RME Babyface Pro FS USB Audio Interface

SoundPro Item: 55139

MPN: BABYFACE PRO FS

Description
Specifications
Documentation
Questions & Answers

The Babyface Pro continues RME’s commitment to superior craftsmanship from audio circuits and driver development to mechanics. Created from a solid block of aluminum, this portable interface features state of the art analog and digital circuits. The same SteadyClock FS circuit from the ADI-2 Pro AD/DA converter is used, ensuring ultra-stable clocking, and reducing self-jitter. Innovative energy saving technologies offer supreme fidelity without compromising level, noise, or distortion.

Improvements from previous models include better signal-to-noise ration with increased dB in line/instrument inputs. Headphone output power increased by 20mW, and THD of headphone outputs improved by 10 dB while impedance was greatly lowered. A +19/+4dBu switch reduces output level, improving signal-to-noise ratio and avoiding overloads and distortion. These improvements were all made without an increase in power consumption.

RME TotalMix FX is part of the interface, so you can mix, EQ and route all audio channels. TotalMix FX uses one DSP chip for monitor mixing, while the other is dedicated to latency-free effects and processing. Bring reference-quality recording capabilities everywhere you go in this portable yet powerful interface. Simply connect the USB port to your laptop.

With 12 input and output channels, you have enough space to record a complete band or drum kit. Stereo XLR inputs offer phantom power for condenser microphones, and XLR outputs are designed for connecting loudspeakers. Instrument inputs offer high impedance for direct recording. All digital ports are on the left side of the unit: USB port, DC port, MIDI I/O breakout cable, and ADAT connectors. The DC port is helpful for operating in class compliant modes, and the ADAT connectors add more channels.

Several controls are accessible from the six buttons on the surface of the Babyface Pro. IN and OUT buttons select your input and output, while select and dim buttons can be used for more advanced functions. Encoder dial has an easy finger grip for smooth yet controlled adjustments.

RME Babyface Pro Features

Mobile professional audio interface
12 input and output channels
+19 / +4 dBu switch reduces the output level
Full SteadyClock FS circuit
90 mW output power
Low latency
3.5 mm TRS phones
RME TotalMix FX to mix, EQ and route audio channels
K-slot for theft protection

Babyface Pro FS USB Audio Interface1

Analog
- AD, Microphone/Line 1-2
  - Input: XLR, electronically balanced
  - Input impedance balanced: 2 kOhm, 5.2 kOhm with PAD
  - Input impedance unbalanced: 1 kOhm, 2.6 kOhm with PAD
  - Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 113.7dB RMS unweighted, 117dBA
  - Frequency response @44.1kHz, -0.1dB: 18Hz–20.8kHz
  - Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5dB: 7Hz–45.8kHz
  - Frequency response @192kHz, -1dB: 5Hz–88kHz
  - With PAD active : -0.1dB 8Hz, -0.5dB <4Hz, -1dB <3Hz
  - THD: <-112dB, <0.00024%
  - THD+N: <-108dB, <0.00035%
  - THD @30dB Gain: <-115dB, <0.00016%
  - THD+N @30dB Gain: <-100dB, <0.001%
  - Channel separation: >110dB
  - Gain range: -11dB up to +65dB
  - Maximum input level XLR, Gain 0dB: +8dBu, PAD +19dBu
  - Maximum input level XLR, Gain 65dB: -57dBu, PAD -46dBu
- AD, Line/Instrument In 3-4 (As Microphone/Line 1-2, but)
  - Input: 6.3 mm TS jack, unbalanced
  - Input impedance: 1 MOhm
  - Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 116 dB RMS unweighted, 120dBA
  - Frequency response @44.1kHz, -0.1dB: 5Hz–20.8kHz
  - Frequency response @96kHz, -0.5dB: <3Hz–45.8kHz
  - Frequency response @192kHz, -1dB: <2Hz–92kHz
  - Maximum input level @+4dBu, Gain 0dB: +13dBu
  - Maximum input level @-10dBV, Gain 9dB: -5dBu
- DA, Line Out 1-2 XLR
  - Dynamic range (DR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118dBA
  - Frequency response @44.1kHz, -0.5dB: 0Hz–20.8kHz
  - Frequency response @96kHz, -0.5dB: 0Hz–45kHz
  - Frequency response @192kHz, -1dB: 0Hz–89kHz
  - THD: - 106dB, 0.0005%
  - THD+N: -102dB, 0.0008%
  - Channel separation: >110dB
  - Output: XLR balanced
  - Output impedance: 300 Ohm balanced, 150 Ohm unbalanced
  - Output level @0dBFS: Balanced +19 / +4dBu, unbalanced +13 / +7dBu
  - DC @0dBFS: 6.35mm 4.8V, 3.5mm 2.4V, XLR bal. 9.6V
- DA, Phones 3/4 (As DA Line Out, but)
  - Output: 6.3 mm TRS jack, unbalanced
  - Output impedance: 10 Ohm
  - Output level at 0dBFS, 1 kOhm load: +13dBu
  - Max power @0.1% THD: 60 mW
  - Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 114.8 dB RMS unweighted, 118dBA
  - Noise level: -101.8dBu
  - User's Guide Babyface Pro FS © RME 79
  - Output: 3.5 mm TRS jack, unbalanced
  - Output impedance: 0.1 Ohm
  - Output level at 0 dBFS, 1 kOhm load: +7dBu
  - Max power @0.1% THD: 90 mW
  - Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 114dB RMS unweighted, 117dBA
  - Noise level: -107dBu
MIDI
- 1 x MIDI I/O via breakout cable with 2 x 5-pin DIN jacks
- Galvanically isolated by optocoupled input
- Hi-speed mode: Jitter and response time typically below 1 ms
- Separate 128 byte FIFOs for input and output
Digital
- Clocks: Internal, ADAT In, SPDIF In
- Jitter suppression of external clocks: > 50dB (2.4kHz)
- Effective clock jitter influence on AD and DA conversion: near zero
- PLL ensures zero dropout, even at more than 100 ns jitter
- Digital Bitclock PLL for trouble-free varispeed ADAT operation
- Supported sample rates: 28kHz up to 200kHz
Digital Inputs
- ADAT Optical
  - 1 x TOSLINK
  - Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48kHz
  - Double Speed (S/MUX): 4 channels 24 bit 96kHz
  - Quad Speed (S/MUX4) : 2 channels 24 bit 192kHz
  - Bitclock PLL ensures perfect synchronisation even in varispeed operation
  - Lock Range: 31.5kHz–50kHz
  - Jitter suppression: >50dB (2.4kHz)
- SPDIF optical
  - 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
  - Accepts Consumer and Professional format
  - Lock Range: 27kHz–200kHz
  - Jitter suppression: >50dB (2.4kHz)
Digital Outputs
- ADAT optical
  - 1 x TOSLINK
  - Standard: 8 channels 24 bit, up to 48kHz
  - Double Speed (S/MUX): 4 channels 24 bit 96kHz
  - Quad Speed (S/MUX4) : 2 channels 24 bit 192kHz
- SPDIF optical
  - 1 x optical, according to IEC 60958
  - Format Consumer (SPDIF) according to IEC 60958
  - Sample rate 28 kHz up to 200 kHz
Power supply USB bus power or external power supply
Idle power consumption 2.8W
Typical power consumption 3.7W
Max. power consumption 5.4W
Current at 5 V bus power operation 700 mA (3.7W)
Current at 12 V external power 313 mA (3.7W)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 108x35x181 mm (4.25x1.4x7.1")
Weight 680 g (1.5 lbs)
Temperature range +5° up to +50° Celsius (41° F up to 122°F)
Relative humidity < 75%, non condensing
Typical power consumption Playback 1 kHz sine 0 dBFS, 2 x 32 Ohm at TRS 3.5 mm, XLR loopback -> nearly all LEDs lit in medium brightness.
Maximum power consumption same, but XLR inputs shorted and phantom power activated.