RME Babyface Pro FS USB Audio Interface

Get RME's high-end A/D conversion and ultra-stable SteadyClock FS clocking in a desktop USB interface. The Babyface Pro FS handles up to 12 channels of I/O.

$999.00

  • 18 x  
  • 12 x  
    $83.25
  • 8 x  
    $124.88
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    6 x  
    $166.50
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    4 x  
    $249.75

RME Babyface USB 2.0 Audio Interface

No longer available at zZounds
This slick desktop interface gives you 2 high-end XLR mic preamps, a hi-Z instrument input, 192 kHz AD/DA conversion, MIDI I/O, LED metering and more.

About the size of your palm, the portable RME Babyface USB 2.0 audio interface is truly grab and go, offering extensive I/O via its breakout cable. The 10-in/12-out desktop interface boasts an analog circuit design highlighted by 192 kHz A/D and D/A converters, 2 reference-class microphone preamps, integrated MIDI I/O, LED metering, low-latency USB performance, and much more. As it won't take up much real estate on your desk or in your bag, the RME Babyface is an excellent addition to any setup. A smaller sibling to RME's famous Fireface line of interfaces, this Baby connects to your computer via USB.

Analog Design Meets Digital Convenience

Thanks to RME's analog circuit design, the balanced XLR ins and outs and the TRS headphones outputs on the Babyface are made to deliver superior low noise and low distortion. The audio interface's A/D/D/A converters provide sample rates up to 192 kHz with a dynamic range of up to 115 dBA, while jitter reduction and SteadyClock supply pristine sound quality, whether clocking to an external digital source or the Babyface.

High-End Mic Pres

With two digitally controlled XLR mic preamps with individually switchable +48V phantom power onboard, the Babyface is one portable audio interface you can rely on to deliver outstanding stereo recordings. (Well, if your recordings are less than optimal, don't blame the gear!) The mic pres offer up to 60 dB of gain, adjustable in steps of 3 dB over a range of 51 dB; exceptional EIN performance even read more at low amplification settings; and low total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) values for accurate sound reproduction. You can recall all level settings in the setup software, as well as adjust all settings directly on the unit.

Digital I/O

Rounding out the interface's many I/O options, the Babyface includes an optical TOSLINK I/O, usable as ADAT port with SMUX support or SPDIF optical at up to 192 kHz resolution. When used in combination with an outboard ADAT converter, the Babyface provides a total of 10 analog input and 12 output channels!

High Five for Hi-Z

One of the features that makes the Babyface such a great desktop interface is its built-in Hi-Z 1/4" input. Recording your guitar or bass is as easy as plugging in your instrument cable to the side of this Baby and switching to Hi-Z input mode. Likewise, integrated MIDI I/O gives you the freedom to use the Babyface with any MIDI-equipped instrument.

Headphones Output

For headphone monitoring, the Babyface sports an additional headphone output, which is driven from a separate D/A converter and is available not only directly at the unit but also at the breakout cable. Plug in and enjoy high-quality audio. You can easily adjust and control the phones level by clicking the select button and tweaking the large main volume knob.

Simple, Straightforward Control

Operate all major functions with just one hand -- the Babyface's efficient layout includes just one main control knob and two single buttons, providing direct hands-on control for all tasks, from volume control and reference volume store and recall to volume dim, input selection/switching, and input gain control.

A quick glance at the Babyface is all you need to see what's going on with the unit. Helpful LED bars serve as both level and gain meters, giving you visual indication of all inputs, outputs, and headphone levels directly on the interface.

Features:

- Portable 10x2 USB audio interface
- Compatible with both Mac and PC computers
- 2 Analog inputs/4 Analog outputs
- 1 ADAT I/O or 1 SPDIF I/O optical
- 1 MIDI I/O via breakout cable (2 x 5-pin DIN jacks), for 16 channels low jitter hi-speed MIDI
- 1 USB 2.0
- 192 kHz A/D/D/A conversion
- 2 High-quality XLR mic preamps with phantom power and digitally controlled gain
- Hi-Z input available on 1 channel for recording guitars or other high-impedance sources
- TotalMix FX (with EQ, Reverb, Echo)
- 1 Headphones output (separate DA conversion)
- Ultra low latency
- Simple to use interface with 2 main control knob and 2 buttons
- LED metering for visual tracking
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- Input AD: 2 x XLR (2 x Mic/Line), servo-balanced.
- Output DA (Main, 2 Channels): 2 x XLR, servo-balanced
- Output DA (Phones, 2 Channels): 2 x 1/4" TRS (Stereo), unbalanced (on breakout cable and interface)
- Input Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical
- Output Digital: 1 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical
- MIDI: 1 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable (2 x 5-pin DIN jacks), for 16 channels low jitter hi-speed MIDI
- Dynamic range AD: 108 dB RMS unweighted, 111 dBA
- THD AD: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)
- THD+N AD: < -98 dB (< 0.0012 %)
- Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB
- Dynamic range DA: 112 dB RMS unweighted, 115 dBA
- THD DA: < -104 dB (< 0.00063%)
- THD+N DA: < -100 dB (< 0.001%)
- Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB
- Maximum Input Level for 0 dBFS: +12 dBu
- Maximum Output Level @ 0 dBFS Line: +15 dBu
- Maximum Output Level @ 0 dBFS Phones: +8 dBu
- Sample rate internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4, 192 kHz
- Sample rate externally: 28 kHz - 200 kHz
- Frequency response AD, -0.5 dB: 50 Hz - 20.9 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz)
- Frequency response AD, -0.5 dB: 50 Hz - 45.3 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
- Frequency response AD, -1 dB: 30 Hz - 90 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
- Frequency response DA, -0.5 dB: 10 Hz - 22 kHz (sf 44.1 kHz)
- Frequency response DA, -0.5 dB: 10 Hz - 45 kHz (sf 96 kHz)
- Frequency response DA, -1 dB: 5 Hz - 80 kHz (sf 192 kHz)
- Jitter: Typical < 1 ns for internal, ADAT in
- Jitter suppression: >30 dB (2.4 kHz)
- Jitter sensitivity: PLL operates error-free even at 100 ns

- Driver support
- - Windows 7 / Vista / XP SP2 (32 & 64 bit)
- - Apple Mac OS X 10.5 or up (Core Audio)

- 10 Input / 12 Output channels
- 2 x Analog Input
- 4 x Analog Output
- 1 x ADAT I/O or 1 x SPDIF I/O optical
- 1 x MIDI I/O
- 1 x USB 2.0
- 2 x Mic Preamp with digitally controlled gain
- 1 x Hi-Z instrument input
- TotalMix FX (with EQ, Reverb, Echo)

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 330-259-0308

RME Babyface USB 2.0 Audio Interface

The RME Babyface is smooth on the outside and powerful on the inside, with 192 kHz AD and DA converters, two reference class microphone preamps, and SteadyClock. The analog circuit design, features and function are truly RME.

The Babyface uses RME's Hammerfall USB audio core from the Fireface UC -- another milestone in low latency audio interfaces. It will give you outstanding performance and top sound in an ultra-portable, nicely designed and attractively shaped enclosure.

Analog I/Os

The balanced XLR I/Os and the TRS phones outputs use RME's analog circuit design, therefore guarantee outstanding noise and distortion values. The AD/DA converters provide sample rates up to 192 kHz with a signal-to-noise ratio of up to 115 dBA. Due to its efficient jitter reduction, SteadyClock(TM) guarantees pristine sound quality, even when clocking to an external digital source.

Two High-End Mic Preamps

Both digitally controlled preamps provide individually switchable 48V phantom power. A gain of up to 60 dB, adjustable in steps of 3 dB over a range of 51 dB, exceptional EIN performance even at low amplification settings, and extremely low THD+N values let these preamps surpass those of other devices that cost several times the price of the Babyface. All level settings are 100% recallable by the setup software and can be comfortably adjusted directly at the unit.

Digital I/O

The incredible feature set includes an optical TOSLINK I/O, usable as ADAT port with SMUX support or SPDIF optical at up to 192 kHz. In combination with an ADAT converter, like RME ADI-8 QS or OctaMic II, the Babyface provides an incredible 10 analog input and 12 output channels.

Headphones Output

The additional headphone output, driven from a separate and dedicated DA converter, delivers the full sonic experience of up to 192 kHz and is available not only directly at the unit but also at the breakout cable. The phones level is easy to adjust and control with a simple click of the select button and the main volume knob.

Hi-Z Instrument Input

Directly plug in your guitar or other instruments by switching one input to Hi-Z input mode. Recording any instrument becomes a breeze and does not require any other hardware.

MIDI I/O

The integrated MIDI I/O completes the list of features and turns the Babyface into a creative audio system of universal usability. Do what you want - wherever you want!

Desktop Volume Control and More

With one main control knob and two single buttons, the elegant Babyface acts as a perfectly designed direct desktop control for all typical studio tasks: volume control, reference volume store and recall, volume dim, input selection/switching, input gain control.

LED Metering

Quick and easy access to all functions has been a major point during design and development. The LED bars serve as both level and gain meters, visually supporting the precise control of all inputs, outputs and headphone levels directly at the interface.

Ultra-Low-Latency USB

The Babyface provides RME's unmatched USB pro audio technology for revolutionary ultra-low latencies on Mac and PC, by using two different optimized firmware versions for both operating systems. Like other RME USB 2.0* interfaces, the Babyface provides revolutionary ultra-low latencies even with multiple channels. The Babyface achieves latency values down to 48 samples on Windows and 14 samples on Mac OS X.*** The Babyface is compatible to USB 3 chipsets.** Minimal latencies are not guaranteed as they depend on the specific computer and application.*

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted February 21, 2015 by Legacy Beats in Springfield, MA

"Upgrade from MBox 3 mini"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I was instantly impressed by the quality of sound compared to the mbox, remixed almost every track I had previously done. Had it for a few weeks and haven't had time to setup a proper booth but the few recordings I did make in an open room sounded much clearer or cleaner than the MBox. Build quality is similar to that of the mbox very rugged metal construction, but the babyface is much sleeker and appealing to the eyes with a simpler design. Service at zZounds was incredible and the main reason I am now a loyal customer( that and their price match guarantee! )

Sound
Great, fell in love with how well all the dynamics came together and how clearly you can hear all the nuances in the different frequencies.

Features
TotalMix FX has kept me quite happy after the learning curve of it all, I am quite content and always happy to open up the studio for work.

Ease of Use
The Babyface itself is pretty much clean cut as far as in and outs are concerned but the TotalMix FX definitely requires some time to get used to.

Quality
Overall seems very well built(should be given the price tag!). No issues or concerns as of yet!

Value
I think the price reflects the quality of parts and the extra features as well as the added support and peace of mind that comes with purchasing an RME product.

Manufacturer Support
Haven't read more dealt with RME but I guess that's a good thing, their drivers truly are stable and much more reliable than others I have come across.

The Wow Factor
The Babyface was truly an upgrade compared to my previous interface. I have a few pros who advised me to get the digi 002/003 but I feel that the converters in this interface are an incredible leap forward as compared to those devices.

Musical Background:
11 yrs playing mixing & engineering music. Keyboard only for midi. Pro & home studio.

Musical Style:
Hip Hop, RnB, Trap, Reggaeton
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