RME Fireface 802 FS Anniversary Edition USB/Firewire Audio Interface

Celebrating 20 Years of the RME Fireface 800

For the 20th anniversary of the legendary Fireface 800, RME introduces an exclusive special edition: the Fireface 802 FS AE in an elegant and dark design, inspired by the successful ADI-2 series.

The Fireface 802 FS AE is technically identical to the Fireface 802 FS and offers the same powerful features and functions. This includes precise AD/DA conversion, flexible I/O options and the renowned high audio quality that professional users have relied on for two decades.

High Performance Tools & Technologies

The Fireface 802 FS AE is a highly integrated pro audio solution for live and studio use, designed for users who require high-end audio recording, rock-solid stability and ultra-low latency operation, as well as an unrivalled professional feature set.

Alongside 60 channels (30 inputs / 30 outputs) of analogue and digital I/O, the Fireface 802 FS AE benefits from newly developed analogue and digital circuitry with improved performance, as well as a host of professional features.

Like all RME audio interfaces, the Fireface 802 FS AE benefits from TotalMix FX, RME's digital high-end mixer and signal router. Driven by powerful DSP with integrated EQ, Dynamics and Reverb/Echo effects at up to 192 kHz, plus a built-in monitoring controller, TotalMix FX offers powerful, flexible control of all audio channels.

The full-blown feature set also includes optional Class Compliant mode and operation with TotalMix FX for iPad, RME's app to fully control the 802 FS AE from the iPad, without any computer. The easy-to-use app includes metering for all 60 channels plus effects bus, different setup screens, and complete control of all features.

Enhance Your Recording Setup - Discover Unmatched Flexibility

The Fireface 802 FS AE benefits from ultra-low latency operation thanks to RME’s renowned USB driver technology and driver stability. SteadyClock FS jitter suppression, individually switchable reference levels for all inputs and outputs and identical operation on Windows PC and Mac completes the package.

The Fireface 802 FS AE is based on a newly developed analogue and digital board. While the analogue board offers DC-coupled analogue outputs as well as new AD and DA converters, the digital board also enables interesting new features thanks to updated high-tech components.

The front panel of the Fireface 802 FS AE provides four high-performance XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphone, instrument and line signals and two stereo headphone jacks with +17 dBu output level, to provide high volumes even with hi-impedance headphones.

The rear panel reveals the full connectivity of the Fireface 802 FS AE. As well as MIDI and Word Clock I/O, the Fireface 802 FS AE is equipped with two optical ADAT I/Os, an AES/EBU I/O, and eight balanced analogue line-level inputs and outputs.

With the new Multi-Mode, the two ADAT I/Os can be used as separate optical SPDIF inputs and outputs in addition to the AES I/O. Users will also find a USB A port for connecting directly the optional ARC USB, offering tactile control of TotalMix FX.

Experience Uncompromising Audio Quality

Like other RME products before the Fireface 802 FS AE combines excellent analogue circuit design with latest digital conversion technology. All balanced TRS & XLR I/Os as well as the two phones outputs offer outstanding low noise and distortion values.

In best RME tradition and product philosophy converters and preamps don’t produce “sound”, they do not add or remove anything from the source signal, just capture it as it is.

Equipped with the latest low latency A/D and D/A converter chips, all I/Os operate at up to 192 kHz and reach high dynamic range on playback - even both headphone outputs. Their high power technology delivers high volume no matter if high or low impedance phones are used. Due to its efficient jitter reduction, RME’s superior SteadyClock FS guarantees state-of-the-art AD/DA conversion, even when clocking to an external clock source.

Every input and output is individually switchable to these common professional studio levels: -10 dBV, +4 dBu, HiGain (equivalent to +2 dBV, +13 dBu and +19 dBu for digital full scale). All outputs can be used for ASIO Direct Monitoring (ADM) purposes.

Professional High-Transparency Preamps

The Fireface 802 FS AE features four crystal-clear preamps with ultra-low latency converters, using the classic technology of the OctaMic II, a high-end preamp providing supreme sonic quality.

All four preamps deliver extremely low distortion, excellent signal to noise ratio and a perfect linear frequency response, providing a premium solution for transmitting and amplifying any audio input exactly as it is heard, be it high-level stage or typical studio signals, lower level and high-impedance instruments, or dynamic, condenser and ribbon microphones.

The four inputs on the front use balanced XLR/TS combo sockets and operate alternatively as Hi-Z inputs. Directly plug in up to four guitars or other instruments - no other hardware required. Each channel can be individually switched to 48V phantom power or instrument mode. LEDs for signal, clip, TS operation and activated phantom power provide overview on the unit's status.

The Fireface 802 FS AE continues RME's tradition of designing full-featured, flexible and expandable audio systems. Adding additional preamplifiers or more analogue inputs is easily done via the dual ADAT optical I/Os on the rear.

USB 2 Class Compliant Audio

The Fireface 802 FS AE operates in two different modes: driver-based USB 2 and Class Compliant. The Class Compliant mode is a standard that is natively supported by operating systems like Windows, Mac OSX and Linux distributions. No proprietary drivers are required, the device will be directly recognized when the CC firmware is loaded. The alternative CC mode can be activated via a recessed pushbutton switch directly at the back of the interface.

The Fireface 802 FS AE offers full USB 2.0 support in Class Compliant Mode. This makes all channels available in driverless operation for Linux, Mac and iPadOS. An iPad Pro with USB C can manage up to 60 channels for recording and playback in TotalMix FX for iPad and on system level.

Powerful Applications for Mixing, Monitoring and Measurement Included

The Fireface 802 FS AE comes with the TotalMix FX DSP mixer offering comprehensive routing and monitoring options, as well as the DigiCheck Analyzer allowing to measure and analyse the digital data feed in both directions with maximum precision.

TotalMix FX can completely replace an external mixer, enabling the creation of multiple latency-free monitor mixes with EQ, Dynamics, Reverb and Delay for any outputs, incl. main monitors and headphone mixes for musicians.