication with USB/FireWire/etc. This has the advantage that any bug, even in the communication to the computer, can be fixed. Other manufacturers mostly use 3rd party chips for the communication, they are hard-coded, nothing can be changed later and the life cycle for the devices regarding drivers and firmware is usually much shorter, the drivers are often not even programmed.

That's why I think you should take a closer look at what functionalities or other features such a (newer) device offers because you will probably be using the device for a long time.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14