Route and Mix Hardware Insert Effects in TotalMix FX

[@RMEAudio]

What is your favorite hardware effect?

[@jeli780]

Would be great to see a new Fireface UCX Mark 2. With new technology as the Babyface Pro FS. It’s a long overdue update I think! I would definitely upgrade it!

[@RMEAudio]

;)

[@TheOneMonk]

I am a bit tired of ITB VSTs and so have started to buy hardware synths, drummachines and effects. I like to add pedal erfects in my synths chain, e.g. Strymon BigSky, EarthQuaker Devices Avalanche. Means lots Ins & Outs are needed, hence I would like to see a compact desktop expansion to my Babyface Pro with 8 phsyical Ins and 8 Outs. Something that can be chained if more I/O is needed.

[@RufusRoss]

Lexicon M200

[@mechanicom]

RME Audio looking to purchase my first rme interface and was wondering if there are plans for an updated UCX?

[@amunahm3324]

This video is good, but .. man, it took me a while to figure out the flow of the signal. After watching this video 20 times .. LOL, I figured out that the signal goes from the DAW to the Software Playback, not the Hardware Outputs (how stupid I was when I thought it does so). From here, it goes to the Hardware Outputs. From Hardware Outputs, it goes to Hardware Inputs. Then, Back to the DAW where I hear it again from the Software Playback. This is the case of Hardware Insert. From inside the DAW, I can either Send the signal or choose the Output where my Insert Hardware is connected. German engineer! LOL. Thank you, though.

[@slavak592]

two years past, I still watching this clip

[@naturligfunktion4232]

TotalMix is honestly one of the best things that have happened to my music making

[@operarocks]

this is a vastly improved tutorial. Thank you for being so explicit for us noobs and showing us how to think about things.

[@RMEAudio]

We always try to improve our tutorials. But you are not a noob. RME interfaces are complex and professional tools. ;)

[@MrRichiekaye]

I used to write instruction manuals for a major Japanese electronics brand, so I think I have enough experience to comment. It is an improvement, up until the second half, when I got lost. These videos are still delivered much too fast and the language is insufficiently specific. This is a common problem with English translated from technical German. The Japanese do the same thing. But also, one has to leave pauses to let people grasp the meaning of what you've said. Let it sink in. Repeat it. Use a teaching tool, like blinking arrows to show which output you mean and then move on. And use terms consistently. For example, if you decide to use "to this input, from this output," don't later on use "from this output, to this input," unless there is a specific purpose to the varying usage. I have used an RME Fireface UC for nearly 10 years now. It is a great piece of gear. But coming up to speed on totalmix was a struggle because the explanation seems detailed, but it is improperly presented for the native English language speaker. I would not buy another RME product, unless I saw an significant improvement in the English language content. That is even with these tutorials and my experience in electronics. Your manual is not an operation manual, but a descriptive tech spec sheet. Please may I recommend: greater specificity, pauses, teaching tools, consistent use of terms and no marketing-related content within the video.

[@RMEAudio]

@@MrRichiekaye Thank you for the input!

[@MrRichiekaye]

@@RMEAudio I am so pleased you would consider my suggestions. It's the cleanest, most accurate interface for its price that I've used for music vocals and audiobook narration, as well as hi fidelity playback from my DAW. I guess that's why I care so much about it. Good luck!

[@johnhunter4181]

@@MrRichiekaye You are so spot on with your comments - the official RME videos are dreadful - I've found slowing the playback speed down to .5 or even .25 helps - it almost makes sense! But usually the narrator is ploughing on while wiggling the mouse pointer about all over the screen-and in the case of this video, for no good reason, he zooms away from what would really help explain the process.

[@GalenHeffermanMusic]

this is honestly still horrifically confusing to me

[@aleixandorrabonet9540]

Hi, what's the difference between doing a hardware insert and a hardware send/return? I've watched both videos and they seem the same to me. Many thanks!

[@MrSRellz]

Great video showing the power of TotalMix!

[@RMEAudio]

Thank you :)

[@TheOneMonk]

Thanks, it‘s great you added the signal-flow overview!

[@RMEAudio]

:)

[@JohnnysaidWhat]

This is an amazing tutorial! Super clear and shows just a small taste of the power that is TotalMix!

[@RMEAudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lushkordz6643]

@@RMEAudio TotalMix is damn good !!!! ive been searching for this functionality on A/I 4 ages

[@jamesangusmusic]

Hi! Such a great video thank you! How would I do this with my RME Babyface Pro? Will I need more outputs?

[@RMEAudio]

You can use the headphone out of the Babyface as line output. If you need more analog I/O´s you can expand the Babyface with external converters connected to the optical I/O.

[@jamesangusmusic]

@@RMEAudio Thank you so much! I forgot about the headphone output! Would there be any noticeable difference in quality? Also what's an external converter you would recommend to connect to optical I/O? Best, James

[@dspoet1]

How do I hook a set of studio monitors (speakers) to the UCX II?

[@philverriere473]

For some reason I can’t get the same results for routing as the video. If you can help it would be appreciated. I want to use a 2 buss processor. Is it better to use the DAW mode for this case?

[@RMEAudio]

Please contact our support team via email [e-mail] or facebook.

[@uriel-heavensguardian8949]

Thanks for the video. Very informative!!!

[@lolightfire]

Sorry but it does not make any sense. How did you route the software playback to your input channel 1&2 ? The software playback can be only routed to hardware output channel not input, or you have some other setup in DAWthat you don't show here. On top of that why don't you use external FX channel in DAW that is made for that. I don't see this working the way you show it, usually you send a software playback to specific hardware output channel and back to RME hardware input channel, the way you show it will create a feedback - so please explain

[@thecomputerband3303]

I keep getting feedback loop. Not sure what he is doing in video but it did not work this way for me. I'm seconds away from boxing it up and sending it back

[@dazeja]

This is the same process for the hardware send fx video you guys did. What’s the difference?

[@tendingtropic7778]

Thank you for this, but how is this different than your other video with send/returns for hardware effects? The method seems exactly the same?

[@vdonnn]

Can you load plug ins or run downloaded plug ins on it to run real time effects so it doesn't suck up PC CPU?

[@lloydbrothers3315]

I absolutely love the size of the outboard processor gear you're using with this. Nice real estate saver. Is that a custom built piece or a manufactured product? Also thanks for the video!

[@SteveH4es]

Can you do all this in the daw without routing through totalmix? Just select the correct I/o

[@tim_cilento]

Is it possible to do this with the headphone out on a Babyface Pro FS 24? And if so, is it possible to use both headphone outs for a stereo signal?

[@impulseproman]

Only one thing I understand in the video that why all professional relies on RME Audio interface hell yes RME4LIFE

[@RMEAudio]

:)

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Dumb question here: what cables do you use coming out of the TRS outs on the RME, to then go into XLR plugs on the outboard gear?

[@RobFlaxMusic]

@@arcticsound7341 Excellent. I definitely need to buy a few of these.

[@GatticaKid]

I used unbalanced jack > female xlr

[@AaronFerenc]

I did exactly what you describe in this video, but I feel like what I'm hearing in my mix is not great. And when I turn up the effects unit (Quadraverb), I get massive feedback. What am I doing wrong?

[@AaronFerenc]

I actually think I figured it out. It's very easy on TMEFX to confuse when you are mixing within the headphone mix or live mix OR within an output channel. You cannot mix the input into the output channel mix! OBVIOUSLY but I'm a newbie so what do you expect?

[@GokulChandCreation]

weired background sound of ur voiceover, very confusing, plz help me that with routing 1 track ,other track i cant listen which is not routed, so how can i mix by playing all the tracks

[@toslinked]

all good, but how is latency dealt with?

[@ertof7190]

Thanks for the video, I try to do this with my Madiface Pro connected via Madi to my SSL ALPHA LINK that is connected to all my Hardware external devices. The Result in the return is a horrible filtered sound .... what is the problem ??

[@Hjaltenielsen]

Awesome! I I'm considering buying a hardware compressor. I was wondering, since I'm only getting one compressor which is not stereo, how would I route a mono-signal only? Cheers, Hjalte

[@RMEAudio]

Exactly the same process, just make the input and output channel mono.

[@Hjaltenielsen]

@@RMEAudio thank you! Can I do that in totalmix fx? 😊

[@nils5479]

Hi! I will get either the UFX ll/+ as soon as its in stock anywhere and wonder if it possible to do this also in standalone mode, and when recording external hardware inserts to the durec/usb stick?

[@RMEAudio]

Hey Nils, this is absolutely possible. Just store the settings into on of the setup slots and you can recall them in the standalone mode.

[@nils5479]

@@RMEAudio wa wa wee wa!👍 UFX + ordered!

[@sindromerecords6667]

Does the volume knob conroll all the 1-6 output all at once?

[@RMEAudio]

You can press the button to switch to the channel selection. This way you can select and control the channels.

[@sindromerecords6667]

@@RMEAudio so its like 1-2 is left and right. 3-4 left and right. 5-6 left and right ?. And the volume can be lowered on all at the same time?

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

I have a question. If I were to route an incoming mic signal to an outboard eq or compressor and back in using this method, would that signal be diverted pre-convertors and only get converted once it came back in on another channel, or would it hit AD then DA the AD again? (why I wouldn't just hard-patch it on it's way in in the first place is an obvious question for me, I know)

[@reallyreallyfreemusic]

Nicely done video. This showed how to set up TotalMix to use an external effect as an INSERT. Would I use TotalMix differently if I've set up an external effects SEND within my DAW (Cubase)? If so, I'd like to see a similar video explaining that. Thank you.

[@RMEAudio]

Send effects are coming in the next video ;)

[@reallyreallyfreemusic]

@@RMEAudio Wonderful...thanks again.

[@christopherdunn317]

Maybe i can get a response here ? I have the (rme ucx 1 ) the old 2019 drivers work great, but the latest driver's, my ucx they install, but the ucx doesn't get detected now when i switch it on ? used the old 2019 drivers again and its fine ? kinda surprised that this would happen ?

[@gustavosandessp]

The same for ancients fireface 800 and 400 right? May I be worried with I/O delay time??

[@RMEAudio]

All RME interfaces work :)

[@gustavosandessp]

@@RMEAudio thanks you very much guys...rme rocks!

[@bmsmusician]

I’m looking into getting a ufx interface soon. I have Neve clone preamp that has analog out only. Can I go directly into the ufx converter without using gain stage on? If not, what would be the best gain setting for that channel in total mix?

[@RMEAudio]

Yes you can do that. The gain setting depends on the output of the preamp. But usually you leave the gain as it is in TotalMix.

[@bmsmusician]

@@RMEAudio ok, on my current interface I can choose between mic, instrument or line in the software. When choosing line the gain pot disappears from the control software as it bypasses the gain stage and goes directly to the converter. Sort of gotten used to not think about 2 different gains in the same signal path.

[@costabrava301]

Can you do this with Babyface pro fs?

[@savanaviolenta]

Can i use the stereo outs of my Babyface Pro then send them to the external gear then back into inputs 3 and 4 or I can use one of the headphone outs with a Y cable and do the same?

[@RMEAudio]

Yes, you can do this :-)

[@savanaviolenta]

@@RMEAudio Thank you!

[@babakhashemi7981]

I wanna buy a RME UCX but the only reason I am hesitating is that, there might be an updated version of UCX with newer converter or thunderbolt/USB-C connection. I know RME support devices for very longtime but you know, newer is better ;) Could you please let us know if there will be a new device in UCX format in this year?

[@JPDC624]

So then I should be able to send my outputs of my BabyFace Pro to s small mixer, send the signal back to the inputs, and also feeding my near field monitors?

[@RMEAudio]

Yes, you can use the headphone output of the Babyface as a line output.

[@RundFyrkant]

does this work with the spdif aswell?

[@hansikrusche5151]

also interested

[@MELOPSMUSIC]

I don t understand why there are two inputs 5/6 at the top (one named eq and the other analog) ? I m not as good as i should in English, please could you telle me ? Thanks a lot

[@RMEAudio]

You can rename the channels as you like. For example, the name of the connected device. With the button "NAMES" in the blue box on the right side you can switch to the original names of the channels.

[@MELOPSMUSIC]

@@RMEAudio Thanks. I understood for renaming but not what are the physical inputs for the two channels at the top, please can you tell me about these two channels, i understand one is the return from hw (named eq1) but the other at its left named analog where does it comes from, is it just from the drum machine hw ? that s what perhaops i don t really understand; because i wonder from where the music you want to eq comes from . thanks a lot

[@ScottHOlson]

Confusing to me also. At 2:29, just before he turns off the default channel names, it appears that input AN 5/6 is Z..EQ1 and input AN 7/8 is AnalogRytrn. Then when he selects output AN 5/6 (Z..EQ1) input AN 5/6 (Z..EQ1) isn't receiving signal until the fader of input AN 7/8 (AnalogRytrn) is raised. And playback channel Ableton is going to output AN 5/6, but the fader of the Ableton playback channel is at - inf.

[@miladrahmani4842]

Hi Doesn't Jitter have a problem with this method?

[@RMEAudio]

No, why would you?

[@miladrahmani4842]

@@RMEAudio I have heard that sending and returning signals to hardware directly from the audio interface can cause jitter problems. But I was not sure and when I saw this video I wanted to ask you. This question is for my information only. thank you

[@alxs2k]

@@miladrahmani4842 this would happen within a DAW monitoring, with total mix there's no such problems afaik.

[@alfieholloway]

And if you’re using Adat?

[@novah9383]

How get mix output after mixing a song by totalMix FX in logic Pro, plz make an video and explain. Thank you

[@jboston4660]

I'm getting serious amounts of feedback when I do this. What have I got wrong?

[@jboston4660]

I think I've worked it out. Is this about right RME, (or anyone else who has sussed this out)?... TO RECORD INSERT EFFECTS... RME Channel 5/6 output goes to your external effect It then goes from the output of your external effect to input 5/6 of RME You have now inserted your hardware effect into the chain. Settings for the submix of your send channel (channel 5 ouput).... Software playback channel (middle row) should be UP or else there will be no signal to send out. Hardware output 5 (bottom row) should be UP. This tells you how much signal to send out. Channel 5 input (top row) should be DOWN to avoid feedbacking the signal. Settings for the submix of your playback channel (headphone or speakers)..... Software playback channel should be DOWN, otherwise you will hear the unprocessed signal. Channel 5 input should be UP so you can hear the processed return signal. Hardware output should be UP so you can hear through your speakers headphones. TO RECORD THE RETURN CHANNEL. .... Arm a different track to record Channel 5 input. MAKE SURE THE MIXER FADER IS DOWN OTHER WISE YOU WILL GET FEEDBACK

[@RMEAudio]

You managed it all by yourself. Congratulations!

[@H0E0M0G14]

@@jboston4660 Thank you, now it works

[@MarcusCorbett]

​@@RMEAudio Is it the case that you think we should 'manage all by' ourselves and therefore you make a video that is incomprehensible.

[@MarcusCorbett]

no mention is made of input channel 7/8 yet there it is with signal bouncing away. Super clear ? No. Confusion even after 20 views.

[@primeprophet5]

how is this RME UCX in 2021? I would like to buy a new card and I would like to know if it will last me many years

[@RMEAudio]

All RME interfaces since 2001 are still supported with current drivers. The Fireface UCX will be supported for a long time.

[@paulosbrighimusiccomposer6612]

I"ve been working several years with Pro Tools, and Logic but I have a lot of difficulties do understand Totalmix routing system. I'm using Logic Pro, RME UFX and connecting to a SSL Fusion hardware by I/O. When I turn on the I/O the system start to phase a lot. When I try to get rid of one of the channels I always do in the one that is sending signal to SSL Fusion, I never can get rid of a constant audio that is not the one that is sending to SSL. Anyone can help me, to use a hardware with Totalmix without phasing. Thanks a lot!

[@RMEAudio]

Please contact us on Facebook.

[@alxs2k]

Guys, would you make a video about TotalMix integration with room correction softwares like Sonarworks? (if there's any way to integrate it with TotalMix, of course).

[@RMEAudio]

Sounds like a plan. But we‘ll have to check that out.

[@Javarrockamore]

I’m still lost. I can’t get total mix to work with my outboard gear. You guys HAVE TO SIMPLIFY IT. I can’t for the life of me figure out why my headphones aren’t playing or why my compressor isn’t playing back. The reason is total mix. Operational mode is 👎🏾. Please give me a call or shoot an email and I can explain how to dumb it down for us simple folks. Btw I’m a Grammy nominated multi - platinum producer / songwriter and engineer. I was really on your bandwagon but honestly if I can’t figure total mix out I’m going to sale my interface

[@ploytuell1332]

Thinking about to get rid of my patchbay and connect my FX via an additional ADAT interface … so this video is exactly what I was looking for … but I makes me headache :) … cause insert a fx in my patchy is so easy … why can't it that easy in total mix?

[@rossorgan]

Sorry you never mention what Hardware inputs 7/8 are doing and how they are routed. I've watched this like 20 times but obviously there are some routing one can not see by looking at the mixer window. It would be so easy to do a step-by-step video with less talking, but one tha tis no skipping important steps.

[@robertvangameren9735]

With all due respect this routing could have a second review by the engineers together with an experienced designer making/showing a logical workflow, maybe choosing between pro and ultimate beginner mode. Still haven't found an complete work through of Total Effects that is based on no technical knowledge and without many shown layers like this video. It should have scroll through chapters in You Tube and maybe some schematic animation. This besides the Barry Johns 'simplified' KZbin, which I find is visually not that simple. Come on @RMEAudio this could be an explanatory investment which fits the logical approach of the product.

[@chizzulwinduh1941]

This is like most RME Tutorials, well intentioned, but quite, quite incomprehensible. I know I'm not the only one, there are so many people that have and continue to complain about the unintelligibility of their tutorial videos over the years, yet RME is unwavering in their belief that their videos are superior. They're not. The products are great, but the usability/ experience is counterintuitive and a long and steep learning curve. @RMEAudio why don't you outsource your tutorial videos to a company that has communication as their core competency? this video for example, is as clear as mud. Come on!

[@Fishplants]

"hasslefree"

[@jowanmokkink417]

Geluid gaat nog steeds over zn nek. ?

[@lagunajavier]

RME, that company that still in 2020 sells products with Firewire protocol. Why? move on! Have you heard of USB4, Thunderbolt 3, USB C???

[@RMEAudio]

Because we still believe in sustainability. If you look closer into the subject, you'll notice that none of the aforementioned protocols will give you better performance. You'll increase cost while having sometimes even worse performance. We are capable of transmitting over 120 channels via USB2 with near zero latency. How many channels do you need?

[@jeli780]

@@RMEAudio Apple stopped selling Macs with Firewire in 2012. That’s 8 years ago. The USB C connection has advantages over USB2 A. Apart from it’s wider bandwidth, it’s reversible and universal in the sense that it shares the same smaller connection with Thunderbolt 3 and the future USB4. One single connector for all of them that is also backward compatible with USB2. Also it is known that Thunderbolt can be faster than USB2 because of how it is implemented inside the computers. That’s why many brands have implemented it even thou their audio interfaces don’t surpass USB2 audio channels limit. Also how much more expensive are you talking about? 50 euros per unit? I would prefer to have more universal connections and pay a bit more rather than having a Firewire connection that I will never use. Maybe that point makes it more expensive to me at the end.

[@buckrogers5429]

@@jeli780 buy from another brand. simple as that. your blah blah makes no sense, because the device still has a USB connection. didn't you understand rme's statement above: 'We are capable of transmitting over 120 channels via USB2 with near zero latency'. what would thunderbolt make better in this case? the only thig what would be better is that there would be no need for an adapter cable.