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RME Fireface UCX II 40-channel USB Interface

20-in/20-out USB 2.0 Audio Interface - Mac/PC/iOS
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RME Fireface UCX II 40-channel USB Interface
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RME's Next-gen UCX with Femtosecond Clock

The RME Fireface UCX II packs a lot into its rugged half-rack housing. This 20-in/20-out USB audio interface includes two reference-quality microphone preamps and ample analog, digital, MIDI, and word clock connectivity for easy integration into any studio rig. The Fireface UCX II's SteadyClock/femtosecond technology yields ultra-stable clocking, and its DC-coupled outputs permit sending CV/gate voltage control information to modular synths and other studio hardware. Take complete command of the Fireface UCX II with TotalMix FX — no external hardware mixer required — with loads of latency-free effects available for each channel. You also get comprehensive onboard metering, a DURec port for direct recording to a thumb drive or external hard drive, and support for RME's ARC USB remote controller (sold separately). If you want to upgrade your studio with a high-level audio interface, the Fireface UCX II is an excellent choice.

20-in/20-out audio interface in a half-rack package

The sheer power and flexibility of the Fireface UCX II are remarkable when you lay your eyes on it. Its space-saving half-rack design has a great clean look but still offers deep control over levels, sub-mixes, and gain structures. There are two reference-quality digitally controlled mic preamps, eight channels of balanced line-level I/O, line/instrument inputs, ADAT/AES/SPDIF I/O, a MIDI port, word clock I/O, and a headphone output. DC-coupled outputs permit sending CV/gate voltage control information to modular synths and other studio hardware. You also get onboard metering with peak and RMS calculation. Best of all, the Fireface UCX II achieves all of this while staying very straightforward and looking great in your rack. We’re impressed by the Fireface UCX II here at Sweetwater — it packs a lot of power into a sleek-looking interface.

DURec enables direct USB recording and playback of 40 channels

Located on the back of the RME Fireface UCX II is a DURec port. This port enables direct recording and playback of 40 channels of audio to an external thumb drive or external hard drive up to 2 TB. RME's cutting-edge hardware delivers improved performance, so you enjoy greater reliability — even with slow or multi-partitioned flash drives. Create time-stamped files, courtesy of an internal real-time clock, and enjoy advanced playback functions.

Ultra-stable SteadyClock FS technology

Boasting the same SteadyClock FS circuit as RME’s reference-quality ADI-2 Pro AD/DA converter, the Fireface UCX II takes self-jitter to new lows, eclipsing its predecessor’s already impressive performance with an upgraded analog PLL circuit and referencing both Direct Digital Synthesis and PLL to a low-phase-noise quartz crystal. In fact, the Fireface UCX II's self-jitter reaches levels that are usually only available in master quartz clock mode, even while running in PLL mode. Thanks to this updated circuit, the Fireface UCX II reaches jitter specs as low as a femtosecond. Just to put it in perspective, that's 1/1,000,000,000,000,000 of a second!

TotalMix FX provides latency-free processing, monitoring, and effects

The Fireface UCX II comes loaded with RME's TotalMix FX engine. This dual-DSP system uses one DSP chip for monitor mixing, leaving the other free for latency-free effects and processing. The routing side of TotalMix FX gives you a fully flexible mixer with 20 input channels, 20 software playback channels, and 20 hardware output channels. Each of the Fireface UCX II's channels features a 3-band parametric equalizer, low-cut filter, echo, reverb, compressor, expander, and auto level. That means you can track with the effects and processing you need, without ever having to worry about latency or your computer's processing power.

Optional ARC USB remote provides convenient desktop control

RME's ARC USB remote (sold separately) connects to your computer via USB and provides you with direct control over the Fireface UCX II. The ARC USB fits conveniently on your desktop and has 15 freely assignable and illuminated buttons, one encoder wheel, and a footswitch jack. ARC USB is completely plug and play. As soon as you connect it, TotalMix FX will detect it.

RME Fireface UCX II Features:

  • 20-in/20-out USB 2.0 audio interface
  • Rugged, half-rack design has a great clean look but still offers deep control
  • 2 digitally controlled microphone preamps enable reference-quality recording
  • Ample analog, digital, MIDI, and word clock connectivity makes integration with your studio easy
  • DC-coupled outputs permit sending CV/gate voltage control information to modular synths and other studio hardware
  • SteadyClock/femtosecond technology yields ultra-stable clocking
  • TotalMix FX gives you a fully flexible mixer with 20 input, 20 software playback, and 20 hardware output channels
  • Each channel boasts latency-free processing, including a 3-band EQ, low-cut filter, echo, reverb, compressor, expander, and auto level
  • Onboard metering with peak and RMS calculation for keeping an eye on your levels
  • DURec port captures audio directly to a thumb drive or external hard drive
  • Integrates with RME’s ARC USB remote controller (sold separately)
  • Includes 3-month subscription to Antares Autotune Unlimited

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Tech Specs

  • Computer Connectivity: USB 2.0
  • Form Factor: Rackmount
  • Simultaneous I/O: 20 x 20
  • Number of Preamps: 2 x mic
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • A/D Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • Effects: 3-band EQ, Low-cut Filter, Reverb, Compressor, Expander, Auto Level
  • Analog Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (line/instrument), 2 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line), 4 x 1/4" (line)
  • Analog Outputs: 6 x 1/4" (line)
  • Digital Inputs: 1 x Optical Toslink (ADAT)
  • Digital Outputs: 1 x Optical Toslink (ADAT)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out
  • USB: 1 x Type A, 1 x Type B
  • Clock I/O: 1 x Word Clock
  • Other I/O: 1 x 9-pin (AES/EBU, S/PDIF)
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.9.5 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Rack Spaces: 1U
  • Power Supply: 12V DC power supply (included)
  • Height: 1.73"
  • Width: 8.5"
  • Depth: 5.1"
  • Weight: 2.0 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Fireface UCX II

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

fantastic

Upgraded from another similar I/O count interface that cost 1/3 as much, boy am I glad I did. This thing sounds crystal clear, the screen is much better, and the control knob feels much higher quality. I haven't done a deep dive into total mix yet, but it looks nice. Perfect I/O count for my needs (5.1 mixing) and this interface makes my Shelford channel sound even better than it did with my prior interface. I'm also guessing the people that made this unit got paid a good wage for their work, which I also really like. Performance over USB2 in this unit so far is better than USB C in my previous interface. I did quite a bit of research trying to find the most affordable but highest quality 5.1 capable interface, and returned another unit from another company before being very happy with this one.
I wish I could have sprung for the full rack space unit, but this one was perfect for my needs and I'm very glad I emptied the bank account to make it happen.
Music background: Post production & sound design professional, guitar player
Rated 5/5

Outstanding

I'd been wanting to upgrade to an RME interface for some time, from my aging Roland Quad-Capture - so when I saw the advance announcements for the new UCX II I was excited to jump onto it. And I must say: it was absolutely worth the wait: the difference is like night and day from what I had been using previously.
The driver install (I'm running Windows 10) was fast and painless, and easy to configure in my two main DAWs, Studio One and Bitwig Studio. I very highly recommend checking out the RME YouTube channel where they have great step-by-step instructions on how to use their excellent TotalMixFX software which is nowhere near as confusing as I'd been led to believe from various online comments that I've read! The many routing options you get are excellent, and easy to put into use.

I heard immediate serious improvement to overall sound quality going out to my studio's nearfields (previously I had been using my Apogee Rosetta 200 converter as my AD/DA frontend to the old Quad-Capture). And with all the additional I/O the UCX II provides for me, I love now having so many more options now to route to and from my various hardware processors.
The build quality of the UCX II itself is excellent: this is a solid piece of well-designed gear, right down to the feel of the encoder knob. The display screen is bright and clear, and provides instant visibility to many functions. I also got the optional RM-19 II rackmount ears for the unit and have it racked. One "duh" piece of information that isn't mentioned in the manual though is labeled on the unit itself: the unit's main power switch is the encoder knob itself - push in once to power up, push in and hold for 2 seconds to power down again.

I was excited to check out the legendary low latency the RME drivers provide. Bundled with the UCX II is Scuffham S-Gear amp sim software, so after I installed it I grabbed a Tele, plugged it straight into one of the two instrument level inputs on the front of the UCX II, set its buffers down to 256 and...whoa! I was shocked at how imperceptible any latency was, with no noticeable impact to system resources - and knowing that I could drop the buffers down even lower if I wanted too. This opens up a lot of new possibilities for me - it's a brave new world...

At the recommendation of another RME user that I know, I also got the optional ARC-USB Advanced Remote Control as well - I highly recommend it too! I'm routing straight out of the UCX II to my nearfields instead of going through my old original Mackie Big Knob I'd had for years (a great unit itself, but now no longer needed), and the ARC is perfect for the job, with a much smaller footprint which freed up desk space as well. That said, I did find the 6' USB cable that comes with the UCX II to be just a little too short for me as far as connecting between the back of the UCX II (using the DURec USB jack) in my rack and the ARC on my desk, leaving the cable hanging up in the air. This was no big deal though, as you can easily get a cheap longer USB cable anywhere to use instead which I did (and they even mention in the manual as being easily/cheaply available). Worth noting is that you don't *have* to connect the ARC directly to the UCX II - if you prefer, you can plug it into your computer and it'll know where it needs to go from there.

I installed the UCX II in my studio about 2 weeks ago and am loving it...and I know I'm so far only scratching the surface of what I know I can do with it. I'm excited to dig in deeper still.
VERY highly recommended.
Music background: Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist/voice artist, songwriter/performer, engineer, producer, recording artist (prog, metal, ambient/atmospheric, shoegaze/metalgaze).
Rated 4.5/5

Exceptional Performance

The unit is well build and scream pro right out of the box. Very easy to install and the integration is seamless with any system. I am running Cubase and Studio one and it is a breeze to setup the IO. The routing and other settings can easily be customized via the TotalMix FX. The driver of this system is very stable and I have never had any issue or dropout. One thing I like about it, is this unit can be extended via ADAT, SPDIF, AES/EBU etc... The stand alone capability will let you take it on the road and it is suitable for any gig.
I am glad that I have upgraded my system with this unit.
Rated 5/5

Now even better with updated driver

I bought and returned the UCX II back in August, 2022 and reviewed it. There were issues with the gain - not enough input gain to get good recording levels and I had reservations about the functionality of the effects. (See my 4 star review from August 10, 2022.)

After a lot more research, I took the plunge a second time now in November, 2023 - the price has gone up $ since then - but it's now a keeper and I'm giving it 5 stars.

The updated driver you download from RME-Audio.com changes the gain structure now so that there is considerably more input gain available to boost recording levels which was badly needed, especially when recording from low signal sources, such as instruments plugged into channels 3 and 4 on the front panel. TotalMix is vastly improved over it's old version. I used a FireFace 400 for many years and it's still a great interface, and remarkably still supported by RME. It would be nice if RME could make it so that the old interfaces could be daisy chained and operated from the new TotalMix platform, but evidently they don't have any plans to do that, which renders the aFireFace 400 not quite obsolete but annoyingly difficult to incorporate because I have to continually switch back and forth between two TotalMix screens, the updated one for the UCX II and then the old TotalMix for the Fireface 400.

The effects are okay for tracking, such as a little EQ and reverb to enhance the sound for a singer and to spice up an instrument when tracking but I wouldn't print these effects to the recording. Thankfully, by default, they are not recorded, though you can select that in the settings if you want it. If you use the effects only for tracking or for live performance. they are fine, but in my opinion you will get better quality and functionality in using effects from your DAW plugins post production.

So I've happily made the switch. The UCX II is just great.
Music background: Guitarist, composer, singer, performer, home studio production
Rated 5/5

This. This is what time it is.

I just recently had to rent a space for work because I am accumulating too much gear and I am getting plenty of jobs. However I did not want to completely abolish the home studio. Working from home is nice, when it's called for. So I got a new Interface for the new spot. This one.
At home is a Babyface Pro. The Babyface pro is awesome. If you don't need all this I/O you really should check it out: the quality is just as good (to my ears) and where this thing has 1/4 outputs for your monitors the Babyface is all XLR, baby! Anyway, this thing is awesome. Amazing conversion on the front and back end and TotalMix FX, once learned, is indispensable, especially if you use a lot of outboard processing hooked into your interface.
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