• CHKR
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Topic: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

Hello everyone!

Long story short: my current Focusrite Scarlett is on the verge of failure after 7 years and I'm in the market for a new and reliable interface. I am a big fan of how long RME supports their products. After 2 Focusrites I like to try something different.

And before I buy into a new one (UCXII for example) I wanted to get some advice about how viable it is to buy a used Fireface UC (550€) or a FF UFX (700€).
The UC originally has been released in 2009. Doesn't mean the one I'm looking at was permanently in use since then, but potentially could be 15 years old.
Pics look good, include everything originally + packaging and the (official) seller includes a one year warranty. Description says it wasn't much in use.

The UFX on the other hand was released in 2012 iirc and the private seller only includes the breakout cable and power supply. Potentially 12 years old.

My question: is it a good idea to buy such an old interface? How long might it last...(stupid question I know, yet still my biggest concern)? I have never had an RME interface before but I know about their reputation.
I like solid stuff that just works. Most of the times I compose and record songs, do some editing work or record demos before overdubbing, some foley, produce music videos, etc...so a the I/O of a UC/UCX is more than enough for me.
I have 8 additional preamps in my desk and will get a compressor for leveling in the future. So far I am only looking to replace the heart of my homestudio.

Does anyone have some advice or similar experiences?

  • ramses
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

Hi CHKR,
welcome to the RME user forum.

Many years ago I was also Focusrite customer like you, I had a Liquid Saffire 56 and Octopre.
Since my purchase of an RME UFX I suddenly knew what I didn't like about Focusrite and what I was missing.

I compiled an Excel comparison sheet, which might be of help for you, it compares recording interfaces except PCI/PCIe cards, see here: https://forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=35156

There are many Scarletts around with a different numbers of ports.

I would get either an UCX II or UFX II. My recommendation is not to buy too small.

UCX II and UFX II have both the advantage to offer mic pres with 75 dB gain range, a display and useful features like RoomEQ, Crossfeed, Autoset and DURec.

The UCX II orients on the flagship interfaces UFX II and UFX III.

UFX II and UFX III are basically the same, the only differences are, that the UFX III supports MADI and needs USB3 due to the high channel count.

UFX II and UFX III have the advantage to offer 4x Mic Pres that also can be switched to Hi-Z and 2x ADAT.
The UFX II and UFX III have the converter of the former reference converter series ADI-2 Pro FS.
It might also be of interest that UFX II and UFX III use the MADIface driver with ASIO buffer sizes down to 32 samples at single speed.

If you have the budget, I would take UFX II (or III).
If you are certain that the number of I/O ports is sufficient, then get the UCX II.

There are really nice improvements between UCX and UCX II.
UC is dated and has no implementation of FX DSP.

Only UCX II, UFX II, UFX III support RoomEQ, Crossfeed, Mic Pres with 75 dB gain range similar to 12Mic, Autoset, DURec.

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Kubrak
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

Hi CHKR,
while any device may fail any moment, RME is excellent build. In friend's studio several RMEs run 24/7 for long years. So, I would not be very affraid that it fails.

I have the both UC and UCX. And in few days UCX II will arrive. I was happy to switch from UC to UCX, the FX section of UCX is handy. I keep UC for standalone purposes. And bought UCX II as RoomEQ would be handy and better preamps and AD & DA.

I would not go to UC, at least UCX. But most probably you anyway end up at UCX II or like, sooner or later.

By the way, you write about UFX and later on about UCX. Which one do you mean? UFX for 700 EUR is pretty good price, if you meant UCX, one may get it even for 600 EUR, from time to time.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS
  • CHKR
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

Hello and thanks for your answers!

I apologize for my typo: I meant UCX, not UFX.

@ramses thanks for your input and the work you put into that sheet! The UCX I or II is quite sufficient for my needs wink! DURec is a feature I might never use, but after some research the Room EQ sounds intriguing!
Working with DSP features is handy, so I think I'll cross the UC off my list..haha.

The old UXC still might be a great upgrade to my current one (18i8).

@Kubrak yeah, sorry. The UFX was a typo. Half of the time I write UFC...;).

I am aware that anything can just fail at anytime. Also components like PSU or capacitors might degrade over time and cause issues. Which is my main concern. In that case, does RME offer a repair/overhaul service? Even for older hardware?

In the end a new one might be the better investment. However, just found a UCX (all incl.) for 590€.

5 Reply by Kubrak (edited by Kubrak 2024-11-26 22:11:32)

  • Kubrak
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

UCX for around 600 EUR is very good price. You might buy this and one day, when time for UCX II comes, you may sell it for similar price. There would not be much financial loss, if any. Just time spent to sell it.

I have FF 400, UC, UCX all secondhand. And no fear. I do not know, if RME would repair it, but someone would. What might break is external power source. RME sells them or you may use different one. Main rottary might break, but it is needed for standalone. People even sell it with broken main rottary...

So, IMHO no problem start with UCX for good price. I bet you anyway end up with UCX II, or like sooner or later. So, if you do not  want to spend time selling UCX, go directly for UCX II. They are also sold secondhand. Or they might be sold with Black Friday discount. Have a look at e-shops. I bought mine with 15% discount and ARC USB for about 1 150 EUR.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS
  • ramses
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

Looking back at how much effort I put into my rather sophisticated setup, I’d go straight for a UCX II if I had to do it again. The port layout is different, and the workspace backups from the UCX can’t be transferred directly to a UCX II.

If you’re even considering upgrading to something like a UFX II, just go for it. Rebuilding configurations from scratch can end up being a lot of work.

While we are at it .. documentation ... If you need some ideas for documenting your setup, take a look here:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … tup-en-de/

If you are looking for information about config files and backup of those files, see here in my blog:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ent … nd-backup/

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub14
  • Kubrak
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

The patches and workspaces and so are good point. Ramses is right that if one has many patches and configurations for given interface, it would be time consuming to "replicate" it for another model. And replication might introduce errors.

Decision UCX or UCX II depends on your financial limits, type of use, time available and so.... As I have already said, you will anyway end up with UCX II or even higher model....

I have upgraded to UCX II mainly just because of RoomEQ.

FF UCX II, Digiface USB, Babyface Pro FS
  • CHKR
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Re: RME UC/UCX in 2024?

Thanks a lot to both for your input!

I'll do some more research in order to decide were to pull the trigger! Size-wise the UCX/UCXII would be all I need. I also said that 9 guitars later after my second one without mentioning my other instruments and gear...XD.

Much appreciated!