Why Would Someone Spend $1,000 On An Audio Interface?
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- Опубліковано 17 чер 2024
- Why would someone spend $1,000 on an audio interface? Find out in this video.
Thanks to @RMEAudio & @SynthaxInc for sponsoring this video!
Watch this video next: • 3 Ways To Expand Audio...
LINKS
RME Babyface Pro FS Audio Interface: geni.us/uVL81xu
RME Fireface UCXII Audio Interface: geni.us/B7Spgh
RME Fireface UFXIII Audio Interface: geni.us/s3Pris
RME Digiface USB Audio Interface: geni.us/8wKU5Nj
RME Digiface Dante Audio Interface: geni.us/mqDImVE
USB vs Thunderbolt: • 3 Reasons Why I’m Swit...
What Is Latency?: • Is Audio Interface Lat...
ADAT, MADI, & Dante: • 3 Ways To Expand Audio...
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00:00 Intro
01:00 Inputs and Outputs
03:33 Drivers and Software
08:45 Reliability and Stability
10:00 Driver Support
11:09 Quality of I/O and Converters
13:20 NEXT VIDEO - 3 Ways to Expand Audio I/O for Recording, Live Sound, & Broadcast
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Disclaimer: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click them, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you.
You can find old Babyface models (not “Pro” or “FS”) for $300-400 and with RME’s legendary driver support still use them forever.
Apple have just stopped supporting the Mk1 Babyface with OSX Sonoma ( I have one and can't update the OS because of this ) although RME could maybe update the drivers and change this. And yes, it's still an amazing interface.
@@billB101 ugh that's terrible news but thx for the heads up - I'll have to check it out on a Mac - hopefully RME will update
I use RME for everything but for my small portable rig, I had an extra RME Digiface and I paired it with a Zoom U44. I love it. Can’t tell the difference in the converters and I still have Totalmix and Rme drivers.
RME's more expensive prices more than pays for itself through years of trouble-free, rock solid stability and reliability!! They're simply built to last!
better than the apollo twin x? i just upgrade to it now seeing this O_O
@@MarcellJjr Dunno, haven't looked into RME but if Apollo Twin X's are good enough for some Billboard artists, they're good enough for me. RME seems cool too though!
@@user-fw6lm1tn5pgo away
hail RME! Bought a Babyface in 2008.
Works today as always.
Bought a Digiface USB 3 years ago, and a Fireface UFX II last year. Seen lots of other stuff.....RME never produced ANY problem. Incredible. Never any hickup, no glitches. Everything does what it's supposed to do. Anytime.
Thanks RME, I really couldn't think of anything the fireface ufx ii couldn't do.
My HDSP 9652 has survived 4 PCs - and when standard PCI wasn't available on the motherboard, a PCI - PCI-E adapter ensured it's viability in the latest PC - RME is OUTSTANDING value for money considering the longevity of their products!
The best comment on the quality of RME is the sound quality of this video. Bought a 'Babyface' 11 years ago and just installed drivers for my new M1 MacBook Air. Not much in the audio world today with that sort of life span.
And they still sound amazing.
RME probably the most 'worth it' for the high-end interfaces
Agreed! I haven’t tried EVERY interface, but I prefer TotalMix to any other system I’ve used. Do you use an RME interface?
Quality from top to bottom.
@@AudioUniversity Yes total mix is awesome once you learn it, and the driver is rock solid with really long term support. I haven't done the measurements but I wouldn't be surprised if they have some of the most accurate conversation, given other companies have primarily focused on selling you hardware for access to their software.
Thank you for the excellent video! I have been using a Fireface UFX for 12 years now and it developed a hardware failure recently. The interface could be repaired quickly for low cost and it works fine again. So when we are talking about sustainability not only software drivers are import but also hardware service and reparability. RME does both very well!
@@SinclairSound I don't know about conversion now, but once upon a time, RME was never at the top of anyone's list in terms sound. Their rock solid drivers were ALWAYS their selling point. Before I got over my gear lust, there were so many other converters that I would choose over RME. The best thing that one could do was get the adat or madi setup and pick your own converters. Things may have changed now, though.
My Babyface Pro FS is a purchase I'll always be proud of making! Great audio conversion, stable drivers for VST instruments, and a travel friendly design. Plus it feels good to touch it when I need to adjust using the knob or press a button. Worth the price!!!
My RME UFX3 will have to be pried from my cold, dead hands.
Excellent video as always Kyle thanks 👍Im still using my RME Fireface UC with an Apple M1 machine with no problems which is a testament to this company's quality....
I bought a used RME Fireface UFX, and it's fantastic. Not once has it ever let me down. I've brought it to another studio for use when an Apollo with external Line stages wasn't cooperating, and I used it live a few times as well after our Roland interface stopped working. It's always been rock solid no matter where we've used it
Gotta say your vids are so comprehensive detailed and understandable. Teaching yourself from YTube or even many of the dedicated online courses can leave a lot of knowledge and understanding gaps - known unknowns and unknown unkowns etc. Thank you very much.
Thanks, Winston!
RME is that brand which doesn't look flashy compared to other brands but you ultimately land on because they are that solid.
Cool links you have in this video
I both my Fireface 800 thee months after it has been released . Never had a single problem . The quality of RME products in every aspects is just top notch ! Steel using on my I Mac M1 on Ventura . If I have to change it I will by another RME !!!
Thank you RME for your AMAZING PRODUCTS !!! You are THE BEST !!!
Best regards from Norway !
An RME fan here!
I’ve been using the MADIface Pro for a few years now. It’s been by my side while being on tour for recording and playback. I’ve used it in my home studio. I’ve used it for sending time code to video for a few big concerts and I’ve recently used it as a mixer for a few small shows for live sound engineering. It hasn’t let me down once! I love RME
Thanks for sharing!
I suppose right now the most "pro-summer" audio interface is Audient ID44 mk2. And RME is looking more like "pro-fessional" one.
Speaking from my "con-summer" Volt 476)😅
😂 Love how you said this. All of these interfaces are great. But you’re right, RME is the most flexible and powerful by far.
Cool video! That's one reason why I had to change from Behringer to Focusrite. My old mixer didn't work together with Apple Silicon and the 18i20 does🤘🤘🤘
Total Mix is insane. Room EQ is incredible.
I was happy with both a Roland Quad-Capture and Studio-Capture, but now I am even more happy with a MOTU Ultralite MK5.
I love how you use phantom power indicators on your UCX II just as a background lights 😁
Forgot to turn them off, but they do look nice with the depth of field. 😎
Nice to see more praise for the RME. I use the Babyface Pro in my home studio, because of the quality of the preamps and the reliability. I don't need more inputs or outputs for my music.
I've had my RME Fireface UC for about 15 years now, and it's still rock solid, low latency, transparent and perfect for my needs.. I did complement it with a Digiface for more ADAT I/O later on, but the core of my system is always the good old Fireface.
Drivers are always snappy up to date and I just love RME, will probably never switch to another brand.
I do the same thing with the Digiface USB - like an ADAT matrix.
i currentlyu use a digiface usb but i want another for my streaming pc and have optical 8 channels both ways
I’ve had a Babyface since 2018 using on a Mac Book Pro, I have had absolutely zero issues with it. RME is amazing!
Congratulation for your passion and professionalism, you are very good to explain everything very well. I would like you make
a good video where explain
Neve 88M vs RME, the two biggest brands. Cheers!
Recently upgraded from a 18i20 (2nd gen) to a 12Mic & UFX III and it feels like discovering fire for the first time.
Knowing I won’t have to spend money on (1) massive analog snakes (A single MADI cable and I don’t need to route any analog snakes between the tracking area and the monitoring area for drums) or (2) Personal Monitoring units (eg. P16) for clients, as you mentioned with cue mixes being adjustable with TotalMix remote, or (3) external recorders to capture sessions or for streaming elsewhere.
No headaches, was able to save $ on so much additional workflow related gear that I see folks having to resort to.
Not related, but I’m on sick leave so I can’t use them to their full potential, but 11 outta 10 I can’t stop talking about them and can’t wait to go back because it’s actually fun making music when you don’t have to fight your gear
RME is top notch. They truly value their customers and go above and beyond to support their older hardware. I am running a FF800, but when I expand my setup I will hands down go with RME.
cool to see a video from you. love your channel. I'm about to buy this Babyface FS i have also the UFX3 , can i daisychain the two interfaces on the computer and control both interfaces over Totalmix and send tracks from ufx to babyface and back ?
You can access TotalMix for both if they’re both connected (there’s a dropdown in the top right corner). You can use the physical IO to route between them, but they won’t aggregate - still separate interfaces.
@@AudioUniversity Thanks that sounds Great , did you hear that a difference exist between babyface Usb powerd or with cable is there a hearable difference how i powerd the babyface ?
I fought interface few hundred dollars, but depending on what u set ur studio up on ur price range u got at the time! Bro amazing work u drop in ur videos u make thanks to get me to the top !
Happy to help! Thanks for consistently watching!
RME makes great gear. If I had to choose between a good microphone or an expensive interface due to my budget, I would definitely spend my money on a better microphone. That RME can only do so much for that AT2020 or SM58. A Warm Audio 251 will sound decent going through a Clarett.
It’s a balance - ideally we can have the best mics, preamps, routing capabilities, headphones, acoustic treatment and monitors. But we’ve got to build our systems piece by piece, prioritizing what’s important to the workflow.
@@AudioUniversity Agreed. Thanks Kyle.
preamp tube can be added to any interface
I have a baby face pro FS and its gone up in price by €400s since i got it 🙂. Its very good and solid, i find myself having to mess with it very little however as someone that records guitar direct using the inst inputs i would love a means to gain down the input. With some heavy guitars and basses with high output pickups they can drive it a little more than i would like. Put I love the low latency, this is the #1 reason i have it.
The Snapshots are another great feature of TotalMix. I bought the ARC mainly for remote volume control, and it turns out that the buttons for snapshot recall is a feature I use all the time to A/B compare reference tracks with my mixes.
When I first received the interface, I wasn’t sure that I had spent my money well. Now, with the sound quality, features, and rock solid reliability, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.
And no, I’m not sponsored. This channel is sponsored, but the video is still legit.
Danke!
Vielen Dank!
Worth it
I love mine. I bought it in preparation for stopping using apple at some point. I am so sick of Apple, but my experiences with windows and audio hardware from the big pro-sumer names isnt great. I know that the support and drivers from RME are supposedly the best, so if I do go to windows I figured I'd have the best luck with RME.
Works well for PC and Mac!
As a Linux user, I miss the total mix. We do have the FFADO Mixer. It is great, but the Total Mixer to offers more options. I use a Fireface 800. It Sounds Amazing
I'm pretty sure that the Babyface In3 and 4 are not TRS balanced at all but just TS. Totalmix is super powerful. My RME Multiface is 20 years old and still drivers are supported even on Windows 11. Great stuff and solid.
i will never choose anything else than rme it solid best driver and always works price is high but knowing it will work 100% is conviniant
have that interface, absolutely fantastic
I would love some comparisons
I got the original Babyface USB for £160 on eBay, needless to say it was a VERY good deal. I also have it connected to a MOTU 828MK2 via ADAT.
Классный видос)
My HDSP AIO PCIe with Bitwig NEVER disappoints! Running lots of VSTi's on Win.11 no problem at all.
🔥🔥🔥
Being able to route a ton of I/O through the interface and DSP rather than some kind of DAW/Voicemeeter software solution is huge. The software routing solutions that exist may be free, but the price you pay with latency is no joke. Asking your band mates to be cool with a dry signal is a tough ask sometimes. And in a professional setting with clients? It's a very bad look.
8:00 I noticed that the babyface pro FS has a DC barrel jack. Are you able to use that to get the same DSP functionality as the other wall-powered interfaces, or is that purely used for standalone mode?
My Babyface Pro FS does have higher mic input gain than my id14 MKII (which is now used for different purposes)
Real-time monitoring with effects makes both the performer's life and the engineer's life SO MUCH more easier. If you are using a basic audio interface you are missing out a lot.
Long-time RME fanboi, here. Everything you said. My only contention with the Babyface is its ridiculous IO layout. With eveything plugged (which happens in many recording sessions) in it resembles a medusa on your desk with cables going every-which way. I really wish RME would redesign it with all the IO on the back except for the headphone jacks.
I own the Hammerfall Multiface and RPM for around 20 years now, both with Totalmix compatible. I would never buy another company.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing.
Same for me with my Multiface. 20 years and still going strong. Incredible!
I've hit a bit of a wall in going from analog to digital, and I've suspected the digital sampling rates, but I'm really not sure about the cause. Does this sound like a DAC issue to you? (anybody have an idea?): I have a (now broken) old Ross flanger, built around the old bucket brigade chip, (and it was terribly noisy). I would disable the LFO for totally manual recycle freq control, about 60 percent recycle amount, then turn the freq way down low until I heard really nice destructive interference in the low notes of an E chord. (Modern flangers don't go anywhere near low enough for this) Then I'd set a small sweep range value (maybe 10 to 15 percent?) with the LFO set to maybe take 3 seconds or so for a full cycle, and turn the recycle amount down to maybe 40 percent. The result was amazing! I could play pretty much anywhere on the neck, and it had a beautiful comb filter effect, which was very strong.
I've tried various flanger VSTs, and the best imitation I've found so far is U-He's Carbon Copy, but it's still nothing like what my old analog flanger would do. Through-zero settings and what not don't quite fix the issue.
I'm thinking about possibilities like saturation in the bucket brigade chip which might have helped, digital aliasing in the DAC interfering somehow (which wouldn't make sense, because we're talking low frequencies)...
I'm using the M-Audio Air 192x4 interface, but I would think weaknesses in the DAC would show up as noise and would effect my high frequencies, not low.
I'm thinking I may have to buy an equivalent unit off Ebay, and hook it to a scope to try and figure out how the analog processing is different from the digital imitation.
I have a question. How come I hardly see anyone on any video using MOTU interfaces? Are they really that bad? I bought the Ai and Ao and have been super-happy with them for my setup. Really clear converters, great internal routing features and mixer. Does what I need and doesn't break the bank like some other options where you get to diminishing returns so quickly beyond the $1-2k region.
ADAT is also called "Light Pipe" right?
What I do: record audio narration that I do.
Audio Interface needs thus:
1. Works on Linux.
2. low self noise
Options that meet all this: Scarlett Focusrite Gen 3. BUT I gather that strangely the self noise has increased on each generation of Focusrite and the 4th Gen Focusrite is even noisier. Thus for any future interface I might look elsewhere. But RME does not work on Linux as far as I am aware.
They can operate in class-compliant mode. But I don’t think you get the full effect of TotalMix without the driver. Some of their interfaces (like the UCXII) can do stand-alone mode.
was thinking the same, i also use linux for most of my work. unfortunately these kinds of devices are rarely used and pretty expensive, so it's unlikely that they get the community treatment other software has :(
Can't get much more paid-for than this. Meh. I used to own an Apogee 8ch rack interface. Let's talk when you're not quite so sponsored.
I’d guess the reasons you like your interface are similar to the reasons I like mine. That’s the point.
I have a RME UFX III but need more I/O and I am concerned about the quality of the converters. I keep seeing that I should get a Ferrofish Pulse 16 MX. What is your take on the converters of the Pulse 16MX and is it a good match with my RME UFX III as far as converters are concerned?
Both have extremely good converters.
isnt ferrofish a daughter company of rme they most likly get asemble in same building eaven
@@AudioUniversity Thank you. I been debating a long time about this because I see the Pulse 16 MX appears to be many years old and wondered are they coming out with a new model etc.. Or should I go another direction? I do not want to make a mistake purchase. Some say the Antelope high end stuff is good with the digital patch bay but I hear that the drivers and software are not good and they do not suport their gear well and always updating with new gear releases. What is your take?
I haven’t tried the Antelope Audio gear. I’ve seen it at trade shows. All of this stuff is very very high quality. I’d recommend looking into the software and deciding which one makes the most sense for your workflow.
@@AudioUniversity Thank you so much for spending your time replying to me. The quest for gear never stops. Haha
can i use multiple monitors with totalmix with the babyface RME and mirror output 1-2 to 3-4?
It only has two line outs. You would need to use an ADAT DA converter for that.
@@AudioUniversity what would I need to purchase to get that to work. What da converters could you recommend thank you for the reply 🙂
@JEBJOSH any ADAT-enabled D to A converter would work.
@@AudioUniversity can I use Behringer ADA8200 mic preamp? But I only want the outputs I don’t need multiple line in recordings? Thank you once again. I’ve been searching online all day for a good explanation if I get the RME babyface 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Made in Germany. ROCK solid, appliance-level stability. Eternal driver & FW support. Enormous flexibility/compatibility for DAW's via PC or Mac. Used a BF Pro for five years in a forensic laboratory for audio and video forensics. 4 years after I left; it's still working perfectly TODAY.
Will I need to replace my trusty RME Fireface UCX when I update my Mac Studio M2 MAX to Sonoma? I have received alerts saying something about coming obsolescence but I don't understand what's going on. Thanks.
No but you’ll want to update to the DriverKit driver. I did it and it works flawlessly. It also improves the security of your Mac by disabling third party kexts. The UCX is the best interface I’ve ever owned.
One important you forgot it sound excellent and very detailed. It level up my analog active monitors.
Got a first generation RME UFX for 700€. Best Deal ever, but in a Blind Test i wouldn't be able to tell the difference between it and a Behringer UMC404. Still wort it for the Workflow, flexibility and stability.
Um that was not so much ‘sponsored by’ as an RME promotion featuring…
i love that rme stop making thundebolt interfaces, rme is also cool couse its suport multiclient use driver so on windows you can use same asio driver for several daw or app as same time
Totalmix RULES !
can u record the baby face inputs direct to ssd?
The UCXII has this feature, not the Babyface Pro FS.
@@AudioUniversity ok damn, would be cool for my live shows
You can connect to a laptop and record, of course. I know a guy who runs sound for his band with a Babyface Pro FS and a converter connected via ADAT. Pretty cool.
@@AudioUniversity nice, I have an ensemble tb that I bring out to bigger venues for small ones I just use the UAD volt 476 channel. But that separate record feature is pretty nice. cause when launching tracks and stuff live recording also causes some issues for me. not with cpu but just some issues with stop and start and such. Maybe I can just run audacity in the background to record the live inputs while doing all the live processing and track launching in Bitwig
As I'm writing this, I'm using my FF800 (not 802, 800) to hear this video (YT audio using the stock Windows/mobo 'Realtek digital output' into an ADAT input on the FF) and even though the interface has held up indeed quite well and the drivers have been indeed rock-stable, I'm currently waiting on a replacement for the internal power supply (that the RME interfaces are well know to fail from, look it up) after some 15 years of use (*apparently, they cheap out on capacitors and other components). Also, the driver updates for this model seem to have "unofficially" stopped for about a year or two ago now, I get it that the interface is about 15 years old now, and the company probably expects me to pony up for a UFX III USB 3.0 maybe (it's their business, after all), I shouldn't expect working driver updates forever probably, but I'm just putting it out there, that that's the case.
With the internal processing, fully fleshed-out proprietary plugin bundles, and the thunderbolt connection, I hope my next interface will be a UA Apollo, but I'd be remiss if I didn't say, RME has been good to me overall, maybe if funds permit, I'd update to a newer model of theirs, as a backup. TotalMix is definitely one of RME's strengths.
The follow-up of the FF800 is the 802 (and now the 802 FS). You don't need to jump all the way up to a UFX III :)
it says 24 channel but how does that work? i mean do you need more equipment with it?
That includes analog and digital instruments and outs.
Sold mine and replaced it with UAD Apollo x4, absolutely no regrets.
Don't the reverb and echo effects require an additional mixer anyways? So it is definitely marketing to pro studios not home studios. the sound is good though and the EQ works well
The reverb and echo don’t require an additional mixer. They are available with just the interface and a computer.
@@AudioUniversity But to get it on the actual mix?? I thought it needs a digital to analog converter or something at a minimum?
it doesn't have dsp compression effect. Deal breaker for me.
You might prefer the UCXII. It’s not bus powered, but it does have more powerful DSP features (compression, room EQ and output delay).
@@AudioUniversity Yes a good interface but nearly twice the price just to get that one effect. Oh well maybe the Motu Ultralite or Presonus revelator for me
Word of advice: check your local music store instead of shopping online. Usually it’s much cheaper. Even got myself a really damn good preamp for 15 bucks the other day.
Being sponsored by the product you are reviewing destroys all credibility.
Not intended to be a product review. These are the features to look out for in ANY high-quality interface.
I do Digital Cinema. When I look at Audio, it is riddled with all manner of "Proprietary" strictures. I use Fairlight, via DaVinci Resolve and don't need 1,000 channels that it offers. Everything else wants us to buy into a system. I will stick to Blackmagic Design, for you don't need "their" system to use it.
For clarity: you can use most interfaces with most DAWs or video editing software. So you could use DaVinci Resolve with most interfaces. Also, TotalMix doesn’t require any additional buying in, it comes free with the interface.
Just scored a FireFace UFX 3 myself after 12 years on a Multiface II.
RME are just pure quality in terms of build, sound quality and drivers, once you've been on RME for a while you WON'T want to use anything else, they're THAT good!
Not cheap, but you certainly get what you pay for with RME.
How tall are you
Cheers.
Sorry, but within Babyface PRO FS TotalMix doesn't support Dynamics and ParamEQ controls.
The UCX II supports both. The Babyface supports only EQ on the input channels. Both have reverb and echo.
@@AudioUniversity some scammers acting from your name here send comments to your subscribers asking to write them on Telegram, because they won a prize. It's a well-known scheme, but you should worn your viewers that you don't use Telegram.
why is audio IO so expensive when usb hubs costs so little?
Capitalism
💎 s my guy!!
RME UFX owner here. I love it, but the FX section died after a few years. It was powered by substantial power protection (Monster AVS2000+HTPS7000), so it didn’t fry in a storm or anything. Everything else is still working great. Just a data point for the community…
Sorry to hear that. I believe the FX run on the computer though. You tried updating the drivers, I guess. Right?
@@AudioUniversity no, they’re on board - it’s the “FX” in UFX 😉
Why you like Reaper ?
I'm not him, but let me chime in.
Home studio : cheap license.
Pro environment : more expensive, but still relatively cheap license.
Pirates : it got WinRAR-style trial (exit the notification and there you go). No need for shady cracks.
Reason 1: It’s commonly used in testing and research environments because of its flexibility.
Reason 2: Anyone watching my videos can follow along without spending a lot of money.
@@AudioUniversity ok but i would like you to make a tutorial on mixing rap vocals with différent plugin please
I regret buying an antelope discrete 4 pro. The drivers and software is sooooo bad!!! Biggest regret in my life.
Femtosecond (FS) jitter sounds like a great feature until you realize that boring, old picosecond jitter is already excellent and that you'll likely never hear the difference.
So many paid comments, for a paid review, about drivers and support. For a company, that pays for reviews, and deletes negative opinions. Shame on you RME.
It’s much more likely that I and these commenters ACTUALLY like the product. Plus, the intention is that this video helps you make an informed decision, no matter which interface you choose.
@@AudioUniversity Nope, just lifeless bots deceiving the market. I stay away from RME, because they have one bad review. They made sure it got shadow banned too smh.
I didn't like this video... I just feel like I saw product placement for the RME Babyface...
I was hoping to see a comparison with other models like the Scarlett 2i2, or the Audient Id14.
This video tells me nothing and absolutely does not justify the €1000 price of this sound card...
Sorry you didn't like the video. When you're buying an interface, I'd recommend looking for these features and characteristics. Hopefully that's helpful no matter which interface you decide to buy.
I had a babyface. Not worth 1000 bucks. NOT AT ALL.
Damn i just got an apollo tf!
apollo for windows dosnt work for mac :( rme worth for both and apollo for mac dosnt work for windowsi use my rme on mac and pc
So the hardware AND the software are overpriced.
If it's solid and just works and sounds great (in my Tony the tiger voice) keeps us working on our projects without looking for drivers and the like. I will take that device every time.
@@GL0697 I recently bought a new laptop running Linux. I tested three audio interfaces so far: a no-name Chinese plastic box for about 20 bucks, an Audient iD4 MKII (139€) and a Behringer U-Phoria UMC 1820 (262€) and all of them just worked when I plugged them in. No need to install any drivers or other additional software. And why would there be?
Danke!
Vielen Dank! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!