User Manual

User's Guide Fireface UFX+ © RME

Input

Thanks to a highly sensitive input stage

SPDIF coaxial can be fed too by using

a simple cable adapter phono/XLR. To

achieve this, pins 2 and 3 of a male

XLR plug are connected individually to

the two pins of a phono plug. The cable

shielding is only connected to pin 1 of

the XLR - not to the phono plug.

In AES operation, identical signals are available at both the optical and the XLR output. An ob-

vious use for this would be to connect two devices, i.e. using the Fireface UFX+ as a splitter

(distribution 1 to 2).

Output

Using the cable adapter XLR/phono described above, devices with coaxial SPDIF interface can

be connected to the AES output of the Fireface UFX+ as well. Note that most consumer equip-

ment with phono (SPDIF) inputs will only accept signals having a Channel Status ‘Consumer’

format. The Consumer status is activated in the Settings dialog of the Fireface UFX+. In Con-

sumer mode the output voltage is reduced as well, as SPDIF calls for a lower voltage than

AES/EBU.

The output signal coding of the Fireface UFX+ has been implemented according to AES3-1992

Amendment 4:

• 32 / 44.1 / 48 kHz, 64 / 88.2 / 96 kHz, 176.4 / 192 kHz depending on the current sample rate

• Audio use

• No Copyright, Copy permitted

• Format Professional or Consumer

• Category General, Generation not indicated

• 2-Channel, No Emphasis

• Aux Bits Audio use, 24 Bit

• Origin: RME

21.3 MADI I/O

The BNC input is shared with the Word Clock input. When switched to MADI it operates accord-

ing to AES10-1991. The input impedance is 75 Ohm. It will operate error-free from about 180

mVpp on.

The optical input and output uses a FDDI (ISO/IEC 9413-3) compatible optical module, accord-

ing to AES10-1991. More information can be found in chapter 39.9, MADI Basics.

The UFX+ includes automatic input selection (Auto) between optical and coaxial input. In case

the current input signal fails, the unit switches to the other input immediately. This mode not

only offers convenient input handling, but also provides redundancy operation, which offers

improved safety against errors on the transmission line. Switching the inputs is done in less

than a sample and – provided the input signal fails abruptly – click free.

The BNC output is built according to AES10-1991. The output's impedance is 75 Ohm. The

output voltage will be 600 mVpp when terminated with 75 Ohm.

In MADI output mirror mode coaxial and optical carry the same signal. This mode allows for

distributing a signal to two destinations, or redundant operation at the output of the unit. Split

mode allows the use of both optical and MADI I/O at the same time, limited to 32 channels

each. Split Mode exists independent for inputs and outputs.