The Fireface UCX is the first fully professional audio interface with the option to be used as Class Compliant
interface. It then works without a driver as audio/MIDI interface on Windows, Mac, Linux and with
Apple’s
iPad and iPad2
(Camera Connection Kit required).
The UCX provides the iPad with the professional analog I/O connections it lacks. Superb microphone
preamps with EQ, dynamics, AutoSet, in addition to professional balanced line outputs, and a hi-power
headphone output. Plus level adjustments, reverb, echo and zero latency monitoring. Even high-resolution
playback with 24 bit and up to 96 kHz! All of these features digitally via USB - which means no limitation in
quality.
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
mode is activated by the button on the front panel at any time.
Obviously, native features will be limited in comparison to those provided by the RME driver for the UCX. For
example there will be no TotalMix and no settings for the effects. It won’t be comparable to the RME drivers in
terms of latency, though. Fortunately the Class Compliant mode is not relevant for Mac OS X and Windows, since
there are outstanding RME drivers for both operating systems available, which provide ALL the features of the
UCX at lowest latencies.
The main reason for a feature-limited Class Compliant mode has been to allow connecting the UCX to an Apple
iPad or iPad2! The iPad is not only an attractive mobile music creation and recording platform, but a closed hard-
and software system without common driver problems and interferences from 3rd party hardware, like graphic
or network cards. It provides stability, a good realtime performance and an easy handling.
How does it work with an iPad?
Three things are needed:
•
Fireface UCX in Class Compliant mode
•
Apple iPad / iPad2 with iOS 5. iPhone and iPod Touch can not be used.
•
Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit, or comparable third-party adapters (so-called x in 1 kits)
Switch the UCX to CC mode and connect the USB cable to the Camera Connection Kit. To achieve a stable
connection between iPad and the Camera Connection Kit a dock extension cable is recommended. There are
several products available from different manufacturers.
Start the iPad and plug the Camera Connection Kit into the Dock connector. The unit will enter CC Host mode,
indicated by the HOST LED turning off. Audio playback in iTunes will automatically be performed by the UCX,
using analog outputs 1/2 and the phones outputs 7/8 in parallel.
10
No driver required with Windows, Mac, Linux and the Apple iPad
Class Compliant Mode
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Supported Inputs and Outputs
. When connected to an iPad, the analog mic/line input 1 works with mono
apps, inputs 1 and 2 with stereo apps (both dual mono and stereo), and all 8 analog inputs with 8-channel
applications, like the MultiTrack DAW.
Playback will use analog outputs 1 and 2 (there is no app supporting 8-channel playback at this time). The
output signal 1/2 will be copied to outputs 7/8, and can be processed independently with volume, and all
effects, like EQ, dynamics and reverb/echo.
The digital I/Os are currently not operational. Not only will most apps not support more than two channels at
this time, our tests have also shown digital synchronisation to be less than ideal in practice. Therefore, the use of
these ports makes no sense in CC mode.
Audio Routing and Processing.
The UCX is also a very powerful tool in CC mode, and can even be pre-
configured via TotalMix FX under Windows/Mac. Apart from the current configuration, which will be preserved,
the possibility of saving up to 6 previously saved configurations in the setup memory is very useful, allowing for
a quick reconfiguration without a connected host PC/Mac.
The
input signal
will pass through all activated functions of the TotalMix FX input channel, namely settings,
EQ, and Dynamics, and is then sent to the iPad. Like under Windows and Mac, the input fader controls direct
monitoring to any output. The FX send control for echo/reverb is also active.
The iPad’s
output signal
passes through all activated functions of the TotalMix FX hardware outputs, namely
settings, EQ, and dynamics. The third row’s fader sets the output level.
App examples
With an already existing number of interesting and
professional apps the combination of the Fireface
UCX and an iPad is not a mere toy, but as a serious
alternative for mobile recording or music production.
Simple Recording:
Recorder Plus, FiRe and FiRe2, BIAS iProRecorder.
Multitracking:
n-Track Studio, Hokusai, HarmonicDogs, MultiTrack DAW.
Digital Audio Workstations:
Garage Band, Music Studio, FL Studio Mobile, Meteor.
