RME Fireface 802 Studio Interface

RME Fireface 802 Studio Interface

The Fireface 802 renews RME’s reputation built on the legendary Fireface 800. 60 channels of audio, high-end microphone preamps, reference class converters, a complete effects section and operation at up to 192 kHz are the base for many more features:

Ultra-low latency operation with USB or FireWire, combined with the legendary RME driver stability and maintenance. Active jitter suppression, individually switchable reference levels for all inputs and outputs, full stand-alone functionality, RME’s unique DIGICheck metering and analysis toolbox, and identical operation on Windows PC and Mac.

TotalMix FX, RME’s digital high-end mixer and signal router, driven by two powerful DSPs, with integrated EQ, Dynamics and Reverb/Echo effects at up to 192 kHz, plus a built-in monitoring controller. 


The full-blown feature set also includes optional Class Compliant mode and operation with TotalMix FX for iPad, RME’s app to fully control the 802 from the iPad, without any computer. The easy to use app includes metering for all 90 channels plus effects bus, different setup screens, and complete control of all features.

The Fireface 802 is a highly integrated pro audio solution, a full-blown studio, all within a 19” enclosure. An interface designed for users who don’t want to make compromises in sound, stability and ultra-low latency operation, and who long for an unrivaled professional feature set. Once again a milestone interface from RME, including the best of the best and even a bit more.

Connectivity

• 30 Input / 30 Output channels
• 12 x Analog I/O
• 4 x Mic/Instrument Preamp
• 1 x AES/EBU I/O
• 2 x ADAT I/O (or 1 x ADAT I/O plus 1 x SPDIF I/O optical)
• 1 x Word Clock I/O
• 1 x MIDI I/O
• FireWire or USB operation
• TotalMix FX

Back:

• Inputs 1-8 (TRS - balanced)
• Outputs 1-8 (TRS – balanced)

Front:

• Inputs: 9-12 (XLR/TS Combo – balanced/unbalanced)
• Outputs: 9/10, 11/12 - Phones (TRS - Stereo, unbalanced)

The Fireface 802 has 12 analog I/Os.

12 Inputs . 8 balanced TRS on the back and 4 XLR inputs with Mic/Instrument preamps on the front.

12 Outputs . On the rear: 8 balanced TRS. On the front: Two hi-power TRS stereo phones outputs provide high volumes even with hi-impedance headphones (playback channels 9/10 and 11/12).

Sound Quality . Like other RME products before the Fireface 802 combines excellent analog circuit design with latest digital conversion technology. All balanced TRS & XLR I/Os as well as the two phones outputs offer outstanding low noise and distortion values. In best RME tradition and product philosophy converters and preamps don’t produce “sound”, they do not add or remove anything from the source signal, just capture it as it is.

Equipped with the latest low latency A/D and D/A converter chips, all I/Os operate at up to 192 kHz and reach 118 dBA dynamic range on playback - even both headphone outputs. Their high power technology delivers high volume no matter if high or low impedance phones are used.

Due to its efficient jitter reduction, RME’s superior SteadyClock guarantees state-of-the-art AD/DA conversion, even when clocking to an external clock source.

Every input and output is individually switchable to these common professional studio levels: -10 dBV, +4 dBu, HiGain (equivalent to +2 dBV, +13 dBu and +19 dBu for digital full scale).

All outputs can be used for ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM) purposes.

Software Specs

The DSP based TotalMix mixer allows fully independent routing and mixing of all 30 input and 30 playback channels to all 30 physical outputs. Up to 15 totally independent stereo submixes plus a luxury Control Room section offer unrivalled monitoring capabilities and unsurpassed routing flexibility.

Every input and output channel comes with a luxury feature set, comparable to a full-scale digital console. The effects per channel include 3-band parametric EQ, adjustable Low Cut, Auto Level, Compressor, Expander, MS Processing and phase reversal. The Reverb and Echo effects unit is available for all channels by a stereo send and return bus. The Fireface 802 offers all these effects in all sample rates, including 192 kHz.

The two DSPs ensure an impressive performance even in extreme applications. As usual with RME, TotalMix is available with all channels (90) at all sample rates, completely unlimited. The second DSP calculates the effects only, therefore has sufficient resources. For example, at 48 kHz 60 EQs, 40 Low Cuts, 8 Dynamics, Reverb and Echo can be activated.
 
The FX-DSP uses automatic overload surveillance. As soon as no effect can be added anymore the TotalMix surface will clearly signal this condition. When changing to higher sample rates the 802 automatically deactivates all effects that exceed the DSP's performance - the DSP will never be overloaded. This also prevents the user from destroyed loudspeakers.

The complete effects section not only adds a lot of flexibility to the recording chain, but makes latency burdened software dispensable. TotalMix can easily replace any external mixer, e.g. to create different latency-free monitoring mixes with EQ and Reverb for the main studio monitors and the headphone of the vocalist(s) in the recording chamber.