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RME Fireface-800 56-Channel, 24-Bit/192kHz FireWire Audio Interface with Four Microphone Preamps for Mac OS X and Windows 2000/XP

 

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The Fireface 800 from RME is a multi-channel FireWire audio interface for use both the Mac and Windows. Up to sixteen analog sources can be connected at one time, which include four microphone preamps with phantom power available. Dual ADAT ports add further connectivity by inputting or outputting up to sixteen digital channels from the correct digital sources. The latest "plug and play" technology guarantees a simple installation, even for the inexperienced user.

A front-sided headphone output delivers a high volume, adequate enough for low-impedance headphones, and represents the playback channels 9/10. The headphone output can be used directly with ASIO Direct Monitoring. The Fireface 800 also provides a Hi-Z instrument input for the use of guitar and bass. A soft limiter, a drive circuit and a speaker emulation filter can be used to further enhance the sound of these instruments.

All Inputs and Outputs Available Simultaneously
The instrument input on the front panel can be used either instead of the line input on the back, or together with it. Even the 1/4" TRS jack and the XLR input of the microphone preamp can be used simultaneously. In this way, up to 35 signal sources can be connected to the unit and recorded onto 28 separate tracks.
Highly Flexible Internal Routing
The included DSP-based mixer allows all inputs and outputs to be freely mixed, distributed and routed. Up to 14 completely independent stereo sub-mixes are possible. Every single sub-mix channel can be recorded directly, without the need of external cable loops.
Multiple Functions
Internal flash memory provides for all settings (including the mixer,) to be recalled during boot-up. After making any desired settings, the device can also function stand-alone, without needing the computer. In this mode, uses for the unit include a sub-mixer, A/D and D/A-converter, headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or microphone preamplifier or monitoring mixer.
Accurate Sync Reference
The Fireface 800 is equipped with SteadyClock, the company's sync and clock technology that allows the unit to function as a sync reference for a whole studio. SteadyClock refreshes clock signals, removes jitter and provides optimal conversion quality, irrespective of the quality of the reference clock.
Optimized FireWire Functionality
The Fireface 800 uses RME's own FireWire technology, heavily optimized for audio purposes. Lowest overhead, special hardware adaptations and a new low latency buffer concept enable latency change on the fly, latencies down to one millisecond and immediate reaction on changes of sample rate. Further enhancements and optimizations are easily added by performing a flash update.
The interface has a second FireWire 800 port for hub functionality, bi-lingual mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility over the 800 ports, and an additional FireWire 400 port. Several units can be used in parallel and or in series on a single FireWire port.
Converters 24-bit
Sample Rates Internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 128, 176.4 and 192kHz
Externally: 28kHz to 200kHz
Analog Input 4 x XLR/4 x 1/4" TRS phone (front)
8 x 1/4" TRS 1/4" phone, software controlled switching of reference levels -10dBV, +4dBu or HiGain (rear)
1 x 1/4" TS phone
Analog Output 8 x 1/4" TRS phone, servo-balanced, DC-coupled
1 x 1/4" TRS unbalanced
Digital Input 2 x ADAT optical or S/PDIF optical
1 x RCA S/PDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
Digital Output 2 x ADAT optical or S/PDIF optical
1 x RCA S/PDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)
MIDI In/Out Yes
Sync In/Out 2 x BNC WordClock
S/PDIF
Headphone Output Yes. Headphone output can be used directly with ASIO direct monitoring
THD + N AD: < -104dB (< 0.00063%)
DA: < -100dB (< 0.001%)
Dynamic Range AD: 109dB RMS unweighted, 112dBA
DA: 116dB RMS unweighted, 119dBA (unmuted)
Frequency Response -0.1dB: 5Hz to 21.5kHz @ 48kHz
-0.5 dB: <5Hz to 43.5kHz @ 96kHz
-1.0 dB: <5Hz to 70kHz @ 192kHz
System Requirements Drivers:

Mac:

  • OS X 10.3 or up
  • Core Audio
  • Core MIDI
  • Up to three units operational simultaneously

PC:

  • Windows 2000 SP4 or XP
  • ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, MME, GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0. WDM (DirectSound) with stereo and multi-channel support
  • Up to three units operational simultaneously
  • Fully hot-pluggable
Specialties The unit has a second port for hub functionality, bi-lingual mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility and an additional FireWire 400 port
RME Fireface-800 56-Channel, 24-Bit/192kHz FireWire Audio Interface with Four Microphone Preamps for Mac OS X and Windows 2000/XP
  • AC Power Cable
  • 1 x 13' FW400 Cable (IEEE1394a)
  • 1 x 6.6' TOSLink Optical Cable
  • Driver CD ROM
  • Two (2) Year Warranty
  • REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

    by PowerReviews
    RMEFireface-800 Audio Interface
     
    4.8

    (based on 4 reviews)

    Ratings Distribution

    • 5 Stars

       

      (3)

    • 4 Stars

       

      (1)

    • 3 Stars

       

      (0)

    • 2 Stars

       

      (0)

    • 1 Stars

       

      (0)

    100%

    of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

    Reviewed by 4 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-4

    Back to top

     
    5.0

    Great device

    By Dennis

    from Orange County, CA

    Verified Buyer

    Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

    Great product at discounted price.

    Share this review

     
    4.0

    Fireface 800 and MIDI Issues

    By Bean

    from SoCal

    About Me Professional Musician

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Clear Sound
    • Lightweight

    Cons

    • Possible MIDI issues

    Best Uses

    • Performances
    • Professional Recording

    Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

    The unit performs great as an audio interface - very high marks, great software mixer and patchbay included.

    I've had issues with the MIDI in shutting down the main audio outs after playing a Kurzweil K2500 into the unit's audio and MIDI ins simultaneously.

    In all fairness to RME, this might be a Kurzweil issue, as it has done the same thing with 2 FF800's. My Akai MPK 61 controller keyboard does not seem to do this via its MIDI port, though I haven't really put it through a serious torture test yet.

    Jeff, the tech support guy at Synthax (U.S. Distributor for RME) says he's never seen this before in 5 years since the product's debut. And, we couldn't sort it out after about 10 emails (each) back and forth. So I'm left to conclude after trying different MIDI cables, changing preferences, re-loading all relevant software, that my old K2500 may be sending garbage down the MIDI pipeline.

    Share this review

     
    5.0

    versatile, reliable, sounds good

    By Wolfsterik

    from Vallejo, Ca

    About Me Heavy Duty User

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy To Install
    • Fast
    • Good Sound
    • Highly Compatible
    • Quiet
    • Reliable

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

        I use the FF800 on my Mac bases composing setup working mostly with samples and virtual instruments. I do some tracking of guitar and bass, but also for voice over recordings and the occasional instrumentalist. It sounds very good for all these uses. The routing flexibility of the included Fireface Mixer and the rock steady performance are simply awesome. The audio loop back feature has become an indispensable part of my setup and enables me to do things I would have to spend a lot more otherwise. The dual ADATA inputs come in handy for connecting my "sampler" computers to my main DAW machine - very well thought out. considering the price of the unit, I don't know of a better audio interface for my setup

        • Primary use:
        • Business

        Share this review

         
        5.0

        State of Art Interface RME FireFace 800

        By Paulo

        from SP - Brazil

        About Me Frequent User

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Easy To Install
        • Fast
        • Highly Compatible
        • Quiet
        • Reliable

        Cons

        • None

        Best Uses

        • Studio Recording

        Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

        Incredible product - worth each cent of its value.High quality Pre amp class A - Interface drives are best in class - Very robust assembly - all kinds of connection are possible with the interface mixer settings.[...]No issues or conflict with another Audio interface that I have in my System.Very Very good !!

        • Primary use:
        • Personal

        Share this review

        Displaying reviews 1-4

        Back to top

        REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

        by PowerReviews
        RMEFireface-800 Audio Interface
         
        4.8

        (based on 4 reviews)

        Ratings Distribution

        • 5 Stars

           

          (3)

        • 4 Stars

           

          (1)

        • 3 Stars

           

          (0)

        • 2 Stars

           

          (0)

        • 1 Stars

           

          (0)

        100%

        of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

        Reviewed by 4 customers

        Sort by

        Displaying reviews 1-4

        Back to top

         
        5.0

        Great device

        By Dennis

        from Orange County, CA

        Verified Buyer

        Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

        Great product at discounted price.

        Share this review

         
        4.0

        Fireface 800 and MIDI Issues

        By Bean

        from SoCal

        About Me Professional Musician

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Clear Sound
        • Lightweight

        Cons

        • Possible MIDI issues

        Best Uses

        • Performances
        • Professional Recording

        Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

        The unit performs great as an audio interface - very high marks, great software mixer and patchbay included.

        I've had issues with the MIDI in shutting down the main audio outs after playing a Kurzweil K2500 into the unit's audio and MIDI ins simultaneously.

        In all fairness to RME, this might be a Kurzweil issue, as it has done the same thing with 2 FF800's. My Akai MPK 61 controller keyboard does not seem to do this via its MIDI port, though I haven't really put it through a serious torture test yet.

        Jeff, the tech support guy at Synthax (U.S. Distributor for RME) says he's never seen this before in 5 years since the product's debut. And, we couldn't sort it out after about 10 emails (each) back and forth. So I'm left to conclude after trying different MIDI cables, changing preferences, re-loading all relevant software, that my old K2500 may be sending garbage down the MIDI pipeline.

        Share this review

         
        5.0

        versatile, reliable, sounds good

        By Wolfsterik

        from Vallejo, Ca

        About Me Heavy Duty User

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Easy To Install
        • Fast
        • Good Sound
        • Highly Compatible
        • Quiet
        • Reliable

        Cons

          Best Uses

            Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

            I use the FF800 on my Mac bases composing setup working mostly with samples and virtual instruments. I do some tracking of guitar and bass, but also for voice over recordings and the occasional instrumentalist. It sounds very good for all these uses. The routing flexibility of the included Fireface Mixer and the rock steady performance are simply awesome. The audio loop back feature has become an indispensable part of my setup and enables me to do things I would have to spend a lot more otherwise. The dual ADATA inputs come in handy for connecting my "sampler" computers to my main DAW machine - very well thought out. considering the price of the unit, I don't know of a better audio interface for my setup

            • Primary use:
            • Business

            Share this review

             
            5.0

            State of Art Interface RME FireFace 800

            By Paulo

            from SP - Brazil

            About Me Frequent User

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Easy To Install
            • Fast
            • Highly Compatible
            • Quiet
            • Reliable

            Cons

            • None

            Best Uses

            • Studio Recording

            Comments about RME Fireface-800 Audio Interface:

            Incredible product - worth each cent of its value.High quality Pre amp class A - Interface drives are best in class - Very robust assembly - all kinds of connection are possible with the interface mixer settings.[...]No issues or conflict with another Audio interface that I have in my System.Very Very good !!

            • Primary use:
            • Personal

            Share this review

            Displaying reviews 1-4

            Back to top

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            Usually ships in 7-14 business days ? This item is usually Drop Shipped from the MFR/Distributor within 7-14 business days (subject to availability). Your order will be charged at the time of placing the order with the vendor. Item is non-cancelable and non-returnable.
             
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