List Price: $39.99
Sale Price: $29.99
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- Ultra-flexible audio interface connects your instruments, mixer, etc. with your computer for recording and playback
- Compact music production software included with feature-rich audio/MIDI sequencer that loads almost instantaneously on all computer platforms
- Massive software bundle includes Audacity audio editor, comprehensive podcasting software and over 150 virtual instruments and effect plug-ins
- Works with your PC or Mac computer - no setup or drivers required
- Stereo Headphone output with dedicated Level control lets you monitor both input and output
- Revolutionary energyXT2.5 Compact music production software included with feature-rich audio/MIDI sequencer
- Bundle includes Audacity audio editor, comprehensive podcasting software and over 150 virtual instruments and effect plug-ins
- Works with your PC or Mac computerno setup or drivers required
- Software is downloaded from manufacturer website.
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I wanted an external audio interface for recording music into and through my laptops, which have unacceptably noisy mic inputs. I went with the Behringer UCA-222 because it was dirt cheap. So far it's fine for my purposes, nothing fancy, but I didn't expect anything fancy. Here are a few observations that may help other buyers, things Behringer doesn't really clarify in their documentation and advertising, or otherwise might be relevant and helpful to know before buying.1) I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how the UCA-222 differs, if at all, from the slightly cheaper UCA-202 (Behringer U Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface). I finally concluded that the only differences are the name (202 vs 222), the color (222 is sports car red), and the software included. The units are otherwise identical. This is useful to know, since I've read people on other forums wondering this too. Behringer seems to go to lengths not to say this in so many words. I have a theory why (just a theory) and it involves the other main difference, the software that comes with the 222. Now more on that:
2) The 202 comes with the free and open source Audacity, and with Kreatives' Kristal Audio Engine (also free)--(neither one is the best free choice out there). The 222, on the other hand, also comes with Energy XT2.5 ("Compact Behringer Edition") and another disk with "over 100 virtual instruments plus more than 50 effects plug-ins including VST host-, audioand podcast-software for direct start-up." For me, the question became, is the 222 worth $6 more to get this software? I decided, what the heck. Some notes on this software:
EnergyXT2.5 Compact: EnergyXT is a more or less full-featured digital audio workstation that Behringer is also promoting as their exclusive sequencing solution, in several packages (overpriced, imho, see for example: Behringer energyXT2.5 Portable Digital Audio Workstation (Standard). You can download and buy the full-sized program for 59 euros, and the upgrade from the limited compact edition sells for 29 euros. So, doing the math, the retail price for this program is about 30 euros (~$37 by today's exchange rate). The compact version is limited to 8 tracks (so you'll have to bounce down to get extra space), 8 simultaneous instruments (not a big limitation), 2 global send effects, and 2 insert effects per mixer channel (which CAN be a BIG limitation!), plus a couple other details (see EnergyXT website to dig out details). I have other workstations that I'm used to and prefer, so this wasn't a great addition for me. But all audio recorders know that having another piece of software, with its internal effects and abilities, on hand can come in handy at times. (EnergyXT for example has a nice internal drum machine). Another note: EnergyXT is more suited to MIDI than to audio (it looks and feels a lot like FruityLoops), whereas I like Reaper, Cubase, and Magix better. Like Reaper, EnergyXT is small, light, and seemingly pretty fast (I haven't used it enough to know whether it lives up to the speed and stability that they tout for it)--and it does get a 9/10 user rating on kvraudio.
The "U-Control Ultimate Software Package": There are indeed a lot of good things on this disk. But most if not all of them are free for the downloading (as freeor shareware) online. Knowing something about the VST world, this is more or less what I expected to find, when Behringer was giving away "150 vsts!" for about $6. That's actually the sneaky little secret in this product and how it is marketed, but you can't really blame Behringer too much. It doesn't make very good ad copy to say: "And we'll throw in a CD that includes over 150 pieces of freeware and shareware that you could download yourself. But hey, they're all here in one place, organized on a disk. That should be worth something, right?" But the bottom line is, that is worth something, even for those (like me) who have all or most of this stuff already lying around in my downloads and already installed in my VST folders. But I hope at the very least that Behringer has arranged some sort of profit-sharing deal with the many hobbyist, semi-pro, and struggling pro software developers that made this stuff. I mean, it would be sleazy of them if they're just bundling up freeware to add value to their product and not paying for it. On the assumption that they ARE paying the software developers for it, I feel good about contributing a bit to all those great VST developers, even if it is pocket change and via a big pro-audio hardware company.
Again on the assumption that Behringer is paying the free software developers for distribution rights, I'm not going to go ahead and write up a list of the exact VSTs and other software that is included (as I initially intended to do). If you know what I'm talking about here, chances are you've downloaded and used and enjoyed much of this stuff for free for years. If you're considering whether to buy the 222 or 202, and wondering whether the $6 or so more you'll spend (by Amazon's prices) is worth it, just ask yourself if you want or need a licensed copy of EnergyXT and/or a CD with a bunch of great (and middling) shareware VSTs and VSTis all organized by type on a CD, for easy loading on any new computer. If those two things are worth $6 to you, go with the 222. If not, go for the 202. Same piece of hardware (except of course the sporty cherry red: in the end, that was one reason I went for it, I liked the color a bit better).
The UCA222 itself is pretty bare-bones and basic. I use it to connect my laptop to an external mixer into which I route my guitar amps and microphones. It uses the Windows Legacy Audio Drivers, so you don't have to install any driver (though Behringer does provide one, but I did not install it, since I use ASIO4ALL to perfect satisfaction). The unit's output maps onto a standard Windows Audio Software Mixer and the volume is controlled at the software side. The unit's input is far more basic: it does not even generate a slider in the Record side of the Windows Mixer. You'll have to go into a program that records (your sequencer), set the input to the USB device, and arm an input to detect it. This took me some time to figure out (and I generally understand how these audio devices connect to programs)--in fact, I thought my unit's inputs were defective for a little while till I figured it out. But in the end it worked (with a little bit of annoyance and time wasted).
Another thing to know is that the unit is strictly 16 bit audio. This will definitely matter to many recording enthusiasts. 24 bit devices are readily available these days, and if digital quality is of the utmost essence, you will probably not be satisfied in the end with the UCA-222 (or 202).
Bottom line: It's hard to beat Behringer's bare-bones units for price. If you have a need or use for the extra software--and it's a good bag of goodies--throw in another $6 for the shiny red 222.I was looking for a USB sound add-on for my laptop. I keep my iTunes library on an older Dell laptop by my bed so that I can listen to music or audio books in the evening. It has a Sigma Tel audio chip on board that generates noticeable hiss and generally dull sound. I'm not a musician or audio professional but I do appreciate clean, clear sound. I looked at this: Creative Sound Blaster Live! 24-Bit External Sound Card but it costs over $200! This was more in my price range: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Surround 5.1 sound card but it had a few bad reviews.
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Then I found the Behringer UCA-222. I know that Behringer sells to pro sound people and the price was right so ... I ordered one for just under $40.
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Wow! I am very pleased. The sound comes out of absolute silence on my Shure SE210 ear buds. I had forgotten how good sound can be. Good vocal tracks sound almost live. It has a stereo headphone jack and a volume control on the box so adjusting sound level is very easy. It also has optical audio out. I carried the laptop over to my main stereo and played some iTunes into the optical input on my Yamaha receiver. Really nice sound. The only limitation is probably the MP3 format of the music.
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It comes with an extensive sound editing software bundle that may be of interest to musicians but I don't need or use it.
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This is STEREO only so if you are looking for 5.1 or 7.1 output for surround sound or games I do not think this is what you want.
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If you are interested in upgrading the sound of an older laptop for stereo listening or audio editing I think you will be very pleased for the price. I am running Windows XP so I do not know how well it works with Windows 7 or 7-64.I own three of these units (one Red 222 and two Grey 202)and use them to output midi sounds from my laptops internal sound moduals to a pro PA system (mostly Mackie gear) for live performance and occasionally to add sounds to recordings in my 24 track home studio. This unit is quiet and very handy. The price is dead cheap. I have two other similar units (a Lexicon Alpha and the smaller Lexicon Omega boxes)that cost much more. Yes my Lexicon boxes provide a lot of different inputs and outputs and are very nice but if all you need is a very portable basic input/output sound card that is very quiet and easy to install (just plug it), you should buy this box.
Some of the reviews talk about it being "cheap" plastic. Yes it is plastic (so are many other more expensive units) but I have been throwing these boxes in with my other equipment and have yet to break one of them or have any problems. I will also admit that while I don't abuse my equipment on purpose, I am not that gentle either and have dropped these several times with no damage.
The software that comes with the 222 package is good, but in my case I really didn't need it. I have Sonor/Cakewalk software and Abobe Audition but I would like to take a moment and say something about the included Audacity. One reviewer wrote that it is a "very low,low.low" quality software. That couldn't be further from the truth. I have used this software for years in my studio and it is very high quality software. It can work in both 16 and 24 bit processing, and input and output almost every type of audio format (.wav, MP3, etc.). It also has a ton of very nice free downloads (compressors, EQ's, sonic enhancers etc.)from the Audacity web site. Audacity started life as a shareware but was purchased by Sound Forge who was in turn bought by Sony. This is high quality studio software that you can still download and use for free and it's not a trial software that will expire in 30 days or block out important features. I would add that to really make it work well you need to use the preferences section to set it up to the higher quality settings that are available. As I remember the defaults are set at mid level quality so the average home user can use it without taxing their computer resources.
The bottom line is that both Behringer units (202 and 222) both work great and I can't hear or see any difference in them other than the color and the added software included with the 222 package. For such a low price you can't go wrong.I bought this to provide an inexpensive (~$39.90) connection for my mixer to my computer. It works like a charm!!! The best part is the bonus EnergyXT (energy-xt.com) recording software and Audacity recording/editing sound software included is excellent!!! Be sure to install the UCA222 driver (from behringer.com) to ensure proper connectivity. I would highly recommend this product.
I highly recommend this interface for connecting a mixer to a PC. I have not tried connecting any other audio device to this adapter since my mixer serves that purpose, but I can't imagine it not working well for any device you can connect with the standard RCA input and output jacks. I haven't needed to use the built in phone jack or the optical out, so can't comment on those.
I believe hardware-wise, this is equivalent to the UCA202, except the UCA222 seems to come bundled with software, which I do not particularly need.
It works well with Audacity, Sound Forge, Adobe Premiere, and Sony Music Studio. You do have to make sure you configure your software so the the device is selected as your input source, and possibly the output source if you want the sound from the PC playback to be routed to the adapter. It took be awhile to figure this out, getting annoyed as to why my software was not picking up audio I fed thru the device. But it makes perfect sense now most audio software today gives you the ability to select from available sound sources for record and playback since a PC can accommodate more than 1 sound device. There is no need to disable your PC's soundcard to use this device, though it could replace it. This device is actually an external soundcard, so if you don't have an functional soundcard on your PC, this device will serve that purpose. You could hook up powered amplified speakers to the OUTPUT or Phone jack and you've got a soundcard. If you connect this device to your PC that has a soundcard, you now have 2 soundcards so you need to tell your software which soundcard it should use.
There are no drivers required for Win7 or OS X as these systems will install the necesary drivers.
Be sure you get the UCA222 or UCA202 as these versions have ULTRA LOW LATENCY. There is a Behringer model UFO202 that looks very similar to the UCA202, but it is primariy useful for connecting a turntable or other device where latency is not a big concern. The UFO222 makes no claim of ULTRA LOW LATENCY which I feel is important if you are hooking up devices like mixers, CD Plaers, etc.
If you plan to hook up a MIC to the INPUT, keep in mind that this device is NOT a preamp. To get good sound from a MIC, I would recommend you feed your MIC into a Preamp which feeds into the INPUT of the UCA222. The Behringer Xenyx mixers come with Preamps built in to most models I've seen, and most of these have selectable phantom power to allow you to use a professional MIC. There are many affordable small mixers such as the Xenyx 302 & 502 if you don't need many audio input connections. So, using a mixer, you would hook up your MIC to the mixer, then hook up the mixer to the UCA222, connect the UCA222 to your PC's USB port and BAM, you are set to begin podcasting, editing audio for your videos, doing voice overs, etc.
I recommend going with the UCA222 or UCA202. The price difference between the two is typically around $10.
1 comments:
This has the capability of speeding up the process of data transferring and thus fitting the data in a packet size.
Ultra-low latency MAC
Thanks...
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