Recording - May 2012 - 62

BY DARWIN GROSSE

RME Fireface UCX
A hybrid interface with everything the discerning recordist might need

RME is well known to project studio owners; the company’s interfaces have long set the standard for professional lowlatency audio conversion at a project-studio price. The Fireface UCX is the latest in the family, featuring a small form factor, extensive connectivity, and an impressive DSP-backed software system. With an included remote control, the UCX is in a position to take over the central spot in your studio. The question is: does it deliver the goods? RME was kind enough to give us a go with this interface, and the results were pleasantly surprising.

What it is
In many ways, the Fireface UCX is a “Greatest Hits” collection of RME’s best work. The UCX builds upon the high-end legacy of the RME Fireface UFX, but in a half-rack system reminiscent of the popular Fireface 400. It also includes a wired remote-control box (featuring a profile reminiscent of the RME Babyface), apparently using up any spare sheet-metal parts in the RME warehouse! The I/O specs of the UCX are perfect for a project studio. There are eight analog inputs, four of which are located on the front panel for easy in-session access. Two of these inputs are Neutrik Combo XLR/TRS, and include software-controlled mic preamps complete with built-in overload protection; the other two are TRS balanced line inputs with Hi-Z option. The four rear-panel inputs area also balanced with selectable input level. There are six rear-panel balanced line outputs; outputs 7 and 8 are a
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stereo 1/4" TRS on the front panel, also used as a headphone output. Coaxial S/PDIF and optical ADAT expand the available I/O to 18-in/18-out. Computer connection is through either a FireWire 400 or USB 2.0 connection. Two MIDI I/O ports are provided (through a breakout cable), giving your synthesizers someplace to hang out. Finally, a BNC Word Clock connection allows you to time-sync to high-end gear. The unit is not bus-powered but comes with its own external line-lump power supply. The UCX has two optional remotes. I got to try the Basic unit; an Advanced remote is also available. Even the basic remote is an excellent addition to the package, since it allows you to treat the interface as a studio controller as well, killing two birds with one well-placed stone. The Basic remote comes with a 16foot cable and features a single large encoder and a pair of buttons, one software-defined. The Advanced remote adds six more programmable buttons.

Setup
Setting up the hardware couldn’t have been easier. First I connected the UCX to its AC adapter, then I hooked it up to the computer. I chose the USB connection. After software/driver installation, I was ready to go with a basic headphone-connected test rig. I also chose to immediately connect the remote control, which was pretty handy even without any setup. The encoder provided volume control—even with headphones this was useful, since the output of the UCX can be pretty hot. Once I got a reasonable setup running in both Ableton Live and Apple Logic, I started fitting the Fireface UCX into the rest of my studio system. Using outputs 1 and 2 for my monitor system was an obvious choice, as was the connection of the MIDI pigtail into my favorite controllers and synths. I also pre-wired some of my synthesizers and microphones into the UCX so I could do live-in-studio performance without a lot of messing around.

Recording - May 2012

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