RME has announced the introduction of the Fireface UFX III, a new 24 bit/192 kHz USB audio interface with 188 input and output channels for analog and digital signals that’s the successor to the Fireface UFX+.
The new UFX III, outfitted with proprietary technologies that include SteadyClock FS, TotalMix, DURec, offers 12 analog I/O channels, 16 ADAT channels, 1 x AES/EBU I/O and 2 x MADI I/O with 64 channels as well as MIDI, Word Clock and USB 3.0 connectivity. It’s based on a newly developed analog and digital board. While the analog board offers, for example, DC-coupled analog outputs as well as new AD and DA converters with improved THD+N value, the digital board also enables new features due to updated components.
The front panel provides four XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphone, instrument and line signals, two stereo headphone jacks with +19 dBu output level, MIDI I/O, and a USB port. In combination with the DURec function (Direct USB Recording), the USB port allows independent recording of selected input and output signals (up to 80 channels) to a connected USB storage medium.
The rear panel includes another MIDI I/O, the two optical ADAT I/Os, an AES/EBU I/O, and eight balanced analog outputs with line level (including XLR stereo monitor outputs). With new Multi-Mode, the two ADAT I/Os can be used as separate optical SPDIF inputs and outputs in addition to the AES I/O.
Fireface UFX III offers an optical MADI interface (SC) with 64 bidirectional channels. The Word Clock connectors (BNC) work as additional coaxial MADI input and output if required. It is connected to the computer via USB 3.0, and in compatible USB 2.0 mode, all analog and digital I/Os are available except for the MADI channels. The second USB port on the rear panel is used to connect an optional ARC USB remote control.
Via the digital DURec (Direct USB Recording) recording function, up to 80 inputs and outputs of the Fireface UFX III can be recorded directly to (and read from) a USB storage medium. DURec uses the integrated DSP which provides stand-alone operation without the need for a computer. The fields of potential applications include stand-alone field recordings, live and rehearsal recordings and playback of live recordings for virtual soundchecks. There’s also automatic naming of the tracks in the DAW according to the assigned names in the TotalMix FX software.
With SteadyClock FS, Fireface UFX III incorporates RME’s latest clock and jitter suppression technology. Besides further reduced inherent jitter, SteadyClock FS is designed to provide effective jitter suppression even at low frequencies on all digital input signals. Also integrated are both the DSP-based TotalMix FX mixer with its routing, monitoring and effects options and the DIGICheck analysis tool that allows measuring and analyzing the digital data streams to and from the Fireface UFX III.
The unit comes with onboard DSP via TotalMix FX that includes compression/dynamics, EQ, reverb, and delay. For units purchased from authorized RME dealers in the Americas, customers will also receive third-party plugins from iZotope (Ozone 10 Elements), Scuffham Amps (S-GEAR), Brainworx (Opto-X),
Brainworx (BX Masterdesk), and Antares (Auto-Tune Unlimited).
In addition to driver-based USB operation and stand-alone mode (without a connected computer), Fireface UFX III offers a Class Compliant mode for native operation with Windows, macOS and Linux. As the first RME audio interface with full USB 3.0 support in CC mode, it offers all 94 I/O channels driverless. In addition to the use with a computer, the CC mode allows controlling the UFX III via the optionally available TotalMix FX for iPad app.
The new RME Fireface UFX III is shipping this month.
