RME UCX11

[Arpangel]

OK, I think you know my position when it comes to RME, but that was some time ago, and I’m getting a lot of stick from my friend and collaborator about getting a new interface, were not getting any younger, life is short, so lets not be silly with all this scrimping and scraping, plus my Berry is starting to give me issues.
All I'm hearing is that RME are fine now, and it would be a good choice, the UCX is fine as fas as I/O goes for me, but theres a couple of things I'm unsure about.
If it doesn’t work like my Berry 1820 I'm not interested, I'd rather stick with the Berry.
Two things, direct/software monitoring, is this on one knob? like the Berry, I turn it one way and I’ve got the computer, the other way and I’ve got the direct sound from my mixer, this is easy, no going into a software mixer.
I know the UCX is class compliant, but do I have to use Total Mix to get it going, or can I use it without ?
Thats it.

[Aled Hughes]

OK, I think you know my position when it comes to RME, but that was some time ago, and I’m getting a lot of stick from my friend and collaborator about getting a new interface, were not getting any younger, life is short, so lets not be silly with all this scrimping and scraping, plus my Berry is starting to give me issues.
All I'm hearing is that RME are fine now, and it would be a good choice, the UCX is fine as fas as I/O goes for me, but theres a couple of things I'm unsure about.
If it doesn’t work like my Berry 1820 I'm not interested, I'd rather stick with the Berry.
Two things, direct/software monitoring, is this on one knob? like the Berry, I turn it one way and I’ve got the computer, the other way and I’ve got the direct sound from my mixer, this is easy, no going into a software mixer.
I know the UCX is class compliant, but do I have to use Total Mix to get it going, or can I use it without ?
Thats it.

No, you’ll have to use Totalmix for any direct monitoring. You can set Totalmix to be ‘set and forget though’ with direct monitoring always enabled for your inputs, just remember to not use input monitoring in Reaper.

[Arpangel]

OK, I think you know my position when it comes to RME, but that was some time ago, and I’m getting a lot of stick from my friend and collaborator about getting a new interface, were not getting any younger, life is short, so lets not be silly with all this scrimping and scraping, plus my Berry is starting to give me issues.
All I'm hearing is that RME are fine now, and it would be a good choice, the UCX is fine as fas as I/O goes for me, but theres a couple of things I'm unsure about.
If it doesn’t work like my Berry 1820 I'm not interested, I'd rather stick with the Berry.
Two things, direct/software monitoring, is this on one knob? like the Berry, I turn it one way and I’ve got the computer, the other way and I’ve got the direct sound from my mixer, this is easy, no going into a software mixer.
I know the UCX is class compliant, but do I have to use Total Mix to get it going, or can I use it without ?
Thats it.

No, you’ll have to use Totalmix for any direct monitoring. You can set Totalmix to be ‘set and forget though’ with direct monitoring always enabled for your inputs, just remember to not use input monitoring in Reaper.

So I have to open Total Mix to enable software or direct monitoring?
This is a major no for me, the way I work I like to always switch from one to another, to hear stuff that isn’t going to the computer, on the Berry it's just a turn of a knob.
I may get used to it, who knows.

[Aled Hughes]

OK, I think you know my position when it comes to RME, but that was some time ago, and I’m getting a lot of stick from my friend and collaborator about getting a new interface, were not getting any younger, life is short, so lets not be silly with all this scrimping and scraping, plus my Berry is starting to give me issues.
All I'm hearing is that RME are fine now, and it would be a good choice, the UCX is fine as fas as I/O goes for me, but theres a couple of things I'm unsure about.
If it doesn’t work like my Berry 1820 I'm not interested, I'd rather stick with the Berry.
Two things, direct/software monitoring, is this on one knob? like the Berry, I turn it one way and I’ve got the computer, the other way and I’ve got the direct sound from my mixer, this is easy, no going into a software mixer.
I know the UCX is class compliant, but do I have to use Total Mix to get it going, or can I use it without ?
Thats it.

No, you’ll have to use Totalmix for any direct monitoring. You can set Totalmix to be ‘set and forget though’ with direct monitoring always enabled for your inputs, just remember to not use input monitoring in Reaper.

So I have to open Total Mix to enable software or direct monitoring?
This is a major no for me, the way I work I like to always switch from one to another, to hear stuff that isn’t going to the computer, on the Berry it's just a turn of a knob.
I may get used to it, who knows.

Interfaces with a blend/direct monitor knob or switch are usually quite limited by design, so if you’re going for a big interface with mire connections, then you’re likely going to have to deal with additional software as that is what gives the flexibility. A DAW with ASIO Direct Monitor can help here from what I understand as it can control your interface software, but I’ve never tried it, and Reaper doesn’t do it.

If it’s just a stereo source that’s nit going to the computer, you can assign inputs on the RME as ‘external inputs’ and immediately switch to that as your monitoring source via a switch on the (optional) ARC controller. Could be handy for you, I don’t know.

It might still work for you to monitors all inputs ‘live’ through Totalmix, as mentioned, and turn input monitoring off in Reaper. All you really lose is the ability to monitor any real-time FX in Reaper.

[Arpangel]

All you really lose is the ability to monitor any real-time FX in Reaper.

Thanks for pointing this out, I think you’ve covered all I need to know.
I need to monitor plug-in's, I use this a lot while practicing before recording.
That's another down side.
The UCX isn’t going to give me any more I/O than I need at the moment, I'm fine with the Berry, the only reason for changing would be an increase in audio quality , but the trade-off's don’t seem to be worth it.

[alexis]

My Steinberg UR28M has built-in "comfort verb" in the cans when using direct monitoring. That feature is very helpful for the vocalists, which is mainly me!

I took a look at the UR28M (on line) yesterday, and couldn't figure out how get comfort verb going with direct monitoring there.

Does anyone here know about that please?

Thank you!

[Wonks]

You'd probably have to have the track you are recording sending out a pre-fader send to a reverb send track, and have the reverb feeding the mix but the recorded track fader right down. You'll get a bit of added pre-delay due to the system latency, but not too much.

[alexis]

Thank you, Wonks!

That's a great point, the worst case is a little pre-delay, at a latency much shorter than I'm used to, I hadn't considered that.

[jimjazzdad]

OK, I think you know my position when it comes to RME, but that was some time ago, and I’m getting a lot of stick from my friend and collaborator about getting a new interface, were not getting any younger, life is short, so lets not be silly with all this scrimping and scraping, plus my Berry is starting to give me issues.
All I'm hearing is that RME are fine now, and it would be a good choice, the UCX is fine as fas as I/O goes for me, but theres a couple of things I'm unsure about.
If it doesn’t work like my Berry 1820 I'm not interested, I'd rather stick with the Berry.
Two things, direct/software monitoring, is this on one knob? like the Berry, I turn it one way and I’ve got the computer, the other way and I’ve got the direct sound from my mixer, this is easy, no going into a software mixer.
I know the UCX is class compliant, but do I have to use Total Mix to get it going, or can I use it without ?
Thats it.

No, you’ll have to use Totalmix for any direct monitoring. You can set Totalmix to be ‘set and forget though’ with direct monitoring always enabled for your inputs, just remember to not use input monitoring in Reaper.

So I have to open Total Mix to enable software or direct monitoring?
This is a major no for me, the way I work I like to always switch from one to another, to hear stuff that isn’t going to the computer, on the Berry it's just a turn of a knob.
I may get used to it, who knows.

In addition to the best drivers and support, incredibly low latency, and transparent, accurate preamps, having TotalMix is a huge plus. After investing a couple of hours to learn the user interface, I discovered its like having a studio console and a patchbay right on your computer. Any physical input, and any software feed, can be directed to any physical output. A variety of submix groupings, EQ and FX sends can be applied to your monitor mix. All the processing power of TotalMix lives in the hardware device, except your FX plugs, which are (of course) stored on your computer. And you can save all your setups and defaults easily. I have have a Babyface that is essentially my one-knob monitor and phones controller. My set up has a template in TotalMix for 10 inputs (using 8ch ADAT into Babyface) and 12 outputs, and a similar template in Reaper. The recording channels in Reaper are unaffected by anything you do in TotalMix and I have used the touchscreen on my laptop to mix a live broadcast or FOH feed while recording every mic simultaneously to Reaper for post production of the concert. Amazing power in my small Babyface; I can only imagine what I could do with a Fireface UCX II...

[Aled Hughes]

All you really lose is the ability to monitor any real-time FX in Reaper.

Thanks for pointing this out, I think you’ve covered all I need to know.
I need to monitor plug-in's, I use this a lot while practicing before recording.
That's another down side.
The UCX isn’t going to give me any more I/O than I need at the moment, I'm fine with the Berry, the only reason for changing would be an increase in audio quality , but the trade-off's don’t seem to be worth it.

This isn't a trade-off - it's true of any direct-monitoring solution on any interface, including your Behringer: if you're using direct monitoring, you're bypassing the DAW and its associated effects.The only thing you won't have on the RME is a hardware direct monitor knob/button (imagine how much space it would take to do that on every input channel...)

If you go for the additional ARC controller with the RME, you could set-up instantly recallable snapshots to switch on direct monitoring on specific channels without having to open TotalMix. It's a much more powerful and versatile system than the Behringer.

So, if you're able to run Reaper at a low enough latency to monitor through it with FX, to what purpose do you need the direct monitoring on the interface?

The only sensible way you're going to get hardware direct monitoring control on every input channel is with a digital desk. Maybe a Behringer X32/Midas M32 or similar is the answer for you?

[Arpangel]

At the moment I use my Berry in stand-alone mode, with the monitor mix knob set to direct, that's when I'm using hardware exclusively to program, get ideas etc. The mix knob allows me to hear all input channels in this case.
When I'm recording, I leave it like this, except for when I want to hear plug-in's while I’m recording.
It's hard to describe, but it's a handy feature, I didn’t have it before on my Motu, and I had to keep diving into the software mixer, which I never really understood, and I've never got to grips with any software mixer to be honest, they scare me to death.

[Jorge]

If you go for the additional ARC controller with the RME, you could set-up instantly recallable snapshots to switch on direct monitoring on specific channels without having to open TotalMix. It's a much more powerful and versatile system than the Behringer.

That sounds like it would solve the problem and improve sound quality, reliability and long term useability of the system. How easy is it to learn to use the RME ARC controller with TotalMix to do what the OP is trying to do?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Tony, buy another Behringer. You don't have the patience or interest in developing a new workflow and the 1820 serves your needs perfectly well. Life is too short...

[Drew Stephenson]

Or rearrange the cellar and buy that 48-track analogue desk you really want.

[Arpangel]

Tony, buy another Behringer. You don't have the patience or interest in developing a new workflow and the 1820 serves your needs perfectly well. Life is too short...

That's sorted that one out, thanks Hugh
An ADA82000 would be good .

Or rearrange the cellar and buy that 48-track analogue desk you really want.

It’s in my bucket.

[ronmac]

Although I completely agree with Hugh’s advice, I feel robbed of the guilty pleasure of reading Tony’s deep dive reporting of getting familiar with Totalmix.

[alexis]

[

I can't edit an old post of mine, 02/25/2024 at 0716 local time ... I made a bad typo, I meant to ask how to get comfort verb in the cans while tracking while using an RME UCX II, not a Steinberg UR28M.

I think the answer to the question I meant to ask may be here:
https://youtu.be/q647JUtop1A?si=Zkn-4h4 ... R&t=11m30s

I actually know how to do it in the UR28M, since I own that interface and use comfort verb in the cans during direct monitoring all the time: it is one of a few built-in effects one can select.

(Mr. Wonks, I appreciate your very kind and indeed helpful response in that prior post, even if it was triggered by my sloppy typing/error - apologies to you, sir!)

[Aled Hughes]

[

I can't edit an old post of mine, 02/25/2024 at 0716 local time ... I made a bad typo, I meant to ask how to get comfort verb in the cans while tracking while using an RME UCX II, not a Steinberg UR28M.

I think the answer to the question I meant to ask may be here:
https://youtu.be/q647JUtop1A?si=Zkn-4h4 ... R&t=11m30s

I actually know how to do it in the UR28M, since I own that interface and use comfort verb in the cans during direct monitoring all the time: it is one of a few built-in effects one can select.

(Mr. Wonks, I appreciate your very kind and indeed helpful response in that prior post, even if it was triggered by my sloppy typing/error - apologies to you, sir!)

Essentially it works like analogue mixer routing - enable the reverb engine, then send to it from whichever input channels you want (the small sliders on the input channels). Make sure the FX returns are turned up on the required outputs (the small sliders on the output channels)

[Arpangel]

Although I completely agree with Hugh’s advice, I feel robbed of the guilty pleasure of reading Tony’s deep dive reporting of getting familiar with Totalmix.

Look, I’m already on Co-Codomol and Naproxen, I don’t need any more medication.

[ronmac]

All jokes aside... Totalmix is something I know I can't live without.

I currently use a BabyFace Pro in my modest studio setup and have been researching, demoing and dreaming about an "upgrade", primarily to increase my channel count. Although I already feed the BF with an 8 channel ADAT pre, 2 external preamps via Line In to supplement the 2 in-built mic pres.

My goal is to simplify my setup to, ideally, 1 box that gives me at least 6 channels in and can be field powered by 12VDC. Another "nice to have" is 2 individually mixed headphone outputs. Other than the HP outs, the UCXii hits the mark.

Every product I have tried that doesn't have Totalmix, and just as important to me DigiCheck metering, lasts about an hour on my desk.

Totalmix gets a bad rap as being too complicated and unintuitive to operate. Having used digital mixing desks for a couple of decades, I find the workflow to be very familiar.

Anytime I have tutored a TM newbie it takes about 5 minutes to get them from "I hate it" to "Wow, this is very powerful, and not so bad after all".

Tony, if you can understand the routing of complex synth setups, and then manage to get a useable sound from any of them (something I am dreadful at), Totalmix is well within your ability to harness.

[The Elf]

All jokes aside... Totalmix is something I know I can't live without.
...

Totalmix gets a bad rap as being too complicated and unintuitive to operate. Having used digital mixing desks for a couple of decades, I find the workflow to be very familiar.

Anytime I have tutored a TM newbie it takes about 5 minutes to get them from "I hate it" to "Wow, this is very powerful, and not so bad after all".

+1 x 3

TotalMix is visually intimidating, and what it is presenting is not obvious. But once you grasp what it's doing (and there's not much to learn) the fear fades and the realisation of what you have begins to dawn.

But unfortunately I have to agree with Hugh...