RME Fireface UFX III - 188-Channel, 24-Bit/192kHz USB 3 Audio Interface
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Product Highlights
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RME - The Professional’s Choice!
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Description
Description
RME Fireface UFX III - 188-Channel, 24-Bit/192kHz USB 3 Audio Interface
The Fireface UFX III is RME's multichannel flagship, a full 1U rackmount interface capable of handling up to 94 channels of I/O simultaneously, built around newly developed analogue and digital boards.
It combines an extensive analog I/O set, MADI connectivity, dual ADAT, AES/EBU, word clock, standalone operation, and direct USB multitrack recording into a single unit that can serve as the complete centre of a professional studio or live rig.
WHY BUY THE UFX III OVER OTHER BRANDS? CLICK TO FIND OUT.
The Fireface UFX III isn't competing with standard audio interfaces - it's in a different category entirely. It's built for professionals who need a system that can grow with them, handle any environment, and never be the limiting factor in a workflow.
The channel count is genuinely useful, not just a number. With 12 analog channels on-board, dual ADAT adding up to 16 more, AES/EBU adding 2, and MADI adding up to 64, the UFX III can interface with practically any professional audio system in existence. A full orchestra session, a live venue install, a broadcast facility, or a hybrid studio with extensive outboard: this handles all of it from a single USB cable.
MADI changes what's possible. No other interface at this form factor includes full optical MADI with 64 channels. It allows the UFX III to connect directly to digital consoles, stage boxes, and large-format converters, opening up installations and live rigs that would otherwise require dedicated MADI cards or additional hardware.
The preamp quality matches the channel count. Four front-panel preamps with an EIN of -129.8 dBu are genuinely high-end figures, not compromised specs included to fill a spec sheet. Combined with the improved THD+N on the new converter boards, the UFX III records with the kind of accuracy that holds up in mastering and critical production work.
It works without a computer. The DURec and standalone modes aren't afterthoughts. Recording 80 channels directly to a USB drive at a live show, playing back for a virtual soundcheck, recalling a saved configuration at the push of a button.
USB 3 Class Compliant opens up iPad and Linux. The full 94-channel Class Compliant mode on USB 3 is unique to the UFX III among RME interfaces. For engineers working with iPad Pro as a recording platform, or in Linux-based post-production environments, this is significant, as no other interface of this capability works driverlessly at this channel count.
TotalMix FX at this scale is a genuine mixer replacement. With 94 channels routable in any direction, per-channel DSP, Room EQ, dynamics, and wireless remote control. TotalMix FX on the UFX III replaces what would previously have required a dedicated hardware mixer and patchbay.
Long-term investment. RME's track record of driver support and hardware longevity means the UFX III will remain current and functional across OS updates for many years.
In Summary:
- Up to 94 channels I/O — analog, ADAT, AES/EBU, and 64-channel MADI from a single 1U unit
- MADI connectivity opens the door to digital consoles, stage boxes, and large-format studio systems
- Preamp EIN of -129.8 dBu — high-end performance, not a compromise spec
- DURec records up to 80 channels directly to USB drive with no computer
- Full USB 3.0 Class Compliant mode — 94 channels driverless on iPad, Mac, and Linux
- TotalMix FX replaces a hardware mixer at any scale, with remote Wi-Fi control
- Standalone operation with front-panel control and storable configurations
- DC-coupled outputs for CV/Gate to modular synthesizers
- RME's in-house drivers guarantee long-term OS support and stability
Build & Format
The UFX III occupies a single rack unit and ships with rack ears fitted. Despite its standard 1U format, the rear panel is exceptionally dense, with eight balanced TRS line inputs and outputs, dual ADAT optical I/O, AES/EBU, SPDIF, optical MADI, BNC word clock/coaxial MADI, and a second MIDI I/O.
The front panel houses four XLR/TRS combo inputs, two headphone outputs, MIDI I/O, a full colour display with front-panel controls, and the DURec USB port.
Audio Performance
The UFX III uses newly developed AD and DA converters with improved THD+N figures across the board. The eight rear line inputs achieve an SNR of 116 dB (AES17), with THD below -120 dB. The four front mic preamps reach an EIN of -129.8 dBu (A-weighted), making them suitable for the most demanding microphone sources including ribbons.
The dedicated XLR stereo monitor outputs offer an additional +24 dBu output level mode, useful for driving high-headroom mastering monitor systems. Both headphone outputs deliver up to 200 mW per channel into 32 Ω, capable of driving any headphone without compromise.
Preamps & Inputs
The four front-panel XLR/TRS combo inputs each support microphone, line, and instrument operation, switching automatically based on what's plugged in. The mic preamps offer a 75 dB gain range with individual 48V phantom power.
Instrument inputs present a 1 MΩ impedance for direct guitar and bass connection. The eight rear balanced TRS line inputs have switchable sensitivity between Lo Gain (+19 dBu) and +4 dBu, with an additional 0–12 dB variable digital gain stage for fine-tuning levels from any source.
Connectivity
- 4 × XLR/TRS combo mic/inst/line inputs (front, 48V phantom)
- 8 × Balanced TRS line inputs (rear, switchable sensitivity)
- 8 × Balanced TRS line outputs (rear, switchable +19/+13/-10 dBV)
- 2 × XLR balanced stereo monitor outputs (switchable up to +24 dBu)
- 2 × Headphone outputs (6.3mm TRS, 200 mW @ 32 Ω)
- MADI optical I/O (SC duplex, 64 channels @ 48 kHz)
- MADI coaxial I/O (via BNC, switchable from word clock)
- AES/EBU I/O (XLR, transformer-balanced)
- 2 × ADAT optical I/O (TOSLINK, 16 channels @ 48 kHz)
- 2 × SPDIF optical I/O (via ADAT 2 connectors, Multi-Mode)
- Word clock I/O (BNC)
- 2 × MIDI I/O (5-pin DIN, front and rear)
- USB 3.0 (host connection)
- USB port (front, for DURec)
- Class Compliant mode (94 channels, driverless)
- ARC USB remote control compatible (optional)
MADI - 64 Channels Over a Single Cable
The UFX III includes a full optical MADI interface via SC duplex connector, carrying up to 64 bidirectional channels at 48 kHz over a single cable. The BNC word clock connector doubles as a coaxial MADI I/O, and a split mode allows both optical and coaxial MADI to operate simultaneously at 32 channels each. This makes the UFX III a natural hub for large-scale studio installations, connecting to MADI-equipped stage boxes, converters, digital consoles, or other RME units to build systems far beyond its own analog channel count.
SteadyClock FS
The UFX III incorporates RME's full SteadyClock FS circuit with jitter suppression exceeding 50 dB across all clock sources - internal, ADAT, AES, SPDIF, and word clock. The word clock BNC input features overvoltage protection, switchable 75 Ω termination, and an automatic Double/Quad Speed detection circuit, making it suitable as the master or slave in any professional clocking environment.
USB 3 & Class Compliant Mode
The UFX III is RME's first interface to support the full USB 3.0 bandwidth in Class Compliant mode, making all 94 channels available without proprietary drivers on Mac, Linux, and iPadOS. An iPad Pro with USB-C can run TotalMix FX for iPad with up to 94 channels of recording and playback - no computer required.
In driver-based mode, USB 3.0 provides the bandwidth headroom for stable multichannel operation at high sample rates.
Standalone Operation & DURec
The UFX III operates fully without a computer. All device settings are accessible from the front panel, and configurations can be saved and recalled instantly.
The DURec function records directly to a USB drive connected to the front panel USB port - up to 80 channels simultaneously, entirely independently of any connected computer, to drives up to 2 TB. Recorded sessions can be played back through the same system for virtual soundchecks, making the UFX III a self-contained multitrack field recorder as well as a studio interface.
KEY FEATURES: RME Fireface UFX III
- 188-channel, 24-bit/192 kHz USB 3.0 interface (1U rackmount)
- 4 × XLR/TRS combo preamps - EIN -129.8 dBu, 75 dB gain range, 48V phantom
- 8 × balanced rear line inputs, SNR 116 dB (AES17)
- Dedicated XLR stereo monitor outputs - up to +24 dBu output level
- 2 × headphone outputs, 200 mW @ 32 Ω
- MADI optical + coaxial I/O (up to 64 channels per connection)
- Dual ADAT optical I/O + AES/EBU + SPDIF + word clock BNC
- SteadyClock FS - jitter suppression > 50 dB across all clock sources
- Full USB 3.0 Class Compliant mode - 94 channels, no drivers needed
- Standalone operation with front-panel control
- DURec - up to 80 channels direct to USB drive, no computer required
- DC-coupled outputs for CV/Gate modular synthesis
- TotalMix FX with 9-band Room EQ, dynamics, reverb, delay
- ARC USB hardware remote compatible (sold separately)
- RME in-house drivers - regularly updated, long-term OS support
Specification
Specification
What's in the box?
What's in the box?
Downloads & Manuals
Downloads & Manuals
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