Sjaak wrote:Hi everyone,
I need your expertise to upgrade my current audio setup. I currently use an RME UFX for both live and studio work, additional non-RME stage boxes and 2 unintegrated mixers. My goal is to enhance the studio setup with a dedicated RME-based solution managed with TotalMix for routing, EQ, and dynamics, offering a more streamlined and efficient workflow. The UFX will then be exclusively used for live purposes.
Other requirements:
- RME USB audio interface
- Recordings: 48 kHz
- Analog inputs: 16 channels for synths, drum computers, samplers, FX returns. Most are unbalanced. No need for pre-amps
- Analog outputs: 16 channels for FX sends, synths, samplers.
- ADAT inputs 48 kHz: 8 channels for Ableton Push 3 standalone
- ADAT outputs 48 kHz: 8 channels for Ableton Push 3 standalone
- The option to add more analog inputs in the future
After some research, I think the RME 1620 Pro (available in Q4’24) with the RME MADIface USB meets my requirements. Do you guys see other options by combining an RME interface with, for example, a Ferrofish Pulse?
Hi.
If you require FX (EQ, Dynamics) in the recording interface, then you need to choose a model with a DSP in it.
"TotalMix FX" is only the new product name after a major overhaul of the mixer, it doesn't mean that every interface has FX.
The following interfaces have a DSP chip on board and would theoretically be possible:
- UBS based: 802 FS, UFX II, UFX III
- PCIe based: HDSPe MADI FX
If you connect the M-1620 Pro, 2x ADAT I/O would be sufficient, plus you have additionally the analog I/O of e.g. UFX II.
But I would recommend investing into a MADI-based solution to have a long-term solution and investment protection.
Then your environment can grow and you can support also future demands (more devices, recording in double speed).
When getting an UFX III then you have a lot of MADI channels free so that the two phones outputs of the M-1620 can even get a dedicated submix not only a mirror of any of the 16 channels. This gives more flexibiltiy for your monitoring.
So, either UFX III or HDSPe MADI FX (which is the only PCIe card with DSP; note: only later HW revisions support RoomEQ).
As you requested a USB based solution, then the UFX III is the best choice for you.
UFX III + M-1620 Pro
The UFX III is IMHO the most versatile recording interface with advanced features: FX, DURec, Autoset, Mic Preamps with 75 dB gain range like 12Mic, RoomEQ, Crossfeed, Triple SPDIF.
It gives you another 8x Analog I/O with the proven AD/DA converter from the ADI-2 Pro FS reference converter.
Ferrofish is not bad, but I regard the quality of the RME AD/DA converter as better and with the UFX III and M-1620 Pro in combination you have then converter of the same quality.
The combination of UFX III and M-1620 Pro would be perfect and gives you 2×2=4 headphone outputs for your monitoring.
RME reference converters - options for your monitoring
If you like, you can additionally choose the reference converter ADI-2 Pro FS or ADI-2/4 Pro SE to enhance your monitoring and connect them either via AES or optical SPDIF to the UFX III. This gives you additional uniq features of those reference converters.
Further reading
And from my blog:
The proposed Setup UFX III with M-1620 Pro
This is my proposal to you for a really excellent setup. UFX III and ADI-2 Pro FS I own myself, as you can read in my blog articles (see below). I can recommend the devices with a clear conscience. I am sure that also the M-1620 will be a great.
According to Thomann in ~5 weeks available, so let's say, if all goes well within the next 2 months.
+---USB2---ARC USB (nice remote for TM FX)
/
PC---USB2-------------------------------------+
| | ADI-2 Pro in AD/DA mode
| USB3 | USB connection only for ADI-2 Remote software and firmware updates
| |
UFX III---ADAT (SPDIF)---------ADAT---ADI-2 Pro FS R BE (optional)+---AN1/2----Monitors
| | +---AN3/4---Phones
| |
| + M-1620 Pro---16x Analog I/O, 2x Phones
| |
| + Optional: further MADI devices
| |
+----+
Please note:
— the ARC USB is a very nice remote for TotalMix FX and can be connected to either UFX III or to the PC
— the ADI-2 Pro R BE in this setup is optional, only if you like it. I added it for demonstration purposes how to connect it.
Passive cooled rack?
Keep a little space between the devices if you have a passive cooled rack so that heat does not pile up.
For 2 devices which are not too deep, I would get a rack with 3-4 RU's with 23 cm depth.
The smaller depth of a compact rack of 23 cm adds to better airflow and heat dissipation in a passive cooled rack.
https://www.thomann.de/de/thon_3he_compact_rack.htm
Regarding MADI:
MADI devices can be chained behind each other on the MADI bus, the last fiber cable back to the UFX III.
The default option is to use multimode fiber which allows up to 2 km (!) between each device in the chain.
On special order you can get an UFX III with single mode which allows up to 10 km (!!) between each device.
As the M-1620 uses SFP modules as transceiver, no special order is needed, you simply need to swap the SFP modules.
Please stick to only one type of fiber cable, for multimode (which is sufficient for most of us) either OM3 or OM4.
OM4 is a later cable standard, about the same price, the violet color IMHO looks better compared to aquamarine.
You can choose either to provide structured cables in a house or larger installation with different rooms.
But this is expensive with all the patch fields etc.
Better is to connect the devices using patch cables which have already the proper plugs at both ends (SC or LC).
There are simplex and duplex cables, I would select duplex cables which are more usual, you can split them at the connector to get two simplex cables if you want that, then you have 1 other as a reserve.
Honor the two different plug standards, SC and LC.
The UFX III uses the larger SC connectors, the SFPs of the M-1620 uses the smaller LC connectors.
So to connect the M-1620 you need an OM4 duplex cable with SC-LC plug like this.
On this product page, you see also much longer patch cables than usually, up to 30m:
https://www.glasfaserkabel.de/LWL-Patch … ::571.html
Regarding SFP modules
They need to have the correct wavelength and firmware, to save you some hassles getting the proper one, I would use those from RME. https://rme-audio.de/de_sfp-module.html
List of components, current prices (DE)
Devices:
UFX III......................... €2649
M-1620 Pro.................. €2999
ARC USB....................... € 159
Cables and transceivers:
RME SFP module........... €89
Patch cable: OM4 Duplex SC-LC (multimode), 0,5m: ~€6
Optional components:
ADI-2 Pro FS R BE........ €1699
or ADI-2/4 Pro SE........ €2299
USB3 cables and extensions, if needed:
If you require a longer USB cable, 3 m is maximum. Lindy cable is ok and has triple shield:
https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters … ine-p11360
If you need longer cables, see this thread the StarTech extensions work great, have two here for USB3, which work also well with USB2 devices like ADI-2 Pro FS R BE:
https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.ph … 05#p216305
Free of charge, as you know:
— DIGICheck, DIGICheck NG (audio analysis software; Global Record only in DIGICheck for Windows)
— TotalMix Remote (remote control of TM FX from another network computer)
— ADI-2 Remote (remote SW for ADI-2 Pro / ADI-2/4 reference converters)
Isolating the recording interface on an USB bus of its own
Its best practise to connect a recording interface to a dedicated USB controller.
If you have a desktop PC with free PCIe socket then you should get this card with the proven FL1100 USB3 chipset which has been tested by RME.
https://www.sonnettech.com/product/alle … 4port.html
Connect only the UFX III to the Sonnet card and you can be sure that you have a dedicated USB3 controller for the UFX III.
Windows 10 and 11 have the proper drivers already included. The drivers use a more efficient interrupt scheme, so called MSI (message signalled interrupts).
You should proactively get such a card if its fit. Then you use all other USB ports of your mainboard for other stuff and it has no impact on the UFX III. Careful when buying, it has to be this card above with the Fresco Logic FL1100EX USB3 chipset.
This Sonnet card has proven well in many setups, in the UFX III manual you can see that FL1100 is a RME recommended USB3 chipset.
I strongly recommend getting this card, even if you do not need it now. Reason: the FL1100 is an excellent, proven and from RME tested and recommended USB3 controller which I did not find in other products so far. A couple of years ago Sonnet already ceased the special card with 4x (!) FL1100 USB3 controller on board. Which means 4x full USB3 bandwidth and a dedicated USB controller for up to 4 devices.
Now this Allegro card is the last one in their line of cards with FL1100 controller and who knows how long it will be still available. After my Allegro Pro became damaged, I got now two of these cards to have 1 as a reserve.
Conclusions, Investment security
The UFX III is the most powerful and versatile recording interface on the market.
A total of 64 channels are available to you via MADI at single speed, offering enough space for later expansions or even the option of recording at double speed.
As the UFX III itself has 8x analog I/O, you already have an additional buffer if you require a few more analog channels.
Together with the long driver support, the versatile I/O possibilities and unique features such as DURec, you have a device that will give you a lot of pleasure in the long term.
A device that enables growth also has the advantage of saving work. A change of recording interface would mean that you have to set up everything from scratch. Therefore, better not buy too small.
BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
