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Review: RME Fireface UC

All audio interfaces are not created equal. Where will this passenger sit on the universal bus?

By

2 February 2010

If I had a dollar for every time some goon on a pro-audio forum issued a dictum committing USB 2.0 to the interface scrapheap I’d be a wealthy man. It’s amazing how often this ignorant declaration occurs, especially when you consider USB is capable of transfer rates of 480Mbps while standard Firewire options hit the wall at 400Mbps.

Unfortunately, in most cases the implementation of the universal serial bus architecture cripples the potential performance of the interface and restricts sustained throughput – critical for multichannel audio. Even Mac and Windows differ in their software utilisation of this transfer format, which – by its very name – is supposed to be universal. So why then would a company like RME, boasting a range of the most impressive Firewire products on the market, choose to invest significant time and energy developing a USB 2.0 device? For the answer we’ll have to delve deep into the fiery core.

WE SHALL OVERCOME

When the IEEE 1394 (Firewire) standard was first unleashed it was commonplace to find that your new external drive or video capture device didn’t work efficiently with the chipset inside your computer (if at all). We all took this in our stride of course – what else could we do? It simply became yet another example of an incident where compatibility issues occurred as each hardware upgrade rolled around. Over the years things settled down and some quasi standards were adopted by manufacturers in something of a mutually beneficial gentleman’s agreement.

There were, however, no guarantees, and a couple of years ago, in an ill-advised cost cutting exercise, Apple decided to replace all the Texas Instruments chipsets in its new models with a cheaper option. For many peripheral developers, including RME, the results were disastrous. The Fireface 400 and 800 simply didn’t work with this generation of machines without the use of an additional IEEE 1394 hub or repeater. I’m not sure if Matthias Carstens and his compatriots at RME were hanging out of the windows but I think it’s fair to assume they were mad as hell and decided not to take it anymore.

Their response is an innovative one, with significant implications for all involved in the development of external peripherals. RME found that, unlike Firewire, USB 2.0 didn’t require a third-party chip and could therefore be implemented using a comparatively affordable and programmable FPGA (RME’s Universal Core). In simple terms, the designers found a way to implement the USB 2.0 interface using a completely updatable software alternative to static and easily outdated chipsets. By taking charge, the developers at RME have opened the door to a world where firmware upgrades may eventually replace the wasteful material disposability to which we’ve all grown accustomed. With the Fireface UC this approach afforded some additional benefits.

As mentioned above, USB 2.0 is not always implemented in a way that enhances audio streaming, and an efficient device under Windows will not necessarily display the same performance under Mac OS. The programmability of the UC’s core affords RME the freedom to deal with both these issues. After extensive testing it was found that the most effective data transfer results under Windows were achieved using the interrupt transfer method while the Mac preferred the more standard isochronous mode. Interestingly, neither operating system supports the mode RME believes to be the optimal implementation for audio. As room was available onboard the FPGA there was simply no good reason not to employ both. The Fireface UC therefore contains discrete firmware versions for Mac and PC alongside backup versions. A simple button press prior to connection configures the UC for best possible performance on either platform. If future hardware developments cause instability, or OS updates allow for increased performance, changes to the core will be possible via downloadable software updates. The first of these has already been released in response to Windows 7 and Snow Leopard.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

For such a small box, the Fireface UC is packed with I/O options. The front panel houses the first four of eight analogue inputs, the selection and control knob and a low-impedance unbalanced stereo line output (channels 7/8), which doubles as a high-performance headphone amp. When listening to mastered or ‘loud’ recordings the headphone output delivers loads of volume to even low-impedance models. The representation is accurate with a solid bottom end and it was a joy to have an alternative to my multichannel headphone amp. I did find, however, that onstage in close proximity to guitar amps and a drum kit it was struggling to boost more dynamic backing material into the consistently audible range.

Inputs 1 and 2 are handled by Neutrik combo sockets allowing mic and line operation using XLR and TRS connectors. The mic pres are equipped with a maximum of 65dB of gain, adjustable in 1dB steps from both software and the rotary encoder. Phantom power is also individually switchable for each channel (from within software only). Inputs 3 and 4 offer a choice between balanced line operation and a Hi-Z unbalanced instrument input via ¼-inch jacks. Settings are again configurable from both the front panel control and the driver window, with 18dB of gain available to the instrument DI in 0.5dB increments. Both the mic pres and DI inputs provide open and detailed alternatives rivalling any of the outboard in my racks. While the pres lean towards reference style neutrality, the DI’s really shined on active bass and electric piano. Levels for all four inputs are digitally controlled but the changes are realised discretely in the analogue domain. Channel settings and routings can be stored within the unit to allow for stand-alone operation as a mic pre or even as an eight-channel mixer via the excellent TotalMix DSP software.

The back of the Fireface is chock-a-block with the remaining I/O. Ten ¼-inch TRS jacks accommodate the remaining four balanced line-level inputs and channels one to six of balanced output. Additional digital I/O is provided via coaxial S/PDIF and ADAT (eight channels @ 48k, four @ 96k, two @ 192k). Optical S/PDIF is also available via the ADAT connections. While all of these rear channels have their own corresponding mixer channels within TotalMix, only the six analogue outputs can be controlled from the front panel rotary encoder. The rear panel line up is rounded out by wordclock I/O and two MIDI ports, providing an underrated and exceedingly handy 32 channels of MIDI I/O.

NEED TO KNOW

  • PRICE

    $2299

  • CONTACT

    Innovative Music
    (03) 9540 0658
    [email protected]
    www.innovativemusic.com.au

  • PROS

    • Unparalleled low-latency performance via USB 2.0
    • Extensive range of I/O
    • Upgradeable via software for all future developments of USB 2.0
    • Dual firmware modes
    • Stable with other peripherals connected
    • Integrated DSP mixer extends functionality

  • CONS

    • No bus power
    • Inaccessible power switch when rack-mounted
    • DDS realtime resampling limited to ±5%
    • Price tag may spook potential users

  • SUMMARY

    The Fireface UC is the best USB 2.0 audio interface we’ve ever seen. Optimised for both Windows and Mac OS, it satisfies a diverse range of I/O requirements while maintaining a highly portable footprint. It’s not cheap, but with its programmable USB core RME has ensured that future upgrades will be possible via simple and free software downloads. It’s not future-proof, but it may just be the first in a long line of products seeking to maximise performance while reversing our disposable culture.

SO UC…

In performance tests the Fireface UC really couldn’t be faulted. On my quad-core Windows XP machine I was able to manage simultaneous playback and recording of the maximum available channels, all with the lowest possible latency settings (48k = 48 samples, 96k = 96 samples). I doubt anyone has intentionally made such a boring 16-channel recording of an engineer mumbling before, but I can assure you it was crystal clear and glitch free. On Mac OSX the available low-latency settings are even better, with an astonishing 14 samples the minimum. I also had the opportunity to test the Fireface on stage. A 10-channel combination of sequenced backing tracks, keyboard and sample performances and realtime processing of live vocals provided the challenge. Even with a Korg PadControl and other USB 2.0 peripherals connected, the performance went off without a hitch. Past experience tells me that without RME’s optimised USB core this would have been a risky proposition.

FACE TO FACE

In appearance and feature set the Fireface UC is seemingly identical to the older Fireface 400. They share the same half-rack chassis and, but for the differing interface ports on the rear of the units, they’re very easily confused. There are, however, some key if only minor differences. For starters the UC supports 192k sample rates on all its I/O, including ADAT via SMUX4. RME’s unique DDS (Direct Digital Sythesiser) technology has also been extended slightly in the UC to allow for ±5% of realtime resampling (as opposed to ±4% on the 400). Equivalent to varispeed when working with tape, the pitch control facilitates detuning (with equivalent change in speed) of recording and playback, without any loss of sync between interface and software. While the functionality has been developed to service the needs of the professional video industry it can also be used to create variation between multitracked vocal performances – as Stav recently recommended – or tune a project to an un-tunable instrument for overdubs. I only wish it went further to allow for the creation of more radical effects. Even if limited to lower sample rates (96k and under), an increase to ±100% (equivalent to a full octave shift) would expand the range of creative applications immeasurably.

The final obvious difference is unfortunately not so positive for the new Fireface. While the Firewire model supports bus-powered operation the same is not true of the UC. For some this will be seen as a significant impediment to truly mobile operation and it’s impossible to disagree. In most cases, however, running a unit like the Fireface via bus power will greatly reduce the battery life of your laptop. So you’ll likely be diving for the nearest power point in no time anyway. To this end at least the Fireface UC is packaged with an external switch-mode (100V-240V) 12V AC power adapter and three different plug leads for the most common international connections. A small toggle power switch is nestled amongst the busy rear panel of the unit. If you’re planning to rackmount the interface, be prepared to turn the power supply off at the wall or spend a moment each day scrabbling in your rack for the switch.

PEOPLE GET READY

Quick to moan when corporate profiteering and/or malfeasance leaves users stranded with yet another pro audio boat anchor, it’s important to acknowledge companies when they get things right too. With its Fireface UC, RME has delivered a highly portable and fully featured USB 2.0 audio interface with unrivalled performance. Perhaps more importantly, it has also implemented a model of product sustainability that protects not only its customers but also the resource depleted environment, which is admirable. One can only hope that other developers will get on board.

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