RME Babyface Pro FS Review
24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
- 4 Analog Inputs, 4 Analog Outputs
- 3.5mm and 6.3mm Headphone Outputs
- TOSLINK, ADAT, and MIDI I/O
- Improved Specs over Babyface Pro
- SteadyClock FS Jitter Reduction
- +19/+4 dBu Switch for Improved SNR
- MIDI I/O Via Included Breakout Cable
- -11 dB Pad +65 dB Gain, in 1 dB Steps
- TotalMix FX Hardware Mixer
- Class Compliant Mac, Windows, iOS, Linux
Introduction
In this article, we delve into a detailed analysis of 1,246 user reviews from various languages worldwide to examine the RME Babyface Pro FS. This analysis is performed by the RR artificial intelligence and updated daily with newly submitted reviews. The RR AI utilizes a complex algorithm to first scrutinize user reviews for credibility, filtering out unreliable ones. It then proceeds to dissect and evaluate the valuable insights within these reviews, providing users with ratings regarding the features of this product. Based on these assessments, users can make informed decisions about whether this product is suitable for them or not.
Ratings Based on Features
These results are a summary of user reviews of the RME Babyface Pro FS. For example, 52% of 94 users who have commented on the For beginners of the RME Babyface Pro FS have given positive feedback.
Highlighted Customer Reviews
Showing 1 to 20 of 39 Reviews
High Quality Interface
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Charles on B&H Photo Video
UPDATED REVIEW 2-5-2021 As an owner of a Fireface 400, I wanted more remote control of mic & line gains by MIDI control. The Babyface and FF-UCX offer that. I tried the Babyface for a month and discovered an anomaly related mic gain settings. I sent a report to RME and they issued a firmware update within a week. (The v.129 update is not generally visible on the web site yet.) The Babyface Pro Fs (BFP) has some features the UCX does not - contiguous mic gain adjustment from 0 to 65 dB in 1 dB steps. The UCX has 0 and 10-65 dB range. The BFP has an 11 dB PAD selectable on MIC inputs - n/a on the UCX. The BFP has a nice knob and I-O meters, but with my automation I rarely used those. The BFP has unbal INST inputs (TRS). All I-O on the UCX are servo-balanced (less HP). The UCX has a plethora of "I"s and "O"s obviously. The balanced output impedance of UCX is lower (75 ohms vs. 300 ohms), except on the Phones which are a little lower impedance on the BFPro. The real world noise floor and dynamic range of the BFP and the UCX are nearly out of my range to distinguish at the moment. The UCX has "Dynamics" and "AutoSet" (auto gain for limiting) not available on the BFP - this is the big discriminator due to their price points. The UCX additionally has word clock I-O and RCA digital I-O. Using the BFP with the OSC control (iOS app), I also verified the MIC gain problem (now resolved in a firmware patch "fut_mac_usb_129.zip"). Mic Gain Issue: Both variable gains (0--65 dB) should be set to the SAME VALUE or non-displayed gain errors will occur on both channels. Measured A/D gain differences of +/- 1 dB to -2/+5 dB can occur, subject to some algorithm controlling the gains from any input (TotalMix, OSC or MIDI). Keep both gains the same until you get the update. After the update, I confirmed that the AN-1/2 gains operated as expected. (There appears to be no indication of this issue on the RME FORUM). I suggest you look into the Babyface Pro Fs if your needs for I-O are far less than the UC or UCX. I hope this review prompts people to log on the RME forum and address the mic gain issue and have RME update the firmware for the public. I cannot believe I'm the only one on the planet who has observed this, though it is subtle. RME has a highly professional staff and is focused on high end hardware. Their documentation is near excellent, though some manuals could use some updates. Their instructional videos on the TotalMix FX is highly recommended for those new to these products. (2/5/2021) ... More
Beautiful sound, bulletproof connectivity, quiet and cool
RME Babyface Pro USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Adam L. on Reverb
I've been running this in my pro VO studio for several weeks now and I'm super impressed. This is now replacing the UA Apollo Twin Solo I used for the last 6 years. I loved the UA in many ways but I ended up never using the UAD plugins for my work. It also suffered from fairly frequent connectivity issues that required restarts upon waking the computer from sleep at least every day or two. It also runs hot and would heat up my little booth. Over the last four years, the UA increasingly produced an audible click from its processors that ruined takes since it lived in the VO booth with me. Lastly, the UA's somewhat bulky size and the need for an external power supply meant that it wasn't ideal to use when I'm on the road. I was anticipating that the Thunderbolt connectivity would start to be a bit of a hassle if I upgraded to a USB-C laptop (don't love dongles). Enough about the UA, though, NONE of those are issues with the Babyface Pro! The sound is pristine, clear and tone is almost identical to the UA preamps (but for some reason with less gain value needed to power my 416 and achieve the same output volume). I have had ZERO issues with connectivity. I leave my computer idle for hours or put it to sleep and the RME is ready to rock instantly upon waking. The Babyface Pro is warmish to the touch but never gets hot, even though it's been on constantly for weeks now. It's going to be amazing for recording on the road. It's bus-powered, so I would only need a power supply if I want to use it with an iPad. Slim and svelte, it will easily fit safely into my laptop bag with the 416, whereas the UA always ended up in my luggage. Even when I upgrade to a USB-C MacBook Pro, all I'll need is the USB-b to C cable and I'm good to go. Highly recommended! ... More
Incredible Audio Interface
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Lp on B&H Photo Video
This little unit is incredible, I use it for simple things like Discord and Game Streaming. TotalMix FX makes mixing on the fly incredibly simple, no need for a giant mixing board on your desk, TotalMix takes care of it all. Monitoring my inputs in real time is simple, even with my RME ADI-2 DAC connected via ADAT, there's zero latency. Listening to Music through your headphones without passing that audio through to your stream is so simple with TotalMix. Just send game audio and your microphone to one hardware output with loopback on, then send all of those sources plus your music app to your headphones. It's too simple. The only issue I have with this device is it's lack of compressor and gate. I would much rather have those than the built in reverb and echo options. RME has stated that the babyface's DSP chip is not capable of more than a couple effects due to the number of available channels, but it would be nice if owners could pick and choose which effects were available based on their application. I decided to purchase a $200 DBX 286s channel strip to take care of this, instead of upgrading to a fireface which would be an additional $700. All in all, this unit does exactly what I need which is to allow me to use the windows devices instead of ASIO as most of my gaming applications do not have an ASIO option. Programs like ASIO4all and Voicemeeter Banana are great when you have a Focusrite like I did, but the Babyface Pro FS and TotalMix FX cannot be beat. I highly recommend this device and wish I had purchased one years ago. ... More
Exceptional Quality!
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Mackenzie on B&H Photo Video
I've used the apogee duet and the element 2/4 in the past and thought those tools did an incredible job. i loved the sturdiness of the element and the convenience of the duet but found both to have certain faults. the breakout cables for the duet were g-d awful and the cable would slip out sometimes if the unit was shifted. the duet itself felt hefty and great but the breakout cables made the unit kind of clunky and horrible. the satisfaction of the single rotary button kept me in the game though, i loved that thing. the element solved a lot of problems i had with the duet - it was REAL sturdy and the connections were rock solid, but something about express was lacking... the babyface is just the better version of both of these products...physically the unit is a d-mn brick and just feels premium as h-ck. the connections are great no wiggling or surprise slip-outs and the audio quality is truly a lot more noticable than anticipated. listening back to mixes i can really hear things my apogee products more or less missed? maybe colored? not sure but i feel more confident in the interface. everything about it is wonderful and i would recommend this product to anyone considering apogee or universal audio products (esp if they're not like SOLD on the in unit processing power) ... More
Amazing and flexible interface
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Steve on B&H Photo Video
I bought this interface initially because I was in need of a good D/A. I really didn't need another interface. My previous experience with an RME internal PCI card was excellent and since they are the industry standard for reliable drivers and long term support, I thought I would spend the extra money and get the Babyface Pro FS. Boy, am I glad I did! This palm sized device packs a punch with features and sounds FANTASTIC! The rotary encoder is such a convenience, I don't how I worked without it. The chassis is so solid and every part of the build quality is top notch. Great metering, ease of use (definitely want to read the manual though) makes this an exceptional interface. The fact that it comes with TotalMIX Fx and DigiCheck is just the icing on the cake. Once I realized how powerful the Babyface Pro FS was, I wanted more inputs and outputs and started looking at the UCXII (another powerhouse of a device!). I thought about trading in the BBF Pro FS and getting the UCXII instead but the Babyface is such quality that I knew I needed to keep it and I ordered the UCXII as well. The converters are neutral and accurate but never sterile. Routing is insanely powerful thanks to TotalMIX Fx. RME has done a great job engineering such powerful interfaces. Highly recommended! ... More
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Rock Solid Interface, Less headache than the UA Twin
RME Babyface Pro USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Shawn T. on Reverb
Quite possibly the best small format interface available. I love that it is USB bus powered (probably one of the most competitive features if you gig with it). The drivers are rock solid and can support ultra low latency (as others have pointed out). RME has some of the most impressive stock preamps and the Babyface does not disappoint in that regard. Super clean pres that have a lot of gain. Total mix is great and has some excellent sounding built in FX. I especially like their hall reverb. Totalmix is perfect for tweaking your sound without using up your computers processing power. Unlike the UFX the Babyface does not come with dynamic FX adjustments unfortunately. People are constantly arguing over whether the Twin or the Babyface is better, and it really depends on what you're comfortable with. I don't like dealing with UA's internal plugins and navigating how much I can add before the DSP runs out. For my purposes, I'm running multiple VSTs and tracks from my DAW at any given time. Personally, I think the Babyface handles this task better than the Twin. TotalMix is much easier to understand/route than the Apollo control software (that's just my opinion though). ... More
Honest Sound in a Portable Package
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Aaron on B&H Photo Video
I also have a UCX II for a 5.1 setup, and needed a more portable solution with less IO and a similar sonic profile for traveling and doing simpler stereo work. The sound of this unit is clean, clear, honest, and indistinguishable (to me, at least) from the UCX II. The build is incredibly solid, and the included case is a nice touch. One caveat about the RME products is that these are professional grade tools, and you will not be able to jump right in and start using these without some baseline knowledge. The necessary TotalMix companion utility is by no means difficult to use or poorly designed (quite the opposite), but you'll have a learning curve with it. It's totally worth it! But the Apogees and UAs of this ilk are more plug and play and ignore the tech stuff if you want friendly as far as DAW integration goes. ... More
Best mobile audio interface, exceeds my expectations
RME Babyface Pro FS USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by J S. on Reverb
Recently updated my studio, after trying a variety of interfaces from Focusrite, UAD, Steinberg, SSL, Presonus and Motu, none of them come close to the Babyface Pro. This interface sounds amazing with superb clarity, was super easy to set up within a couple of minutes and rocks extremely low latency in Ableton 11. After punishing my system with a massive cpu overload stress test, the drivers held up perfectly with no issues. The Total Mix software is also super easy to set up and is amazingly flexible with routing, allowing you to make adjustments with your setup on the fly with zero issues. The unit is built extremely well, I will use this for studio and I'm excited to take this on tour without having to worry about durability. Overall, I'm very impressed with this interface and highly recommend it to those looking for the absolute best audio interface. ... More
A Lot Of Thought And Care Went Into This Product
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed on B&H Photo Video
It has an amazingly small footprint which is exactly what I needed given that I have very little space on my desk. It sounds fantastic, great clarity and sonic spacing without adding anything to the audio. The inputs/outputs are easy to control. Great design. It's USB 2.0 bus powered if you wish. USB 2.0 works just fine with this unit, I haven't had any issues with it. Don't confuse throughput with functionality. If you're not scoring a 150 track piece with this, then you'll be just fine. The TotalMix software is a bit confusing but really flexible. I highly recommend this device for anyone with limited space but needs higher audio fidelity. It seems pricey but once you use it, you'll appreciate all the engineering that went into this, well worth it. ... More
Perfect!
RME Babyface Pro FS USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Matt S. on Reverb
This is working great. I've upgraded from an older Focusrite interface. I can immediately hear a difference with the headphone output: clarity, detail, and depth. Listening to high-resolution audio sounds incredible. I may have had a bad USB cable, but swapping it fixed my initial connection issues. I've already noticed an improvement in overall latency for recording. The preamps are also pristine and clean. The device is built really well. The case is very isn't amazing but this device will not travel much anyway. I haven't tested it yet but I'll pair this up with another old interface via ADAT for additional inputs. I'm really glad I went with RME. ... More
Amazing performance both conversion and latency
RME Babyface Pro USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Edward T. on Reverb
I love this little interface. USB powered super high quality conversion. Excellent mic pres with tons of gain. Total mix software with DSP EQ and Reverb. And killer low latency and driver support. I was torn between this and the Apollo twin. Which is great if you want to buy into the UAD plugins, but I already own a ton of top quality plugins so no need, and my computer is powerful enough to run a ton of instances. With the low latency I can track with them too. The money I saved will go towards a high end boutique mic pre. RME is top tier quality so don’t think twice, just grab one for yourself. ... More
Outstanding piece of equipment!
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Kelly on B&H Photo Video
I got this to upgrade from an original RME Babyface interface for my voice-over business. RME stuff is built like tanks! After using this a while I messed up a setting in the software and the output dropped way down. I thought I had ruined it. I put in a ticket to RME USA support and they got right back to me, dialed into my computer and found my stupid mistake. It's back working again. If you need a QUITE interface that is built tough, this is the one!
Great product and great service!
RME Babyface Pro USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Jennifer S. on Reverb
I just received my RME Babyface Pro interface last week and was able to do a livestream performance a couple of days ago, which totally enhanced the performance and the experience for the audience. It was pretty easy to hook up immediately with my microphones, and with some more tutorials and more experimenting, I'll be able to utilize it even better. It's in terrific shape and even with my little tech knowledge, I was able to get it up and running and recording into GarageBand as well as recording live on Twitch for a recent livestream performance. Thank you, RME Babyface Pro! ... More
Well worth the money.
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Jon on B&H Photo Video
The sound is wonderfully transparent. The inputs are super clean. The drivers are much more stable than my previous, mainstream interface. The TotalMix FX software is super powerful for routing audio from anywhere to anywhere. Next level product.
Mic Gain Discrepancy Resolved
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Charles on B&H Photo Video
In my earlier review I discussed the gain programming issue if both Mic channels were not set to the same value. Within a few days, RME solved the issued and created a firmware update. On their web site look for version 129 (fut_mac_usb_129.zip) 1-25-2021 Now I confirm that the gains may be set independently to the desired values. Gain tracking (CHAN 2- CHAN 1) measured -0.05/+0.02 dB from 0 to 65 dB over a short term interval. Gains are now always proportional to their settings. Thanks RME
Rock solid
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Jason on B&H Photo Video
Well-built unit. Solid and works great, with pristine sound quality. There's a reason RME products cost a premium; you get what you pay for. Love the rotary encoder for volume control, the compact size, and the case which makes it easy to throw in a bag and take to a mobile session. I also own the flagship UFX II interface and the totalmix software is interchangeable between this unit and my UFX II
Best for its price point.
RME Babyface Pro USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Alex G. on Reverb
Had a Focusrite Scarlett for a while and the tone was quite papery. Lots of mids and hi-mids. RME is clean all the way up and down the frequency spectrum and simply sounds warmer and clearer than other interfaces I've tried. UA Twin sounds too sterile and polished to me. Apogee also sounds pretty good, but the warmth of the Babyface made it my best bet.
Best Interface at This Price
RME Babyface Pro USB Audio Interface
Reviewed by Daniel B. on Reverb
I've owned several interfaces in all different sizes and price points. This one shines through and through as the best one for the money. I love the sound quality, the software, the form factor, everything. Overall, It's built like a tank and sounds crisp and punchy. I've never had a single issue with it.
Wow!
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Christopher on B&H Photo Video
I wanted to update from my UA Arrow. Didn't really love UA sound or reliability. This thing sounds amazing! Some people complain about Totalmix setup, but I found it easy and intuitive. My Shure SM7B sounds clear and has enough gain to run it without mic booster. This thing is top notch!
High software engineering quality in drivers; works in Linux
RME Babyface Pro FS 24-Channel 192 kHz Bus-Powered USB 2.0 Audio Interface
Reviewed by Jason on B&H Photo Video
Bought to use in USB class-compliant mode but also occasionally use it with a Windows 11 PC. The USB driver passes all of the Windows Driver Verifier checks. And it works pretty well in Linux, too, though one cannot access all of its features.
