RME FireFace UFX III 188-Channel USB 3.0 MADI Interface
Ultra-high-quality audio interface with unbeatable versatility. Up to 94 channels I / O, 64 MADI channels, DSP and extensive digital options including two optical ADAT I / Os.
*** Complimentary warranty on this product for 5 years if purchased from Juno- UK warranty only***
Supplier's Notes:
RME Fireface UFX III: The Flagship Multi-channel Interface
The Fireface UFX III is a powerful all-in-one solution for modern recording studios, live audio playback systems and multi-channel location recording rigs, handling up to 188 channels (94 Inputs / 94 Outputs) with ease.
Unprecedented flexibility and compatibility combines with RME's famous low latency hardware and driver designs, guaranteeing flawless operation for any multi-channel recording application, whilst the inclusion of DURec (Direct USB Recording) provides extensive options for backup recordings and stand-alone operation.
The ultimate professional tool for multi-track recording, mixing and mastering, the RME Fireface UFX III is packed with professional features including:
USB 3.0 (full 94 channel I / O Class Compliant; USB-C compatible)
SteadyClock FS
Powerful integrated DSP
TotalMix FX
TotalMix Remote
DURec (Direct USB Recording)
MADI I / O (64 channels)
And support for the Advanced Remote Control USB (sold separately)
Powerful USB 3 Performance
The front panel of the Fireface UFX III provides four high-performance 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 reveals the full connectivity of the Fireface UFX III. Besides another MIDI I / O, the two optical ADAT I / Os, an AES / EBU I / O, and eight balanced analogue outputs with line level (including XLR stereo monitor outputs) are available.
With the 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. Furthermore, the 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.
Comprehensive MADI Connectivity
The Fireface UFX III opens the doors to a host of RME and 3rd party digital and analogue I / O solutions.
Expanding your analogue channel count, the ability to route / mix within the digital domain through numerous sources presents many flexible options. Multiple external MADI devices can also be connected in series.
To further enhance MADI flexibility, the Fireface UFX III boasts some typical RME-style features. For example in USB 2 mode, which is limited to 30 channels I / O (12 analogue plus 16 ADAT plus AES), the MADI I / O is still available via RME's integrated hardware mixer TotalMix FX.
Word Clock I / O (BNC) can be switched to MADI I / O (coaxial), and a special split mode even supports the use of both MADI I / Os simultaneously, with 32 channel each on optical and coaxial.
SteadyClock FS - FemtoSecond Clocking Technology
The RME Fireface UFX III also features RME's latest digital clocking and jitter rejection technology, 'SteadyClock FS'.
Originally developed for RME's award-winning ADI-2 Pro FS range of high-end converters, SteadyClock FS reduces intrinsic jitter to a new all-time low, when converting to and from analogue over all digital formats.
All clock modes provide excellent performance and astonishingly high-quality analogue conversion, allowing you to hear your mix exactly as it is.
What's more, RME's digital format conversion occurs without any loss to the signal, and SteadyClock FS ensures your sonic image will never experience any kind of degradation, ensuring the soundstage is replicated to the fullest depth and clarity.
Powerful Applications for Mixing, Monitoring and Measurement included
The Fireface UFX III comes with the TotalMix FX DSP mixer, offering comprehensive routing and monitoring options for all analogue and digital audio channels, as well as the DIGICheck Analyzer, which allows users to measure and analyze digital audio data feeds (in both directions) with maximum precision.
TotalMix FX can completely replace an external mixer, enabling the creation of multiple latency-free monitor mixes with EQ, Dynamics, Reverb and Delay for any outputs, including main monitors, submixes, and headphone mixes for musicians.
A free companion app, TotalMix Remote is a network-controllable remote for TotalMix FX, enabling control over interface's hardware mixer and effects from another Mac, PC or iPad, including wirelessly over Wi-Fi.
TotalMix Remote mirrors the current state of the host system on the iPad and Windows / Mac computers - the entire mixing state, the complete routing, all FX settings, up to the level meters, and everything in real time.
DC-Coupled Outputs - CV / Gate Voltage Control
Most audio interfaces are traditionally designed with what is called 'AC-coupled outputs', where capacitors are used to filter out any extreme low frequencies.
Whilst these frequencies are generally considered undesirable for audio - eating into headroom and potentially causing damage to other equipment - one instance where DC-coupling remains desirable is the world of modular synthesizers, where static or slow-moving signals are used for control over various parameters such as pitch note values or LFOs.
All of the Fireface UFX III's line-level outputs are fully DC-coupled, allowing for the sending of control voltages (CV) or Gate information to modular synthesizers (such as the popular Eurorack and Moog / MOTM / Synthesizers formats) and other studio hardware.
USB 3 Class Compliant Audio
The Fireface UFX III operates in two different modes: driver-based and Class Compliant.
Class Compliant mode is a standard that is natively supported by operating systems like Windows, Mac OSX and Linux distributions, allowing for Plug 'n' Play operation of the Fireface UFX III. No proprietary drivers are required, the device will be directly recognised when the CC firmware is loaded.
The Fireface UFX III is RME's first audio interface with full USB 3.0 support in Class Compliant Mode. This makes all channels available in driverless operation for Linux, Mac and iPadOS.
An iPad Pro with USB-C can manage up to 94 channels for recording and playback in TotalMix FX for iPad and on system level.
ARC USB Remote Control (sold separately)
The ARC USB is an optional remote control for the Fireface UFX III, along with all other RME devices that use TotalMix FX.
15 user-assignable illuminated buttons, one encoder wheel, and a TS jack (for connecting a foot switch) provide access to all of the most used functions of TotalMix FX.
The ARC USB can be connected directly to the Fireface UFX III via the second USB port on the back of the interface, or directly to a USB port on a Mac or PC.
Operating as a UAC 1 class device, the RME ARC USB is natively compatible with Windows and Mac OS X. As soon as it is present in the operating system, TotaIMix FX will automatically detect the ARC USB, and communicate with it via simple MIDI remote commands to control the UFX III.
DURec (Direct USB Recording)
DURec is an integrated digital recorder for all inputs and outputs directly to USB memory devices via the front USB port. The Fireface UFX III records on USB thumb drives or hard drives with up to 2 TB capacity.
The recording functionality is provided by the internal DSP, and is therefore independent from a connected Windows or Mac computer. The Direct USB Recording converts the Fireface UFX Series both into a stand-alone field recorder and a powerful multichannel live player for previous recordings, e. g. for virtual sound checks.
Live concerts, band rehearsals or spontaneous jam sessions can be directly recorded and played back from the medium - even completely stand-alone without computer or software.
General Specifications
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
Included Accessories:
Cable USB 3.0, 1.8 m (6 ft), USB-A / B
Cable USB 3.0, 1.8 m (6 ft), USB-C / B
Optical cable
4 rubber feet, self-adhesive
Power cable
Printed Manual
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Max Bit Rate (bit) | 24 |
Max Sample Rate (KHz) | 192 |
Connection | USB |
Inputs | 6.3mm TRS, XLR, 5-pin DIN (MIDI), Coaxial via BNC (World Clock input) |
Outputs | 6.3mm TRS, XLR, 5-pin DIN (MIDI) |
MIDI | Yes |
Power Supply | Mains Adapter |
Weight (g) | 3000 |
Dimensions (mm) | 210 x 44 x 483 |