I ran the OG UFX for 6 years. It was a joy. I sold it because I wasnt recording much and didnt need the channel count. Picked up the Apollo Twin X and i do enjoy the UAD plugins but I never really loved the workflow with Console and it pissed me off that I spent that much on a 2 channel interface and had to purchase a god damn thunderbolt cable because they dont ship with one in the box. I ran the Apollo for almost a year, and decided to sell it. I bought my UCX II and let me tell you there was an immediately noticeable difference in the conversion quality. The Apollo I thought sounded great. I never felt like I was missing out or anything until I plugged in the UCX II. Playing back music i know very well and also my mixes I had been working on on the Apollo, it was pretty shocking actually. The RME is more open, in impactful, in your face and clear. If I had to quantify it id say the RME is 15% better than Apollo in sound quality.
I used a Babyface Pro for years and decided to give the Apollo Twin X a try since I have TB4 on my new PC. Never again. Like he says in this video, their drivers are absolutely trash for Windows and there’s no excuse for it.
I'm confused. The guy in the clip says that UAD is sounding better; everybody I see says that RME has better-sounding converters. Can you give me more information since I'm thinking of upgrading from Twin II to UCX II?
@@Ultraskill23 Cant speak for the UA, but I have an UCX II and it sounds great and its very powerful and precise like a tool you would find in a science lab. I wont need another interface ever again.
Dear Nico, it might be helpful to mention the logical approach of rme in a different way. First of all, their software “total mix” is an absolute burner. Not only it comes very handy with the handling of functions, but it’s a matrix where every “real” input (first row), and every software input (second row) can freely be attached, mixed, sent to any possible output (third row). Foremost can any output mix easily be copied to another output, which might look meaningless, but is powerful in reality. Don’t forget, that the drivers are not only stable as hell, they are updated for 20 years old hardware. That’s a top fact on its own in comparison to other products. And last, but definitely not least, beside the “babyface” all rme products are designed and produced in Germany!!! One don’t has to worry about quality in no aspect. All in all, it was a unfair competition. ;) I’m new in the rme spheres, but am absolutely thrilled about their philosophy and meanwhile even a bit fan of their attitude to give a fuck about design. Their motto: design follows function is somewhat great.
As you said you are new to RME. Please have your oppinoin and make video . Mine will not be changed. RME is great brand but Total mix FX for me is still "Total miss of any sense" . Please do me a favour and watch the video recording with and without FX , RME official video. You have to press gazilian buttons and open around 20 faders ... and you might get the Wet signal. Total disaster. BELIEVE Me i have been there. Soon or later you will reach a point where you will say to your self, what happened? I know how this can be done ,but why it is not hapened as I think. Thats RME mixer with FX.
As soon as you get your head around totalmix, you realise how good RME actually are. I use the Fireface UFX iii and it is amazing. Not going to lie that totalmix initially had me wanting to smash the thing but, if you stop, breath and work through that you realise how bloody logical it is and how powerful it is too.
If you want to smash it at first, it is not that good right? That was the whole idea. The best soundcard has the least friendlier mixing console. The channel count on my ucx II is also a total mess. The screen is anything but helpful, on off button - terrible. If you look closely you will find the cons I am talking about.
Can confirm in regards to the apollo.. I've just returned an apollo twin x, WDM drivers are trash for the Apollo devices, even if you have the latest thunderbolt tech on your system, if you arent using ASIO drivers in a DAW.. it's a mess to play with. Had a buddy who has the USB version, same issue if he doesn't record specifically in a DAW. The apollos run crazy warm too. Like touching the frame of the unit is ridiculously warm.
Just returned mine after having it for less than a month. It ran like garbage in Windows 11. Randomly popping and unreliable overall. The plug ins are tied to a cloud server which is unacceptable.
when working on a pc with big orchestral cinematiq /movies projects 150 - 250 channels ,like i need in cubase, with many kontakts and vsts at same time, RME is the only way to work flawless with no problems by my experience ...
I understand and agree to the point: Better Sound, use UA and Mac (never PC), PC User? use RME with all it's minuses (never UA). Simple. And Thanks for the honest video.
Great Video! I too ended with RME UCX 2 because I was tired of soundcards breaking down and lousy drivers . I havent had a single issue since I bought UCX2 almost a year ago. I think it is very versatile . I use it together with a great River preamp and therefore have the choice between RMEs neutral preamps and some "color". Totalmix is another story, sometimes I think "now I understand" - but .. errr r no. Im still trying to connect a Bus compressor to Rme Ucx2 via Total mix - its nuts or another alien form for "logic". But I stick with RME - beacause it works.
If you would like some guidance as to how Totalmix works, please ask me, I'm happy to share my experience and help someone learn it. It isn't super intuitive but it's incredibly powerful once you understand what the modes do.
What I’m starting to understand is that Windows Users just can’t really enter the UA world like Mac users can. I really have been doing research and either one is gonna be a great choice depending on your system and workflow. Good luck to all you guys!
i´m not a fan of your language but you have good and valid points, i´m a windows user as well, using a designare mainboard with native thunderbolt ports on it, and the UA windows TB drivers are really not good, the old firewire drivers they had for the apollo series were much better. its obvious that they did not put much dedication into making these drivers, which is said for a company like UA. If you dont like the RME Mixer software, you will be no friend with MOTU at all
Yes, the guys from RME don't have someone like Steve Jobs, to simplify the user experience. I just got the RME Babyface and I got lost in the logic of "Total mix" - but the sound : ))
I have a PC I use universal audio I run into no problems it works flawlessly everything sounds great I guess it depends on what computer you have but these days the majority of sound card sound good as a matter of taste them what's best for you and your workflow but I love the fact that when I use my laptop I can use my Apollo solo and still have the option to use compressors and preamps on the way in without having my Hardware available so for me it's universal audio desktop and laptop for on-the-go....
I agree with you on Universal Audio, I would NEVER recommend UA to any Windows user! I drank their Kool-Aid, years ago about how great Thunderbolt was and the end of USB. I paid to have my first ever custom built Windows system, to UA specks, only to find out UA only kind of supports Windows! Soon after that, they promised Windows LUNA support, but dropped that when Mac dropped Intel! I went back to my old USB MOTU and moved on...😏
Spot on, Apollo is trash for Windows and they don’t care. I got the Twin X and it’s garbage. Have to change bitrate when Windows starts just to get WDM, and mic cracking in absolutely everything. Going back to RME because they actually care about their drivers.
Hello! I bought this card, but I noticed if I shake it a little, or turn my feet on my head, so that the sound sounds there, as if the shaker is not loud! This is fine? what could it be?
The quartet works great and smoothly, but with this card, the so-called loopback is a problem. Another side hears me well and they recorded the session, but I can't hear them. With RME this was working fine. Basically, as I had mentioned RME driver works super solid. Another reason is that Apogee stop supporting the Quartet and that is shame. Good news is that there is win10 driver, that also works great for normal recording sessions. I will keep it as a backup.
I still hate it. Not the card but the mixer panel.Dont force me to show to the whole world how crappy it is. Even if learn it in and out there will be a time when it does not respond as you expected.I garantee you that.
@@electronicbox6990 I can understand you with Totalmix....at the beginning when you look it, it is a slap in to the face. But you have to made it in simple in your head. up the first row. - Hardware inputs, then software outputs, then Hardware outputs. in the head must be . 123. then the confuse thing now. START every Change you make with the Target Fader!!!! i means the OUTPUT, where you want to end with the sound. First click this fader, and then you make your adjustments. and so on. thats the only thing what is confusing. hope you can maybe give them one chance again. ;) but to be honest when i must re-design the totalmix with all the opportunities in their, i must say i dont have a better plan. to route it. but some points , youre right....the Durec Name thing is a no go, the function is Badass
@@p.m-audio believe me, i know all that, and sometimes the sound is still not there where you expect, it will happened some day. I use RME for more than 10 years and it is still confusing every single day. I am also a car diagnostic specialist with more than 20 years in OE automotive workshop, so I guess, I am not the most stupid person ever.
@@electronicbox6990I guess TotalMix is not for everyone. In the professional audio engineering world, TotalMix makes a lot of sense and is easy to use. Maybe automotive engineers’ minds work differently.
@@electronicbox6990 Will be better for your workflow on a pc to keep rme as audio interface and buy a quad or octo core pci/usb to have uad plugins...or even go for spark native by uad
@@MrGreekBlade Dont ask me, see other people comments. It is not only me. UA mixer is a JOY to use. RME if you need reverb and you know how to apply itl like I do, and if 4 months you dont touch this function I ca nbet, that you will strugle to remember how was that thing , and where I have to press to engage FX. If you say something else, you are not hinest or you are part of RME. Ask friends that have RME, they will confirm that. PERIOD.
@@electronicbox6990 I am composer for cinematiq/film music working with big projects on cubase...the rme was the only audio interface i use and i have 0 problems when running this big templates with orchestral kontakt librarys,i haver try many other interfaces but only rme works flawless for me
You should of got a iMac 🖥️ problem solved. But not gon lie. I got a of built with a Titan ridge thunderbolt 3 cards in it. Ran my UAD like a champ 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 even did remote sessions. Never had a problem. So it had to be your pc.
I ran the OG UFX for 6 years. It was a joy. I sold it because I wasnt recording much and didnt need the channel count. Picked up the Apollo Twin X and i do enjoy the UAD plugins but I never really loved the workflow with Console and it pissed me off that I spent that much on a 2 channel interface and had to purchase a god damn thunderbolt cable because they dont ship with one in the box. I ran the Apollo for almost a year, and decided to sell it. I bought my UCX II and let me tell you there was an immediately noticeable difference in the conversion quality. The Apollo I thought sounded great. I never felt like I was missing out or anything until I plugged in the UCX II. Playing back music i know very well and also my mixes I had been working on on the Apollo, it was pretty shocking actually. The RME is more open, in impactful, in your face and clear. If I had to quantify it id say the RME is 15% better than Apollo in sound quality.
RME Fireface 400 since 15 years, since yesterday the UCXii, sounds incredible. Hope another 15 years with this one
I worked with an RME interface for many years. It showed up on time, dressed a bit unfashionably, but reliably did its job - very, well, German.
I used a Babyface Pro for years and decided to give the Apollo Twin X a try since I have TB4 on my new PC.
Never again. Like he says in this video, their drivers are absolutely trash for Windows and there’s no excuse for it.
lmao ! Awesome. Fwiw, I switched from an UA Twin X Quad (Mac) to RME UCX II...and I much prefer the RME's preamps, converters, software, etc.
I'm confused. The guy in the clip says that UAD is sounding better; everybody I see says that RME has better-sounding converters. Can you give me more information since I'm thinking of upgrading from Twin II to UCX II?
@@Ultraskill23 Cant speak for the UA, but I have an UCX II and it sounds great and its very powerful and precise like a tool you would find in a science lab. I wont need another interface ever again.
Dear Nico, it might be helpful to mention the logical approach of rme in a different way. First of all, their software “total mix” is an absolute burner. Not only it comes very handy with the handling of functions, but it’s a matrix where every “real” input (first row), and every software input (second row) can freely be attached, mixed, sent to any possible output (third row). Foremost can any output mix easily be copied to another output, which might look meaningless, but is powerful in reality.
Don’t forget, that the drivers are not only stable as hell, they are updated for 20 years old hardware. That’s a top fact on its own in comparison to other products.
And last, but definitely not least, beside the “babyface” all rme products are designed and produced in Germany!!! One don’t has to worry about quality in no aspect.
All in all, it was a unfair competition. ;)
I’m new in the rme spheres, but am absolutely thrilled about their philosophy and meanwhile even a bit fan of their attitude to give a fuck about design. Their motto: design follows function is somewhat great.
As you said you are new to RME. Please have your oppinoin and make video . Mine will not be changed. RME is great brand but Total mix FX for me is still "Total miss of any sense" . Please do me a favour and watch the video recording with and without FX , RME official video. You have to press gazilian buttons and open around 20 faders ... and you might get the Wet signal. Total disaster. BELIEVE Me i have been there. Soon or later you will reach a point where you will say to your self, what happened? I know how this can be done ,but why it is not hapened as I think. Thats RME mixer with FX.
Another person who is not capable to use TotalMix and gives his opinion lol😂
@@Os-mx6nu The most important is that you know, leave others!
As soon as you get your head around totalmix, you realise how good RME actually are. I use the Fireface UFX iii and it is amazing.
Not going to lie that totalmix initially had me wanting to smash the thing but, if you stop, breath and work through that you realise how bloody logical it is and how powerful it is too.
If you want to smash it at first, it is not that good right? That was the whole idea. The best soundcard has the least friendlier mixing console. The channel count on my ucx II is also a total mess. The screen is anything but helpful, on off button - terrible. If you look closely you will find the cons I am talking about.
Can confirm in regards to the apollo.. I've just returned an apollo twin x, WDM drivers are trash for the Apollo devices, even if you have the latest thunderbolt tech on your system, if you arent using ASIO drivers in a DAW.. it's a mess to play with. Had a buddy who has the USB version, same issue if he doesn't record specifically in a DAW. The apollos run crazy warm too. Like touching the frame of the unit is ridiculously warm.
Just returned mine after having it for less than a month. It ran like garbage in Windows 11. Randomly popping and unreliable overall. The plug ins are tied to a cloud server which is unacceptable.
RME is better but everyone has their own taste.
when working on a pc with big orchestral cinematiq /movies projects 150 - 250 channels ,like i need in cubase, with many kontakts and vsts at same time, RME is the only way to work flawless with no problems by my experience ...
Exactly
RME is not better. Let’s speak facts. Sound quality UAD blows them out the water. I’m sorry you couldn’t afford it 🤷🏻♂️
@@envisagefilmshouston go to bed
@@NateJDrums Is facts . I have both
I understand and agree to the point: Better Sound, use UA and Mac (never PC), PC User? use RME with all it's minuses (never UA). Simple. And Thanks for the honest video.
This was gold! Very entertaining!
Very entertaining and informative.
Great Video! I too ended with RME UCX 2 because I was tired of soundcards breaking down and lousy drivers . I havent had a single issue since I bought UCX2 almost a year ago. I think it is very versatile . I use it together with a great River preamp and therefore have the choice between RMEs neutral preamps and some "color". Totalmix is another story, sometimes I think "now I understand" - but .. errr r no. Im still trying to connect a Bus compressor to Rme Ucx2 via Total mix - its nuts or another alien form for "logic". But I stick with RME - beacause it works.
If you would like some guidance as to how Totalmix works, please ask me, I'm happy to share my experience and help someone learn it. It isn't super intuitive but it's incredibly powerful once you understand what the modes do.
5 years working with ucx by rme heavy projects on cubase and never had a problem.plug and work as ferrari
What I’m starting to understand is that Windows Users just can’t really enter the UA world like Mac users can. I really have been doing research and either one is gonna be a great choice depending on your system and workflow. Good luck to all you guys!
True.
i´m not a fan of your language but you have good and valid points, i´m a windows user as well, using a designare mainboard with native thunderbolt ports on it, and the UA windows TB drivers are really not good, the old firewire drivers they had for the apollo series were much better. its obvious that they did not put much dedication into making these drivers, which is said for a company like UA.
If you dont like the RME Mixer software, you will be no friend with MOTU at all
Yes, the guys from RME don't have someone like Steve Jobs, to simplify the user experience. I just got the RME Babyface and I got lost in the logic of "Total mix" - but the sound : ))
I have a PC I use universal audio I run into no problems it works flawlessly everything sounds great I guess it depends on what computer you have but these days the majority of sound card sound good as a matter of taste them what's best for you and your workflow but I love the fact that when I use my laptop I can use my Apollo solo and still have the option to use compressors and preamps on the way in without having my Hardware available so for me it's universal audio desktop and laptop for on-the-go....
You must be using the USB version🤔
RME all day for me!!
RME any dayyyyyyy
LOVE it. lol
I agree with you on Universal Audio, I would NEVER recommend UA to any Windows user! I drank their Kool-Aid, years ago about how great Thunderbolt was and the end of USB. I paid to have my first ever custom built Windows system, to UA specks, only to find out UA only kind of supports Windows! Soon after that, they promised Windows LUNA support, but dropped that when Mac dropped Intel! I went back to my old USB MOTU and moved on...😏
RME preferred
👏 Top video 👍 bravo
Spot on, Apollo is trash for Windows and they don’t care. I got the Twin X and it’s garbage. Have to change bitrate when Windows starts just to get WDM, and mic cracking in absolutely everything.
Going back to RME because they actually care about their drivers.
11:07 - you are right 😂
Hello! I bought this card, but I noticed if I shake it a little, or turn my feet on my head, so that the sound sounds there, as if the shaker is not loud! This is fine? what could it be?
i have bad experience with motu. had the 828mk2 and it made nothing but problems.
ero moooolto indeciso di prendere una apollo Twin Duo per la macchina Windows, ho una RME Baby Face Pro i driver sono una Roccia, mai un problema
I'm selling my Apollo X4 and this video is funny as f***. 😂
u rule!
Why not just use the quartet?
The quartet works great and smoothly, but with this card, the so-called loopback is a problem. Another side hears me well and they recorded the session, but I can't hear them. With RME this was working fine. Basically, as I had mentioned RME driver works super solid. Another reason is that Apogee stop supporting the Quartet and that is shame. Good news is that there is win10 driver, that also works great for normal recording sessions. I will keep it as a backup.
Good for you, RME is better and there is no debate. You can like what you like but you’re choosing the inferior device
I still hate it. Not the card but the mixer panel.Dont force me to show to the whole world how crappy it is. Even if learn it in and out there will be a time when it does not respond as you expected.I garantee you that.
@@electronicbox6990 I can understand you with Totalmix....at the beginning when you look it, it is a slap in to the face. But you have to made it in simple in your head. up the first row. - Hardware inputs, then software outputs, then Hardware outputs. in the head must be . 123. then the confuse thing now. START every Change you make with the Target Fader!!!! i means the OUTPUT, where you want to end with the sound. First click this fader, and then you make your adjustments. and so on. thats the only thing what is confusing. hope you can maybe give them one chance again. ;) but to be honest when i must re-design the totalmix with all the opportunities in their, i must say i dont have a better plan. to route it. but some points , youre right....the Durec Name thing is a no go, the function is Badass
@@p.m-audio believe me, i know all that, and sometimes the sound is still not there where you expect, it will happened some day. I use RME for more than 10 years and it is still confusing every single day. I am also a car diagnostic specialist with more than 20 years in OE automotive workshop, so I guess, I am not the most stupid person ever.
@@electronicbox6990I guess TotalMix is not for everyone. In the professional audio engineering world, TotalMix makes a lot of sense and is easy to use. Maybe automotive engineers’ minds work differently.
Rme is the best audio interface for pc by far
If Universal make solid pc drivers,I will never buy RME, but as of today, we dont have this luxury.
@@electronicbox6990 Will be better for your workflow on a pc to keep rme as audio interface and buy a quad or octo core pci/usb to have uad plugins...or even go for spark native by uad
@@electronicbox6990 btw Total Mix is too easy to handle,very simple logic on this, i cant see why is confused for you.
@@MrGreekBlade Dont ask me, see other people comments. It is not only me. UA mixer is a JOY to use. RME if you need reverb and you know how to apply itl like I do, and if 4 months you dont touch this function I ca nbet, that you will strugle to remember how was that thing , and where I have to press to engage FX. If you say something else, you are not hinest or you are part of RME. Ask friends that have RME, they will confirm that. PERIOD.
@@electronicbox6990 I am composer for cinematiq/film music working with big projects on cubase...the rme was the only audio interface i use and i have 0 problems when running this big templates with orchestral kontakt librarys,i haver try many other interfaces but only rme works flawless for me
4:00 true
You should of got a iMac 🖥️ problem solved. But not gon lie. I got a of built with a Titan ridge thunderbolt 3 cards in it. Ran my UAD like a champ 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 even did remote sessions. Never had a problem. So it had to be your pc.
Get a mac