Review: Behringer U-Control UCA202 Audio Interface

Behringer has a great reputation for producing useful, no-nonsense products that are good quality and relatively low-cost. Furthermore the company has brought home recording into the reach of the common man with its line of reasonably priced mixers and a nifty unit called the U-Control UCA202 Audio interface with RCA input and USB output.

Set Up and Use

The UCA202 (which retails for $29.99) is a simple interface box that allows a mixer's "Tape Out" or Alt 3-4 subgroup to be connected to a Mac or Windows PC via USB thus allowing the user to input just about any type of music signal into a computer and record using nearly any recording software (e.g. Logic, Pro Tools, Garageband, Audacity, etc.). Please note that the UCA202 does not come with any software of its own.

The UCA202 connects to a mixer using a standard red/white RCA cable which you can pick up at any number of retailers. Just about any store that deals in electronics of any kind will carry these standard cables. Now, for a simple set up just connect the UCA202 to a mixer's "Tape Out" RCA jacks and then plug the UCA202's USB cable to a computer. Depending on the software used it may be necessary to select the UCA202 as the input source within the software's preferences. For Garageband, go to Preferences (under the Garageband menu) and for Input Source select "USB Codec."

The UCA202 also incorporates two different monitoring capabilities. The unit has a 1/8" headphone jack with a dedicated volume control which will allow monitoring of the signal directly from the mixing console via headphones. Also the UCA202 has RCA output jacks to which studio monitors can be connected. Keep in mind that both of these options monitor the signal coming out of the board only and thus does not reflect any sound manipulation applied to the signal using software.

Capabilities

What initially struck me about the UCA202 was how easy it was to set up. I am a novice and have not done any recording to my computer using a mixer before. However a quick glance at the included set-up diagram told me what I needed to know. Simply plug in my RCA cable (not included) into the mixer's tape out and then into the UCA202's input and I was ready to go.

My first test was to plug a Sennheiser e609 microphone into my mixer's Channel 1 and record my voice and acoustic guitar. I fired up Garageband on my Macbook and started a new recording project. First I selected the UCA202 as my input source (see above). I then turned on my mixer and I set the Master volume sliders to 0 dB and the Channel 1 slider to 0 db and adjusted the gain for that channel. I tested the mic and was able to hear my voice loud and clear through the headphones I had plugged into the UCA202. Likewise Garageband was indicating that it was receiving a signal. It was as simple as that.

As for the sound quality, it was very good. Of course it can only be as good as what is fed into it but after miking up my acoustic guitar with the Sennheiser mic, I was able to get a quick feel for the sound. It was absolutely true to the input I was giving it. Plus I had so much control over the tone going into the computer due to the fact that was going through a mixer with which I could set the tone the way I like it. Anything you can put into a mixer, the UCA202 will put it into your computer just like it sounds...or very close.

Limitations

There are a few limitations that I found that I would like to mention. None of these are show-stoppers for me but they may be for other users.

The first is the monitoring capabilities of the unit. While it is nice and useful (at times) to be able to hear the dry signal coming from the board, neither option is useful monitoring during the recording process or playback. So as a result I find my self removing my speaker/headphone plug from the UCA202 to my computer's audio out jack and back constantly to go between hearing the dry mix and then the recorded mix. It would be great if the audio of the computer could be fed back into the UCA202 and it could be your one source of monitoring. And perhaps there could be a switch on the unit to switch between the dry mix and the software mix.

The plastic housing of the UCA202 makes the unit less than ideal for road. If you are a traveler and would like to record podcasts or music while on the road, it might behoove you to purchase a suitable carrying case for the UCA202. The plastic may not hold up to the rough and tumble of road life. But for home use, it is more than sufficient.

Despite these nit-picky limitations I have mentioned, the UCA202 is a great unit and if you already own or have access to a mixer, this is a very inexpensive way to get your musical creations recorded to digital.

Good luck and have fun!