RME generously sent us their newest evolution of pro audio interfaces: The Babyface Pro (). This precision crafted aluminum device is a 24-channel 192kHz bus-powered USB 2.0 audio interface. I was excited to rip open the box and hear what it had, but I waited. I wanted to make sure to document the full unboxing experience for all the other gear heads out there. There is a sublime feeling in peeling off shrink-wrap and opening sealed boxes, or maybe I’m just a total nerd. Either way, nerd out with me as we unbox the RME Babyface Pro.
Here we see the shiny wrapped Babyface Pro sporting RME’s signature blue and white. RME highlights three aspects on the box. Instead of just listing them, let’s explain why they’re featured. Progressive Interface: the Babyface’s newly designed XLR sockets eliminate the need for breakout cables. Profound Technology: an internal DSP chip allows for onboard eq, compression, reverb, and delay. Professional Features: expands from 8 channels to 24 by utilizing the integrated digital inputs. The Babyface Pro stays progressive by applying new technology with a focus on features and style.
After carefully removing the shrink wrap, I was able to feel the textured hard plastic case inside the matte box sleeve. But before removing the case from the box, I stopped to look at all the other sides of the box sleeve. The top blue side of the box lists the package contents as well as the System requirements: Windows XP SP2 or up, Intel Mac OS X (10.6 or up), USB 2.0 (USB 3) port, comptuer with at least Pentium Core 2 Duo CPU. Just to clarify, it is Mac and PC compatible. The box also reminds us to check out the RME products and community at www.rme-audio.com.
The user manual is nestled inside the box sleeve. Tucked inside the pages of the manual is the offline driver CD for the Babyface which includes TotalMix FX control software. It is advised to download the latest version of drivers from their website as updates are continiuously posted. Downloads can easily be accessed through RME’s website here. TotalMix FX improves on existing control software by offering native processing and effects. In addition to gain, pads, and routing you can now EQ channels and add effects.
Here we can see the Babyface’s aluminum face emerging as it slides out of the protective fabric sleeve. RME is known for high-end rack mounted studio equipment. With the rise of home studios, which are often limited to a just a few channels, a demand arose for professional and powerful desktop interfaces. Apogee’s Duet and UA’s Apollo Twin are two examples of successful desktop interfaces that blend style and performance with only 4-6 channels.
RME’s original Babyface was their first competitor in the desktop interface market. The original Babyface was very successful but left room for improvement. The Babyface Pro eliminates the cumbersome breakout cable, doubles headphone outputs and Hi-Z inputs, and doubles the amount of LED meters. Here we can see the Babyface Pro in the hard shell case. The Babyface Pro is precision crafted out of a block of aluminum. The smoothly machined aluminum face really adds style points to this interface. It feels substantial and durable in my hands but at 1.5 lbs it is certainly not heavy.
Underneath the Babyface, the hard case has four molded notches for the included cables. There is the main USB cable for the interface to communicate with the computer. Secondly, there is a MIDI expansion cable that allows you to send and receive MIDI information. There is no DC adapter included. The Babyface is perfectly stable on USB 3 bus power, and most USB 2 ports. This allows you to provide phantom power to condenser microphones in the field without a wall outlet. If desired, the DC power adapter is available through RME.
Sometimes it can be unclear what kind of tips certain cables have. That’s why I made sure to include close-ups of the cable ends. Top left photo is the standard USB jack that goes into the computer. Top right is the USB B jack that goes into the Babyface. Bottom left are the two MIDI jacks: MIDI in and MIDI out. These can be connected to synths, controllers, or other devices that accept MIDI information. On the bottom right is the MIDI jack that goes into the Babyface Pro.
On the left side of the device we see the port for the USB B, the DC jack, the MIDI jack, and lastly we see OUT and IN. These are a progressive feature that allows the Babyface to grow with your studio. The IN and OUT are digital optical ports that enable expansion from 4 inputs and 4 outputs to 12 and 12. Connect an external converter such as the RME OctaMic XTC to unlock the additional 16 channels of the Babyface Pro for a total of 24 channels. With this expansion, the Babyface is capable of recording a full live band as well as handling individual headphone mixes.
On the right side of the device we see two headphone outputs. The TRS and mini-jack sockets have completely separate driver stages to perfectly match low and high impedance headphones. These jacks are both outputs 3 / 4 and receive the same mix. With a splitter cable and hard panning you can separate outputs 3 and 4. To the right, we see Hi-Z ¼” inputs 3 and 4. These are ideal for connecting instruments or other line level sources. These ¼” inputs include 9 dB fine gain control, and a choice of +4dBu or -10dBV reference level, controlled within TotalMix FX.
On the back of the device we can see the newly designed XLR sockets, which integrate seamlessly into the aluminum chassis for ultimate durability. From left to right we have output 2 and 1 and then input 2 and 1. The integration of the XLR and all the other jacks into the housing eliminated the need for a breakout cable. Both XLR inputs have digitally controlled preamps, which provide individually switchable 48v phantom power. These brand new circuits feature a gain range of 76 dB, which is adjustable in steps of 1 dB. The circuitry features a relay-driven PAD to attenuate louder signals. The PAD can be activated on any of the input(s) within TotalMix.
Here we can see the full contents of the package. There’s the color printed box sleeve, user manual, driver CD, hard shell case, fabric sleeve, Babyface Pro, MIDI cable, and USB cable. When we look at it like this it is easy to see how portable the whole system truly is. TotalMix FX can even be run on iOS devices to increase the portability score. With the software, you get an array of great mix routing options. You can easily set up different mixes for your singer with reverb, your live room with extra compression, and your control room with subtle EQ.
Here we can see the Babyface Pro in my home studio. In this photo we can really appreciate the design as it seamlessly blends in with my computer and studio set up. All the cables can run neatly to the back of the desk to decrease cable clutter. Only the headphone cable runs to the front, as it should. With a smooth twist of the rotary knob and a tap of the select button you can switch the LED meters from displaying inputs 1&2 to inputs 3&4. It is just as easy to toggle the meter view for the outputs. The DIM button at the bottom right can be assigned to various functions from within TotalMix FX.
In this close-up we can see how vibrant the LED meters are. They are bright enough to create a cool green glow on the bottom of my computer screen. When a signal clips, the top indicator bar of the meter will light red and stay illuminated for a few seconds, so we don’t miss it. We all know the pain of reviewing a track only to discover a devastating clip. The bottom bar of the input meter will illuminate red if phantom power (+48v) is engaged. Orange LEDs show what input or output is being monitored as well as where the rotary knob is assigned.
In practice, the Babyface Pro delivered high fidelity audio with minimal latency. It was able to handle everything I threw at it from simultaneous multi-tracking with bizarre routings to high effects processing in TotalMix FX. I had a creatively liberating experience with the intuitive Babyface Pro. It enabled the writing/recording process without any crashes or errors. Here we can see the Babyface Pro in action at my home studio. It looks so cool on my desk and sounds so good in my monitors. I’m not looking forward to reboxing and returning this one.
Thanks for nerding out with me on the unboxing of the RME Babyface Pro.
