NID

[NinjaRaf]

Just got an RME Fireface 802 FS today. I guess this is the newest RME interface, and it is also not the most expensive that also has 4 mic preamps on-board, so it seemed like the best option.

Channel 1 on my Audient ID44 died maybe 3-ish months ago, or so. My most used channel, for sure, and pretty annoying. I've had the Audient for about 5 years, which means it's out of warranty. I started looking at new interfaces, and RME seemed like the way to go, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money, so I kept looking around at other options. I also sorta wanted to stick with the Audient format. So the SSL was a contender, and is even cheaper than the Audient. But I dunno...RME still seemed like the way to go. Well, like I said...I didn't want to spend money, so I reached out to Audient about repairs. They gave me a part number and some very detailed instructions, and I was able to replace the op-amp on channel 1, but this unfortunately didn't resolve the issue. They said it's likely an ADC which is a lot trickier to replace, and gave me the contact of their repair center in CA. The 3 other channels still work, so I have been dragging my feet on replacing it or sending it in.

After about 5 weeks of this back and forth, trying to repair things myself, and just general being slow about it, I finally decided to buy this on Friday. Took longer for me to get the damn rack screws into the threads than to get the unit up and running haha. Super easy to use, so far. I've heard a lot of complaints about TotalMix, but so far it has been completely seamless. I haven't had a single issue, and if I don't know how to do something, like change the buffer size, I just go to the youtoobz.

First thing I tested, of course, was output. And it sounds incredible. So clear. I am hearing things in my own stuff that I didn't hear before, which is fucking fantastic! I also noticed...a slight drawback lol. There is no physical monitor volume control. You have to do this in TotalMix. Kind of annoying, but I ended up just now ordering an Arc USB so I can control that. I think this will work out even better anyway because I can have it on my keyboard tray.

Buffer size and latency. I set the buffer size as low as possible at 48 samples or whatever. Holy shit! I have never experienced non-existent latency, but I think this will be a game changer. Actually being able to monitor my guitars through the DAW while recording is huge! Really makes things feel and respond extremely differently.

And the most obvious thing I have noticed so far. The mic preamps are absolutely INSANE!!! Got some clips below...one with the Audient and one with the RME. Settings, mic positions, plugins...everything is the same except the interface. To me, there is a VERY clearly noticeable difference between the 2.

So while I do still intend to get the Audient repaired, I will likely just let it go after that.

I am thoroughly impressed. This was worth every penny spent on it, and honestly I should've bought one years ago.



And the whole workstation, currently.



Audient: https://app.box.com/s/179n098vhn32wgsgsxdil7e5ody6i26y
RME: https://app.box.com/s/k4p69sipqxq3u0kqfhpt4t1j0domj3xf

[EndTime]

you were never monitoring your guitar while playing? lol.. You dont need low latency to do that, you monitor from the sound card.. Thats truly no latency..Sounds like this runs pretty low, but still, hardware monitoring is how you'd still want to do it.. I don't know what this total mix is, but it seems like its just the RME mixer.. Which most soundcards have these days.. I like how you already bought the controller.. Not even a half day to get used to it.. My Apiogee has no physical control either, all that is controlled via software, but I always have the mixer "bar" open so it runs oi the side next to my DAW so its not like its difficult to just click and turn down..

Anyway, glad its up and running.. But you also could monitor from the Audient Latency free.. Im kinda shocked to hear you didn't actually hear yourself while playing your trax! Actually kinda explains some things. lol

[TurboPablo]

Glad you are happy with it. RME is known for being rock steady.

[NinjaRaf]

you were never monitoring your guitar while playing? lol.. You dont need low latency to do that, you monitor from the sound card.. Thats truly no latency..Sounds like this runs pretty low, but still, hardware monitoring is how you'd still want to do it.. I don't know what this total mix is, but it seems like its just the RME mixer.. Which most soundcards have these days.. I like how you already bought the controller.. Not even a half day to get used to it.. My Apiogee has no physical control either, all that is controlled via software, but I always have the mixer "bar" open so it runs oi the side next to my DAW so its not like its difficult to just click and turn down..

Anyway, glad its up and running.. But you also could monitor from the Audient Latency free.. Im kinda shocked to hear you didn't actually hear yourself while playing your trax! Actually kinda explains some things. lol

I actually didn't learn about the direct monitoring thing until recently, and even then didn't really use it because the Audient mixer was really difficult to figure out, plus I didn't really care lol. It's also kinda pointless because my cab is in the same room as me, and it's weird to have both the monitoring and the cab at the same time. If my cab was in another room, then yeah, for sure I would. And I used to do it when I had the 212 in the closet, but it was always through the DAW. Not the other way. I also do it when I am tracking real guitars for actual songs, because then I will mute my monitors and listen through the headphones while tracking, but most of the time I am not doing this because I hate wearing headphones lol. But it feels different playing with the latency this low vs what I am used to.

As far as the controller, yeah, I definitely want the physical volume control. If I was just using this machine for recording, I'm sure it would be fine, but I use this thing every day for 8-12 hrs a day. I do everything on it, so for me that is kind of important.

[GuitarBilly]

Yeah man this is awesome!! I had a RME Fireface (on loan) while I was in CA and it was the best interface I've heard. I'm still going to buy one eventually. The Windows drivers are rock solid too (a beef I have with my UAD, great interface but UA does not play went with windows and the driver is clunky AF).


And +1 on the controller. Just an additional $180 and it makes life a lot easier. Kind of a non-brainer. I could make a case that RME should include one with their interfaces since they cost as much as my Chevy Tracker but hey

[EndTime]

you were never monitoring your guitar while playing? lol.. You dont need low latency to do that, you monitor from the sound card.. Thats truly no latency..Sounds like this runs pretty low, but still, hardware monitoring is how you'd still want to do it.. I don't know what this total mix is, but it seems like its just the RME mixer.. Which most soundcards have these days.. I like how you already bought the controller.. Not even a half day to get used to it.. My Apiogee has no physical control either, all that is controlled via software, but I always have the mixer "bar" open so it runs oi the side next to my DAW so its not like its difficult to just click and turn down..

Anyway, glad its up and running.. But you also could monitor from the Audient Latency free.. Im kinda shocked to hear you didn't actually hear yourself while playing your trax! Actually kinda explains some things. lol

I actually didn't learn about the direct monitoring thing until recently, and even then didn't really use it because the Audient mixer was really difficult to figure out, plus I didn't really care lol. It's also kinda pointless because my cab is in the same room as me, and it's weird to have both the monitoring and the cab at the same time. If my cab was in another room, then yeah, for sure I would. And I used to do it when I had the 212 in the closet, but it was always through the DAW. Not the other way. I also do it when I am tracking real guitars for actual songs, because then I will mute my monitors and listen through the headphones while tracking, but most of the time I am not doing this because I hate wearing headphones lol. But it feels different playing with the latency this low vs what I am used to.

As far as the controller, yeah, I definitely want the physical volume control. If I was just using this machine for recording, I'm sure it would be fine, but I use this thing every day for 8-12 hrs a day. I do everything on it, so for me that is kind of important.

Yeah man, just use headphones. Lol. My cabs are in the same room too. As I assume most people home recording are. Unless they go Thru software. So you’re saying you monitor thru your monitors WHILE tracking an amp In the same room? Of course I’ve done it from time to time while in a hurry or simply blowing suMthin out , but definitely hard to hear anything clearly.

Anyway, make use of it, it’s not hard. Cmon. Lol. Just learn it and it’ll make things better and easier in the long run FOR sure.
Cause I know you don’t use a ton of FX but certain plugins, especially mastering plugins, add latency. So while this may run fairly imperceptible on a fresh sessions, I’m sure eventually you’ll be in a situation you want to add some stuff in a more full fledged mix and that software monitoring won’t work great. And imo, and I’d guess most in the know, direct monitoring is always gonna be the way to go over software monitoring.

And all good on the controller, I sorta felt the same way when I got the Apogee, but eventually I don’t even remember I used to have a physical control. And, Altho can’t say for sure, but I’d bet the Total mix has a sorta condensed meat and potatoes type screen that isn’t the full mixer view but just the controls for , IE, the preamps and the master volume etc. So it’s always right there as it could prolly be configured to run along the bottom of the screen or side, which I run mine for example. Besides not being an actual physical knob, it’s just as convenient once you get used to that work flow

[colejustesen]

Hell yeah bro! Welcome to the club! I love my RME interfaces. I have a Babyface Pro FS for mobile stuff and the latency is unreal for USB. I also have in my desktop an HDSPe RayDAT that has incredible speed, like ridiculous levels. I am going to be pulling that as I have an HDSPe MADI FX that I will be installing in place of it, so that I can use my Antelope Audio Orion 32 to its fullest capacity. Their drivers are so freaking amazing and the performance is outstanding.

Cole

[colejustesen]

Also, both those clips are great sounding. The RME is definitely the clearer of the two, and better overall. I am happy for you bro!

Cole

[NinjaRaf]

Thanks Cole! Pretty excited to try it out.

As for the monitoring…I’m saying I typically don’t monitor my guitars at all. I just play to the drums and hear what I recorded after the fact. I do have to turn mastering software off when I’m tracking because it for sure adds a lot of latency. But when I’m tracking for let’s say, these 2 new songs, I’ll use headphones and monitor through the daw with mastering software turned off. Trust me if I left that on, there would be like a whole second delay between the drums and guitars lol. But yeah I usually just throw mics up and record. No guitars in the monitors. Besides that I was trying this on a session with 55 tracks, so I don’t really see it being a problem. And it hasn’t really been much of a problem so far anyway.

I only learned about this direct monitoring thing relatively recently. Like within the last few months. And just haven’t used it. I could use it I guess for these songs but the guitars are done now…and probably by the time we do more songs I’ll forget about it. But I definitely see how it could be useful for tracking anything. I will for sure use it next time we do drums. But for the regular shit I’m doing to post here and stuff, meh. Maybe I will maybe I won’t. The headphones make me sweat like a bitch so I tend to just not wanna do it if it’s just something like that.

[RaceU4her]

Thanks Cole! Pretty excited to try it out.

As for the monitoring…I’m saying I typically don’t monitor my guitars at all. I just play to the drums and hear what I recorded after the fact. I do have to turn mastering software off when I’m tracking because it for sure adds a lot of latency. But when I’m tracking for let’s say, these 2 new songs, I’ll use headphones and monitor through the daw with mastering software turned off. Trust me if I left that on, there would be like a whole second delay between the drums and guitars lol. But yeah I usually just throw mics up and record. No guitars in the monitors. Besides that I was trying this on a session with 55 tracks, so I don’t really see it being a problem. And it hasn’t really been much of a problem so far anyway.

I only learned about this direct monitoring thing relatively recently. Like within the last few months. And just haven’t used it. I could use it I guess for these songs but the guitars are done now…and probably by the time we do more songs I’ll forget about it. But I definitely see how it could be useful for tracking anything. I will for sure use it next time we do drums. But for the regular shit I’m doing to post here and stuff, meh. Maybe I will maybe I won’t. The headphones make me sweat like a bitch so I tend to just not wanna do it if it’s just something like that.

damn thats crazy, my cabs are mic'd in a closet pretty much isolated and i only play through my monitors now. i turn off all my plugins when recording and i have no latency issues at all

[NinjaRaf]

Thanks Cole! Pretty excited to try it out.

As for the monitoring…I’m saying I typically don’t monitor my guitars at all. I just play to the drums and hear what I recorded after the fact. I do have to turn mastering software off when I’m tracking because it for sure adds a lot of latency. But when I’m tracking for let’s say, these 2 new songs, I’ll use headphones and monitor through the daw with mastering software turned off. Trust me if I left that on, there would be like a whole second delay between the drums and guitars lol. But yeah I usually just throw mics up and record. No guitars in the monitors. Besides that I was trying this on a session with 55 tracks, so I don’t really see it being a problem. And it hasn’t really been much of a problem so far anyway.

I only learned about this direct monitoring thing relatively recently. Like within the last few months. And just haven’t used it. I could use it I guess for these songs but the guitars are done now…and probably by the time we do more songs I’ll forget about it. But I definitely see how it could be useful for tracking anything. I will for sure use it next time we do drums. But for the regular shit I’m doing to post here and stuff, meh. Maybe I will maybe I won’t. The headphones make me sweat like a bitch so I tend to just not wanna do it if it’s just something like that.

damn thats crazy, my cabs are mic'd in a closet pretty much isolated and i only play through my monitors now. i turn off all my plugins when recording and i have no latency issues at all

Yeah, I'm not saying I ever really had any issues. But how low this latency is seems kinda crazy.

[ibenhad]

When I bought an RME Fireface that was BLA modded I was sold on higher end interfaces and what a difference they make. People will argue that they don't and converters in the same price range are all the same. I disagree. Great choice man. Also, hell yes their Windows drivers have always been rock solid. Currently using UA and Antelope hardware but will probably move back to RME at some point. Congrats on the move up to high quality interfaces.

[EndTime]

Thanks Cole! Pretty excited to try it out.

As for the monitoring…I’m saying I typically don’t monitor my guitars at all. I just play to the drums and hear what I recorded after the fact. I do have to turn mastering software off when I’m tracking because it for sure adds a lot of latency. But when I’m tracking for let’s say, these 2 new songs, I’ll use headphones and monitor through the daw with mastering software turned off. Trust me if I left that on, there would be like a whole second delay between the drums and guitars lol. But yeah I usually just throw mics up and record. No guitars in the monitors. Besides that I was trying this on a session with 55 tracks, so I don’t really see it being a problem. And it hasn’t really been much of a problem so far anyway.

I only learned about this direct monitoring thing relatively recently. Like within the last few months. And just haven’t used it. I could use it I guess for these songs but the guitars are done now…and probably by the time we do more songs I’ll forget about it. But I definitely see how it could be useful for tracking anything. I will for sure use it next time we do drums. But for the regular shit I’m doing to post here and stuff, meh. Maybe I will maybe I won’t. The headphones make me sweat like a bitch so I tend to just not wanna do it if it’s just something like that.

I mean do whatever you want of course. But it’s not difficult to use direct monitoring. I can’t see how it’s any different really. I don’t see it is any real learning curve. It has other advantages too, but I won’t go on about it, but I guess I’m just puzzled as to why you think it’s so difficult. Besides simply not tryin it and learning it. Lol. It’s easy. Trust me.

[NinjaRaf]

I never said it was difficult. I just never used it and don’t really see the point if I can’t hear the monitored guitar over my cabs. I’m also saying I didn’t even know this was a thing that existed lol.

[NinjaRaf]

When I bought an RME Fireface that was BLA modded I was sold on higher end interfaces and what a difference they make. People will argue that they don't and converters in the same price range are all the same. I disagree. Great choice man. Also, hell yes their Windows drivers have always been rock solid. Currently using UA and Antelope hardware but will probably move back to RME at some point. Congrats on the move up to high quality interfaces.

Thanks dude! I’m hoping to run some real stuff through it tomorrow and really see what it can do.

[ajaxlepinski]

"Actually being able to monitor my guitars through the DAW while recording is huge!"

[NinjaRaf]

Alright, so like I mentioned, I figured I would try the direct monitoring to re-do the guitars on these 2 songs my band has been working on. This does really help with nailing down a mic position. So yeah, for this kinda stuff, I definitely see a use for it. And actually, I think I might use it more often at least to get a mic position that I like vs what I normally do...which is just stuff mics up there and see how it sounds lol. Had to have the headphone volume up pretty loud which wasn't the greatest thing for my ears. I will figure out balancing all this shit out. The RME preamps have a shit ton of gain available, too. They sound best with the gain controls around 1-2 o clock, but by the time I have them there I have to turn my amps volume down too far so it starts losing some punch. I will figure out balancing that out, too. But for now, I just lowered the preamp gains and kept the amp sounding right.

Used my Bauer strat with Duncan Omega in it. Mesa Mark VII on IV mode into my Mesa OS 412. PR30 on a Redback and a Lewitt LCT240 on a V30. The lead parts have some combinations of my Dispatch Master and Walrus Julia on them.

https://app.box.com/s/8250ofz513wstmxk2pgzqjbyo1xupyfb
https://app.box.com/s/3jh3f342msn3kci3u58iftmxuggv6fld

Anyway...here are the clips.

[GuitarBilly]

Sounds awesome man. Definitely an upgrade!!!!