Behringer UM2 cheap Audio Interface - Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ธ.ค. 2018
- The Behringer UM2 is one of the cheapest audio interfaces you can buy. Let's check it out!
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Just in case anyone's having that issue with clipping while using this with the ASIO drivers, the reason is due to the audio levels within windows mic properties needs to be set to 54. This is due to 54 being the +0db option for this interface, and having it set to 100% will boost the mic input to +30db with software gain.
I've had a lot of issues with this and older games like CSGO, since it'll randomly set the mic back to 100% while opening or joining a match and destroy my teammates ears.
Same goes for audio output. If you set your output to 54% that is the 0dB for your audio hardware like external DAC.
Somebody pin this comment
Does this apply to all (most) Audio Interfaces or just this one?
If not, how does one figure out what the 0db line is?
well this is fucking stupid. is this windows or behringer's fuck up? is this ALL usb interfaces or just this one?
@@JeffBourke Behringer's, obviously
Thank you for this video!!! It resolved so many issues I had with the initial setup of the UM2. Couldn't have done it without this...
dude i freaking love your reviews. great job. keep it up
Your videos are the best i’ve seen on TH-cam. You get straight to the point and the content is really well prepared. You are a true professional. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Audient Sono.
What an absolutely fantastic, informative, thorough and intelligent review. Thank you for taking the time to make this video and compile this information for us, I found it incredibly useful and have subscribed to your channel.
Now, this is a review. Thanks for the quality and detail of the product's test.
Behringer products get a bad rap from snobs but they deliver so much value for money. In addition to this almost free little device, Behringer makes a world-class stagebox (XR18) that is just amazing, for 380 €!
still doesnt work after a week of trying to hook it up
Yes have one of these. Great product for small studio and mixer work. Recommend
I've had this interface for a lot of years. Great for recording on the go! I don't recall having so much issues with clipping -- I'm on a Mac. Thanks for a great review!
I learned so much in this video. top quality video yet again.
Thanks!
Great review, very informative and nicely produced :)
THanks!! I own an UM2 and It is very usefull hear your opinion about it.
Really cool and honest video! I like it, thank you!
Super clear technical analyze !
awesome video man very professional and informative
Here's the true beauty of this thing:
If what you need is a good interface for recording on your computer with audio and music software, then just about everything is better than this.
However, if you're looking for a cheap and easy way to drive headphones and powered speakers paired with whatever device you throw at it, look no further.
I've tried the UM2 with my Nintendo Switch, PS3 and PS4 and it worked no matter what. In the case of the PS4, I even hook up a microphone to the preamp and get way better audio quality from it than most gaming headsets.
The compatibility on this thing is crazy.
really well-reviewed, nice video Julian
Very helpful and straight to the point. Thanks!
Excellent review, thanks
Excellent review! Proper info! Thank you :-)
Thanks for this review👍👍
it would be nice to add a latency test to all audio interface reviews. youtubers always skip that part for some reason, but this is not made for voice only, and instr input is useless if latency is too high. if you don’t have a guitar you can simply record your clapping hands on a click and check onscreen alignment. also, studio one gives very useful sample to latency results informations on its start screen. i use it to test latency clipping. maybe you could give it a try, there is a free version.
Hey, I'm looking into a way to make a standardized measurement of latency. I'm currently testing the round trip latency with RTL Utility. Maybe I can make a video where I compare the latency of different audio interfaces. Thank you for your feedback!
I downloaded the drivers for Windows 10 and it worked like a charm.
I used it for a while but I couldn't stand the noise it generated with mid or high gain because of the plastic enclosure, I found some hacks to fix it (one of them was to solder a cable to ground on the rear output).
I ended up getting the Focusrite solo but I still use the behringer um2 from time to time.
To everyone who is planning to use the UM2 or the UMC22 with a Rode PodMic or an Behringer XM8500:
Rode PodMic - Gain has to be set at least to about 90 to 95% while speaking to the mic with a distance of 5-15 cm. The noise-floor on the UMC22 is fine. If your mic is clipping (and that's hard to do with the PodMic) Adobe Audition is just gonna record -2 dB to -4dB. Everything above is "clipping" (or not recorded). My Motu M2 does to encounter that problem.
The Behringer XM8500 is an optimal workhorse for beginners. Please do not spend more than that if you're just starting out! Besides the clipping issue (some reviewers have encountered too) both go well together. The needed gain has a range from 30% to about 60% (depends on how loud your sound source is).
On Mac both interfaces show up as "Audio Device CODEC" or something. Without any drivers. The OS can't regulate the sound level automatically so does Discord and Zoom. Keep in mind that you have to set and control sound levels manually.
Some people can theoretically hear the difference between those two interfaces or mics but no-one who's listening on their phones or laptop speakers will ever notice.
But if you want to upgrade later, buy the UMC22. :)
Dear guy u r awesome...Thanks 4 ur knowledge...Sadly i bought the same before I hear u.....Can I use this 4 mudi keyboard with my windows 10 pc to reduce laging ?
Nice review Julian. The take-away point for me is that a buyer should go for the UMC22 at only $5-10 more which addresses all of the negatives.
That said all of these Behringer units from the 22 on up perform at least to the level of the Scarlett units, with slightly better pre amps for less money. Certainly the UMC204HD beats my Scarlett Solo for less money and has about 5dB more gain - useful for an SM57 (like you I use one with the accessory windshield and its great for vocals and rejecting room noise).
I totally agree, if you ca find a UMC22 for only 5 to 10 bucks more, then go for it over the UM2. And the interfaces like UMC202HD are much better then the UM2 or UMC22.
Thank you
I had one of that in the past and had no issues with asio4all. Windows 10 laptop
I appreciate the rigor of this review…
This interface is flawless with my iPad 9th gen - total bargain piece of kit and so small and lightweight.
A -85dB noise floor is pretty much the best analogue 1/4 inch tape with Dolby could manage. Until the advent of Dolby NR in the late 60s, the best achievable was around -60 dB!
Although typically everything was compressed and gain staged going in with much quieter hardware so that everything could fit well above the noise floor. Not so easy when you have no option but to record a dry signal through that. The Xenyx USB mixers have the same converters but also have basic compressors and volume pots, so you have a bit more of a work around.
Love ur channel can u do a review of the Mackie Profx6v3 mixer /interface
Thank you General Zod
I would liken this UM2's audio interface, to the Behringer Xenyx USB series mixer. Because both use the CoolAudio ADC IC. Maybe the UMC22 too, but I've never disassembled the engine inside.
Hai Julian Krause, Your technical reasoning is pretty good.
I have a problem, hope you will be able to either solve or advise me.
I own a Lexicon Lambda audio interface, purchased way back in 2007, but never used it.
These days, as I am bit free I picked it out to use with Cakewalk Bandlab, on my Windows 10 - 64 bit laptop.
The devise is recognized, but in a disabled condition and not responding.
Are there any compatibility issues OR shall I have to meddle with the settings of the devise.
I am interested to record my vocals on Karaoke tracks (that's my interest). I am not a professional in singing. But I do can play my Nylon and acoustic guitars well. I do want to record some instrumental tunes with available rhythm tracks.
Please do reply.
Thank you.
gotta love the German accent :-) great video
Mine works perfect
Does the interface work well if a mixer is connected? Will it reduce the noise coming from the mixer?
great refreshing content thank you
Would love to see the video you plan to make on aligning clip levels. I have noise I want to mitigate, but even with the 202HD and a DBX286s, I still get some noise. It's a hiss at the least and sometimes a slight hum. I've put equipment on different outlets and I can gate out the noise, but then I get some gating of info I want.
Hey, the UMC202HD does not have the clipping probplem if you have the driver installed. I recommend you try my calibration procedure with the dbx286s th-cam.com/video/tzfKVjtf5dM/w-d-xo.html
Cooooooooool Keeeeeeeeep working ❤️
I am thinking of using this with the ECM8000 mic for RTA using REW. Does the noise floor make this unsuitable?
How is the headphone amp on this? Will it drive ATH-M40X properly?
How to record stereo signal from yamaha electric piano? What if I connect one channel to line1 and secound to inst?
This are not a cheap audio interface. Wait until you knew about V8, it's really cheap, and very popular in Indonesia😅. Some peoples call it a mixer, a soundcard, and of course a audio interface. But i love your review about Audio Interface, you make me have a more knowledge. Your channel are my other favorit channels after Pete, and Podcastages. 🤘
The v8 is really a cheap sound card but serves different purpose and reflects it price for it. It's only 16 bit at 48kHz. It has no built in phantom power and no xlr input. I'd say it's more suited towards live performance since it has built in effects rather than for recording.
This looks nearly identical to an older M-Audio interface I bought in 2011 for about $75 that was ok not great. The Behringer UMC 204 HD is great for the price.
Can this record in stereo? i would like to do some Vinyl ripping and need to know. thanks
I hooked up my dt880 250ohm on this interface, but it distorts on about 90% gain. Is this an issue with the interface? because it's not as loud as my old m30x's. Would appreciate a reply thankyou.
Regarding noise from CloudLifter, do not connect the CloudLifter directly to the interface, connect it to the microphone or to a short cable between mic and CloudLifter then to a longer cable then to the interface. I know this doesn’t seem to make sense but my FET Head would not work at all and made a huge racket if plugged into my preamp yet worked perfectly if plugged into my ribbon mic. The Mfg confirmed that impedance issues cause the problem and that they will not work properly unless plugged into the mic, not the preamp input XLR.
Interesting, I'll try that out and see if it makes a difference. Thanks for your input!!!
Julian Krause I left out a ‘not’ in first sentence, since edited.
What died the XLR combo input means? can I not use a normal XLR cable with it then?
Hi Julian. Great video. Did you check the voltage of the Phantom supply? Some Behringer interfaces don't supply a full voltage, I've seen this on one of my interfaces. This could maybe effect something like a fethead. The UM2 is a great option for an inexpensive vlogging/podcasting TH-cam setup or something for a beginner to use until they're ready for more features. I think the UM2 is a great interface as a single XLR mic channel for dynamics or capacitors. I've tried this against a few interfaces, including some Focusrite stuff and if I'm being totally honest, for close mic stuff there really isn't anything in it, except maybe some tonal stuff but that can be put down to personal taste. Another good thing with the UM2 is that it has a very healthy headphone output which is better than a computer's usual built in one. It's probably a great option for replacing the standard input and output on any computer, with advantage of having XLR, Phantom and being silly cheap. That said, I'd recommend saving up a little bit more money and get the 202HD. The 202HD is a great construction, has two XLR inputs and does 24 bit and will do higher sample rates if needed. I think your review of the 202HD proved just how good it is. I personally prefer it over any of the Focusrite Scarlett range for upto two channel recording. Cheers, Dave.
Hey, thanks for your input! I'll check the voltage tomorrow. And I think you are right the UMC202HD is a much better interface which can easily rival more expensive interfaces.
I measured the phantom power and it is 46,2V. Definitely lower than 48V but still tolerable. I have the feeling that the interference with the FetHead comes from the DC to DC converter for the phantom power aliasing into the audible specturm or some weird stuff like this.
Hi Julian. Yes you're right, that slightly lower voltage won't make any difference to any capacitor mic. The low level noise could also be an issue with the DC decoupling, although that could be either of the units. Interestingly, I've got a Q502USB that only provides 15V, which you would think would be a serious problem. In reality though, even 15V will power most nearly anything. I've done many tests with lower voltages and most mics are actually fine. I've even underpowered an NT1A and it was also fine. Many capacitor mics are actually electrets, which isn't an issue, and these have the benefit of being able to be powered by very low voltages even if they say they are phantom. I've got a Rode wireless system which provides just over 5V for lavs and some of my cheaper condensers will work from it, although they are probably electrets. If I can find any of my low voltage tests I'll post you a link. Cheers, Dave.
How would this pair with something like the shure mv7
Lol, why is there beating in the noise... I have one of these (looking to replace it) but despite several run-ins with the noise floor, I never noticed that O_o
Where is that "clipping" solution video?
I have this Audio interface it has a nasty static noise... What could be the problem ?
Mine isn’t working I bought it used it keeps flashing the clip/sig lights when I plug in my mic bought not working
Does it work with audio technica m50x headphones.
Very informative video.
Theoritically, maximum dynamic range for 16 bit sampling is 16 * 6 = 96 dB
From this video, ADC is very important component in digital audio recording.
I like to ask, is it possible to use output of channel 1, and feed it to channel 2's input, using short patch cable., and use the gain controls to expand the channel 1's input gain?
mic --> C1 ---> C2
It is worth of trying, if we want to boost the C1's gain wihtout cloud lifter?
Thank you.
Interesting question, channel 2 is designed to be an instrument input. I don't know what exactly happens when you route the output back into the instrument input.
Regardless, this will not replace a Cloudlifter because this method does not reduce the preamp noise. The moment the mic signal is amplified by the first preamp the noise floor is already set. Even if you amplify the signal further with a second preamp you will also amplify the noise of the first preamp by an equal amount.
So, your proposed method will not reduce the noise any further then just running the signal though one preamp. You do get more gain though. But one preamp in the UM2 is enough to amplify pretty much any dynamic mic. Cheers!
@@JulianKrause
Thank you for your respond.
All the best to you.
Can ı use for my metal guitar recording ?
Can this be used for recording saxophone?
When I use it, there is a loud hiss from the interface. No matter how high I turn the gain up, the mic, a Sennheiser E835 Performance Vocal Microphone, remains low but the hiss is higher. How did you get such a sold crisp and loud sound from it with no hiss?
Install the umh driver
Hi. If you have the 32 bit link for the product please please pest it. I can't download in my pc which is 32bit.
I'm 2 years late to this video but it's very helpful. My questions are: Can you get computer audio to the headphone jack of the interface? And, if so, enabling direct monitor allows you to keep hearing pc audio plus your input with no lag? Usually how we would record an instrument o voice over other channels. Thanks.
Yes and yes :) You can hear the PC audi oand when you enable direct monitoring, you hear yourself and the PC.
@@JulianKrause 😱 then this the perfect interface for me. Thank you so much!
How is behringer umc202, please let me know.
this vs the Scarlett Solo 3rd gen?
also with this, can I listen to PC Audio while plugging my guitar, playing thru Bias FX, and my headphones into the headphone jack of the UM2? So that I can play along with songs that I play on TH-cam or my music player in my PC. I've read that the Scarlett Solo allows that? But seeing that it uses Asio4All drivers I don't think this is possible... Currently using FlexASIO in conjunction with Bias FX 2 and my guitar direct to my Line-in jack of my motherboard.
I'm new to audio interfaces. I just want to plug my guitar, have little or acceptable noise in the signal, play along with music from TH-cam or my library, and record my plays.
You can listen to computer playback while recording. If you're using an amp simulator there's going to be some delay in hearing what you record with the guitar. You do get the zero latency monitoring of the raw guitar input signal, I'm not sure if the direct monitoring comes out of both sides on the headphone jack.
Subbed
Greetings from Jakarta
Salam dari Jogja ;)
I wonder how this would do against the muslady 422a
Thank you for your elaborate review. I downloaded another driver mentioned in this th-cam.com/video/S3QHbhtknH8/w-d-xo.html video. It has more settings available and a much lower latency.
Nice vídeo: I have a question. How can I measure the dynamic range and EIN of an audio interface or any other recording device? Thank you.
Hey, it's a bit to complicated to explain it all in a comment. But I will soon make a video where I show the whole process of measuring EIN and dynamic range.
@@JulianKrause Thanks. I'll be waiting for it!
Why do they say 100 dB? It's the absolute maximum theoretical range based on the ADC bit depth. It's not empirically derived. Range (field values are appropriate here) = 20 log (2^16) = 96.3 dB. Every bit is ~ 6 dB. And that looks too techie for users, so round it to 100 dB.
Hi, I am using the UM2 as an interface from my mixer to my laptop. Do I need to download any drivers? Thank you.
@Damian Chiliński Hi Thank you so much for your prompt reply and information. Thanks
How much it in Nigeria
I purchased one of these and couldn’t get the instrument input to work for the life of me. I’d be able to hear the instrument input with direct monitoring but it wouldn’t record ever. Ended up refunding it and getting a scarlett. The drivers for the behringer on windows are beyond awful.
Hi Julian, great video. May I use parts of your video in my review (Behringer UM2) on TH-cam?
I'm having quite awkward experiences with this device too.. it might be the driver, which is very annoying.
I am using the REAL drivers that aren't available anymore, but people have uploaded online, still some awkward problems.
I just picked one of these up. I thought mine was defective because of the loose knobs. Turns out its normal.
I would have looked like an asshole if I went back to the store for a replacement! Hahaha! THANKS JULIAN.
Can it record 2 separate tracks simultaneously using the xlr and line input?
Yes it can ;)
How's the vocal recording with this? Noise?
Also, which are you using?
I'm a metal vocalist, if someone has any experience with this audio interface, lmk. Appreciate it.
If someone is still looking for a propietary driver for X64 did found it. You can look for it as: BEHRINGER USB WDM AUDIO 2.8.40 I hope this help someone.
I might be wrong, but I'm pretty sure the SM57 doesn't need phantom power, as it is a dynamic mic. Maybe that's why you were getting interference.
Correct, the SM57 does not need phantom power. But for the interference on the UM2 was not caused by the phantom power.
Sir this product is from China???
05:07 - Marketing. 100 sounds better than 89/85.
hi i would like to ask is it better to use dynamic mic or condesner mic with this interface???//Hope you will reply.
Hey, that doesn't really matter. With the UM2 you can use dynamic or condenser mics. Choose the mic which suites you best ;)
I actually have condenser Mic but there was some noises.When I tried dynamic mic from my friend there was no noise at all(surprisingly).
And also you were saying alignment but interface with pc (idk) all that.I would like to know how do I do that.Great content bro!!subscribed too.
@@yourordinaryguy301 Hey, when you record with a condenser mic and get some noise you your recording, it is very likely the noise is coming from the mic. Which mic are you using?
@@yourordinaryguy301 I still have to do the video on that topic. It will come in the near future!
Can this go straight into a pc through a usb cable
Yes :)
Thank you
can it support 250 ohmz
I bought dt880 250ohm headphones yesterday. It does work yes, But the sound distorts at about 80% ish volume, I have yet to find out if it's the interface or headphones.
asio for all not appropriate ... desactived all mic and sound windows an fx ( return )
I wonder now if it's gonna work on Windows 11 🤔
I'm using it with Windows 11. No issues.
I found the actual U-Phoria UM2 driver via a forum post with a Dropbox link, but I can't find the bookmark, so I created a shared folder with the drivers, here: www.dropbox.com/sh/oy97vcz9h7mtz9q/AACy5tgf3R72tN3obHraVetFa?dl=0
Read the readme.txt first. It says that the driver can only be installed for one USB port at a time, and that the chosen USB port will not work with other audio drivers afterward. I haven't put those claims to the test.
ASIO4All doesn't function correctly with this audio interface, contrary to what the company claims, but this driver does. The installer seems to be safe, despite the fact that I got it from a forum. I ran it in a virtual machine first, and then on my secondary computer, with no issues.
7:13 when tv is noise sound after no signal...
where is the video on how to align the clipping levels?
Edit: Never mind i got it about 95% equal. This will do until my steinberg arrived and i can toss this UM2 into the garbage.
I got a new um2 interface and I think I'm just going to go buy another interface to many issues for me to deal with its brand new in the box I paid 50 bucks for if anyone would be interested in buying it let me know on here also have a microphone stand microphone and a shield for the mic I would like to sale I would take 100 dollars for all three things including the audio interface its brand new
Can I record a professional rap with the interface?
I dont see why not.
Julian that is not the cheapest interface :) please take a look here: Guitar Link www.amazon.de/dp/B019DFSDTW. It's 8 euros. Sometimes the price is as low as 5 :) could you please review this and compare it with the normal interfaces? :) it could be a fun video. Also if you do make sure you use the Asio4all driver. Cheers!
I always appreciate you give the lower price range devices your attention. Stil, i’d say, this one is not for me. Having no real drivers from the manufacturer available for a device seems like a deal breaker to me, especially, if you end up with problems like you encountered. Also, i consider myself to be an audiophile and while at least your record sounds admittedly solid, (you cannot let people hear the output of the headphone jack for instance) I cannot say i’d be happy with the limitations of the Uphoria UM-2. That being said: I’m happy, that Behringer finally starts to produce decent enough devices. The Xenyx Mixers were atrocious to say the least.
Was completely backordered on all American sites. Got it off some European site for $30 had to pay double because of shipping. came all the way from Germany literally next day. Still $40 bucks cheaper than anything "IN STOCK" in America
Kein vernünftiger Treiber für das Interface ist leider das k.o. Kriterium wie ich finde...hast du dich mal mit einer genaueren Beschreibung der Probleme an Behringer gewendet?
Das mit dem Treiber ist schon murksig. Hast recht, werde mich mal an Behringer wenden. Ich geb Bescheid, wenn die was geantwortet haben!
Have you considered doing an accent reduction course? It's too distracting
Can't get it to work @ block size
Hi Julian, awesome video ! fun thing I was looking up today what the noise floor on my UM2 would be :-). So it's -127 dB. I use it as an instrument interface, but also to do some recordings in concerts from my seat using Audacity , a Surface Pro and a SM57
I was thinking to get a device to get rid of the Surface and the UM2, because the setup a littel clumsy, computer can go in sleep mode etc lol, but if I don't want more noise than today, it means I need to shoot for at least MixPre (-130 dB) or F4(-128 dB) (numbers are from your other awesome th-cam.com/video/uQB8brUYxlk/w-d-xo.html video).
I have question concerning gain though : you say there is 47 dbFS gain, does it mean that on a MixPre or F4 with 75dB stated gain, there is 30dB more ?
Concerning the unit, one thing I like is that there is direct monitor, so if you play an instrument, you can plug it in and get it amplified in the headset with 0 latency.
I also used the Behringer ASIO drivers, they work OK, you can get official download links on this thread : forum.musictribe.com/showthread.php?7367-Where-did-the-Behringer-ASIO-drivers-for-the-UCG102-and-UM2-go/page2
Hey, thanks for the link, I'll have to check that out.
Regarding gain: My provided gain numbers are not comparable to manufactureres claims. When a manufacturer states 75dB of gain it does not tell you much. 75dB of gain on another device might be a different amount of total system amplification. When I state dBFS@dBu this unit is directly comparable between devices. The MixPre-3 has about 55dBFS@0dBu and the F4 about 60dBFS@0dBu. This means that the F4 has 5dB more gain than the MixPre-3. To behonest both devies provide plenty of gain for all microphones out there.
To answer your question about direct monitoring: The MixPre-3 and Zoom F4 let you hear the incoming audio with headphones without any delay. Hope that helps!
OK thanks ! Just to mention the ASIO driver will let you record in 32 bit. Also a question on the 55dbFS@dBu unit. Not sure I got this well, the meaning I found is that -55dbu input yields 0 dbFS at Max Gain ? Is this correct ?