Grimm UC1

Made to order.

USB mastering audio interface

The Grimm Audio UC1 is the all-in-one interface from the brand renowned for its high-end electronics and loudspeakers, all driven by the same quest for sonic transparency. In 1U and over USB, it has everything you need for a mastering-type setup: AD/DA conversion, digital inputs and outputs, clock, monitor controller and headphone output.

• AD/DA for analogue outboard
• AES/EBU input and output for digital outboard
• Analogue monitoring
• AES/EBU digital monitoring
• Headphone output
• PMC/LS1-format digital monitoring (proprietary output via RJ45)
• Clock: word clock input and output
• Front panel: stereo USB input and 6.35 mm jack input

Interface and monitor controller

On the back, USB carries 18 channels. The UC1 offers 4 analogue inputs, 4 + 2 analogue outputs, plus 4 digital input channels and 4 digital output channels. Analogue inputs and outputs are on XLR. It drives active or passive loudspeakers in analogue, or Grimm Audio LS1 and PMC digital systems via its dedicated connector. A second pair of speakers and the headphones can be switched in from the front panel. Stereo, mono (L+R), side (L-R) and left/right swap listening modes, per-channel mute and a 12 dB dim are available. The foldback function provides latency-free monitoring by mixing analogue or digital inputs into the monitor signal.

The front-panel i-put

The front panel hosts a second stereo USB input, the "i-put". It works without a driver on macOS, Linux, Windows 10, iOS and Android, with no sample rate or word length restriction when used with an iPad or iPhone. Ideal for playing a reference from a laptop or phone without touching the session. A stereo 6.35 mm jack input with gain control (1 MΩ impedance) completes the front panel.

Clock and compatibility

The ultra-low jitter clock (< 0.6 ps RMS) uses a hybrid PLL. The UC1 runs from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz. On macOS and Linux, it is natively supported. On Windows 10, it works as USB Audio Class 2; the Grimm Audio driver is recommended for clock selection, and required on Windows 7 and 8.

Specifications

• USB: 18 channels on the back, 2 channels on the front (i-put)
• Analogue: 4 inputs, 4 + 2 outputs, XLR connectors
• Digital: 4 input channels and 4 output channels (AES3)
• LS1/PMC output: RJ45-type connector (AES3 + bidirectional MIDI control, not Ethernet)
• Nominal level: +4 dBu = -14 dBFS; rear analogue inputs switchable for clipping at +18 or +24 dBu
• Analogue output: signal-to-noise ratio 114 dB, THD+N -100 dB
• Analogue input: signal-to-noise ratio 115 dB, THD+N -105 dB
• Headphone output: 6.35 mm jack, 15 dBu max. into 600 Ω (30 mW), dedicated gain
• Front jack input: 1 MΩ, clip level adjustable from -18 to +18 dBu
• Sample rates: 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Clock: jitter < 0.6 ps RMS (> 10 Hz), 75 Ω BNC word clock input and output
• Dimensions: 435 x 230 x 44 mm (excluding rack ears)
• Weight: 3.5 kg
• Padauk wood front panel
• Power: 90 - 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz, 30 W consumption

To connect the UC1 to your outboard, see the Grimm Audio TPR XLR cables.