| | |  | Network-Ready Home Entertainment | Home » » » » Behringer UCA202 Audio Interface | | | | | | | Description: | | The Behringer UCA202 is an ultra-compact, bus-powered interface that can link a Windows or Mac computer with any audio gear. There is no setup or special drivers needed. The interface provides two analog inputs and outputs, as well as an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion. The stereo headphone output with dedicated level control allows for monitoring both input and output.The U-CONTROL download area at Behringer's website offers a huge software package for recording and editing making the interface a complete audio solution, which provides a connection between the analog and digital domain. | | | Features: | |
• Ultra-flexible audio interface connects your instruments, mixer etc. with your computer for recording and playback
• High-resolution 48 kHz converters for high-end audio quality
• Works with your PC or Mac-no setup or drivers required. Free audio recording and editing software downloadable at www.behringer.com
• Stereo headphone output with dedicated level control lets you monitor both input and output
• Powered via USB bus-no external power supply needed
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 7.17 inches | | Product Width:
| 5.47 inches | | Product Height:
| 1.38 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.55 pounds | | Package Length:
| 7.1 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.5 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.5 inches | | Package Weight:
| 0.55 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 133 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 133 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 found the following review helpful:
 DON'T BE CONFUSEDFeb 27, 2011
By Eliezer Pennywhistler
Behringer makes three similar products with very similar names. This one - the UCA202 - provides line level RCA stereo inputs and line level RCA stereo outputs, a S/PDIF optical output, and a 1/8th" stereo headphone output with a dedicated level control. There is also a small switch which turns the output monitor on and off.
The UFO202 includes a turntable pre-amp and a ground. The 222 is identical to the UFO202, but it has a snazzy red cover. To add to the confusion there is an identical UCA202 on Amazon for $10 more. God knows why.
I bought this to replace the similar Alesis unit. The Alesis sounded dim, and the input volume control crapped out after four days - one channel was 6dB lower than the other. I sent it back.
Based on using the UCA202 constantly for a week, here is my assessment:
THE BODY - it is well designed, well thought-out, and well made. It's plastic, but is solidly made. (I wish it had that snazzy red body, though.) I like how the headphone volume control is recessed. I like how the connectors are all gold-plated (unlike the Alesis). I like the strong strain relief on the USB cord (unlike the Alesis). I like the reassuring LED that tells me it is connected to my computer. I like the way the labels are carved into the faceplate - no paint to rub off. I like having an optical digital output. I like the way it is small enough to take along with a laptop. (Gosh. I wish I had a laptop!)
THE SOUND - In short, it is fine. My cassettes go right from my premium Nakamichi deck into the computer, I edit the sound and bake a CD from the edit. And I get to bypass the cruddy soundcard in my old Dell (which has the sound quality and signal-to-noise of a six-transistor radio). The limiting factor is the cassette itself - not the analog-to-digital converter in the 202.
BTW - I compared two identical classical music recordings made with the Alesis and the UCA202. It was not even close - the Behringer was MUCH clearer and cleaner. I actually erased all the Alesis recordings and redid them through the Behringer, despite all the extra hours it cost me. The difference was THAT big.
I am not able to run the 202 directly through my big stereo rig, but it sounds pretty damn good on my $80 Grado headphones. It may not be the ultimate in audio refinement, but it is far more than adequate. For $30 I am a very happy audiophile.
I have looked long and hard at this product category - the next better unit up the food chain is the Cakewalk UA-1G USB Audio Interface for $90. The rest of the products at that price range ($100-200) include mic inputs, guitar inputs, multiple line inputs, mixers and other things I do not need. And the converters are about the same quality as the Cakewalk's. Behringer also makes a better unit for $80 - the FCA202 - but it uses phone connectors and Firewire.
Audiophile Products makes the splendid Fubar II MkII USB Audio DAC that IS the ultimate in audio refinement for about $170. When I happen to have that much cash to spare then maybe I will upgrade.
I'd give the USC 202 5 stars but ....
THE INSTRUCTIONS - they stink. They go off on tangents about other Behringer products you don't need. They do not mention that the speaker in the diagram is a powered speaker. They do not explain that otherwise you need an amplifier to power your speakers.
They absolutely do NOT explain how you have to change some parameters in your Windows XP Control Panel. Or what those parameters are. They do not explain that you have to set up your computer's audio recording program (such as Audacity) to input and output through the USB connection. Figuring out all that jazz took me HOURS of research.
That's one star down for pissing me off and delaying me two entire days. Unless you are willing to make a toll call, you reach Behringer tech support via email from their website. It takes a day or two to get an answer, but they are friendly and helpful and honest.
If you read the description, Behringer offers you "tons" of free computer software for your audio files. But don't think you will get some CD-ROM discs. It turns out that you have to download all three from different websites - and you have always been able to download them for free without buying any products. That's not dishonest or immoral, but it IS skeezy.
I'm a happy camper with this product. If anything changes after a few months, I'll let you all know.
**********
UPDATE - One year in and everything is still just fine.
32 of 34 found the following review helpful:
Works well with Garageband -Jan 22, 2009
By pinchdogster
I am new to the world of in-home recording. I recently purchased a computer primarily for Garageband. I was having trouble recording an electric guitar plugged directly into the computer input. The guitar signal was sporadic at best.
This product has solved my problem and seems, so far, to work well with Garageband. There is no additional software to install. It simply plugs into the usb port and is automatically detected by the computer.
I give it only four stars because there was some frustration involved. There are no 1/4" inputs for a standard guitar plug - Only RCA inputs for this device. This is something you may not discern from the items description (nudge, nudge). However, there are 1/4"-RCA guitar cables available that work just fine. I just thought others might like to know beforehand. Also, this item by itself is not good for CONTROLLING your signal. As I mentioned above, this recording business is new to me; so, maybe there are 'obvious' issues that I am unaware of. But, while the product does a nice job of making an electric guitar signal detectable, you will need to run it thru some other device to control the volume better. You do get some control from the guitar volume & Garageband itself, but not enough. I plug my guitar into a multi-effects processor, then the processor out into the Behringer (via 1/4"-RCA), then the Behringer into the MAC via usb. I also tried using the Behringer with a small practice amp in the chain, but there was too much hiss. Using the effects processor without the amp in the mix works best.
I am happy with the product and would recommend it for use with Garageband.
17 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Eliminate BuzzSep 19, 2008
By N. Webb
Had nasty ground buzz recording directly through sound card. This device cleared it up. I use it to record music and spoken word in stereo and have been very impressed with the quality and quietness. The headphone jack on the side with volume control is very handy during recording too. It helps hear exactly what you are recording. Stereo out is handy too. Works great on laptop and desktop.
89 of 107 found the following review helpful:
 Functions, but not as high quality as advertized.Aug 10, 2009
By T. Harward
This device is great for those who just want to get sound in and out of the computer conveniently without plugging in too many audio cables. It is nice to sit down at a desk, plug in the USB hub, and get sound in and out right away. I used mine to connect out to my ADS monitors and in from my run-of-the-mill Behringer 802 mixer.
Key word "used." After a few hours of listening to the device, both recording and playback, I realized that it actually sounded worse than the headphone output on my laptop. Now, realize that I am a stickler for audio quality - your needs may vary - but for those with good ears this may be useful information. The sound is dead and lifeless, without much clarity or image. It seems as though a veil lies between me and the music that I can't get rid of.
This, my good-eared friends, is the problem with a cheap DAC. That's the Digital-to-Analog converter, and it's what takes the bits from your computer and decides how to make sound waves out of them. Devices such as this one are cheap for a reason - the DAC chips and op-amps and components in the signal path are cheaply bought and cheaply constructed, and you'll get that signature veiled Behringer (oops, am I generalizing?) 'cheap' sound.
If you have good ears and know you will be able to hear a difference - do yourself a favor and invest in a good DAC and ADC instead of this. You will thank yourself many times later on for it. There are many options in the $100-$200 range that those with good ears will (unfortunately for our wallets) require.
So this review is mainly targeted as a warning to folks with discerning ears. However, if you're just looking for simple input and output and aren't running it to a good set of monitors or doing serious recording, then this will do just fine. If you know you won't be able to hear the difference, there's obviously no point in spending any more than this. Enjoy!
(As a side note - if you're wondering why I care so much, let me put it simply: I think I end up listening to and enjoying more music when it sounds remarkably real. It's way more enjoyable. That's all. If you can avoid it, I suggest staying blissfully unaware of this fact; it's way cheaper.)
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Simple solution for small costJul 26, 2008
By S. Saunders
I'm so glad to have found this product here on amazon. I had been using Acoustica Spin It Again 2.1 Music Conversion Recording Software - Windows on my desktop PC to convert my collection of audiobooks on tape to digital audio files. Then I ditched my desktop PC in favor of an iMac. I planned to run Spin it Again (there's no Mac version) on my notebook PC to complete my audiobook conversion project.
Oops: the notebook doesn't have a line-in audio port, only a microphone jack. Acoustica warns that it's not good to use the microphone jack to link in the tape player to the notebook PC, as mic ports are sensitive and may be blown that way. I went ahead and recorded a couple of tapes using the mic input but the sound quality was harsh; the sound really overloaded the mic jack.
So I decided to heed the warnings about the microphone input, and find a USB audio input device. I bought the Griffin iMic / USB Audio Interface which is an elegant device that works with my iMac but sadly doesn't work with Vista. In reading the iMic reviews I learned about this device. I'm not doing sophisticated digital audio; I just want to make decent audio files from my audiotapes without spending a lot of money.
This product arrived this week and this morning I got it set up with my tape deck and notebook PC. It worked smoothly right away and I've already recorded the first side of a tape. To listen to the sound as it's being recorded I plugged a set of powered computer speakers into the U-Control's headphone jack which is more convenient to me than using phones.
See all 133 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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