Connectivity

    * 8 x Analog I/O
    * 1 x Stereo Headphone Out
    * 2 x ADAT I/O or 1 x ADAT I/O plus 1 x SPDIF I/O optical
    * 1 x SPDIF I/O coaxial
    * 1 x MIDI I/O
    * 4 x Mic/Line Inputs with Preamps
    * 1 x Instrument input adjustable
    * 2 x FireWire 800
    * 1 x Firewire 400
    * optional: Time Code Module
    * TotalMix


The Fireface 800 is the world's most powerful FireWire audio interface 
ever. Up to 56 channels record/playback, up to 192 kHz sample rate, 
and true FireWire 800 sum up to an unsurpassed high-end, high 
performance and high speed FireWire audio interface. Since the 
Fireface first shipped in July 2004, the unit became the reference for 
FireWire audio - and still is today!

The Fireface 800 combines the latest and also proven technologies of 
previous RME products with the fastest FireWire technology. Analog 
technology of the ADI-8 converters, microphone technology of the 
OctaMic, TotalMix technology of the Hammerfall DSP series, years of 
experience in programming of efficient and reliable drivers, up to 
complete support from DIGICheck - only the best of the best, and even 
a bit more. The Fireface 800 offers the best worked out instrument 
input that could ever be found in an audio interface, a high power 
Headphone output and signal-to-noise ratios of 119 dBA.

RMEs Fireface 800 is seen as reference by users and editors, when 
talking about FireWire audio and mobile recording.

It includes lots of features and capabilities RME FireWire Audio RME's 
FireWire audio offers many pro-audio features not available from other 
manufacturer's units: Complete realtime sample rate lock Complete 
realtime sample rate control, even during playback/record Complete 
start/stop control. No changed offset after reboot. Extreme 
varispeed / external sync support, in all modes (even DS / QS) Despite 
having a superior sync behavior (see above), the Fireface's 
SteadyClock provides a heavy jitter suppression even in varipitch 
applications. Reduced protocol overhead, by not sending CIP (Common 
Isochronous Packet format) headers (AVC, mLan) Working FireWire 800 
solution Working FireWire 800 fix for Windows XP SP2 Latency change on 
the fly, while ASIO is running Latency change on the fly, while GSIF 
is running Hardware-based data packet check and drop out correction 
Complete realtime monitoring solution, covering all inputs and all 
playback channels, equaling an 28+28 channels inline console having 28 
Aux sends per channel. Lots of advanced and unique features. Plus 
hardware based Peak/RMS metering. Windows and Mac OS X drivers are 
completely identical in terms of features and functionality Super low 
jitter MIDI I/O similar to PCI-based performance (1 ms)
not available from other manufacturers.

RME FireWire Audio RME's FireWire audio offers many pro-audio features 
not available from other manufacturer's units: Complete realtime 
sample rate lock Complete realtime sample rate control, even during 
playback/record Complete start/stop control. No changed offset after 
reboot. Extreme varispeed / external sync support, in all modes (even 
DS / QS) Despite having a superior sync behavior (see above), the 
Fireface's SteadyClock provides a heavy jitter suppression even in 
varipitch applications. Reduced protocol overhead, by not sending CIP 
(Common Isochronous Packet format) headers (AVC, mLan) Working 
FireWire 800 solution Working FireWire 800 fix for Windows XP SP2 
Latency change on the fly, while ASIO is running Latency change on the 
fly, while GSIF is running Hardware-based data packet check and drop 
out correction Complete realtime monitoring solution, covering all 
inputs and all playback channels, equaling an 28+28 channels inline 
console having 28 Aux sends per channel. Lots of advanced and unique 
features. Plus hardware based Peak/RMS metering. Windows and Mac OS X 
drivers are completely identical in terms of features and 
functionality Super low jitter MIDI I/O similar to PCI-based 
performance (1 ms)
Top
Inputs and Outputs

Analog I/Os: Eight balanced line inputs and outputs with software 
controlled switching of the reference levels (-10 dBV, +4 dBu, 
HiGain), of course realized discretely in the analog domain, guarantee 
Highest dynamic range and highest fidelity. Apart from the levels of 
the microphone pre-amps and the headphone outputs, all device settings 
are software controlled. Equipped with the latest A/D and D/A 
converter chips, all I/Os operate up to 192 kHz and reach 119 dBA 
dynamic range on playback - even the headphone output (playback 
channels 9/10), whose high power technology delivers high volume even 
with low-impedance headphones.

On the front side, the Fireface 800 has 4 discrete balanced microphone 
inputs with class-A stage, separate activation of 48 V phantom power 
and separate XLR/TRS inputs, where the latter can also be used as 
additional Line inputs. Two of the four mic inputs are permanently 
available as channels 9 and 10, the other two can be used together 
with or alternatively to the inputs 7/8 on the back.

The FireFace 800's Hi-Z instrument input offers a soft-limiter, which 
has been tuned especially for musical instruments. Due to a soft 
transition and deliberate creation of harmonics, the input signal is 
compressed steplessly according to taste, or the limiter can be used 
For distortion with tube sound. Activate the Drive circuit too for 
broad guitar distortion. The Speaker Emulation filter, which can also 
be switched on separately, takes low- and high-frequency disturbances 
away and guarantees an optimal basic sound even when recording 
directly into the computer, or when monitoring through a mixing 
console.

Digital I/Os: Two ADAT optical I/Os allow for a connection and 
insertion of effects devices, mixing consoles or external converters. 
Of course, these 16 channels are available simultaneously with the 
analog channels. Using two additional ADI-8 DS, there are 26 analog 
inputs and outputs, which remain still 18 at 96 kHz. The coaxial SPDIF 
I/O works up to 192 kHz, so that there are still 10 analog in- and 
outputs at the highest sample rate, plus two digital ones.
Top
Features
Fireface 800

All inputs and outputs can be used at the same time*!. E. g., the 
instrument input can be used either instead of the line input on the 
back, or together with it. Even the TRS jack and the XLR socket of the 
microphone inputs can be used simultaneously. This way, up to 35 
signal sources can be connected to the Fireface 800 and recorded onto 
28 separate tracks!

Thanks to the DSP-based TotalMix mixer, known from the Hammerfall DSP 
series, all inputs and outputs can be freely mixed, distributed and 
routed. Up to 14 completely independent stereo submixes are possible. 
Each of the mixer's output channels, that is every single submix 
channel, can be recorded directly, without the need of external cable 
loops. And there's more: TotalMix can be MIDI remote controlled with 
any Mackie Control compatible controller.

All settings including TotalMix are recalled during boot via flash 
memory. After making all desired settings, the device works stand-
alone even without computer as a submixer, A/D and D/A-converter, 
Headphone mixer, format converter, instrument or microphone pre-
amplifier, monitoring mixer and much more.

The Fireface 800 is equipped with SteadyClock(TM), RME's unique sync 
and clock technology. With this, the device becomes a sync reference 
for the whole studio. SteadyClock refreshes clock signals, removes 
jitter, and takes permanent care of optimal conversion quality, thus 
guarantees a sensational sound quality, completely independent from 
the reference clock's quality.

SteadyClock allows the Fireface 800 to control the sample rate freely 
on its own. The Settings dialog includes a direct choice of the video 
and audio world's most often used sample rates. Additionally, two 
faders can be used to set the sample rate freely and in real-time, 
within the range of +/- 4% and +/- 0.4%.

Via an insert slot on the back, a Time Code Option (TCO) for 
synchronizing to LTC and video can be added. Thanks to SteadyClock, 
the Fireface 800 does not only extract absolute positions, but also a 
very clean low-jitter word clock.

The Fireface 800 has a second port for hub functionality, bi-lingual 
mode for full FireWire 400 compatibility, and an additional FireWire 
400 port. Several Fireface 800 can be used in parallel and at the same 
time on one FireWire port. 

Technical Specifications

Input AD: 8 x 1/4" TRS, 4 x XLR Mic, 4 x 1/4" TRS Line, all servo-balanced. 1 x 1/4" TS unbalanced

Output DA: 8 x 1/4" TRS, servo-balanced, DC-coupled signal path. 1 x 1/4" TRS unbalanced

Input Digital: 2 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)

Output Digital: 2 x ADAT optical or SPDIF optical, SPDIF coaxial (AES/EBU compatible)

MIDI: 1 x MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jacks, for 16 channels low jitter hi-speed MIDI

Dynamic range AD: 109 dB RMS unweighted, 112 dBA

THD AD: < -110 dB (< 0.00032 %)

THD+N AD: < -104 dB (< 0.00063 %)

Crosstalk AD: > 110 dB

Dynamic range DA: 116 dB RMS unweighted, 119 dBA (unmuted)

THD DA: < -103 dB (< 0.0007 %)

THD+N DA: < -100 dB (< 0.001 %)

Crosstalk DA: > 110 dB

Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ Hi Gain: +19 dBu

Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ +4 dBu: +13 dBu

Input/Output level for 0 dBFS @ -10 dBV: +2 dBV

Sample rate internally: 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 128, 176.4, 192 kHz

Sample rate externally: 28 kHz - 200 kHz

Frequency response AD/DA: -0.1 dB: 5 Hz - 21.5 kHz (sf 48 kHz)

Frequency response AD/DA: -0.5 dB: < 5 Hz - 43.5 kHz (sf 96 kHz)

Frequency response AD/DA: -1 dB: < 5 Hz - 70 kHz (sf 192 kHz)

Driver support

Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP, Vista, Vista 64: Full ASIO multi-client operation of WDM, MME (not XP64), GSIF 2.0 and ASIO 2.0. WDM (DirectSound) with stereo and multi-channel support. Full hot-plugging. Up to 3 units operational. Mac OS X (10.3 or higher) PPC and Intel: Core Audio, Core MIDI. Full hot-plugging. Up to three units operational.

* In Quad Speed mode (176.4 and 192 kHz), both ADAT I/Os are deactivated

** Firewire is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.