Audio- & MIDI-Interfaces

Notes: Latest version of an interface that's become a modern classic. Up to 18 audio inputs and 22 outputs in total, spread over a mixture of analogue and digital connections. A true all-rounder that's hard to beat.

Supplier's Notes:
The MOTU UltraLite-mk5 is the latest incarnation of the best-selling UltraLite series (replacing the UltraLite-mk4). It takes the winning formula of the half-rack form factor with 18 in x 22 out analog and digital I/O and adds state-of-the-art enhancements at the same great price :

Best-in-class Audio Quality - the UltraLite-mk5 includes renowned ESS Sabre32 DAC technology, featuring the ES9026PRO DAC, to deliver 125dB dynamic range and -114 dB THD+N.

Ultra-low Latency - optimised Drivers for both Mac and PC deliver ultra-low latency performance. With a high-performance DAW the UltraLite-mk5 delivers an astonishing round-trip latency of 2.4ms (at 96kHz with a 32-sample host buffer

New Design - while retaining the same front and back panel layout as its predecessors the UltraLite-mk5 has a sleek new look, incorporating a high-resolution, high-contrast white OLED display providing precision metering for all analog inputs and outputs, along with digital I/O activity indicators and status info

Connectivity and Compatibility- the UltraLite-mk5 has a USB-C connector and is also class-compliant for operation with iOS devices. It is also compatible with MacOS 11 Big Sur and M1 Macs

New Software and Simplified Monitoring - live monitoring of inputs is controlled via the new CueMix 5 software

Rack-mount options - a half-rack mounting kit (sold separately) allows the steel-encased UltraLite-mk5 to be rack-mounted with thick steel brackets to withstand the punishment of touring. Alternatively, two UltraLite-mk5 units can be joined together with a Half-rack Coupler Kit (sold separately)

Technical Specifications:

Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Mic/line/guitar inputs: 2 x XLR/TRS "combo" jacks, 1 MO impedance on the line/instr inputs
Analog inputs: 6 x 1/4" TRS line in (balanced)
Analog outputs: 10 x 1/4" TRS line out (balanced, DC coupled)

Digital I/O:
1 bank (8 ch) of ADAT optical at 1x sample rates
1 bank (4 ch) of SMUX optical at 2x sample rates
Switchable to stereo TOSLink (optical S/PDIF)
1 x stereo S/PDIF on RCA (up to 96 kHz)

Computer I/O:
1 x USB-C 2.0 audio class compliant
Compatible with USB Type A (with adapter or C-to-A cable)

Total audio I/O:
18 in / 22 out (40 total) at 1x sample rates
14 in / 18 out (32 total) at 2x sample rates
8 in / 12 out (20 total) at 4x sample rates

MIDI I/O:
1 x MIDI IN
1 x MIDI OUT
16 MIDI channels to/from computer host

Headphone: 1 x 1/4" TRS stereo phone
Phantom power: 2 x individual +48V

Front panel:
2 x XLR/TRS combo inputs
1 x 1/4" TRS headphone output
1 x potentiometer - phone/monitor vol
2 x potentiometer - mic/instr input gain
4 x switches - (2) 48V and (2) pad
1x high-resolution white OLED display for metering/status
Power: External 12-18V DC power supply - 1.0A max - tip pos or neg

Dimensions and weight: (width x depth x height, enclosure only)
8.6 x 6.9 x 1.75 inches
22 x 17.5 x 4.5 cm
2.875 lbs / 1.31 kg

Notes: High-end interface specialists RME deliver another winner. Amazing sound quality in a compact package, with TotalMix control, ADAT expansion and built-in MIDI interface.

*** Complimentary warranty on this product for 5 years if purchased from Juno- UK warranty only***

Supplier's notes:
Four years ago the Babyface Pro again demonstrated RME's absolute commitment to superior craftsmanship, not only in audio circuits and driver development, but also in mechanics. Created with the highest precision from a block of aluminium, this high-end portable interface incorporated newly designed analogue and digital circuits. Its innovative energy saving technologies provided supreme fidelity with no compromises in level, noise or distortion.
The two headphone outputs, offering TRS and mini-jack sockets in parallel, have completely separate driver stages to perfectly match low and high impedance headphones, guaranteeing pristine sonic results no matter what type of headphone is used.
For the main I/O RME have designed an XLR socket, which integrates seamlessly into the housing and saves space.
Two digitally controlled preamps provide individually switchable 48V phantom power. These circuits feature a gain range of 76 dB, adjustable in steps of 1 dB, including a relay-driven PAD, resulting in exceptional EIN (Equivalent Input Noise) performance as well as line overload protection, and enough gain for even the lowest level microphones.
Babyface Pro's incredibly efficient design almost never requires an external power supply - it's perfectly stable on USB 3 bus power, and also most USB 2 ports, with no degradation in any technical specification. This makes it perfect for mobile recording, even with a pair of your favourite condenser microphones.
The comprehensive feature set continues with an optical TOSLINK I/O; use as either an ADAT port with SMUX support or SPDIF for sessions up to 192 kHz. In combination with an external ADAT converter, the Babyface Pro fully supports 12 analogue inputs as well as 12 outputs, making it ideal for both live and studio multi-track applications. You can plug any instrument, line or high impedance, into Babyface Pro's jack inputs 3 & 4. Record your guitar on the go, with no additional hardware required. MIDI I/O via an included breakout cable completes the package.
In digital audio, the clock frequency is an essential factor, as it creates the correlation between the audio bits and the time reference. Unfortunately, the clock frequency is not always as stable as desired. The Babyface Pro FS offers the full SteadyClock FS circuit as in the ADI-2 Pro FS for lowest jitter and highest jitter immunity. Excellent performance in all clock modes and High Quality Analog Conversion to hear your mix as it is. Digital format conversion in RME products are done without any loss or degradation, and SteadyClock FS ensures your sonic image will never experience degradation. This helps to optimize recordings and mixes because the soundstage has more depth and clarity.
Like all the latest RME interfaces, the Babyface Pro FS also includes the powerful digital real-time mixer TotalMix FX. It allows fully independent routing and mixing of input and playback channels to all physical outputs. Independent stereo submixes plus a comprehensive Control Room section offer unrivalled monitoring capabilities and unsurpassed routing flexibility.
Babyface Pro FS ships with RME's TotalMix FX, available for Windows and Mac OS X. An iOS version is available as well. This amazingly versatile software allows you to use Babyface Pro in any situation. For example, mixing your guitar and vocals to headphones has never been easier. The FPGA-based DSP mixer adds a flexible, 3-band parametric equalizer to all inputs and outputs. Reverb and delay FX are also available.
The FPGA-based DSP mixer adds a flexible, 3-band parametric equalizer to all inputs and outputs. Reverb and delay FX are also available. Latest generation low latency AD/DA converters, combined with RME's unique SteadyClock FS technology, result in exceptional specifications that will satisfy the most demanding of professionals. Combining a huge feature set with sonic excellence and intuitive control, whether for the studio or on the move, the RME Babyface Pro is the most comprehensive and versatile compact audio interface ever built.
Straight to the core without interference: the reference design of the Babyface Pro leaves nothing to be desired. RME devices are designed to conserve music as it is. Audio signals are passed in their entirety, nothing added, nothing taken. For the new Babyface, the audio circuits have been improved to meet even highest gain levels with best dynamic range. The clever user interface is informative and clearly laid out. It makes access to every feature and configuration mode of the Babyface Pro intuitive and easy to use.