For the 20th anniversary of the legendary Fireface 800, RME introduces an exclusive special edition ARC USB in a sleek all-black design to complement the limited edition Fireface 802 FS AE.

Overview

This wired remote has been designed for direct access to the most frequently used actions and commands of TotalMix FX, being an indispensable tool in the studio's daily applications. Its extremely flexible configuration through TotalMix FX will simplify workflow and greatly increase the usability of the RME interface in most real-world situations.

The ARC USB is a USB 1.1 (UAC1) MIDI remote control, natively compatible to Windows and Mac OS X. As soon as it is present in the operating system TotaIMix FX will detect it and communicate with it, without disturbing other remote controls. Therefore, it is also not necessary to switch the ARC USB on or off within TotalMix FX - it will just work. And because it communicates with TotalMix FX (via USB) it is compatible to all RME audio interfaces that are detected and supported by TotalMix FX. This goes back to RME interfaces released 2001!

As soon as the ARC USB is connected to a computer any button press or wheel turning will cause the respective action performed by TotalMix FX - and therefore also by the RME audio interface.

With the UFX III and UFX II the ARC USB can also be connected directly to these devices, currently the only RME interfaces having an internal USB 1.1 host with matching connector. This way of connecting is handy in stand-alone mode, where the ARC USB is also supported by the UFX III and UFX II.

The ARC USB is bus powered, but draws only little current. Also, it uses USB 1.1 as bus standard, which these days is uncritical due to its lower frequency and speed demands. USB 2 cables with 5 metre to 10-metre length, and cheap USB 2 cable extensions that usually make a bus-powered interface fail will work perfectly for the ARC USB. Still at higher lengths RME recommends using active USB 2 cables (also called extension or repeater cables), which are not expensive and work over lengths of more than 20 meters.

The ARC USB can control several interfaces simultaneously, which happens automatically as the Key Commands dialog in TotalMix FX is specific to the currently selected audio interface. Just assign only the functions that are desired for each respective interface. After that the ARC USB keys and the encoder wheel remote the respective interface where they have been assigned to, without the need to further switch or select anything in normal operation.

The lower three keys have a useful diagnostic functionality
Talkback: is lit dim as soon as the ARC USB is running on 5 V USB bus power.
Speaker B: is lit dim as soon as a USB communication is possible.
DIM: is lit dim as soon as a communication with TotalMix FX is established.
Therefore, in normal operation all three lower keys are lit dim constantly.

The ARC USB comes with a standard set of Key Commands that already cover most usage scenarios, printed directly beneath the keys:
Row 1 and 2: activating Snapshots 1 to 8.
Row 3: Mono, Volume Phones 1, Volume Phones 2, External Input
Lower keys: Talkback, Speaker B, Dim.

A set of stickers with all currently available TotalMix FX commands is included. These can be used to label all keys reflecting the current user configuration.

The rotary encoder wheel is used to change various parameters, like gain and volume. It is programmable in TotalMix FX as well.

Configuration of the ARC USB

The Advanced Remote Control is configured in the Options menu via the Key Commands dialog of TotalMix FX, tab ARC USB Settings. As the ARC does not have any memory, all configuration and storage is done via TotalMix FX. All settings of the ARC USB are stored within a Workspace, and are therefore identical in all Snapshots of that current Workspace.

More than 36 different commands can be assigned to the 15 keys. The behaviour of each individual button can be changed between push, toggle, enable and disable, depending on the base function.

Current list of available functions:

Global Mute
Global Solo
Mute Group 1 to 4
Solo Group 1 to 4
Fader Group 1 to 4
Link Main AB
Speaker B Select
DIM (Main Out)
Mute (Main Out)
Mute FX (Main Out)
Mono (Main Out)
Talkback
External Input
Reverb

Echo
Cue Phones 1 to 4
Snapshot 1 to 8
Layout Preset 1 to 8
Volume Main
Volume Phones 1 to 4
Mic Gain 1, Mic Gain 2, Mic Gain 1+2
Inst. Gain 3, Inst. Gain 4, Inst. Gain 3+4
Mic / Inst. Gain 9, Mic / Inst. Gain 10, Mic / Inst. Gain 9+10
Mic / Inst. Gain 11, Mic / Inst. Gain 12, Mic / Inst. Gain 11+12

Some commands are not available at certain interfaces, or slightly changed due to different functionality. Fireface UFX, UFX II and UFX III have additional commands for DURec: Record, Play and Stop.

Several functions can be activated at the same time. Example: Button 1 is set to Cue Phones 1. That means the phones submix is heard via the Main output (the studio monitors). To be able to also change the volume of the phones submix itself, set button 2 to Volume Phones 1. Activating both will allow you to listen to the phones submix via the main output, and also to change its volume (the fader in the third row) by turning the encoder knob.

A standard footswitch (with switch, sustain pedals with pot are not supported) can be connected to the 1 / 4" TS jack on the left side. In Key Commands Settings the same options are available for the footswitch as for the 15 keys.

Remote control the RME Fireface UFX III, UFX II, UCX II and 802 FS in Stand-Alone Mode

As mentioned above, the RME Fireface 802 FX, UCX II, UFX II and UFX III interfaces all feature a dedicated connection for the ARC USB, with the remote offering an additional level of control when using either device in Stand-Alone Mode.

When used with any of these interfaces standalone, a fixed set of functions is activated on the keys:
Row 1: Setup 1-4
Row 2: Setup 5-6 x x
Row 3: Mono, Volume Phones 1, Volume Phones 2, DIM
Lower keys: DURec: Rec, Play / Pause, Stop
x = no function

The included stickers also offer the stand-alone layout.

In the 802 FS, UCX II, UFX II and UFX III display's menu the way of operating the ARC USB can be configured for standalone mode. Those options are found under SETUP / REV, Options, Hardware / Diagnosis:

Standalone ARC Volume

Deactivates all keys. Only the encoder wheel works, with a fixed assignment to Main Volume. This option is also a safety function in case the ARC USB is connected to the 802 FS / UCX II / UFX II / UFX III, but operated online (with a computer). When the system goes offline (computer removed, sleep state...) the functions on the keys change, because online mode changed to stand-alone mode. Operating the keys then could activate unintended functionality or changes.

Standalone ARC 1 second operation

Each key has to be pressed for one second to activate the programmed functionality. This safety function prevents unintentional changes. It can be stored within the Setups, activating this mode automatically when such a Setup is loaded. When loading a Setup where this function had not been active this mode is automatically deactivated at the interface.