RME Fireface 800 vs Babyface/Digiface plus Behringer ADA8200

[markmisrule]

Hello everyone.

I'd love some advice please.

After some months of not recording anything, I set up my equipment again, only to find that my old (Focusrite) interface no longer works with my Macbook, as Focusrite aren't writing new drivers for it. It is too long and dangerous a process for me to downgrade osx, Logic and Ableton, so I need a replacement interface.

I want to go with a company that makes quality gear and that keeps their drivers updated, and so I am looking at RME.
I can't afford new, so am buying secondhand (in France).
I need a minimum of 5 analogue inputs, so I am looking at either:

1. an RME Fireface 800 (about 450 €)
2. an RME Babyface (about 200 €) plus new Behringer ADA8200 (175 €)
or
3. an RME Digiface USB (also about 200 €) plus the Behringer ADA8200

Looking forward to hearing your opinions!

All the best
Mark

[Wonks]

Fr sound quality, RME's preamps, A/D and D/A conversion will be much better than the Behringer

See where the AD8200 comes in Hugh's list of interfaces he's tested.

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 0&start=18

The downside of the Fireface is that it's Firewire, and whilst it's still a working option on most Macs with a Firewire port or the ability to host a Firewire card, there may be a time soon when it simply won't work.

I'm still happily using my Firewire MOTU Traveller (on a PC), but I'm aware it's working days may be numbered.

I really don't know what else to suggest (as I haven't been looking), apart from any interface using USB 2 as there should be quite a few of those. MOTU are good at providing long term support, so I'd suggest seeing what's available used from them.

[The Elf]

If your current computer has Firewire, and you don't mind the likelihood that your next computer will not, then a FF800 would be a good choice. One of the newer FFs, with USB, rather than FW, would be a more future-proof purchase, but the prices will reflect this.

There's nothing wring with the ADA8200, as long as your expectations are realistic. I use an ADA8000 and ADA8200 at one of the studios I work in, and for drum recording they do a good enough job.

[Mixedup]

I'd suggest not going for the FF800, since FW is pretty much dead now — RME can't develop the drivers if the OS won't support it, and soon none of them will. I had one for years. It was brilliant. I loved it. But it does not play nicely with my MacBook Pro 2018, so I retired it. That's why they're cheap at present. If you can afford an RME interface with USB, I'd definitely recommend it...

BUT... as you say you're on a budget, what Focusrite interface do you already have? If it's eg. a Saffire Pro 40 or Liquid Saffire 56 or something like that, it should be capable of running as a standalone converter (though you might need a compatible computer to set it up that way in the first place). In that case, you'd only need to buy an ADAT interface to hook it up to your computer. Eg the RME Digiface USB. You might be better off with a dedicated converter, with more hardware controls, but it should work.

[James Perrett]

I'm a big fan of keeping the interface all digital and using separate convertors. Currently I use an Audient ASP008 and a Focusrite Saffire Pro26io in standalone mode with a Digiface USB which works well. I tend to use it at 96kHz sampling rate but, if I want more channels at a lower sampling rate, I can add a Behringer ADA8000 and maybe an old ADAT machine to give 32 channels.

My thinking is that the interface will be outdated before the preamps/convertors although, given RME's legendary long term support, I'm not sure whether that will really be the case.

[Norman Cole]

Just so you know, I thought my Saffire Pro40 became a boat anchor after I update to IOS Monterey. I could not get the firewire recognized. Went on a chat at Focusrite web site and they walked me thru it. I am up and running again for awhile yet with firewire. There is just a couple more steps then installing a driver on the Macs.
Hope this helps
Cole's Garage

[jimjazzdad]

I use a Babyface (the original, not the Pro) and the preamps are very clean and neutral. Needless to say, the drivers are bulletproof. When I need more channels, I add a Presonus DigiMax FS 8 ch ADAT. This gives me 10 channel capability at 48 k and 6 channel at 96 k. I purchased all this gear used for < CDN$600. You can't go wrong with RME.

[markmisrule]

Wow!
Thanks so much to all of you for your replies. I’m overwhelmed with how helpful you all are. Merci énormément !

I have a Firewire to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, which seems to work fine. Am I wrong in thinking that this will continue to work with a Firewire interface? I also have a Thunderbolt 2 - Thunderbolt 3 adapter should I need it.

Thanks for setting me straight about the Behringer ADA8200. I can see that I’d be much better off with RME, Motu or Presonus. There is a Presonus DigiMax FS 8 ch for sale for 120 €, so I may go for that and a secondhand Babyface or Digiface USB.

My first port of call will be Norman’s suggestion of contacting Focusrite.

I’ll let you know how I get on with all of this, and I may well be back here asking for tips on how to hook it all up together as I am yet to fiddle with anything ADAT.

Have a beautiful weekend y’all.

[Mixedup]

Search the RME forums before buying an FF800 for use with TB3 Macs. Last I checked, running through the two TB adapters was possible but only at the cost of significant CPU. They worked fine with the now-out-of-production 13-port OWC docks which had a FW800 output, but no current TB3 docks offer that. This is, ultimately, what prompted me to move to an RME MADIFace USB system. I don't regret the move.