RME Multiface II dilemma

4am · Post by **4am** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:44 pm

Hi

I assume I'm not the only person in this unconfortable situation:

I own an RME Multiface II (cardbus), and have to upgrade to a new laptop.

I've already ordered one with Expresscard (3/4) slot, but the Expresscard adapter by RME will cost 260 euros.

Now, I'm wondering if I should invest the money, and keep the Multiface II, or go for something else.

For about the same amount of money, I could buy a Focusrite Scarlett 18i6.
Or I could go for something by Motu (Traveler?), but in this case I should invest more money
and actually I've always been satisfied with my Multiface, which sounds clear and is very reliable.

Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks

am

Dragonbreath · Post by **Dragonbreath** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:17 pm

You will probably get better performance with the RME then the other cards you mentionned and would spend more money anyways. Keep the RME

silversurfer60 · Post by **silversurfer60** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:21 pm

I've been using RME Multiface since many years with cardbus also. After using it with a laptop I changed to desktop and I had the same problem. I solved it with a customary pci express adapter like this, I paid for my adapter 3 years ago 12,-€ and it's been working without any problems. You really don't need the RME stuff.

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/9747 ... xpresscard

It is a german site, but you will find it similar in any country.

LeifonMars · Post by **LeifonMars** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:24 pm

The same dilemma here, with the exception, that my MF runs via expresscard, and since Mac ditched expresscard slots, remaining options are either buy a PC with an expresscard slot or an expresscard to TB adapter to run with a new Mac.

Let's face it: it's technology that will not be supported anymore in the near future.

Only reason I'm hanging on to my MFII is super low latency I can get from it.

In case you don't need that low latencies, I'd say it's time for a switch.

3dot... · Post by **3dot...** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:26 pm

silversurfer60 wrote:I've been using RME Multiface since many years with cardbus also. After using it with a laptop I changed to desktop and I had the same problem. I solved it with a customary pci express adapter like this, I paid for my adapter 3 years ago 12,-€ and it's been working without any problems. You really don't need the RME stuff.

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/9747 ... xpresscard

It is a german site, but you will find it similar in any country.

this gives a solution for desktops not a new laptop..
for the price apple/rme charge for adapters..
unless the OP wants to use it on his desktop ...his best bet imo is to maybe sell it and get a UCX or Babyface
I decided to keep mine and have it dedicated to the Maschine+Live8 on my old lappy

4am · Post by **4am** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 2:48 pm

3dot... wrote:
silversurfer60 wrote:I've been using RME Multiface since many years with cardbus also. After using it with a laptop I changed to desktop and I had the same problem. I solved it with a customary pci express adapter like this, I paid for my adapter 3 years ago 12,-€ and it's been working without any problems. You really don't need the RME stuff.

http://www.conrad.de/ce/de/product/9747 ... xpresscard

It is a german site, but you will find it similar in any country.
this gives a solution for desktops not a new laptop..
for the price apple/rme charge for adapters..
unless the OP wants to use it on his desktop ...his best bet imo is to maybe sell it and get a UCX or Babyface
I decided to keep mine and have it dedicated to the Maschine+Live8 on my old lappy

Upgrading to a desktop would be the better option, but I really need a laptop and an audio interface with 8 ins and outs for gigs.

So I have only two options: Buy the Expresscard adapter, or a new audio interface.

The RME is great quality, but getting a little old.

Would one of the recent but cheaper intefaces sound at least equal?

obmun · Post by **obmun** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 8:32 pm

It's not only about "audio quality". It's about the functionality that the audio interface is giving you. Almost 8 years after the original MFII, unless you buy another RME, you won't get anything similar.

I'm a RME ExpressCard user myself. Either change to a USB RME or buy the ExpressCard.

oblique strategies · Post by **oblique strategies** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 9:04 am

I faced a similar choice back in 2008 when I got a new MacBook Pro with an expresscard port. I got the RME expresscard for my Multiface. A couple of years later I decided to future proof my system & bought an RME Fireface UC.

How much do you rely on TotalMix? I would not want to give it up. It's one of the most flexible routing/mixer apps that any audio interface manufacturer makes.

I'm sticking with RME for:
- TotalMix
- Drivers
- Tech support
- Audio quality
- Build quality
- Latency
- Stability
- etc. etc. etc.

Give the RME Babyface some serious consideration. One great feature is that you can expand it's I/O via ADAT. I've considered going this route: use the Babyface as-is for smaller gigs/sessions, then add the ADAT inteface for additional I/O. Just might be the best of both worlds!

Plus it's class compliant & can work with an iPad. This means no computer noise in recordings!

tecgen · Post by **tecgen** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:14 am

The RME Fireface UCX and UFX are class compliant as well and they will support TotalMix FX App.
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=17250

lapieuvre · Post by **lapieuvre** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:31 am

Thunderbolt to PCIe adapter

http://www.sonnettech.fr/product/echoexpressse.html

http://www.magma.com/expressbox-1t

But I think the Multiface II needs a PCI card, not PCIe...

LeifonMars · Post by **LeifonMars** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 10:45 am

lapieuvre wrote:Thunderbolt to PCIe adapter

http://www.sonnettech.fr/product/echoexpressse.html

http://www.magma.com/expressbox-1t

But I think the Multiface II needs a PCI card, not PCIe...

MF II works with the PCIe as well.

Thanks for the magma-link, though, I only knew about that sonnets box. Hopefully there will be more of those and the prices will drop, that magma especially is way too expensive.

störgeräusche · Post by **störgeräusche** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 6:16 pm

yes
when i still had an analog mixing desk i had a PCI and a PCIe in my desktop to use 2 multiface II.

ikeaboy · Post by **ikeaboy** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 7:14 pm

I was in the OP's situation two years ago and I forked out for the expresscard adapter because I've two multiface 1's. nearly €300 quid extra on top of the cost of the used mbp.

I just upgraded again to a rmbp and had to fork out another €200 for the Sonnett adapter so I reckon the thing to do would be buy the thunderbolt to pci and skip the middle step.

Can't fault the Multiface, I doubt any serious advances have been made in analog to digital conversion in the last ten years beyond the prices coming down. I hate installing their drivers though, always a head wrecker.

4am · Post by **4am** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:08 pm

the computer i've ordered has an expresscard slot
but no thunderbold
i found that not so useful for the moment
as there are only few, and very expensive devices supporting thunderbolt.

do you have suggestions on an alternative audio interface that should be:

- less expensive than an rme
- good quality
- 8 line inputs and outputs
- mid in and out
- solid
- sexy

i'm unable to find anything filling this criterias

so i'm probably going to order the expresscard

4am · Post by **4am** » Thu Apr 25, 2013 12:09 pm

sry, double post

RME Multiface II dilemma

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