RME Fireface UCX II 40-Channel USB-B Audio/MIDI Interface - Manual (Page 54)

54 User's Guide Fireface UCX II © RME
25. Routing and Monitoring
25.1 Overview
The Fireface UCX II includes a powerful digital real-time mixer, the
Fireface UCX II mixer, based
on RME’s unique, sample-rate independent TotalMix technology. It allows for practically unlim-
ited mixing and routing operations, with all inputs and playback channels simultaneously, to any
hardware outputs.
TotalMix FX adds 3-band parametric Equalizer, Low Cut, Echo, Reverb,
Compressor, Expander and Auto Level.
Here are some typical applications for TotalMix:

Setting up delay-free submixes (headphone mixes). The Fireface UCX II allows for up to 10
fully independent stereo submixes. On an analog mixing desk, this would equal 20 Aux
sends.

Unlimited routing of inputs and outputs (free utilisation, patchbay functionality).

Distributing signals to several outputs simultaneously. TotalMix offers state-of-the-art splitter
and distributor functions.

Simultaneous playback of different programs via a single stereo output. The ASIO multi-client
driver supports the usage of several programs at the same time. If this happens on different
playback channels TotalMix provides the means to mix and monitor these on a single stereo
output.

Mixing of the input signal to the playback signal (complete ASIO Direct Monitoring). RME is
not only the pioneer of ADM, but also offers the most complete implementation of the ADM
functions.

Integration of external devices. Use TotalMix to insert external effects devices, be it in the
playback or in the record path. Depending on the current application, the functionality equals
insert or effects send and effects return, for example as used during real-time monitoring
when adding some reverb to the vocals.
Every single input channel, playback channel and hardware output features a Peak and RMS
level meter, calculated in hardware. These level displays are very useful to determine the pres-
ence and routing destinations of the audio signals.
For a better understanding of the TotalMix mixer you should know the following:

As shown in the block diagram (next page), the record signal usually stays un-altered. To-
talMix does not reside within the record path, and does not change the record level or the au-
dio data to be recorded (exceptions:
EQ+D for Record and Loopback mode).

The hardware input signal can be passed on as often as desired, even with different levels.
This is a big difference to conventional mixing desks, where the channel fader always con-
trols the level for all routing destinations simultaneously.

The level meters of input and playback channels are connected pre-fader, to be able to visu-
ally monitor where a signal is currently present. The level meters of the hardware outputs are
connected post-fader, thus displaying the actual output level.