An overview of RME’s latest USB bus-powered audio interface.
The Digiface AES is the latest professional, 30-channel audio interface from pro audio manufacturer RME. The newest addition to the Digiface series of interfaces, the Digiface AES is a versatile half-rack device with a focus on digital connectivity. Alongside analogue input channels and XLR outputs, the Digiface AES features AES, SPDIF and ADAT digital I/O.
The Digiface AES was designed at the request of a large German broadcaster, who required a desktop device that allowed editors to connect any computer with other AES-3 equipment in a facility. RME’s history and experience in creating feature-packed half-rack devices means that the Digiface AES is an ideal audio interface for home studios and smaller recording setups, as well as for use as a portable recording solution or format converter.
Watch our overview video for a quick introduction to RME’s latest addition to their audio interface range or read on for more information.
RME Digiface AES Overview – 30-Channel, Bus-Powered USB Interface With Digital Connectivity and SRC
See more videos at Synthax TV
Front Panel
The Digiface AES features the same front panel design as the popular Fireface UCX II. Two Mic/Line combi XLR inputs are available. Both digitally controlled preamps feature individually switchable 48V phantom power, as well as a 75dB gain range. Alongside the analogue inputs is a stereo headphone output for monitoring, which can also be used as an unbalanced stereo output.
The front panel control is based around the same intuitive design as the UCX II, with the same functionality on offer. Four buttons and a pushable encoder make it quick and simple to adjust nearly anything within the interface. Everything from Gains and Phantom Power to the built-in Parametric EQ can be controlled using the front panel.
The Digiface AES is a class-compliant interface, meaning it can also be used with for recording with an Apple iPad, whilst the front panel enables control of the device when operating in standalone mode.
Back Panel
The Digiface AES was designed primarily with AES/EBU in mind, but the device’s uses extend far beyond one format. AES-3 I/O is available on XLR connectors for straightforward integration into an existing AES-3 setup, or as a front-end interface for studio monitors that feature AES inputs, such as Dynaudio’s Core Series.
Alongside stereo AES, there is ADAT I/O for an additional eight channels of digital audio in or out of the interface. The optical ADAT ports can also be used for SPDIF, whilst coaxial SPDIF I/O add a further option to the Digiface AES’s already impressive offering.
All three formats can be used simultaneously, offering 12 digital inputs and 12 digital outputs to and from a wide range of studio and production gear. What’s more, the Digiface AES features an integrated Sample Rate Converter which can be switched to one of the three digital inputs to solve clocking issues and adapt to other sample rates.
Connection to a computer or laptop is made through the USB connection, which also provides power to the Digiface AES. Bus-power makes the Digiface AES an incredibly capable portable recording solution. The Digiface AES also ships with an included external DC-power supply for use in stand-alone operation, or as a secondary fail-safe against any potential computer failures.
For connecting studio monitors, a pair of XLR outputs are also available, as well as MIDI I/O via an included breakout cable.
SteadyClock FS
When working with digital audio, reliable clocking is essential, improving the sound quality and timing. Like all of RME’s latest generation of pro audio solutions, the Digiface AES features SteadyClock FS, RME’s proprietary digital clocking technology. Based on a femtosecond clock, SteadyClock FS reduces the intrinsic jitter when converting from and to analogue over all digital formats to a new all-time low.
Learn more about SteadyClock FS
TotalMix FX – Total control from a PC, Mac, iOS or Network.
The Digiface AES benefits from full front panel control, making it easy to make adjustments to parameters like gain and levels on the fly. When paired with a PC or Mac, the Digiface AES benefits from TotalMix FX, an incredibly powerful routing and mixing software. TotalMix FX is powered by an FPGA-chip within the Digiface AES and runs entirely DSP-based with a software counterpart, This takes some of the heavy lifting when it comes to computer processing and is also the foundation for RME’s incredible zero-latency monitoring.
The software mixer allows users near-limitless routing possibilities, with any input available for routing to any output. It’s possible to create submixes for every physical output too, meaning that each individual output can contain a different mix of sources.
TotalMix FX and the Digiface AES also benefit from a parametric EQ, which helps improves the monitoring experience, as well as offer quick tonal correction to recordings.
TotalMix FX also features a comprehensive Control Room section with shortcuts to commonly used commands like Mono, Monitor Dim and Level Recall, as well as speaker switching and Talkback.
For Class-Compliant usage, the Digiface AES can be paired with an iPad and the TotalMix for iPad app. With the same powerful routing capabilities as the desktop application, the TotalMix for iPad lets users create, store, and load complete mixes directly from the iPad.
Finally, TotalMix Remote provides network control, enabling the Digiface AES to be controlled from any Mac or PC on the same network.
New to TotalMix FX? Check out RME’s guide to TotalMix FX for Beginners
RME ARC USB – Advanced Remote Control
With near limitless routing and mixing capabilities offered by TotalMix FX, the rapid tactile control offered by RME’s ARC USB could become an invaluable addition to your studio workflow.
The ARC USB, short for Advanced Remote Control, brings hands-on control to TotalMix. Twelve user definable buttons can be assigned to a range of different functions, including mixing snapshots, layouts and channel groups.
The ARC USB also serves as a dedicated monitor controller, with a large encoder for quick level adjustments, as well as buttons for speaker switching, Talkback and Dim.
Check out our YouTube tutorial playlist for controlling TotalMix FX with the RME ARC USB.
Find out more about the RME ARC USB (Advanced Remote Control)
RME Digiface AES – The swiss-army-knife Interface
RME have long been known for creating well-connected devices that are capable of sliding seamlessly into existing setups or effortlessly forming the bridge between different formats. The Digiface AES is no exception.
With its excellent set of digital connectivity, SteadyClock FS, full stand-alone operation, and built-in parametric EQ, the Digiface AES shines as the perfect all-in-one solution for recording and playback of digital and analogue sources, as well as flexible playback/monitoring via TotalMix FX.