• Registered: 2019-05-26
  • Posts: 15

Topic: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

Hi!

I'm looking at joining the RME world and how I would love to jump into the world is by purchasing either the UFX or UFXII series interfaces.

The first scenario,  I'd like to use the best above mentioned interfaces for surround sound playback via vlc or any compatible video playback software that supports surround sound.  The files will be on the host computer.  Does either interface support this?


Second scenario

I'd like to utilize the Totalmix for a live mixing situation . I'd like to utilize the software to mix some bands in a small venue setup. I'm curious about placing two interfaces onstage along with the host computer and just run a midi cable from the stage position to the FOH position in excess of 25-50 feet away tops for my mix controller position or could I place the host computer at the FOH position while running MIDI and USB/Firewire from the mix position to the stage position. With the above mentioned variables,  I'm planning to use two speakers for the mains, two monitor wedges and two UFX or UFXII ( whichever you recommend) interfaces for inputs and outputs.


Would I suffer any lag? Should I use extenders for the extended lengths? Importantly... can I use the above mentioned interfaces for this ?

Thanks for your reply in advance.

  • From: Melbourne, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-05-16
  • Posts: 495

Re: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

See the following thread:

https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=26670

Note the ability to use TotalMix remote for control of house mix from the auditorium. This also allows separate operators to independently control a live mix (stereo) and the FOH/ monitor mix without 2 separate mixers or falling over each other on the same board.

The iPad has some operational issues with fine adjustment of rotary controls (use of an Apple Pencil is a help). And the Durec recording facility gives you a multitrack recording for post-production if needed.

For extra inputs, use the ADAT inputs and auxiliary gear rather than linking two units. The Octamic II or XTC integrates very closely with the UFX or UFX II plus TotalMix FX.

De gustibus - et sonus - non est disputandum
  • Registered: 2019-05-26
  • Posts: 15

Re: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

panatrope wrote:

See the following thread:

https://www.forum.rme-audio.de/viewtopic.php?id=26670

Note the ability to use TotalMix remote for control of house mix from the auditorium. This also allows separate operators to independently control a live mix (stereo) and the FOH/ monitor mix without 2 separate mixers or falling over each other on the same board.

The iPad has some operational issues with fine adjustment of rotary controls (use of an Apple Pencil is a help). And the Durec recording facility gives you a multitrack recording for post-production if needed.

For extra inputs, use the ADAT inputs and auxiliary gear rather than linking two units. The Octamic II or XTC integrates very closely with the UFX or UFX II plus TotalMix FX.




Hi Panatrope

I appreciate your quick reply to my query.

So , I'm reading that you suggest that I pick up an octamic II or an XTC versus having two UFX (II) in my setup.  Will I have control of either above mentioned unit via totalmix?

Also, if I wanted to get away from using an iPad and instead use a Midi control surface of my liking would that be something possible?  I prefer something hardwired versus wireless.

Thanks for your reply in advance.

  • From: Melbourne, Australia
  • Registered: 2007-05-16
  • Posts: 495

Re: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

It is possible to control some XTC functions through the UFX and of course it is mixed via the one TotalMix FX appearance.  Likewise, MIDI control (from a control surface) is part of the UFX/TotalMix functionality.

You would be rewarded by downloading the manuals (visit the downloads section of the RME site) for the UFX/UFX II and the Octamic XTC, where all the possibilities are shown.  A search in this forum will show many threads where some of these issues are discussed.

De gustibus - et sonus - non est disputandum
  • Registered: 2019-05-26
  • Posts: 15

Re: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

panatrope wrote:

It is possible to control some XTC functions through the UFX and of course it is mixed via the one TotalMix FX appearance.  Likewise, MIDI control (from a control surface) is part of the UFX/TotalMix functionality.

You would be rewarded by downloading the manuals (visit the downloads section of the RME site) for the UFX/UFX II and the Octamic XTC, where all the possibilities are shown.  A search in this forum will show many threads where some of these issues are discussed.


Thank you very much

Could I also use the UC or Fireface 802 as well?

6 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2019-05-28 06:56:34)

  • ramses
  • DAW Mastermind
  • Offline
  • From: UTC+1
  • Registered: 2012-10-14
  • Posts: 12,064

Re: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

I would use the new flagship interfaces (UFX II or UFX+) for the following reasons
- fully standalone useable by display (by some changes compared to old UFX)
- renewed / better analog section (analog i/o, mic preamp, phones output)
- better Mic inputs with 75 dB gain range
- better DURec (more tracks better disk handling with slower drives)
- Realtime clock for timestamps on DURec recordings
- ARC USB can be connected directly to the back
- ARC USB allows connecting a footswitch to i.e. control start/stop of a recording by footswitch or other functions
- everything including gain can be (re-)stored digital into TM FX snapshots (802 has analog gain knobs)
- Up to 6 standalone profiles can be stored/recalled directly from a menue of the display
  (802 would require the old ARC in standalone operation and the old ARC is not available anymore)
- USB MADIface driver contains USB Diagnosis to identify transport problems caused by bad and/or too long USB cable
- With a good Lindy Premium cable the USB3 cable can be 5m long (!) gives more flexibility for PC/UFX+ placement
- new MADIface driver allows very low ASIO buffer sizes down to 32 samples if required

UC has i.e. no autoset (unlike 802, UCX, UFX, UFX II, UFX+)
UC has older converters (little slower)
UC has no class compliance mode

UCX has USB and firewire

UFX II is USB only

UFX+ has USB3 and Thunderbolt and MADI support which allows best flexibilty for expansion and the distance between MADI devices in a ring structure may be up to 2km long, which means that you can place other recording gear closer to the places where its actually required.

Here a comparison sheet that I compiled, where the technical data and capabilities of devices are listed to give you best overview and information:
Excel: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/index.ph … 8-08-xlsx/
PDF: https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/index.ph … 18-08-pdf/

Information about the UFX+/UFXII in particular with information what has been enhanced compared to the old flagship UFX:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … 8-RME-UFX/

One setup example UFX+ and 2 Octamic XTC via MADI, giving information about MIDI over MADI feature, remote control by integrating XTC as AUX device like a channel strip into TM FX, only one wire required for remote control (MADI, no MIDI cabling), the setup, etc:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/blog/ind … Cber-MADI/

Some comparisons about RTL (round trip latancies) for comparison, all RME driver are doing very well:
https://www.tonstudio-forum.de/index.php/Attachment/2343-UFX-UFX-RayDAT-Latencies-v2-jpg

BR Ramses - UFX III, 12Mic, XTC, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, RayDAT, X10SRi-F, E5-1680v4, Win10Pro22H2, Cub13
  • From: Switzerland, Zürich
  • Registered: 2013-02-20
  • Posts: 191

Re: UFX or UFXII for live mixing

Hi

I have a UFX and a UFX II.

I use them as playback for multichannel (crossover) and for Surround. 6 channel surround, with a 2x4 way main speaker
Player is JRiver MC25.

While on UFX od UFX II is sufficient for 12xAD and 12xDA, I run  the second in slave mode over ADAT to have more channels.

If you use studio monitors, most have AES/EBU, so no need for analog out.

May be you say how many input and output (analog, digital), Mic you need.
To give you  clearer advice.

Peter