T
thefees
New member
Well I pulled the plug and went in deep. I ordered the new RME Fireface UFX. It is new just out in October or November of 2010 and when you read what it does, really does, I couldn't help but go for it. I have to say out of all of my research, the RME 400 and 800 were the only interfaces that garnered 5 star reviews across the board, with unparalleled compatibility, no driver problems, and superb audio quality, and that is saying something considering it came out in 2004. After all of that time if there was a problem it would have surfaced by now.
Some of the new features that took me over the top. USB and Firewire. Plus a USB on the front that they are working on the firmware update for, and you will be able to plug a portable hard drive or USB dongle into and automatically record everything that is coming through the mixer which is built in. So you don't need a computer plugged in to record. Also has effects, EQ, compression, reverb etc built in. Next item up for bid is the ability on the front panel screen to see indicators of all levels, and not just for input levels, but for every parameter which are fully adjustable on the fly. You press a button and it brings up multiple screens, one at a time. You can also do a preset with your computer like the Motu 896, as a matter of fact you have 6 user presets plus one factory preset, but then you can edit any preset on the fly without a computer attached. This unit truly has standalone capabilities. As a matter of fact with dual DSP chips onboard, if you are playing live, the mixer works in standalone mode so if your computer crashes the audience won't even notice, not to mention that the mixer and effects carry a zero CPU load.
It is the only one that has universal acceptance across the board in all reviews for Mac and PC's. Both platforms work equally as well. That is important because with this unit and running Pro Tools 9 which I just picked up, you have the option of running it in your PC now, and then picking up a Mac and running it in that also. With the cross compatiblity of Pro Tools 9, and their now universal hardware acceptance (you don't need to run it on MAudio anymore) and being able to load it in an unlimited amount of machines both Mac and PC and then use only one at a time with the iLok USB key you can load it into your laptop, desktop, and Mac machines all for one license. I am a PC guy but there is a Mac in my future; gotta love em.
Then when someone wants to collaborate, I can do so in either platform. Just unplug the RME UFX usb port from one machine, and plug it in the other. Wahlah dual platforms in an instant. Like fireface better, pick up a good fireface card and use it instead, although the rep from RME stated that their new technology using USB is with certain configurations actually now giving them better preformance than a PCI Express firewire card. The online test review I just read proved that to be the case with the USB connection providing half the latency of the firewire connection.
In plain words the RME is the most compatible platform to work in both the PC and Mac enviroment without driver problems. You hear expressions like, "This thing works in all my PC's, and this thing works in all my Macs". Pro Tools 9 works in both as well, however it requires Win & or Mac's newer operating systems, and since PT9 has such a great video component you need at least 128MB dedicated video memory, or even better yet one of their approved cards. For live recording, I can just use Pro Tools LE 8 in my laptop and then do final mixing in the home studio with PT9.
I guess you can tell that I am nuts about the new toy. RME is expensive and they only give you 4 super high quality mic pre's instead of 8. They take the technology and some of the components from their dedicated pre's and put them in the UFX. They also have dual AD DA converters on every mic pre and they say that is technological breakthrough providing new levels of signal to noise ratio, and quality of sound.
I also love the dual MIDI in and out on the front, and a second pair of MIDI in and out on the back for a total of 2 ins and 2 outs. Great if you don't want to have to purchase a MIDI plug in port.
They also have 2 separate headphone jacks on the front, and you can create up to 15 different sub mixes. It's a 12 channel input if you include the combo pre/line ins on 4 of them, but it will record up to 30 channels in, and 30 channels out at the same time using additional peripherals running through SPDIF or ADAT.
This RME is an all in one stand alone mixer, preamp, effects unit, AD DA converter. It does what a whole rack of gear usually does.
It is 2 or 3 times the price, and I can see that people are having luck with the Motu and Presonus equipment. What tilted me in this direction was someone I grew up with who is the pro sound guy in my local guitar center told me something that opened my eyes. He said that let me give you the proper perspective. Dedicated mic pres are 1800 dollars each, as in one channel. You want stereo get 2. So for them to make a combo box with 8 mic pres, and all of the rest is a feat of magic, so something has to give somewhere.
I also found that no matter what level you see there are people who are still aspiring to something else. I also noticed that a lot of people go through a lot of converters before settling in on something that they love. I thought after all of that why not just get what I believe in from the beginning. I also see what they are going for used and realize it is not spending money, it is somewhat of an investment. Can I sell it used for what I paid for it, of course not, but the difference of what it sells for new and what they are going for used is not that harmful. I don't ever plan on selling it. I was told that when I want to add more mic pre's go with a focusrite.
I guess I am talking too much already. I should be listening instead. I have been a musician for a long time, had a MIDI studio back when DOS was out, but I haven't been involved in the home recording enthusiasm in a long time, so I am back. Hope to learn a lot here.
By the way Avid.com Pro Tools 9 sys req is Windows 7 32 or 64 bit or MAC OS I think 10.5 or higher. They also have only 4 video cards listed that they approve so I picked up the Nvidia Quaddro FX 580 and the Windows performance test built into 7 gave me a 40 percent increase in performance ratings because of it. It automatically disabled my onboard video on my ASUS board. The NVidia has dual outs supporting 2 monitors so I am excited to find out if the split screen between the mixer screen and other screen is possible. That way the 24" HD LCD monitor can have one, and with an HDMI plug fed into the big screen Samsung LCD HDTV will provide the other. I'm dreaming of creating You Tube videos in the studio so that will be a totally cool environment/backdrop to shoot from. Pro Tools 9 also provides a video track. I have from before the Pinnacle Studios Ultimate Collection HD video editing package which is also made by AVID, the maker of Pro Tools so the two should merge nicely.
I bought the DVD video because I have a ton of learning to do. Then you start staring at the HD video cams... Does it never end?
Some of the new features that took me over the top. USB and Firewire. Plus a USB on the front that they are working on the firmware update for, and you will be able to plug a portable hard drive or USB dongle into and automatically record everything that is coming through the mixer which is built in. So you don't need a computer plugged in to record. Also has effects, EQ, compression, reverb etc built in. Next item up for bid is the ability on the front panel screen to see indicators of all levels, and not just for input levels, but for every parameter which are fully adjustable on the fly. You press a button and it brings up multiple screens, one at a time. You can also do a preset with your computer like the Motu 896, as a matter of fact you have 6 user presets plus one factory preset, but then you can edit any preset on the fly without a computer attached. This unit truly has standalone capabilities. As a matter of fact with dual DSP chips onboard, if you are playing live, the mixer works in standalone mode so if your computer crashes the audience won't even notice, not to mention that the mixer and effects carry a zero CPU load.
It is the only one that has universal acceptance across the board in all reviews for Mac and PC's. Both platforms work equally as well. That is important because with this unit and running Pro Tools 9 which I just picked up, you have the option of running it in your PC now, and then picking up a Mac and running it in that also. With the cross compatiblity of Pro Tools 9, and their now universal hardware acceptance (you don't need to run it on MAudio anymore) and being able to load it in an unlimited amount of machines both Mac and PC and then use only one at a time with the iLok USB key you can load it into your laptop, desktop, and Mac machines all for one license. I am a PC guy but there is a Mac in my future; gotta love em.
Then when someone wants to collaborate, I can do so in either platform. Just unplug the RME UFX usb port from one machine, and plug it in the other. Wahlah dual platforms in an instant. Like fireface better, pick up a good fireface card and use it instead, although the rep from RME stated that their new technology using USB is with certain configurations actually now giving them better preformance than a PCI Express firewire card. The online test review I just read proved that to be the case with the USB connection providing half the latency of the firewire connection.
In plain words the RME is the most compatible platform to work in both the PC and Mac enviroment without driver problems. You hear expressions like, "This thing works in all my PC's, and this thing works in all my Macs". Pro Tools 9 works in both as well, however it requires Win & or Mac's newer operating systems, and since PT9 has such a great video component you need at least 128MB dedicated video memory, or even better yet one of their approved cards. For live recording, I can just use Pro Tools LE 8 in my laptop and then do final mixing in the home studio with PT9.
I guess you can tell that I am nuts about the new toy. RME is expensive and they only give you 4 super high quality mic pre's instead of 8. They take the technology and some of the components from their dedicated pre's and put them in the UFX. They also have dual AD DA converters on every mic pre and they say that is technological breakthrough providing new levels of signal to noise ratio, and quality of sound.
I also love the dual MIDI in and out on the front, and a second pair of MIDI in and out on the back for a total of 2 ins and 2 outs. Great if you don't want to have to purchase a MIDI plug in port.
They also have 2 separate headphone jacks on the front, and you can create up to 15 different sub mixes. It's a 12 channel input if you include the combo pre/line ins on 4 of them, but it will record up to 30 channels in, and 30 channels out at the same time using additional peripherals running through SPDIF or ADAT.
This RME is an all in one stand alone mixer, preamp, effects unit, AD DA converter. It does what a whole rack of gear usually does.
It is 2 or 3 times the price, and I can see that people are having luck with the Motu and Presonus equipment. What tilted me in this direction was someone I grew up with who is the pro sound guy in my local guitar center told me something that opened my eyes. He said that let me give you the proper perspective. Dedicated mic pres are 1800 dollars each, as in one channel. You want stereo get 2. So for them to make a combo box with 8 mic pres, and all of the rest is a feat of magic, so something has to give somewhere.
I also found that no matter what level you see there are people who are still aspiring to something else. I also noticed that a lot of people go through a lot of converters before settling in on something that they love. I thought after all of that why not just get what I believe in from the beginning. I also see what they are going for used and realize it is not spending money, it is somewhat of an investment. Can I sell it used for what I paid for it, of course not, but the difference of what it sells for new and what they are going for used is not that harmful. I don't ever plan on selling it. I was told that when I want to add more mic pre's go with a focusrite.
I guess I am talking too much already. I should be listening instead. I have been a musician for a long time, had a MIDI studio back when DOS was out, but I haven't been involved in the home recording enthusiasm in a long time, so I am back. Hope to learn a lot here.
By the way Avid.com Pro Tools 9 sys req is Windows 7 32 or 64 bit or MAC OS I think 10.5 or higher. They also have only 4 video cards listed that they approve so I picked up the Nvidia Quaddro FX 580 and the Windows performance test built into 7 gave me a 40 percent increase in performance ratings because of it. It automatically disabled my onboard video on my ASUS board. The NVidia has dual outs supporting 2 monitors so I am excited to find out if the split screen between the mixer screen and other screen is possible. That way the 24" HD LCD monitor can have one, and with an HDMI plug fed into the big screen Samsung LCD HDTV will provide the other. I'm dreaming of creating You Tube videos in the studio so that will be a totally cool environment/backdrop to shoot from. Pro Tools 9 also provides a video track. I have from before the Pinnacle Studios Ultimate Collection HD video editing package which is also made by AVID, the maker of Pro Tools so the two should merge nicely.
I bought the DVD video because I have a ton of learning to do. Then you start staring at the HD video cams... Does it never end?
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