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RME Fireface UFX Recommended or Alternatives?
Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has perspective on whether this interface which is no longer in production is still a good choice, and if there are better or equivalent options in this price range of under $1,500 used (around 1,100 for the UFX). I'm wanting enough analog inputs to bring in the 8 outputs of Analog Rytm plus a couple of microphones into AUM. Thanks!
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An Audient ID44 gives you 4 very high quality mic inputs and a great monitoring section.
For the 8 line inputs (Analog Rhythm) add a 2nd hand Adat converter box.
Don't worry about bit depth (many are 18/16 bit types) - most analog gear has a basic noise level (on outputs) that will limit resolution within the 16bit range anyway and you don't need as much headroom as for vocal tracking.
Usually a Behringer AD8000 is the standard suggestion, but I mention those 18/16 boxes for their particular soundprint. They digitize 18 bits physically, but strip the last 2 bit for output, which results in a full 96dB data word.
Examples: Korg Soundlink 880AD (got mine for $50), Creamware A16 (16 channel unit), an Adat recorder with broken tape (nice VU-meters), etc.
While the ID44 will work as straight io-unit in IOS (it's class compliant), you may want to configure it's routing via Mac or PC and store this setup as the default configuration.
(the former ID22 didn't have this feature)
I've used the ID22 for years as my main recording interface for vocal and guitar, and I have some Telefunken preamps for comparison.
The Audient preamps are between 'modern' (like UFX or UAD Apollo) and vintage sound of Neve or Telefunken.
wow, great info, thanks! Do you see this as a superior set up to the RME and if so a bit about why if you don't mind? I have felt a draw to the ID44 so glad you are sharing about it!
RME rules in performance and driver stability on desktop.
In IOS that's a minor concern because it's only about basic class-compliant functionality.
The preamps are a matter of taste: I prefer a 'vintage' soundprint and the Telefunken V676a is really close to my personal holy grail.
The UFX features integrated PGA2500 preamp chips with remarkable tech specs, but they 'sound' almost sterile in all their precision.
As mentioned the Audient preamps are located between these two extremes (soundwise).
Today an ID44 costs about the same I paid for my ID22 when it was released, but has twice the io-channels... not bad in the $500 range.
I have it, its great. Stable and nice to use
Fireface UFX can be controlled with TotalMix App
and it also allows you to record each individual track
of your sessions on a USB key.
I love mine !
Am I correct in imagining that Apogee Quartet would be a similar choice as the Audient ID44 in regards to using an ADAT converter box for those additional inputs? Do you have perspective on other things to consider regarding the ID44 Vrs Quartet? Used Quartets are not much more in price than the ID44. (My current understanding is that the Quartet is not currently fully functional with the newer Ipads which Apogee says they intend to fix when Apple gives them a way to do it. I'm on a 2nd gen pro)
How about the RME Babyface Pro .. it’s 24 channel (12x12) with an ADAT expander, uses the same Patch Mix software app as their higher end units, and just sounds great. I use one myself right now with my iPad Pro 2.
My biggest concern with used Apogee interfaces is their Maestro control software, which is registered to the original buyer.
It only seems to be downloadable via a personal account at Apogee... no idea how that's handled if you buy an interface without software (I wasn't able to retrieve any details on the process when once looking for it)
ID44, Quartet, Babyface or UFX are all quality devices in the same performance class, differences being a matter of taste.
The Quartet's only flaw is the lack of Adat output - may not matter atm, but later in case of syncing a more complex setup.
(an Adat output is frequently used to send the digital clock signal to another device to keep them in sync)
I have the Apogee Duet as well as the Babyface I mentioned above. Maestro at least for the iPad is a free App Store download for anyone .. not sure about for a computer version .. but having said that I don’t even use Maestro .. no need too since it’s all on the devices touch screen and knob .. only once for updating the firmware did I use the app. The big flaw with the Quartet or Duet though imho IS Maestro and it’s lack of EQ and a couple other things that exist on RME’s Patchmix app. I’ll explain how this effects me with my iPad only use, on my Babyface with patchmix I have a smiley face curve on the EQ main out that makes everything I run through it .. from commercial flacs, mp3’s, etc. to my own projects sound audiophile hyped and bitchin sounding to my ears, this is also crucial for me regarding inspiration when doodling around with piano, organ, synths, etc. to come up with song ideas and tracking, or just playing piano like Ravencroft for practice and relaxation for a couple hours. On Apogee Maestro there is no EQ section .. and commercial material run through it sounds flat, dull, muddy in comparison no matter which set of mid or near fields I use, and the only way I can get inspired to play and track my instruments through it is running everything through AUM, Auria, or Cubasis and adding Pro-Q or something else to bring the instruments to life. For a while I was even importing in my iTunes library to Cubasis so I could add a nice EQ curve to the stuff to make it enjoyable .. but that got old and was eating drive space. Personally I’m probably going to dump my Apogee Duet and get a second Babyface (the new FS version) to replace it. Remember the Quartet is just a Duet with 2 more inputs. Just some food for thought.
Thanks for your explanation of Maestro, @cloudswimmer
When I was looking for it, the target was an old Powerbook (or MacMini) and I was puzzled that the software was such an obscure item (and never mentioned by anyone).
Hey, thanks everyone for the discussion! Feeling grateful for this community :-) At this point I'm leaning towards the Audient ID44 as I have realized that I so enjoy the flow of having controls accessible as hardware on the interface. The one thing missing for me that weighs heavy is the lack of midi. Does anyone have experience with or perspective on how the Arturia Audiofuse Studio might compare (converter and mic pre wise) with the ID44 and the other interfaces we have been discussing? I'm finding very little review of the Audiofuse so far. It has some nice features including midi and usb hub.
Yes if your a Keyboard player that Audient is not going to work for you (talking iPad use here) I forgot to mention above both the Apogee and RME Babyface Pro have midi .. the Apogee USB and the RME 5pin DIN, both interfaces are time proven serious work horses used by world class artist. Seriously man if you can swing another hundred bucks or so I’d get the new Babyface Pro FS .. below are my two rooms in the house now running everything with iPads and the Babyface Pro in one, and the Apogee in the other (soon to be replaced by another Babyface), the computers with much more expensive interfaces haven’t been turned on in many months.
Another 2 cents.
The computer versions are also a free download: https://apogeedigital.com/support
You can download them by only giving up your e-mail adress if you want to.
Fun to see your set up! Yeah, I don't use my computer for music much at all anymore, all Ipad with hardware keys, samplers, and effects. I could use the Audient with a powered USB hub for midi though right? Also, I saw on another forum someone saying that the Babyface Pro FS does not work with IOS as the Pro does. Have not been able to confirm this either way elsewhere.
Hi Ko, on the midi and Audient and your iPad I don’t see how your going to get midi to the iPad unless you use a midi Bluetooth adapter .. but I’m also running on less than optimal sleep today so maybe I’m not thinking clearly on this 😞 lol. On the Pro FS I’ll have to check on that .. but they are advertising it for IOS just like the regular one. I’ll be pretty bummed if it turns out it doesn’t run correctly on iPad. My regular one works great on my 2nd gen iPad Pro using the powered camera connection adapter. I’m wondering if it’s a USB C thing on the latest iPad Pro’s .. I know the Apogee Maestro app doesn’t work right on the current iPad Pro’s.