update: i have updated the alsa firmware package and notice that i am able to see the hdsp card listed in the ALSA soundcard options list (via the multimedia systems selector panel - that i activated in the main menu)..
however, when i click the 'test' button for that soundcard i see: #ALSA — Advanced Linux Sound Architecture: Could not negotiate format#.

so.. not really progress, but at least i can see the card somewhere in linux listed now!

thanks for the tips @perno

i have now got the rme card to function intermittently. (and i am now using linux mint debian edition instead of ubuntu studio, although i experienced mostly the same issues with both OSs).

i have discovered that the red light on the multiface comes on if i suspend/resume the pc or even 'warm' reboot without a full shutdown and cold boot. so while the card is functional and i can evolve the configuration, the system is not stable.

after uninstalling pulseaudio i setup alsa to use the onboard card for system sounds / browser etc.
and then i am using alsa/jack for other audio apps / sequencers etc.

so far i have used a variety of terminal commands to attempt to re-initiate the rme multiface box once the red light has come on.. and so far i have not found the correct solution.

i have used (in no particular order):

sudo alsa force-reload
hdsploader (shows that the firmware is loaded by saying 'device is busy').
as well as re-loading manually the modprobe snd-hdsp and related other modules.

if anyone has any thoughts as to what is causing this loss of connection between the os and the multiface i would appreciate some tips.. i will probably write a tutorial on this once i fully comprehend the issues since this has been the most lengthy and confused task i think i have ever undertaken with a pc (even more than coding a c++ compiler at university!).