Testing RME Babyface Pro with Multitone - Learning software mostly

[NathanR]

The Multitone software should get its own sub-forum

This is me messing around trying to figure out the software. I would not take these measurements as indicative of the unit's performance.

[voltage calibration]
3.446 volt(rms) FS
input 3,4 (1/4" unbalanced) 0dB gain, +4dBu
output 1,2 (XLR) 0dB

[distortion calibration 131k FFT]
L-ch -103.0dB THD+N @ -5.8 (play gain) = -5.9dBFS input
R-ch -103.5dB THD+N @ -5.8 (play gain) = -5.9dBFS input
(R-ch Fluke 87III connected via split XLR to BNC to Bananna)

I found the true minimums, but they were so close I settled on a single value to make repeat tests easier.

RME: Babyface Pro

RME Babyface Pro: 24-Channel, 24 Bit / 192 kHz Bus-powered USB Audio Interface

archiv.rme-audio.de

xlr out
Dynamic range (DR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz – 45 kHz
THD: - 106 dB, 0.0005 % • THD+N: -102 dB, 0.0008 %
Channel separation: > 110 dB
Output: XLR balanced
Output impedance: 300 Ohm balanced, 150 Ohm unbalanced
Output level @ 0 dBFS: Balanced +19 dBu, unbalanced +13 dBu
DC @ 0 dBFS: 6.35mm 4.8 V, 3.5mm 2.4 V, XLR bal. 9.6 V


1/4" in
Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 114 dB RMS unweighted, 117 dBA
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: < 3 Hz – 45.8 kHz
With PAD active : -0.1 dB 8 Hz, -0.5 dB < 4 Hz, -1 dB < 3 Hz
THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
THD @ 30 dB Gain: < -107 dB, < 0.0004 %
THD+N @ 30 dB Gain: < -100 dB, < 0.001 %
Channel separation: > 110 dB
Gain range: -11 dB up to +65 dB
Maximum input level XLR, Gain 0 dB: +8 dBu, PAD +19 dBu
Maximum input level XLR, Gain 65 dB: -57 dBu, PAD -46 dBu

 

[pkane]

The Multitone software should get its own sub-forum

This is me messing around trying to figure out the software. I would not take these measurements as indicative of the unit's performance.

[voltage calibration]
3.446 volt(rms) FS
input 3,4 (1/4" unbalanced) 0dB gain, +4dBu
output 1,2 (XLR) 0dB

[distortion calibration 131k FFT]
L-ch -103.0dB THD+N @ -5.8 (play gain) = -5.9dBFS input
R-ch -103.5dB THD+N @ -5.8 (play gain) = -5.9dBFS input
(R-ch Fluke 87III connected via split XLR to BNC to Bananna)

I found the true minimums, but they were so close I settled on a single value to make repeat tests easier.

RME: Babyface Pro

RME Babyface Pro: 24-Channel, 24 Bit / 192 kHz Bus-powered USB Audio Interface

archiv.rme-audio.de

xlr out
Dynamic range (DR): 115 dB RMS unweighted, 118 dBA
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: 0 Hz – 45 kHz
THD: - 106 dB, 0.0005 % • THD+N: -102 dB, 0.0008 %
Channel separation: > 110 dB
Output: XLR balanced
Output impedance: 300 Ohm balanced, 150 Ohm unbalanced
Output level @ 0 dBFS: Balanced +19 dBu, unbalanced +13 dBu
DC @ 0 dBFS: 6.35mm 4.8 V, 3.5mm 2.4 V, XLR bal. 9.6 V


1/4" in
Signal to Noise ratio (SNR): 114 dB RMS unweighted, 117 dBA
Frequency response @ 96 kHz, -0.5 dB: < 3 Hz – 45.8 kHz
With PAD active : -0.1 dB 8 Hz, -0.5 dB < 4 Hz, -1 dB < 3 Hz
THD: < -110 dB, < 0.00032 %
THD+N: < -104 dB, < 0.00063 %
THD @ 30 dB Gain: < -107 dB, < 0.0004 %
THD+N @ 30 dB Gain: < -100 dB, < 0.001 %
Channel separation: > 110 dB
Gain range: -11 dB up to +65 dB
Maximum input level XLR, Gain 0 dB: +8 dBu, PAD +19 dBu
Maximum input level XLR, Gain 65 dB: -57 dBu, PAD -46 dBu

So how do your results compare with those published by others?

 

[mike7877]

I've been waiting for someone to do this!
I have the same interface

Your measurements look very similar to published specs. RME is good like that

 

[mike7877]

Are you going to do a multitone test?
You should!!!
32 tones, like the reviews!

edit: I looked at all the pics and I couldn't see the multitone like is stated in your thread title. Did I just miss it or something?

 

[mike7877]

RME's spec: -102dB THD+N,
yours: -103.0 and -103.5dB THD+N

I don't think I've ever seen one of their products the other way around (worse)

Edit: I'm currently using the 1/8" headphone jack to drive a couple of Realistic Minimus 7s directly.
If you're not familiar, it's a two way with 3" woofer and 1" soft dome tweeter with a great enclosure and crossover.
Their off-axis response is excellent and driver integration practically perfect.
Also, being in a sealed (thick solid aluminum) enclosure gives very controlled bass. With more power you can equalize them flat to 50Hz and listen up to comfortable levels (flat to 35Hz queitly)
Regarding having them directly powered by the headphone amp of the BabyFace Pro though, the load (like all sealed speakers) is not nearly as reactive in the bass as ported speakers.
25mW RMS is where clipping begins through the spectrum. At ~ -7dB level in TotalMix FX.

Even with just 85dB/w efficiency and only 25mW, with the speakers 1.75 feet from my face and a signal that's so clean, the sound is exceptional! Imaging is awe-inspiring
Great interface