RME Fireface 802 FS - 60 Channel 192kHz USB Interface

RME Fireface 802 FS - 60 Channel 192kHz USB Interface

The RME Fireface 802 FS is a 60 channel, highly integrated audio interface designed for studio, and live use where high-end audio recording, rock-solid stability and ultra-low latency is required. The 802 FS features 30 I/O (12 analogue) and benefits from newly developed analogue circuitry with improved performance, as well as a host of professional features.

Features

• 30 Input / 30 Output channels
• 12 x Analogue 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)
• 1 x Word Clock I/O
• 1 x MIDI I/O
• SteadyClock FS
• TotalMix FX
• 5 Year Warranty

Like all RME audio interfaces, the Fireface 802 FS benefits from TotalMix FX, RME's digital high-end mixer and signal router. Driven by powerful DSP with integrated EQ, Dynamics and Reverb/Echo effects at up to 192 kHz, plus a built-in monitoring controller, TotalMix FX offers powerful, flexible control of all audio channels.

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 FS from the iPad, without any computer. The easy-to-use app includes metering for all 60 channels plus effects bus, different setup screens, and complete control of all features.

Enhance Your Recording Setup - Discover Unmatched Flexibility

The Fireface 802 FS benefits from ultra-low latency operation thanks to RME’s renowned USB driver technology and driver stability. SteadyClock FS jitter suppression, individually switchable reference levels for all inputs and outputs and identical operation on Windows PC and Mac completes the package.

The Fireface 802 FS is based on a newly developed analogue and digital board. While the analogue board offers DC-coupled analogue outputs as well as new AD and DA converters, the digital board also enables interesting new features thanks to updated high-tech components.

The front panel of the Fireface 802 FS provides four high-performance XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphone, instrument and line signals and two stereo headphone jacks with +17 dBu output level, to provide high volumes even with hi-impedance headphones.

The rear panel reveals the full connectivity of the Fireface 802 FS. As well as MIDI and Word Clock I/O, the Fireface 802 FS is equipped with two optical ADAT I/Os, an AES/EBU I/O, and eight balanced analogue line-level inputs and outputs.

With the new Multi-Mode, the two ADAT I/Os can be used as separate optical SPDIF inputs and outputs in addition to the AES I/O. Users will also find a USB A port for connecting directly the optional ARC USB, offering tactile control of TotalMix FX.

Professional High-Transparency Preamps

The Fireface 802 FS features four crystal-clear preamps with ultra-low latency converters, using the classic technology of the OctaMic II, a high-end preamp providing supreme sonic quality.

All four preamps deliver extremely low distortion, excellent signal to noise ratio and a perfect linear frequency response, providing a premium solution for transmitting and amplifying any audio input exactly as it is heard, be it high-level stage or typical studio signals, lower level and high-impedance instruments, or dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones.

The four inputs on the front use balanced XLR/TS combo sockets and operate alternatively as Hi-Z inputs. Directly plug in up to four guitars or other instruments - no other hardware required. Each channel can be individually switched to 48V phantom power or instrument mode. LEDs for signal, clip, TS operation and activated phantom power provide overview on the unit's status.

The Fireface 802 FS continues RME's tradition of designing full-featured, flexible and expandable audio systems. Adding additional preamplifiers or more analogue inputs is easily done via the dual ADAT optical I/Os on the rear.

USB 2 Class Compliant Audio

The Fireface 802 FS operates in two different modes: driver-based USB 2 and Class Compliant. The Class Compliant mode is a standard that is natively supported by operating systems like Windows, Mac OSX and Linux distributions. No proprietary drivers are required, the device will be directly recognized when the CC firmware is loaded. The alternative CC mode can be activated via a recessed pushbutton switch directly at the back of the interface.

The Fireface 802 FS offers full USB 2.0 support in Class Compliant Mode. This makes all channels available in driverless operation for Linux, Mac and iPadOS. An iPad Pro with USB C can manage up to 60 channels for recording and playback in TotalMix FX for iPad and on system level.

Powerful Applications for Mixing, Monitoring and Measurement Included

The Fireface 802 FS comes with the TotalMix FX DSP mixer offering comprehensive routing and monitoring options, as well as the DigiCheck Analyzer allowing to measure and analyse the digital data feed in both directions with maximum precision.

TotalMix FX can completely replace an external mixer, enabling the creation of multiple latency-free monitor mixes with EQ, Dynamics, Reverb and Delay for any outputs, incl. main monitors and headphone mixes for musicians.

The additional TotalMix Remote is a remote control for TotalMix FX, to control the hardware mixer and effects in RME audio interfaces. TotalMix Remote mirrors the current state of the host system on the iPad and Windows/Mac computers - the entire mixing state, the complete routing, all FX settings, up to the level meters, and everything in real-time. Easily adjust all the mixer and FX settings from a distance, via Ethernet and WiFi.

DC-Coupled Outputs - CV/Gate Voltage Control

Most audio interfaces are traditionally designed with what is called 'AC-coupled outputs', where capacitors are used to filter out any extreme low frequencies.

Whilst these frequencies are generally considered undesirable for audio - eating into headroom and potentially causing damage to other equipment - one instance where DC-coupling remains desirable is the world of modular synthesizers, where static or slow-moving signals are used for control over various parameters such as pitch note values or LFOs.

All of the Fireface 802 FS line-level outputs are fully DC-coupled, allowing for the sending of control voltages (CV) or Gate information to modular synthesizers (such as the popular Eurorack and Moog/MOTM/Synthesizers formats) and other studio hardware.

ARC USB - Plug'n Play Plus

The optional available ARC USB connects to your computer via USB and talks to TotalMix FX directly. It has 15 freely assignable and illuminated buttons, one encoder wheel, and a TS jack to connect a foot switch.

The ARC USB is a USB 1.1 MIDI remote control for the Fireface 802 FS. Thanks to operating as a UAC 1 class device, it is natively compatible to Windows and Mac OS X. As soon as it is present in the operating system, TotaIMix FX will automatically detect the ARC USB, and communicate with it via simple MIDI remote commands to control the 802 FS.