simeon
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RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my Audio/MIDI interface and looking at a few options.
Are there any of you who have any experience with the Babyface Pro or have any suggestions at a low latency high performance interface?
I also looked at the UAD Apollo Twin but in order to use it between platforms I would have to upgrade my motherboard to a USB C compatible as well as find a good MIDI interface and that started getting very expensive ;^)
Thanks for the help.
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Amicus717
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/11 11:09:58
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I have the original Babyface, which is a few years older, and it's the best interface I've ever owned. Rugged build, with drivers that are exceptionally stable and efficient. The sound is very clean and detailed.
I've heard nothing but good things about the Babyface Pro -- it is apparently a genuine improvement on the original, with new features, updated electronics, and a better designed chassis.
You really can't go wrong buying an RME interface, IMHO, regardless of which one.
Sonar Platinum, Windows 10 Pro 64, Core i7-5820K Haswell-E CPU, 32GB DDR4 RAM, RME Babyface, Adam F7 monitors, Mackie MCU
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batsbrew
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/11 11:48:21
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☄ Helpfulby simeon 2016/11/12 18:52:00
simeon
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my Audio/MIDI interface and looking at a few options.
Are there any of you who have any experience with the Babyface Pro or have any suggestions at a low latency high performance interface?
bought one about 2 months ago, paid $600 new for it. awesome unit. i plugged it into my old win xp daw running sonar 6, didn't even load the drivers, works like a charm. i only have 2 gig of ram. but my mixes usually have a lot of plugs, mostly in my sub busses, which i usually have at least 10 of. but as far as connectivity and the usefulness of the totalmix software for doing latency free recording, it works like a charm. super clean transparent preamps, they offer zero color. what you put in, is what you get out. the headphone outs rock. it sits right on top of the desk, and i haven't plugged a mic cable into any of my rack mounted stuff since i've had it.
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AT
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/11 11:49:28
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☄ Helpfulby simeon 2016/11/12 18:51:42
The babyface is a pro unit and if you can't get a good sound through it the fault isn't the hardware. While the pres won't make you want to sell your Neve etc., conversion is great and the drivers are top of the class. As a mid-level recording unit it has everything you could want although it is expensive compared to the competition. The TASCAM UH-7000 is at least as good in conversion and has better pres from my memory, plus costs less, but you won't get such low latency.
RME is the whole enchilada for the project studio.
https://soundcloud.com/a-pleasure-dome
http://www.bnoir-film.com/ there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the Lord. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/12 12:02:09
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☄ Helpfulby simeon 2016/11/12 18:51:25
simeon
Hello,
I am looking to upgrade my Audio/MIDI interface and looking at a few options.
Are there any of you who have any experience with the Babyface Pro or have any suggestions at a low latency high performance interface?
I also looked at the UAD Apollo Twin but in order to use it between platforms I would have to upgrade my motherboard to a USB C compatible as well as find a good MIDI interface and that started getting very expensive ;^)
Thanks for the help.
Hi Simeon, RME is the best low latency performance you'll find in a USB audio interface. At a 48-sample ASIO buffer size 48k, total round-trip latency is 4ms. If your computer can keep up with the load, you can run audio glitch-free at this setting. If you're talking about running a Thunderbolt version of the Apollo Twin, I don't believe UA have released "PCIe via Thunderbolt" drivers for Windows. IOW, It wouldn't work (unless you happen to be a beta-tester).  MOTU is still the only company with "PCIe via Thunderbolt" drivers actually available for Windows (for their AVB series).
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simeon
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/12 18:51:08
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Jim Roseberry
Hi Simeon,
RME is the best low latency performance you'll find in a USB audio interface.
At a 48-sample ASIO buffer size 48k, total round-trip latency is 4ms.
If your computer can keep up with the load, you can run audio glitch-free at this setting.
If you're talking about running a Thunderbolt version of the Apollo Twin, I don't believe UA have released "PCIe via Thunderbolt" drivers for Windows. IOW, It wouldn't work (unless you happen to be a beta-tester).
MOTU is still the only company with "PCIe via Thunderbolt" drivers actually available for Windows (for their AVB series).
The newest version of the UAD Apollo drivers will support the Apollo Twin but you must have a motherboard that supports the latest USB C and use a USB C to Thunderbolt adapter. I think by the time I would need to upgrade my motherboard and possibly processor and separate MIDI interface I would probably be better off looking at the Babyface Pro. Thanks everyone!
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JohnEgan
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/13 09:56:51
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☄ Helpfulby emeraldsoul 2016/11/13 11:10:07
No issues with hardware functionality and features with RME (UFX, at least) aside from cost. My only issue with RME once you understand their operational logic, is the limited, non-dynamic scale-ability of their TotalMix software mixer GUI, namely inability to fit to screen, or dynamically resize, there's only 3 choices, too small (for me at least) and in a limited window size, too large going outside of screen area and not able access anything outside of screen area, nor move into view, (no matter what the screen size), or a somewhat less than ideal in-between within a limited window size, you have to learn to adapt to and make due with, although you can scroll consoles left and right horizontally, (I don't think Goldilocks would find any of these choices "just right", LOL). Particularly annoying if using interface as a "live" mixing console with extended ADAT inputs and several outputs. Sadly, they don't seem to have any intentions on improving this.
However, using limited inputs and outputs, as may be the case with Babyface, and/or working mostly in Sonar screen, after setting mixer I/O levels, and having proper eyesight this may not be an issue.
Cheers
John Egan Sonar Platinum (2017-10),RME-UFX, PC-CPU - i7-5820, 3.3 GHz, 6 core, ASUS X99-AII, 16GB ram, GTX 960, 500 GB SSD, 2TB HDD x 2, Win7 Pro x64, O8N2 Advanced, Melodyne Studio,.... (2 cats :(, in the yard).
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batsbrew
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/13 12:51:25
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not an issue for me.
and i'm half blind!
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JohnEgan
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/13 15:26:10
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batsbrew
not an issue for me.
and i'm half blind!
Wish I could say the same, to both, LOL
John Egan Sonar Platinum (2017-10),RME-UFX, PC-CPU - i7-5820, 3.3 GHz, 6 core, ASUS X99-AII, 16GB ram, GTX 960, 500 GB SSD, 2TB HDD x 2, Win7 Pro x64, O8N2 Advanced, Melodyne Studio,.... (2 cats :(, in the yard).
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rj davis
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/13 18:54:26
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Bought a Babyface Pro a few weeks ago to go with my new Studio Cat DAW, on Jim's recommendation. It is bulletproof and sounds GREAT. (Works great with Jim's DAW as well.) No issues, no problems, no complaints. The report about the limited choices for display of the software interface is accurate, but after about 30 minutes I found an arrangement that worked for me, and haven't touched it since. It IS more expensive than other options, but those options aren't truly competitors to this superb pro unit.
Ron Windows 10 Sonar Platinum i7-5700K 4.0 GHz StudioCat ProStudio (monster) RME Babyface Pro Mackie MCU Pro Neumann TLM49 Too many guitars...
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Kev999
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/13 20:25:40
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I was in the market for an new interface earlier this year, but the RME Babyface Pro was one that I immediately crossed off my list without investigating it properly. I was put off by the lack of physical controls.
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batsbrew
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/13 21:06:44
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the entire top surface of the thing is a stand alone control.
if i were you,
i'd revisit it
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 09:34:52
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Kev999
I was in the market for an new interface earlier this year, but the RME Babyface Pro was one that I immediately crossed off my list without investigating it properly. I was put off by the lack of physical controls.
The spartan top is a bit misleading. All the things you'd quickly want to adjust are there (including the alpha dial for volume adjustments/etc). Other settings are easy to adjust via TotalMix. FWIW, Other than volume, I never touch the front of my Fireface UFX. All other settings are quicker/easier to adjust via TotalMix.
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timidi
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 12:31:02
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Jim Roseberry
FWIW, Other than volume, I never touch the front of my Fireface UFX.
All other settings are quicker/easier to adjust via TotalMix.
Curious Jim, Do you use the USB to interface your DAW or ADAT, firewire? Thanks
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 13:16:24
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timidi
Curious Jim, Do you use the USB to interface your DAW or ADAT, firewire?
Thanks
I use USB-2 to connect the Fireface UFX. It performs extremely well. Most of the time, it's set at a 48-sample ASIO buffer size (unless I'm mixing a more dense project).
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timidi
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 13:39:23
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tlw
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 14:24:24
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Like Jim the only controls I touch on my UFX are master volume and on/off. And I use totalmix to adjust the master volume probably more often than I use the knob. The only control RME interfaces really need is the on/off switch, everything else is easily - and better - controlled in the software whether the platform is MacOS, Windows or iOS.
I'm running my UFX into USB3 or a firewire/Thunderbolt adaptor on Mac, and before my PC decided to go poorly used it with USB2 and 3 on the PC. All work equally well. I've never used firewire on a PC, it's always struck me as too much hard work to get it right and something of a gamble with firewiree chipsets on top of that so can't comment about Windows/firewire.
Sonar Platinum 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro 64bit, I7 3770K Ivybridge, 16GB Ram, Gigabyte Z77-D3H m/board, ATI 7750 graphics+ 1GB RAM, 2xIntel 520 series 220GB SSDs, 1 TB Samsung F3 + 1 TB WD HDDs, Seasonic fanless 460W psu, RME Fireface UFX, Focusrite Octopre. Assorted real synths, guitars, mandolins, diatonic accordions, percussion, fx and other stuff.
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Kev999
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 16:35:40
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Jim Roseberry
Kev999
I was in the market for an new interface earlier this year, but the RME Babyface Pro was one that I immediately crossed off my list without investigating it properly. I was put off by the lack of physical controls.
...All the things you'd quickly want to adjust are there (including the alpha dial for volume adjustments/etc).
Other settings are easy to adjust via TotalMix...
I'm guessing that: - Very little of the basic functionality of the unit is controllable without launching the software first.
- The big rotary control has several different functions depending on context.
If so then it's definitely not for me.
SonarPlatinum∞(22.11.0.111)|Mixbus32C(4.3.19)|DigitalPerformer(9.5.1)|Reaper(5.77)FractalDesign:DefineR5|i7-6850k@4.1GHz|16GB@2666MHz-DDR4|MSI:GamingProCarbonX99a|Matrox:M9148(x2)|UAD2solo(6.5.2)|W7Ult-x64-SP1
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batsbrew
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 17:03:52
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Kev999
Jim Roseberry
Kev999
I was in the market for an new interface earlier this year, but the RME Babyface Pro was one that I immediately crossed off my list without investigating it properly. I was put off by the lack of physical controls.
...All the things you'd quickly want to adjust are there (including the alpha dial for volume adjustments/etc).
Other settings are easy to adjust via TotalMix...
I'm guessing that:
- Very little of the basic functionality of the unit is controllable without launching the software first.
- The big rotary control has several different functions depending on context.
If so then it's definitely not for me.
no, that'd be an incomplete assumption. why not just go directly to the RME site and look at the product data. you are missing............... a lot.
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Westside Steve Simmons
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/14 17:51:36
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For what it's worth my Sweetwater salesman wanted me to buy that one. It's a little pricey for my needs (plus I don't need the preamp I have a focusrite ISA one)and I want up with an Audient but others have said those RM3 drivers are top-of-the-line.
WSS
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Kev999
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/15 00:30:17
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batsbrew
Kev999
Jim Roseberry
Kev999
I was in the market for an new interface earlier this year, but the RME Babyface Pro was one that I immediately crossed off my list without investigating it properly. I was put off by the lack of physical controls.
...All the things you'd quickly want to adjust are there (including the alpha dial for volume adjustments/etc).
Other settings are easy to adjust via TotalMix...
I'm guessing that:
- Very little of the basic functionality of the unit is controllable without launching the software first.
- The big rotary control has several different functions depending on context.
If so then it's definitely not for me.
no, that'd be an incomplete assumption.
why not just go directly to the RME site and look at the product data.
you are missing............... a lot.
I can only see one single rotary control. It looks to me like it's been designed for compactness rather than user-friendliness. I don't doubt the quality though. I'm sure it's a great choice for those users who can be bothered with the faffy operation.
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gswitz
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/15 07:49:56
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@kev
Man, I love my UCX. Coupled with my Audient eight channel converter it is a sixteen channel powerhouse with stackable FX using loopback that are zero latency imo.
Dude, Noel uses an RME.
RME comes with TotalMix and DigiCheck software. Check out some of my videos.
The user manual is a novel but there is a reason... It is awesome.
It may be more than you need or less. It is hard to say.
Did you know you can use three at a time on one computer? That adds up to 54 channels in and 54 channels out at once. So, if you have a friend with one, you and she can get together to become a world class studio.
Anyway, there is a reason so many of us use RME. There are alternatives as well... like my Audient, but to get the bad Audient firmware updated I had to ship it to New Mexico. To install the latest firmware on the RME, I just run the exe.
I love the auto level. I love the effects.
StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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batsbrew
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/16 16:43:39
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the interface on top of the babyface pro is so easy to use,
a child could learn it.
it's really well thought out.
go look at the rme website, like i suggested before...
so you can learn what the unit actually does.
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Kev999
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/17 01:22:25
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batsbrew
the interface on top of the babyface pro is so easy to use,
a child could learn it.
it's really well thought out.
go look at the rme website, like i suggested before...
so you can learn what the unit actually does.
I like what it does but hate the minimalist design. I prefer separate controls for main out, headphones and input levels.
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/17 09:38:57
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Kev999
Jim Roseberry
Kev999
I was in the market for an new interface earlier this year, but the RME Babyface Pro was one that I immediately crossed off my list without investigating it properly. I was put off by the lack of physical controls.
...All the things you'd quickly want to adjust are there (including the alpha dial for volume adjustments/etc).
Other settings are easy to adjust via TotalMix...
I'm guessing that:
- Very little of the basic functionality of the unit is controllable without launching the software first.
- The big rotary control has several different functions depending on context.
If so then it's definitely not for me.
You can easily control these things from the Baby Face hardware (software connection no necessary): - "Master" monitor volume
- Monitor dim
- headphone volume
- mic pre-amp levels
- Monitor dim
Most anything you'd want to quickly grab is right there. It's a well thought out product.
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/17 09:41:35
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Thought a close-up pic might help. 
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Kev999
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/17 15:02:21
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The recessed rotary requires single-finger operation rather than finger & thumb. This, along with the low-relief bottons makes its operation too much like a touch-screen for my liking. This design makes total sense if it's intended to be a portable device though.
SonarPlatinum∞(22.11.0.111)|Mixbus32C(4.3.19)|DigitalPerformer(9.5.1)|Reaper(5.77)FractalDesign:DefineR5|i7-6850k@4.1GHz|16GB@2666MHz-DDR4|MSI:GamingProCarbonX99a|Matrox:M9148(x2)|UAD2solo(6.5.2)|W7Ult-x64-SP1
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/17 15:56:37
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FWIW, I often used my thumb and ring fingers together to rotate the dial in small increments.
It's stepped...
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gswitz
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Re: RME Babyface Pro any thoughts
2016/11/17 16:00:13
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The RME UCX dial also moves in tiny stepped increments. The Gain can be adjusted within half dB steps.
StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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