RME Babyface Pro FS: the portable audio interface gets an update
RME has announced the Babyface Pro FS. The latest version of the portable audio interface looks almost the same as the previous generation, but comes with updated specs and other improvements. What’s new in the RME Babyface Pro FS?
RME Babyface Pro FS
The RME Babyface Pro has been around for four years now, and it’s still a solid performer. But RME has decided to give its professional portable audio interface an update. Apart from a new switch on the bottom, the Babyface Pro FS doesn’t look any different from the previous version and still features the same number of inputs and outputs. So we must look for most of the improvements underneath the surface.
The “FS” is a clue that the Babyface Pro FS features the SteadyClock FS circuit from the ADI-2 Pro FS. According to RME, this ensures “lowest jitter and highest jitter immunity”. The Babyface Pro FS also has new ADCs with lower latency than the previous generation. The input latency has been reduced by six samples, for a total latency of five samples AD and 7 samples DA. That’s quick.
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- XLR analogue inputs and outputs, ADAT I/O, MIDI I/O
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- Headphone outputs and inputs 3 and 4
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- Output level selector switch
Improved I/O specs
The headphone outputs have also been updated. The 3.5 mm output now has more power (90 mW instead of 70 mW), and the THD of both outputs has been improved by up to 10 dB, RME claims. The headphone outputs now use the same op-amps as the ADI-2 Pro. Furthermore, the output impedance of the 3.5 mm output has been lowered from 2 ohms to 0.1 ohms.
The analogue inputs come with improved signal-to-noise ratios. The mic inputs now have an SNR of 113.7 dB (up from 112.2), while the TRS line inputs now reach 116.3 dB (120 dBa), instead of 114 dB. The THD has been improved by 8 dB, according to RME.
So what about that switch on the bottom? It’s a quick way to select the output level of the XLR outputs, with +4 dBu and +19 dBu options. RME says that this improves the SNR for sensitive active monitors, avoids distortion and overload, and lets you keep the faders in the TotalMix FX software near 0 dB. Oh, and I almost forgot about one other improvement that’s visible on the outside: The Babyface Pro FS now has a Kensington Lock slot. That’s probably a good idea because the portable interfaces see a lot of mobile use, where theft protection can be an important consideration.
Price and availability
The RME Babyface Pro FS is listed for EUR 739. The audio interface should become available within the next few days. As of now, we don’t know yet if there will also be a new version of the Babyface Pro Podcasting Bundle.
More information
Video
- XLR analogue inputs and outputs, ADAT I/O, MIDI I/O: RME
- Headphone outputs and inputs 3 and 4: RME
- Output level selector switch: RME Babyface Pro FS
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One response to “RME Babyface Pro FS: the portable audio interface gets an update”
hi there…how could I get more i/o with this unit? I have a babyface pro…but I want more i/o…4 x stereo for stem mixing….has to be a portable option! Could I use the old babyface pro and this newer unit together…or would an ADI 4DD be a better option?