RME Audio Fireface UFX+, User Manual

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User's Guide Fireface UFX+ © RME 43
20. Analog Outputs
20.1 Line
The short circuit protected, low impedance line outputs of channels 3 to 8 are available as 1/4"
TRS jacks on the back of the unit. The electronic output stage is built in a servo balanced de-
sign which handles unbalanced (mono jacks) and balanced (stereo jacks) correctly.
To maintain an optimum level for devices connected to the analog outputs, the Fireface UFX+
internally uses hi-quality electronic switches, which allow for a perfect adaptation of all outputs
individually to the three most often used studio levels.
As with the analog inputs, the analog output levels are defined to maintain a problem-free op-
eration with most other devices. The headroom of the Fireface UFX+ lies between 9 and 15 dB,
according to the chosen reference level:
Reference 0 dBFS @ Headroom
Hi Gain +19 dBu 15 dB
+4 dBu +13 dBu 9 dB
-10 dBV +2 dBV 12 dB
The above levels are also found in all other RME devices. Therefore they are fully compatible to
each other.
The outputs 1 and 2 use XLR sockets. They additionally offer an output level of +24 dBu, mak-
ing these outputs compatible to SMPTE (+24 dBu @ 0 dBFS, +4 dBu with 20 dB headroom):
Reference 0 dBFS @ Headroom
+24 dBu +24 dBu 20 dB
The electronic driver circuit of the XLR outputs does not operate servo-balanced! When
connecting unbalanced equipment, make sure pin 3 of the XLR output is not connected. A
connection to ground will cause higher THD (distortion)!
20.2 Headphones / Line Out
Channels 9 to 12 of the Fireface are available on the front as 1/4" TRS jacks. These channels
use the same converters as the other Line outputs, therefore offer the same technical data (118
dBA SNR).
Two hardware-based reference levels are available (set in TotalMix Output Channel Settings,
Level, High or Low). High equals the setting Hi Gain of the other channels, Low equals -10 dBV
(see table above) with +4 dBu at digital full scale. They can thus also be used as high-quality,
yet unbalanced line outputs.
These outputs are special low impedance types (2 Ohms), ready to be used with headphones.
Setting the output level, i.e. the monitoring volume, is done – besides the pre-setting High/Low -
via TotalMix (Hardware Output, PH 9/10 and PH 11/12) or directly at the unit via the three en-
coders. Changing the monitoring volume is therefore very easy and quickly done.