RME Fireface UFX III 188-Channel Audio Interface with USB 3.0

Every professional multitrack studio needs a flexible centerpiece, and that's why RME has introduced the Fireface UFX III, a 188-channel, 1 RU audio interface with a blistering maximum sample rate of 24-bit / 192 kHz and wide-ranging, versatile I/O, including 128-channel MADI, dual optical ADAT I/O, XLR AES3 connections, and a future-proof USB 3.0 host connection that supports direct USB recording (DURec). The Fireface UFX III comes with all the features expected of a high-end RME interface, including low-latency circuitry, drivers designed for flawless operation, TotalMix FX software control with Room EQ for Dolby Atmos compatibility, and support for the Advanced Remote Control USB (sold separately).

Along with the digital connections, the Fireface UFX III includes analog connectivity such as balanced 1/4" TRS inputs and outputs, XLR 3-pin outputs, and two dedicated headphone outputs as well as sync I/O such as BNC Word Clock connections (with the output also supporting MADI) and dual DIN 5-pin MIDI I/O. You also get four combination XLR-1/4" inputs with high-quality preamps and selectable 48V phantom power on each preamp, delivering an all-in-one studio workhorse that will surely become a preferred tool for multitrack recording, mixing, and mastering.

DURec Technology

DURec is an integrated digital recorder for all inputs and outputs directly to USB memory devices via the USB port. The Fireface UFX Series records on USB thumb drives or hard drives with up to 2TB 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 Series both into a stand-alone field recorder and a powerful multichannel live player for previous recordings, such as 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.

TotalMix FX with Room EQ and Binaural Crossed for Immersive Audio

The DSP-based TotalMix mixer allows fully independent routing and mixing of input and playback channels to all physical outputs. Independent stereo submixes, plus a comprehensive Control Room section, offer unrivalled monitoring capabilities and unsurpassed routing flexibility.

The integration of Room EQ adds room calibration to the RME eco-system, making your Fireface perfect for Immersive audio setups, including Dolby ATMOS. Room EQ consists of nine bands of fully parametric EQ, individual output delay, and volume calibration. Users can freely assign up to 20 Room EQs at once to any output(s) they wish, including stereo, headphone, and digital outputs for maximum flexibility. Settings can be input manually or imported using tools like Sonarworks or Room EQ Wizard.

Also added is a feature called Binaural Crossed. This functionality provides speaker emulation in headphones—perfect for mixing stereo or ATMOS in headphones. The Crossfeed function emulates speaker behavior in terms of channel separation, so the extreme-wide ambience experienced in headphones can be set in 5 stages.

Optional Advanced Remote Control USB

This optional 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, TotalMix 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.

In the Box

RME Fireface UFX III 188-Channel Audio Interface with USB 3.0