RME Fireface 800 Hi-Performance FW Audio Interface, 24 Bit/192 kHz, 56-channel

The RME Fireface 800 FireWire Computer Recording Interface offers 8 balanced line I/Os with software-controlled switching of the levels in the analog domain. All levels are under software control except the mic pre-amps and the headphone outputs. High-level A/D and D/A converter chips, I/Os that operate up to 192kHz, and 119 dBA dynamic range on playback speak to the stellar level of sound quality.

The front features 4 balanced mic inputs with class-A stage, 48V phantom power and individual jack and XLR inputs, which can also be used as additional line inputs. 2 of the 4 mic inputs are available permanently as channels 9 and 10, while the other 2 can be used together with or instead of inputs 7 and 8 on the rear.

A hi-Z instrument input for guitar and bass includes a soft-limiter, custom-tuned for musical instruments, that affords overload protection of the A/D-converter. The limiter’s harmonic distortion can be used for tube-like distortions. A special circuit delivers fuzz-box-type guitar distortions. A multi-stage filter hi- and low-frequency filter lets you clean up the sound as desired.

The FireWire 800’s digital I/Os include 2 ADAT I/Os for connecting and inserting effect devices, mixers, or external converters. The 192kHz SPDIF-I/O works concurrently with 10 analog in- and outputs at the highest sample rate, plus 2 digital ones. All inputs and outputs are active at the same time. For example, the instrument input can be used either instead of, or together with, the line input on the back. The jack and the XLR sockets of the mic inputs can even be used simultaneously. To summarize, up to 35 signal sources can be connected to the Fireface 800 and recorded to 28 separate tracks.

The DSP-based TotalMix mixer derives from the popular Hammerfall DSP series, with all inputs and outputs having the ability to be freely mixed, distributed and routed. Up to 14 completely independent stereo submixes are possible. The internal flash memory enables all settings including TotalMix to be recalled on startup. The device also works stand-alone as a submixer, A/D and D/A converter, headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or mic pre-amp, and monitor mixer.

The SteadyClock sync and clock technology enable the unit to be used as a sync reference for your whole studio. SteadyClock refreshes clock signals and removes jitter. A time code option (TCO) for synchronizing to LTC, video and VITC can be added with the insert slot on the back.

The Fireface 800 has a second port for hub functionality, a bi-lingual mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility, and an additional FW 400 port. With the multi-ports, several Fireface 800s can be used in parallel and at the same time with no problems.

Balanced I/O at 192kHz and 119dBA dynamic range
RME’s highly successful Multiface was the basis for the development of the Fireface 800. The Fireface 800 features eight balanced line I/Os with software-controlled reference level switching (-10dBV, +4dBu, HiGain), to guarantee highest dynamic range and fidelity. Apart from the levels of the Fireface 800’s microphone preamps and the headphone outputs, all device settings are software-controlled. The RME Fireface 800 is equipped with the latest A/D and D/A converter chips, and all I/Os operate up to 192kHz with a dynamic range of 119dBA on playback.

Direct ASIO headphone monitoring
The Fireface 800’s headphone output delivers high volume with low-impedance headphones and mirrors playback channels 9/10. In contrast to the Multiface, the Fireface 800’s headphone output is capable of direct ASIO monitoring.

4 phantom powered mic pres
The RME Fireface 800 has 4 discrete balanced microphone inputs with Class A stage, 48V phantom power, and separate TRS and XLR inputs, which can also be used as additional line inputs. Two of the Fireface 800’s four mic inputs are permanently available as channels 9 and 10, while the other two can be used with inputs 7/8 on the back panel.

Built-in “tube sound” limiter for guitar and bass
For guitar and bass, the FireFace 800’s hi-Z instrument input offers unprecedented fidelity and flexibility. A soft limiter, specifically designed for instruments, provides overload protection for the A/D converter and deliberately creates harmonic distortion to emulate tube sound. Due to a soft transition and creation of harmonics, the Fireface 800’s limiter can emulate tube saturation. A ‘fuzz’ circuit, which can be additionaly activated, delivers guitar distortion. A multi-stage filter can remove low- and high-frequency disturbances and guarantees an optimal sound, even when recording directly into the computer or when monitoring through a mixing console. Signals from guitar or bass can be recorded clean, for optimal plug-in processing in your DAW.

ADAT I/O
The RME Fireface 800 has two ADAT I/Os and one S/PDIF I/O. When combined with two additional ADI-8 DS’, you can have 26 analog inputs and outputs at 48kHz or 18 at 96kHz. The SPDIF-I/O works up to 192kHz, allowing 10 analog inputs and outputs at the highest sample rate, plus two digital ones.

Simultaneous TRS and XLR I/O
All inputs and outputs can be used at the same time. That means the instrument input can either be used instead of the line input on the back, or it can be used along with it. Even the jack and the XLR sockets of the microphone inputs can be used simultaneously. In this way, up to 35 signal sources can be connected to the Fireface 800 and recorded onto 28 separate tracks!

TotalMix DSP
Thanks to the DSP-based TotalMix mixer from the Hammerfall DSP series, all of the Fireface 800 inputs and outputs can be freely mixed, distributed, and routed. With the Fireface 800, up to 14 completely independent stereo submixes are possible. Thanks to an internal flash memory, all of the Fireface 800’s settings including TotalMix are recalled during boot. After making all desired settings, the Fireface 800 works in standalone (without computer) as a submixer, A/D and D/A converter, headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or microphone pre-amplifier, monitoring mixer, and much more.

SteadyClock sync
The Fireface 800 is equipped with SteadyClock, RME’s latest sync and clock technology. With SteadyClock, the Fireface 800 becomes a sync reference for the whole studio. The Fireface 800’s SteadyClock refreshes clock signals, removes jitter, and takes permanent care of optimal conversion quality, thus guaranteeing a sensational sound quality.

Optional LTC and VITC sync
Via an insert slot on the back of the Fireface 800, a time code option (TCO) for synchronizing to LTC, video, and VITC can be added. Thanks to SteadyClock, the Fireface 800 does not only extract absolute positions, but also a very clean, low-jitter word clock.

Latest multi-port FireWire technology
RME offers the latest technology, giving the Fireface 800 unprecedented power to provide FireWire 800 ports, SteadyClock, ADAT and SPDIF digital PLL, TotalMix, and standalone mode. Using an integrated 32-bit RISC processor, the Fireface 800 is flexible, reconfigurable, and one the first Giga-FW interfaces available that’s optimized for audio, with latencies down to 48 samples. The Fireface 800 has a second port for hub functionality, bilingual mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility, and an additional FW 400 port. Thanks to the multi-ports, several Fireface 800s can be used in parallel and at the same time on one FireWire port, without any problem.

Features

• 8 balanced line I/Os with software-controlled switching
• Pristine 192kHz A/D and D/A conversion
• Up to 119 dBA dynamic range on playback
• 4 balanced mic inputs on the front with 48V phantom power and individual jack and XLR inputs
• Hi-Z instrument input for guitar and bass with soft limiter
• Special guitar distortion circuit
• Multi-stage filter hi- and low-frequency filter
• 2 ADAT I/Os
• Up to 35 signal sources can be connected to and recorded to 28 separate tracks
• TotalMix mixer allows all inputs and outputs to be freely mixed, distributed and routed
• Up to 14 completely independent stereo submixes
• Internal flash memory enables all settings to be recalled on startup
• Works stand-alone as a submixer, A/D and D/A converter, headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or mic pre-amp, and monitor mixer
• SteadyClock sync and clock technology
• Time code option (TCO) for synchronizing to LTC, video and VITC can be added with the insert slot on the back
• Includes a second port for hub functionality, a bi-lingual mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility, and an additional FW 400 port
• Several Fireface 800s can be used in parallel at the same time

The RME Fireface 800 – Audiophile quality in a FireWire interface!