Other than those, connectivity follows the same - yet substantial - format as the original UFX. New are the MADI (optical via FDDI duplex SC supporting up to 2,000 meters of cabling and the more familiar coaxial 75-ohm coaxial BNC jacks) and the Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports. Record/play feeds can also route to a Mac or PC via Thunderbolt or USB 3. While never considered a problem with the original Fireface UFX, the RME design team chose to upgrade the specs on the new UFX+, taking advantage of improved onboard microphone preamps and higher performance chipsets, namely the new Asahi Kasei Microdevices’ AK 5388 AEQ A/D converters and AK 4414 EQ D/A converters.Īll told, the Fireface UFX+ can handle up to 94 total input channels (with 94 output channels) and the second-generation of RME’s DURec (Direct USB Recording) feature can record/play 76 channels (12 analog plus 64 MADI) of standard WAV files to/from a USB 3 drive for archiving/backup. The company’s first interface with Thunderbolt and USB 3 connectivity, the newcomer also adds 64 MADI inputs, 64 MADI outputs, for a total of 188 I/O channels (128 channels more than the Fireface UFX), more powerful DSP for near-zero latency routing and extensive dynamics and effects processing on all channels.

Rather than reinvent the wheel, RME wisely chose to expand portions of the original UFX design with the new UFX+. Unveiled in 2010, the UFX has become an industry standard and remains popular, yet RME sought to take the system to the next level. While intended mainly for the studio, the rock-solid build quality of RME gear has often found itself in critical situations, such as Supertramp co-founder Roger Hodgson, who used a 60-channel Fireface UFX USB and Firewire interface for his keyboard rig and grand piano mic feeds on tour this past year. The company was launched 21 years ago with the DAM1 (Digital Audio Monitor) and a PCI recording card and continues leading the industry, constantly improving and expanding the scope of its product range.

G erman pro audio manufacturer RME is no stranger to users seeking no-compromise digital audio interface products for studios, broadcasters - and recently - into an increasingly growing number of live production applications.

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