• Registered: 2024-09-15
  • Posts: 7

Topic: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

Hi All

Quick run down of my setup in my shed studio (I have a Fireface UCX at my desktop as well).

RME Fireface UCX II --often using DURec, and Class Compliant mode (TotalMix on iPad)
Audient ASP800 8  mic preamp (using as ADAT in at 48khz)
2 x Joe Meek Mic Preamps/Compressors

From this setup I am using approximately 13 inputs regularly .

For the outputs, I would love to send an independent stereo mix to each of my band members. There are three of us.

So for the 6 analog outs, I need to use 2 of those (or rather, want to keep as an option for other situations) as a bounce to my PA to play stuff back/listen out the PA speakers when needed. That leaves 4 analog outputs, and I need 6 to get stereo mix.

Additional outputs, from my understanding of the Fireface UCX II specs: up to 8 outputs with ADAT Out, SPDIF coaxial, AES/EBU.

I have no idea how to use the SPDIF and AES/EBU and unclear whether there is any point for my needs.

My options are:
1. go mono mix
2. use headphone out (7/8) for one of us--like me . . . .
3. get some output expansion . . . .

So for #3, am I right in thinking the following will work?

I can use an ADAT out to a D/A converter that has 8 outputs, like this Arturia Audiofuse X8 Out https://www.arturia.com/products/audio/ … use-x8-out

or Aphex 141b (noting I will need a DB25 cable)
https://aphex.com/products/141b


Am I on the right track?

Thanks!

  • Registered: 2018-12-21
  • Posts: 322

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

Yes, although you'd need some headphone amp after the d/a converters.
2. using the UCX's integrated headphone output sounds like the easiest solution to me. Then you'll only need some headphone amplification for your two colleagues and you're set.

  • Registered: 2024-09-15
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

hselters wrote:

Yes, although you'd need some headphone amp after the d/a converters.
2. using the UCX's integrated headphone output sounds like the easiest solution to me. Then you'll only need some headphone amplification for your two colleagues and you're set.

I'm sorted for headphone amplification for each of us--sorry I should have listed that.

Thanks!

  • From: uk
  • Registered: 2023-07-23
  • Posts: 31

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

BenderBot wrote:

For the outputs, I would love to send an independent stereo mix to each of my band members. There are three of us.

So for the 6 analog outs, I need to use 2 of those (or rather, want to keep as an option for other situations) as a bounce to my PA to play stuff back/listen out the PA speakers when needed. That leaves 4 analog outputs, and I need 6 to get stereo mix.

Additional outputs, from my understanding of the Fireface UCX II specs: up to 8 outputs with ADAT Out, SPDIF coaxial, AES/EBU.

I have no idea how to use the SPDIF and AES/EBU and unclear whether there is any point for my needs.

AES/EBU and SPDIF each carry stereo over one cable - XLR for AES, and RCA for SPDIF. My experience with cheap SPDIF converters is that some have a delay so may give you sync issues playing live.

sending mono for monitoring may be a decent option. nominally for 3 people you need 6 outs, or 4 if one of you is OK with listening to the main mix / guide track. If sending mono to 2 other people then you just need one extra stereo out (2 x mono), in addition to the main headphone out. Then you can set levels in TotalMix.

ADAT is a great way to add 8 input or output channels (or both types) using an optical cable + BNC cable for sync. I think ADAT isn't talked about much because it just works, it's mostly set-and-forget. The only limitation is that the channel count is reduced if you wish to go over 48kHz sample rate.

Fireface UCX, Focusrite OctoPre, Sound Devices MixPre-D, Mac Studio M2 max, macOS Sonoma
  • Registered: 2024-09-15
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

Thanks--yeah definitely considering an ADAT out to a D/A to 8 outputs--which might be overkill but gives me future flexibility anyway, especially if I need to route anything via outboard units.

Pretty new to recording multiple simultaneous inputs and then sending to in-ears, but we tried via 2 analog outs to a headphone amp/distributor, which was OK (we're just monitoring singing to reduce feedback issues and to hear the singing clearly, and we cut live demos). Issue though was we want individual control of volume + individual mixes, so I have a setup that can do that but requires 6 xlrs (3 stereo pairs) plus didn't want to keep unplugging the outs going to the PA mixer simply for convenience.

I'll first test with mono and see how that goes, given that currently we've decided to only send the 3 vocals in the headphone/in-ear mix.

And yes many thanks re: AES/EBU and SPDIF--didn't know enough about that. I've seen the AES XLR cables, but I assume if it's two channels on XLR it must be digital (think that's clear from the specs) and therefore needs a D/A somewhere to two outputs, and I have no idea if such a thing exists or whether AES/EBU is used in particular use cases I have no idea about.

  • Kubrak
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • Registered: 2023-08-03
  • Posts: 549

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

AES/EBU is "better" (Pro) SPDIF using XLR and higher voltage signal. But otherwise signal is the same and in most cases one may send AES/EBU to SPDIF and vice versa (using proper cable). RME manuals even show the wiring needed.

  • Registered: 2024-09-15
  • Posts: 7

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

Kubrak wrote:

AES/EBU is "better" (Pro) SPDIF using XLR and higher voltage signal. But otherwise signal is the same and in most cases one may send AES/EBU to SPDIF and vice versa (using proper cable). RME manuals even show the wiring needed.

Thanks--I've got those clear in my head now, and did a bit of a search on D/A converters that take AES/EBU in and put XLR out.

I might just go for a dedicated ADAT D/A with 8 TRS outputs like the ones I listed above--gives me some flex, and I like having a monitoring set of headphones at the rack on 7/8 to check initial levels etc so don't want to keep unplugging stuff.

  • Kubrak
  • DAW Mastermind
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  • Registered: 2023-08-03
  • Posts: 549

Re: RME Fireface UCX II -- Advice on connecting additional output channels

Concerning ADAT mind what has been already mentioned. One socket gives 8 channels at 44/48, 4 channels at DS and two channels at QS.

SPDIF and AES gives 2 channels for any clock supported.

So, you might need to combine ADAT, AES and SPDIF when using higher sampling rates and more than 4 (DS) or 2 (QS) channels is needed....