User Manual
User's Guide Fireface UFX II © RME
41
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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 II 
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 II 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. 










