RME FireFace UFX+ Thunderbolt/ USB 3.0 audio interface

RME FireFace UFX+

The Fireface UFX+ becomes the center of any multitrack studio because it is able to handle up to 94 channels I/O with ease. With unprecedented flexibility, compatibility, the inclusion of DURec (Direct USB Recording) and RME’s famous low latency hardware and driver designs, the Fireface UFX+ raises the bar to new heights.
Packed with features not found on its older sibling, including MADI I/O (188 channels of I/O, 128 channels more than the Fireface UFX), a more powerful DSP, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt™ technology, and a new optional remote control firmly places the RME Fireface UFX+ as the new reference in multitrack recording, mixing and monitoring.

Its flexibility in connectivity and expansion is unrivalled – Analog, ADAT, MADI, AES, SPDIF. USB 2, USB 3 and Thunderbolt technology are standard on the Fireface UFX+. The UFX+ has an impressive channel count: 12 analog + 16 ADAT + 2 AES + 64 MADI = 94 channels input plus output = 188 channels in total. Thunderbolt technology gives the Fireface UFX+ real PCI Express audio ­performance under Mac and Windows, with lowest latency, lowest system overhead and lowest CPU load. The Fireface UFX+ is fully Thunderbolt technology compatible under Windows, including hot-plugging.

All new AD/DA converters, optimized analog I/O circuits, as well as improved SNR and THD values guarantee pristine, crystal clear and transparent audio. A new PAD-free mic circuit design with +18 dBu maximum input level and 75 dB gain range serves even the most critical recording situation and source trouble-free.

New low impedance Hi-Power phones outputs (2 Ohms) with +19 dBu maximum output level provide ample output power as well as volume on any phones, high or low impedance.

Specifications:

Analog:
AD, Line In 1-8, rear
• Resolution AD: 24 bit
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 113 dB RMS unweighted, 116 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.1 dB: 5 Hz – 20.8 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 3 Hz – 45.8 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 2 Hz – 92 kHz
• THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
• THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Maximum input level: +19 dBu
• Input: 6.3 mm TRS jack, electronically balanced
• Input impedance: 8 kOhm unbalanced, 12 kOhm balanced
• Input sensitivity switchable to Lo Gain, +4 dBu
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ Lo Gain: +19 dBu
• Input level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Variable gain: 0 to +12 dB
• Minimum level for 0 dBFS: +1 dBu, -1.2 dBV

Microphone In 9-12, front
As AD, but:
• Input: XLR, electronically balanced
• Input impedance: 3.4 kOhm
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Gain range: 75 dB
• Maximum input level, Gain 0 dB: +18 dBu
• Maximum input level, Gain 75 dB: -57 dBu
• CLIP LED: 0 dBFS • SIG LED: -60 dBFS

Instrument In 9-12, front
As AD, but:
• Input: 6.3 mm TS jack, unbalanced
• Input impedance: 1 MOhm
• Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 114 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Gain range: 42 dB
• Maximum input level, Gain 8 dB: +21 dBu
• Maximum input level, Gain 50 dB: -21 dBu

DA, Line Out 3-8, rear
• Resolution: 24 bit
• Dynamic range (DR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
• Frequency response @ 44.1 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 20.8 kHz
• Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 5 Hz – 45 kHz
• Frequency response @ 192 kHz, -1 dB: 5 Hz - 89 kHz
• THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
• THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
• Channel separation: > 110 dB
• Maximum output level: +19 dBu
• Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, servo-balanced
• Output impedance: 75 Ohm unbalanced, 150 Ohm balanced
• Output level switchable Hi Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

DA - Stereo Monitor Output XLR (1-2)
As DA, but:
• Output: XLR, balanced
• Output level switchable 24 dBu, Hi Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ 24 dBu: +24 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu
• Output level at 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

DA - Stereo Monitor Output Phones (9-12)
As DA, but:
• Output: 2 x 6.3 mm TRS stereo jack, unbalanced
• Maximum output level at 0 dBFS, High: +19 dBu
• Maximum output level at 0 dBFS, Low: +2 dBV
• Output impedance: 2 Ohm
• Max power per channel @ 32 Ohm load, 0.1% THD: 210 mW (2.6 Vrms, +10.5 dBu)

MIDI
• 2 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks
• Galvanically isolated by optocoupled input
• Hi-speed mode: Jitter and response time typically below 1 ms
• Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output
• 1 x MIDI I/O via MADI
• Invisible transmission via User bit of channel 56 (up to 48 kHz)
• Invisible transmission via User bit of channel 28 (up to 96 kHz)

Digital
• Clocks: Internal, ADAT, AES, MADI, word clock
• Low Jitter Design: < 1 ns in PLL mode, all inputs
• Internal clock: 800 ps Jitter, Random Spread Spectrum
• Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)
• Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero
• PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter
• Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
• Supported sample rates: 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

Digital Inputs
MADI
• Optical via FDDI duplex SC connector
• 62.5/125 and 50/125 compatible
• Coaxial via BNC (Word Clock input), 75 Ohm
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.2 Vpp) • Accepts 56 channel and 64 channel mode, plus 96k Frame
• Standard: up to 64 channels 24 bit 48 kHz
• S/MUX: up to 32 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• S/MUX4: up to 16 channels 24 bit 192 kHz
• Lock range: 25 kHz – 54 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns

AES/EBU
• 1 x XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
• High-sensitivity input stage (< 0.3 Vpp) • SPDIF compatible (IEC 60958)
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

ADAT Optical
• 2 x TOSLINK, format according to Alesis specification
• Standard: 2 x 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 2 x 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 x 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz
• Bitclock PLL ensures perfect synchronisation even in varispeed operation
• Lock range: 31.5 kHz – 50 kHz • Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1

SPDIF optical (ADAT2)
• 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
• Accepts Consumer and Professional format
• Lock range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

Word Clock
• BNC
• Internal termination 75 Ohm switchable
• Automatic Double/Quad Speed detection and internal conversion to Single Speed
• SteadyClock guarantees super low jitter synchronization even in varispeed operation
• Not affected by DC-offsets within the network
• Signal Adaptation Circuit: signal refresh through auto-center and hysteresis
• Overvoltage protection
• Level range: 1.0 Vpp – 5.6 Vpp
• Lock Range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz
• Jitter when synced to input signal: < 1 ns
• Jitter suppression: > 30 dB (2.4 kHz)

Digital Outputs
MADI
• Optical via FDDI duplex SC connector
• 62.5/125 and 50/125 compatible
• Cable length: up to 2000 m
• Coaxial via BNC, 75 Ohm
• Output voltage 600 mVpp
• Cable length: up to 100 m
• Generates 56 channel and 64 channel mode, plus 96k Frame
• Standard: up to 64 channels 24 bit 48 kHz
• S/MUX / 96k Frame: up to 32 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• S/MUX4: up to 16 channels 24 bit 192 kHz

AES/EBU
• XLR, transformer-balanced, galvanically isolated, according to AES3-1992
• Output level Professional 4.5 Vpp, Consumer 2.6 Vpp
• Format Professional according to AES3-1992 Amendment 4
• Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
• Single Wire mode, sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

ADAT
• 2 x TOSLINK
• Standard: 2 x 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48 kHz
• Double Speed (S/MUX): 2 x 4 channels 24 bit 96 kHz
• Quad Speed (S/MUX4): 2 x 2 channels 24 bit 192 kHz

SPDIF optical (ADAT2)
• Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
• Sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz

Word Clock
• BNC
• Max. output voltage: 5 Vpp
• Output voltage @ 75 Ohm termination: 4.0 Vpp
• Output impedance: 10 Ohm
• Frequency range: 27 kHz – 200 kHz

General:
• Power supply: Internal switching PSU, 100 - 240 V AC, 36 Watts
• Idle power consumption: 19 Watts
• Typical power consumption: 22-25 Watts
• Dimensions including rack ears (WxHxD): 483 x 44 x 210 mm (19" x 1.73" x 8.5")
• Dimensions without rack ears (WxHxD): 440 x 44 x 210 mm (17.3" x 1.73" x 8.3")
• Total depth: 240 mm (9.4”)
• Weight: 3 kg ( 6.6 lbs)
• Temperature range: +5° up to +50° Celsius (41° F up to 122°F)
• Relative humidity: < 75%, non condensing