💽 Track Mixing: edthorne.com/mixing 💽 DECAFFEINATED LOVE: open.spotify.com/track/37miPvcO37uNW2olA8bpBR?si=9cf9ed4b63114571 🎬 Best Interface For Mixing! This HP Amp is Insane!: ua-cam.com/video/n0fyFRl2R24/v-deo.html 🎬 Scarlett 4th Generation vs 3rd Gen: ua-cam.com/video/_LDDzsxp1a0/v-deo.html
hello, if I mainly need sound card for listening to music, but at the same time I am a bit of a singer, guitarist, I have good professional yamaha monitors and I would like to have a midi input, then what is better to buy? emphasis on the music quality, I have a lexicon alpha now, it sounds ok, but i want better. id like to have at least 2 instrument input channels.
Damn. I absolutely loved your method of comparing two by switching between the same song, without telling us which was which. Perfect way to eliminate any inherent biases and just focus on the sound quality of both interfaces. I know this is an older video at this point, but fantastic work.
@@EdThorne hey! i am gonna jsut use for electro guiater recordingss and for som programrs like guitar rig and a condenser mic. İ have low budget so is there any big differnce between umc22 and umc202,? pls help
I've used the Behringer UMC202 HD for over a year now. It's great, sounds just as good as the Steinbergs and Focusrites my friends have. The only upgrade I would make is to a DSP based interface like the UAD Apollo Duo Twin etc. Until then I'm happy with what I've got. The small nuances in todays gear quality make less difference than you think if you record a killer track the right way. I've heard great tracks made with a cheap mic and a cheap interface. Hendrix would still sound like Hendrix if he played a Squier Bullet.
That last line about Hendrix sums up how I feel about great gear in general, but I will always recommend novices who know what it takes to get good invest in mid-range to upper low range gear. Having gone the cheap route for various hobbies then being gifted decent gear for my journey into recording, I've found that my struggles have been massively impacted by low quality gear making my best efforts look or sound like crap. Don't break the bank but remember that the road to success is much smoother in a new car than a worn out bike.
Theres hardly any difference in sound,i got this focusrite and the umc202hd. Also got the behringer fx1622usb,and a um2 from behringer that i still have to test.the mixer sounds slightly nicer than the focusrite and the umc202hd.
If you consider buying the Behringer 202hd I suggest taking a look at the behringer 204hd variant, 20€ more expensive, but has things like the mono/ stereo switches for monitoring (among other, better connectivity)
there's only small difference, Scarlett sounds good, but i believe when behringers output if mixed and mastered well, it will give the same output with the Scarlett final output. it will depend on the mixing process
I was happy with the Scarlett, but son *borrowed* it while I waited to get a Behringer for him. Somehow he kept the Scarlett and I got stuck with the Behringer. Aside from the "fit and finish* and lack of the pretty lighting, I am fine Behringer. I couldn't definitively decide which sounded better in your comparison. The Behringer works no problem on LINUX.
No noise issues on my Behringer 202HD, but the one thing people need to study-up regarding Behringer issues is the clipping/leveling problem. You have to set it up right, or you can end up with some odd clip noises here and there. This is a driver problem Behringer has neglected for years. Seems to work fine, if levels are correct.
I owned a focusrite scarlet 2nd gen and had several issues with it.. then a buddy sold me a Behringer UMC22 and had no issues and have since used it.. it may cheao but it gets the job done for that I need. I'm upgrading to the UMC 404 HD
Pretty good choice, I own a 404HD for over 2 years, and I'm pretty satisfied. Only real issue I had in that time was some driver mishap this one time, where my computer refused to acknowledge that the interface is connected to it, but reinstalling the drivers fixed that.
Might sound strange but the sound nuances aren't the most important factor for me. I'm all about the performance, the latency and I certainly don't want any pops, crackle (even small intermittent amounts) that occur when an audio interface is buckling
Great review. I purchased the Behringer last fall and I'm pretty happy with it overall. The bundled software for the Scarlett was going to give me zero benefit since I am soon to retire my aging Mac Mini (2012) and move my UA-cam production to a Linux box. For cross-platform usage which includes Linux, you cannot beat the Behringer at this price point. I've already ordered the SE Electronics DM1 Dynamite to give my Samson Dynamic Mic a little extra boost since I'm currently pushing the gain up to about 90%. From other reviews, the DM1 is a good alternative to the CloudLifter and $50 cheaper.
I used Linux, so, Scarlett have incompatibility or issues when running on LinuxOSs? I run Windows, macosx and manjaro&arch, and cross platform compatibility interest me. Appreciate any comment. Cheers. 👍
@@pedroj8127 All the comments I've seen about the Scarlett state that it works without a hassle on Linux. The problem is with the software included, since none of them are natively supported - you need something like yabridge, which uses WINE to run Windows VSTs. I thought Behringer interfaces allowed users to download an OEM version of Tracktion Waveform (which has a Linux version) once the device is registered, but there are other interfaces including Linux-ready software, such as the Icon Duo line, the ESI U22 XT, Mackie Onyx interfaces and the Antelope Audio Zen line (EXPENSIVE).
I've been out of the musical loop for a few years now, thanks to having kids. Finally getting back into it all now. Glad i listened to the end! Haven't gotten software for my PC since i was more focused on schooling on it. The Cakewalk by Bandlab looks great. I used Logic Pro Studio for years but that MacBook is archaic now. I'll probably pick up the Behringer based on cost and basic features i need. I've always recorded on my old Behringer 4 track mixer old school analog style (i guess I'll call it that). I feel like this will give me more flexibility in recording when the kiddos are asleep. Thanks for this video!
Years ago I grabbed a UMC1820 store demo unit for $183 so I could experiment with micing up A LOT of stuff at once and a bunch of different ways to mic drums. That thing worked well for what I paid. It's definitely not the best, but you won't any other interface with 8 preamps near the price.
Ok up until now I thought my Behringer UMC was pretty great and had no plans of replacing it but I now realize there is a harshness at around 5k or so, which is something I have heard in my setup as well but I thought it was a trait in my voice or something else. Hmm. The Focusrite has a more natural and "sophisticated", warmer sound. It's a pretty noticeable difference TBH, very obvious between 01:15 and 01:30 for instance. If a harsher sound is desired, it can always be achieved by adding harmonic distortion which is easier than vice versa. Thanks for the video!
Yes, there is, I would say, a harshness or even a small distortion. I think the center of this is lower from my experience, even somewhere between 3,8 and 4,3 kHz, but its broad so it prolongs on 5kHz as well.
Thanks for the video - yes I am looking at longterm setup possibly spending a little extra on the Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen - so I can setup monitors and a midi controller. It looks like the beringer has lots more features and outputs it looks like it approaches the features of the 8i6 which is more than 3 times the price.
Excellent video, I wonder if the UA-cam compression and the quality of the audio interface I use to listen to this video does not make it difficult to compare the two
Thanks, Steve. UA-cam only really compresses audio to the same quality as an Mp3, so you should hear the differences as if listening on Spotify. Phone speakers definitely won't highlight the differences compared to monitors or headphones.
I found 2 (Behringer) to sound cleaner, neater, tighter and more pleasant every time. By the way I own the Scarlett Solo 2nd gen and the Clarett USB 2 Pre.
I am actually thinkin' of buying a Focusrite Solo 3rd Gen as it sounds more expensive than the umc22 that means it's on the higher end level. I will use it with my electric guitar for recording too. But now, I can see these type of opinions it makes me rethink to buy Focusrite as it's twice the price of umc22. Will I be wasting the extra cash or not?
@@kennethlourisombrog2149 I can't really judge because I don't own the UMC 22 and have never operated one in real life. I do own the Scarlett Solo 2nd gen and it sounds pretty good. You can't go wrong if you choose to buy the 3rd gen Scarlett Solo.
@@davidfabien7220 Right, and two other things I found that differ Focusrite from the umc22 are the 24bit 192kHz reso and 48v Phantom Power w/o issues with it. So I guess I would go with the Scarlett Solo. Cheers.
I had the exact same experience. I went from the same interface you had to a umc204hd. I did end up having to reinstall windows because of driver issues when switching over, but when I plugged in my guitar and started strumming through my DAW dry I literally could not believe what I was hearing and feeling. I jammed just dry through the interface and daw to monitors for a while. Still cannot believe how much better it is a year later. I used that scarlett for years lol
Air mode not great advantage, the UMC204HD has insert loops so you can add any EQ to do the same thing, along with lots more like limiters, compression etc. In fact the UMC404HD with 4x preamp inputs and 4 outs, is about same price as the focusrite.
Yes comparison to the UMC404HD would make more sense. How can anyone compare the two when processed through internet connections, wi fi, cheap pc and laptop sound chips are utilized. Fairly useless review then?
Careful with the word "Cheap" I prefer to say Less Expensive. The Behringer still holds its own going up against audio interfaces that cost 3-4 times as much. Another bonus is it doesn't require any Software besides it's Windows drivers to make it functional so it's a stand alone interface with proven Midas preamps that maintain a lower noise floor than the Noisy focusrite's On a final note a more fair comparison would be the Behringer UMC204HD to the Focusrite 2i2 but in this vid the 202 smokes the 2i2 IMO.
Thanks for this comparison.....I was wonder if I should upgrade. I bought the Behringer 202HD in 2018 and have been pretty happy with it. I primarily do vocals (speaking, not singing) for video tutorials, product reviews and things like that. I have always wondered what miracle of magic these other audio interfaces perform that mine does not......outside of the plugins and music design, not really anything that would enhance what I do. And, perhaps it is the youtube compression and the fact I did not wear my headphones to listen, but I couldn't tell much of a difference between the two except for the electric guitar section....it does sound muddier on the Behringer....but I don't play guitar so not much of an issue for me. Anyway, thanks for the comparison....it was helpful to me and helped me decide that I really don't need to upgrade/change out my Behringer UMC202HD for something else at double the cost.
The Scarlett isn’t a noticeable upgrade on a Behringer. Check out the new UA Volt with vintage mode and a built-in compressor - that would make a big difference to your VO work! ua-cam.com/video/JW1na7KXBP4/v-deo.html
Got the Behringer UMC404 recently and so far working great. There are a few little keyboard functions you might have to learn as far as enabling tracks for recording etc. But it provides all sorts of options as far as main Outs (both XLR and 1/4 in) and having the four inputs is great if you're looking to record drums.
I had both of these interfaces here for comparison and I didn't have any noise or hum when using phantom power with various condensers. I also didn't have the same duller tone on the DI and am wondering if this is due to impedance mis-matching? The Behringer UMC's mic preamps were noticeably quieter than the Focusrite's at higher gain levels and the headphone outputs were way better on the UMC. Overall, I found the Behringer UMC to out perform the Focusrite Scarlett and ended up keeping it to use with my iPad for mobile recordings.
Okay, that’s interesting. I’m wondering if there’s a quality control issue or it’s just a dud unit. Would an impedance imbalance cause such a hum? The mic was a Sennheiser e914. Identical to the one used with the Scarlett, both working fine.
@@EdThorne The impedance unbalance could cause the duller tone in the instrument line input test you did on electric guitar. Regarding the hum that could be various things but normally an grounding issue? Also, I've found with some budget products the power supplies that some companies send out can change depending on the batch. I bought a headphone amp a few years ago and it had a lot of hum! One of my colleagues had the exact same headphone amp and there wasn't any hum with his. I noticed the power supplies looked slightly different so had a look at their specs and they were different. I tried his PSU on my headphone amp the the noise disappeared. These were both brand new units but came with different power supplies.
@@richardpenrose1968 Yeh is have thought it was a ground issue if it was plugged into the mains but this was off my computer. And again, strange one hummed and one didn’t. The DI tone/impedance makes sense.
@@EdThorne Did you try the using the PSU that came with the UMC? I've used my UMC HD straight off my old iphone 7 with the PSU and it powers all my SDC's and LDC's no problem and no hum?
Just found your channel I am a radio DJ and I have a Behringer Eurorack UB2222FX-PRO I play cd and vinyl so the extra out puts help. But I also broadcast from home remotely from the studio play out system and the Behringer for its price will be just what I need.
Go with whatever is cheaper unless they are within 20 bucks of each other or so. The scarlet offerings seem to be considered the go to brand and tend to boast the better kHz spec for people who want the premium product The berhinger works well in my experience and offer great features and value for the money - to the point where I later purchased the umc 1820 and ada8000 units to have as many inputs as my band would ever need for recording projects. The M audio solo does the job just fine but the plastic housing and wobbly knobs don’t feel as nice as the other two units but if you can get it at a steep enough discount where you can buy extra gear like a budget mic or headphones with the savings then it’s totally worth considering
I cannot hear any difference between the two interfaces and the blind test proves it. Both do a great job. Furthermore I've never understood the "warmth" of a sound: which are the involved frequencies? Are they measurable with a spectrum analyser or is it only a product price-related psychological effect?
I have the Behrnnger UMC204HD it's bigger brother which has that mono switch found on the focusright also a monitor mix knob a monitor A/B button also on the back it has midi in and out dins and midi active lights for midi in and midi out on the front, 2 inserts, A and B playback stereo outs.... and t's still way cheaper than the Focusrite which is £138 and the behringer umc204hd is £79 which is almost 1/2 price still... but you get so much more in the capability on the behringer inc Midi in//out
Exactly. If the Scarlett had the mix knob (which is one of the most important things a USB interface could have), I would have gone and paid extra since it generally sounds better, but I had known from the start I wouldn't been able to do without it and opted for the UMC204HD. The next upgrade, in my opinion, would be the Solid State Logic "SSL" 2 which has everything the 204HD has and more, and which sounds better than both the Scarlett and the very popular Motu M2.
Can I know if behringer can use with software like Adobe audition? By the way it is a super great video what solved my problems, thank you so much from Malaysia❤️
You’re welcome. The Behringer will work with any software as long as your computer recognises the device (this will require the correct audio drivers on PC)
@@EdThorne I hear that the drivers for the scarlett on PC are very bad and unstable while the behringer driver is good on PC, though that was a year ago do you have any clue if this is still the case because I only have PC. Thanks!
Thanks bunches for this video. My biggest concern with the Behringer is the phantom power noise issue mentioned at 4:30. We use lots of condensers for recording, so this would be a major stumbling block. Currently have an XR18 that we don't seem to get the issue on, yet I saw another reply here saying a different Behringer interface model does the same thing. Anyone using Behringer interface WITHOUT having this issue? Is it possibly limited to certain units, cable issues, etc., or is it across the gamut? Also curious what frequency is the noise at-- you mention a high pass filter so assume it is only in the super low end (below 100? 150?)
@@EdThorne the comment about a week ago by "Mi Nombres es F" suggests he's getting the same thing on the 202. Like you said, funny though more folks here and across the web aren't mentioning this if it is a more common issue. I'm super torn right now between the 8 channel variants. I could get a Behringer plus an 8 preamp for the cost of the Scarlett interface alone. The Scarlett does sound a little warmer with more "fullness" to my ear, but not sure I would notice much difference once everything was in the mix (3pc folk trio and a 5pc blues band).
@@jgib01 I'm curious to know which audio interface you ended up with as I'm a saxophonist who wants to record better covers and I'm not sure which is best
@@TukeMorgan The Scarlett is said to have a "warmer" sound due to a specific bump in the lower frequencies by Focusrite. That's not necessarily a good thing since a lot of low end gets taken out unless it's specifically a bass sound like bass, kick or synth
In my opinion you compared the wrong functions on the wrong devices because the Mono/Stereo Headphone Output is not given on the Behringer 202 but on the Focusrite.. the Behringer 204 does have this function so maybe you should have compared the Behringer 204 with the focusrite for a fair review. But hey overall a good video so i'll leave a like
I've used a first generation Scarlet 2i4 for almost 10 years. It was my main audio interface until I upgraded to a Soundcraft Signature 22mtk about 3 years ago. The Scarlet then moved on to be my portable studio interface that I carried while on tour. Last year I was away and I didn't bring the 2i4 with me so I bought a UMC204HD to use instead. It did a great job, so much so that it replaced the 2i4. The specs are actually superior to the first generation Scarlet
@@EdThorne hey! i am gonna jsut use for electro guiater recordingss and for som programrs like guitar rig and a condenser mic. İ have low budget so is there any big differnce between umc22 and umc202,? pls help
i use a scarlett 2i4 2nd and after 2 years in my home studio i have lot of "schrrrr" with the volume volume or the headphones volume. I have tested the spray but same problem. You dont have problems with the volume knob ?
@@ChrisBessy no problem with the generation one Scarlett. It's still very functional although I don't use it as much as I used to. I suppose it's a case of how lucky you are with any of these things
Throw one of those 20 dollar tube pre amps on the mic and blam the berhinger is not cold anymore. the scarlett is another hundred bucks..thats a mic and a berhinger pedal
I tried HD 202 and didn't like it. But still I never heard the bass undertone in your recording. Maybe a faulty cable or microphone. Your video is very informative. Thanks :)
That is interesting, because I have the Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen and a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, which to my best knowledge is around 60 Ohm headphones and I have plenty of juice in the headphone out. Actually, so much that I need to turn down my Windows volume. I will say, however, that it seems that the crossover between the DAW and direct monitoring isn't equally loud, meaning that the direct passthrough seems to be muted, compared to for example Windows/system sounds.
Hello ed thorne, do you have any idea how to remove the um2 noise like theres a radio noise in the um2..i already use behringer driver and watch alot of tutorial but it still have that noise while my room is silent...can you help me?😢
Try a different XLR cable, maybe a different plug socket, and maybe move any phones away from the device. Other than that, these interfaces are prone to reliability issues. You get what you pay for.
The background fuzz may be your particular setup. I found the opposite to be true when testing both devices into a DAW. The Focusrite had considerably more noise than the umc202, to the point that I returned it and kept the umc202. For the $, you really can’t beat the umc202.
Couldn't really hear a difference between them. This is interesting, as I'm looking for a cheap unit just to get audio out of my laptop; I'm gearing up to add some MIDI-triggered VSTs to my guitar rig. I was going to get a UMC202HD but a used 2i2 popped up on Facebook for a really good price. So, I guess it's pretty much just a coin toss :D
Wow! The reveal was TOTALLY unexpected, That Behringer sounds much better (to my ears), it sounds richer, clearer and more ambient; Again, to MY ears.😄 Thanks, That was an excellent comparison video and helped out a bunch in making my decision. 👊🏾
i'm trying to decide between the Scarlet 2I2 or the Apollo Twin X DUO. I'm not hearing $700 worth of extra value in the Apollo yet. I just want to make sure I'm buying quality I can build on. The first combo guitar amp I ever bought 15 years ago was a Behringer. It was all I could afford when I started playing and it was great for me at the time. I still have it, but compared to my Marshall DSL the Behringer amp sounds like trash. I have feeling the buying a budget interface will result in the same outcome.
The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, the UA expandable universe if you want add/pair more devices later, the UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, and it’s desktop controller functionality. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo: ua-cam.com/video/lYDFQP3kBcE/v-deo.html If you learn how to use the Console monitoring app with the Apollo you will never regret your decision buying one. Most of the complaints I hear about Apollo’s are from people who haven’t bothered learning Console. It’s unbelievably flexible and powerful if you do.
As a drummer who wants to record every now and then sounds like the Behringer is my best bet. I was told regardless of mic quality that the Scarlett would bring more life out of the drums but the louder headphone jack I think is most beneficial for me and the fact that it is half the price over the scarlett and has almost identical features makes it more intriguing for me as well when comparing the 8 mic output interfaces.
The headphone output volume is far louder on the Behringer. In terms of mic preamp quality, you'd probably want the Scarlett, but the difference is negligible at this price point.
Dont get too caught up in the preamp stuff....they sound extremely similar. there is no major difference in quality. I have had and used both. If you are a drummer get the behringer. you will want that extra headphone volume for sure.
I'm thinking about switching from the focusrite to the Behringer since focusrite has this annoying bug with VoIP where your mic crackles and stuff and there's no permanent fix
Amazing vid! That being said, I am recording my band live through a powered mixer w/ E drums [we all wear headphones w/ the mix coming from the board], signal is sent to an interface [just bought the focusrite 2i2 gen 4]. My mixer has 2 rca plugs out, I am using a 2 rca to a 1/4 inch stereo cable and sending this signal to 1 line input. Would it sound better to get 2 separate rca to 1/4 inch mono cables and send them to line 1 and line 2 input? Or would I use 2 separate rca to 1/4 inch stereo cables? Again great vid and not often discussed! Also, I am going to experiment with the air vs air 2 features and no air and will let you know the results! Much love from Upstate NY! Oh, I am currently using Audacity as my DAW is the Ableton lite that comes with the focusrite better?
Or you could do what I did and scoop a virtually brand new Focusrite off the used market. A lot of people buy audio interfaces and end up barely using them. I just got an almost new Scarlet 2i2 3rd gen for $75 on FB marketplace.
Hi thank you for the video. My question is the following:At the moment I am only going to use the audio interface to compose electronic music on my daw, with headphones. Using an interface in this way will I improve the sound that I will perceive from my daw? Will I perceive a better sound in my headphones using the interface than if I only use the interface that is integrated in my computer? Thank you a lot
Interfaces are really only for taking output from an instrument or mic and recording it directly into your DAW with the direct monitoring allowing for minimal latency while laying down vocals or guitar/bass riffs so you're not hearing what sounds like an "echo" through your headphones as you sing/play. If you're using a MIDI keyboard and not adding personal recorded vocals or guitar riffs, an interface isn't going to give you anything more than what a pair of nice headphones connected directly into your computer gives.
Вопрос по звуковой карте UMC204HD. Когда крутилки gain1 и gain2 выкручены на максимум по часовой стрелке, а в левых гнёздах где микрофон ничего не подключено, есть шум в наушниках которые подключены в гнездо на передней панели?
@Ed Thorne Music Production Excellent video, thank you! I have the BOSS RC-600 looper and I also use it as an Audio Interface, but since I never used other ones I couldn't say if it in comparison is any good. Would you be interested in doing such a comparison? Please, please!
thank you for this video. as i will be running the interface through a mixer with a preamp for output i after your video i will be opting for the focusrite
Hi! I got the Behringer UMC202HD interface but I can't make it work! My computer doesn't recognize it. I tried with different computers, differents windows, and installing different drivers and nothing. If I pplug it in i can connect a mic and headphones and I get audio, but not on my computer, so can't record anything... Anyone had a similar problem?
monitor output n the block size b4 cracking is the most important, just like u said the inputs is similar but the output is warmer n fuller on the docusrite'
One problem I have found with the Behringer UMC202 at least on a PC, is that I don't have an option for just one channel. What I mean is if I'm only using one input it still records in stereo and thus I only get sound on one speaker side on the recorded audio. I know this can be fixed when using proper recording software but it's annoying if your just trying to record a simple video on a PC. I have looked in the sound settings but it only gives me two channel options.
@@EdThorne Hi Ed, it's not on a proper DAW just the PCs standard video software. I know it's not professional but I just wanted to make a quick video with reasonable sound and found it strange that I could only select 2 channels in the advanced sound options on my computer. I don't know if this is more to do with windows itself or the Behringer drivers for it.
@@GoldenToothBrush That’s a Windows issue not an interface issue. I don’t use Windows so I can’t make a suggestion but there are plenty of free DAWs around that you could record into for more recording flexibility. Cakewalk by Bandlab is popular for PC.
@@EdThorne Thank you. I have an oldish mac too and will see how it works with that. Going forwards though I will need a DAW anyway. Thank you for the recommendations.
@@GoldenToothBrush I also highly recommend Cakewalk by BandLab. It is a full featured DAW and it is free. Amazing. There are also good tutorials on the UA-cam to walk you through the basics.
So do I, thanks. Here’s the full song with the keyboard solo that made it onto the actual track instead of the guitar: open.spotify.com/album/3WZWJfHlOkTDy9faRObW8j?si=x1gxJPuYSFuTffYqN9M7Uw&dl_branch=1
What did you mean by "low end noise" ? I didn't even hear it when jacking up my volume. I think you're just revealing that one has better low end **response** Being **muffled** is just how our ears perceive different EQ.
@@EdThorne Oh actually, you're right, I can hear it. Just not at a level I normally listen to things to. Was that tested with a condenser mic while active, or was it only tested with a dynamic? Heard and saw it, but just making sure there wasn't a variable in testing, since it could be easy to miss that when testing. (Weird variables can turn up when mixed devices are plugged in I presume)
I have a Behringer umc404hd, and it just died on me - after about 4 years of constant use, mind you. Need a replacement, and I was considering the Scarlett. But after watching this video, I might just buy another Behringer umc404hd.
ive not finished the video yet. but i've owned both of these at different times and i love them both. literally the only difference to me might be name credibility. if youre working with a musician to record they might give an eyeroll when they see your 'studio' is built on a behringer interface and may make them second-guess your skill, thinking youre a noob or whatever. ive never ran into this problem but people can really be that snobbish about gear. i know i'd look differently at 2 guitarists if one had an all Boss pedal board and an all Behringer board. its sad but thats how we work. i LOVE my UMC202HD
My behringer umc22 has problems on fl studio where it starts buzzing when I change effects or record too long. I have to rechannel to remove the sound. Anyone knows how to fix this?
Does it permanently affect your recorded audio? If not then it means it's only messing with the playback. Try increasing the buffer size, but the more you do the more latency will be introduced. If your recorded audio is permanently affected with the buzz, I think it's either some defective parts on the audio interface or your computer's audio chip is incompatible with the interface. (Happened to me while I recorded live session with a Qu-pac mixer from Allen & Heath)
The Behringer has the Midas Verona pre circuit. It does not sound cold by any means. Actually, the Behringer is more on a darker side than the Scarlett pres. IMHO they sound great and very uncomplicated with the high end roll-off, which is perfect for many things, like they perfectly roll off for budget chinese large diaphragm condenser mics, removing the high end zipp with ease. People often refer to the Scarlett as more "open" or "airy" - but really, I had no problem eq-ing as much high end into recorded signals as I possibly ever need. I find too much high end more problematic to deal with in a mix, honestly. So I definitely prefer the Behringer (Midas Verona) to the Scarlett pres. The name "Focusrite" makes people think of the high end pres, but these are no ISA style pres, not even Clarett style pres, so they are kind of budget devices. One man's "muffled" sounds are the other man's "compact/warm" sounds, one man's "open" sound is the other man's "problematic/easily distorted" sound. Depends a lot on what music you want to record and what you personally prefer. These newer Behringer interfaces are nothing like the earlier ones. Much warmer sound IMHO and great conversion quality. I use them for recording drums and bass, but would record guitars and vocals with them every day of the week. I know a few radio moderators who use these interfaces for internet radio, my band's female vocalist included, with a cloudlifter-like pre-preamp like the triton audio (or you can buy the new TC audio device for incredibly low price as 22 EUROS/ a huge bargain!) and they sound great. No joke, these interfaces easily beat the highly professional interfaces of yesteryears ... plus - you can achieve ridiculously low latencies with them/the Behringers (like 80 samples / ~2ms - as low as it gets with USB), and they are very easy to handle. No bells and whistles, just great workhorses. I also use older Mytek ADC, MOTU AVB interfaces, I had older Kronauer and Swissonics converters ... and I have absolutely no problem to use these Behringer interfaces for album recording (these are great times for musicians).
PS: I own the UMC204HD at home, and the UMC1820 plus ADA8200(same pres) in the recording/rehearsal room of my band, and use them every day. IMHO there is no interface that beats them in price/performance ratio as of today.i
Yes, I quite like the Behringer UMC1820 and the ADA expansion. They sound very uncolored to me, and capture all the nuances of the source. They sound a million times better than my old Edirol (Roland) units that were ok twenty years ago, but sound pretty average now!
I have a Behringer UMC204HD. Mine might not be representative of the model, but the headphone amp has a ridiculous amount of hiss with the output knob at 2 o'clock or higher. Similarly, the unbalanced RCA outputs have a rather high amount of noise present, indicating the unit is overall a poor performer with regard to SNR. I'm currently using the RCA line outs for a pair of PC media speakers, but I'm not holding my breath that the TRS mains outs are going to perform any better. Overall, the unit can only be described as serviceable but disappointing. Would not recommend despite the 204HD having more complete features over the 202HD little bro.
Thank you for this comparison. I'm not in a position to get a new Scarlett, and buying used it would more likely be Gen1, which puts me off somewhat. Behringer, on the other hand, I can get new. All I'm recording is line out from my digital piano (Casio PXS1000). What would you do in my place, Behringer or Scarlett?
Hi your video was very helpful, I only want an audio interface for mixing and mastering with 250ohms headphones, do you think the Behringer would be better suited?
I'm glad it was useful, thanks for watching. In terms of mixing and mastering you'd probably want the best digital to audio conversion you can afford. Check out the new Audient iD14 (mkii) if you can stretch to that. If not, either of the devices in this video fine. Some argue the Scarlett will last longer...
I'd like to digitizing my vinyl records through my budget turntable system; Music hall mmf mark1, pro-ject phonobox preamp. Should I get 2nd gen or 3rd gen Focusrite ? and is there a difference in sound quality between solo, 2i2 ? My only reason to get audio interface card is record my vinyl and upload youtube without much loss of sound quality.
I would like to record me and a guest using the Focusrite Solo. Since it has two inputs can I connect a mic to the quarter-inch input of the Focusrite using an XLR to quarter-inch cable?
You need a two channel interface, such as the Scarlett 2i2. A microphone needs a preamp (the XLR inputs) to bring the voltage produced by the mic up to -line-level. Instruments like guitars usually produce this level of signal so jack inputs are sufficient. In your case, if you use a XLR to ajck input, one mic will have a very weak, poor sounding signal.
I am wanting to select either; a Behringer or focusrite to enable me to connect my KRK rokit5 gen 4 speakers to it so I can boost the sound volume. I also connected my vankyo v630 projector to my KRKS but the sound volume was not loud enough. I used Bluetooth adaptors to transmit from the projector and another to act as a receiver for the speakers. But I am not happy with sound overall so I am now looking at audio or mixer interfaces. Any help or advice that can be offered would be greatly appreciated?
Haha. Definitely go for the Twin. The Solo is too limited by its single DSP core and you can’t daisy chain it with other UAD devices if you want to expand.
I've had the 202HD for two years now. It's fine. Friends have Focusrite and Steinberg and their recordings are no better than mine. Like you, my next upgrade will be a thunderbolt Apollo Twin Duo. That would be an upgrade worthy of the name.
Hi, can you record into two separate channels simultaneously using the Behringer? I keep seeing the behringer umc202 compared with the focusrite Solo (instead of the 2i2). And as I understand it, the Solo has two inputs but can only record into one channel at a time. Wondering if the Behringer UMC202HD is the same...
I have some old pro tools demos from over 12 years ago. but I can't down load my old protools onto my new iMac, because it is on cds and my new iMac has no CD player. so I was wondering if the free protools download would be able to open my old demos. because I want to work on some of them again, thanks in advance for your answer.
You’d have to ask ProTools. I have no idea about compatibility of PT from 12 years ago with a free version of it now. Also, Youll need a CD drive to get them off the CD. You’ll be able to export the audio easily enough I’d have thought.
💽 Track Mixing: edthorne.com/mixing
💽 DECAFFEINATED LOVE: open.spotify.com/track/37miPvcO37uNW2olA8bpBR?si=9cf9ed4b63114571
🎬 Best Interface For Mixing! This HP Amp is Insane!: ua-cam.com/video/n0fyFRl2R24/v-deo.html
🎬 Scarlett 4th Generation vs 3rd Gen: ua-cam.com/video/_LDDzsxp1a0/v-deo.html
You were predestined to be different(Romans 8:29), he who has an ear to hear, let him hear(Mark 4:9).
HALLELUYAH!(PRAISE YE YAH!)
hello, if I mainly need sound card for listening to music, but at the same time I am a bit of a singer, guitarist, I have good professional yamaha monitors and I would like to have a midi input, then what is better to buy? emphasis on the music quality, I have a lexicon alpha now, it sounds ok, but i want better. id like to have at least 2 instrument input channels.
Damn. I absolutely loved your method of comparing two by switching between the same song, without telling us which was which. Perfect way to eliminate any inherent biases and just focus on the sound quality of both interfaces. I know this is an older video at this point, but fantastic work.
Thanks. I appreciate that you appreciate it 🙂🤘
At the beginning of the song, I preferred 1 for a few seconds, but the rest of the song I preferred 2. I was super surprised it was the behringer
This is exactly what I though. 1 at the beginning and then 2. Strange hey? Exact same processing on both.
Same .. 2 was Better
Me too!
@@EdThorne hey! i am gonna jsut use for electro guiater recordingss and for som programrs like guitar rig and a condenser mic. İ have low budget so is there any big differnce between umc22 and umc202,? pls help
Same
I've used the Behringer UMC202 HD for over a year now. It's great, sounds just as good as the Steinbergs and Focusrites my friends have. The only upgrade I would make is to a DSP based interface like the UAD Apollo Duo Twin etc. Until then I'm happy with what I've got. The small nuances in todays gear quality make less difference than you think if you record a killer track the right way. I've heard great tracks made with a cheap mic and a cheap interface. Hendrix would still sound like Hendrix if he played a Squier Bullet.
I couldn’t agree more, William 🙂 The Apollo is well worth getting, such a powerful interface.
That last line about Hendrix sums up how I feel about great gear in general, but I will always recommend novices who know what it takes to get good invest in mid-range to upper low range gear. Having gone the cheap route for various hobbies then being gifted decent gear for my journey into recording, I've found that my struggles have been massively impacted by low quality gear making my best efforts look or sound like crap. Don't break the bank but remember that the road to success is much smoother in a new car than a worn out bike.
Theres hardly any difference in sound,i got this focusrite and the umc202hd. Also got the behringer fx1622usb,and a um2 from behringer that i still have to test.the mixer sounds slightly nicer than the focusrite and the umc202hd.
Youre right i got 4 usb soundcards
I have used both for over 2 years each and I like the way the UMC sounds over the Focusrite. Seems warmer to me.
If you consider buying the Behringer 202hd I suggest taking a look at the behringer 204hd variant, 20€ more expensive, but has things like the mono/ stereo switches for monitoring (among other, better connectivity)
there's only small difference, Scarlett sounds good, but i believe when behringers output if mixed and mastered well, it will give the same output with the Scarlett final output. it will depend on the mixing process
I was happy with the Scarlett, but son *borrowed* it while I waited to get a Behringer for him. Somehow he kept the Scarlett and I got stuck with the Behringer. Aside from the "fit and finish* and lack of the pretty lighting, I am fine Behringer. I couldn't definitively decide which sounded better in your comparison. The Behringer works no problem on LINUX.
Sonically they’re very similar. That’s great your son is into recording music too, good lad 🙂🤘
So both work fine on Linux? That's good to know, thanks :)
LINUX! That's the info I needed
No noise issues on my Behringer 202HD, but the one thing people need to study-up regarding Behringer issues is the clipping/leveling problem. You have to set it up right, or you can end up with some odd clip noises here and there. This is a driver problem Behringer has neglected for years. Seems to work fine, if levels are correct.
Great info, thanks for sharing, Derek.
I owned a focusrite scarlet 2nd gen and had several issues with it.. then a buddy sold me a Behringer UMC22 and had no issues and have since used it.. it may cheao but it gets the job done for that I need. I'm upgrading to the UMC 404 HD
Pretty good choice, I own a 404HD for over 2 years, and I'm pretty satisfied. Only real issue I had in that time was some driver mishap this one time, where my computer refused to acknowledge that the interface is connected to it, but reinstalling the drivers fixed that.
Does UMC22 work fine in Windows 10?
@@habibullahsamander2798 I had no issues with it. Just download the driver and never had an issues recording with it.
Might sound strange but the sound nuances aren't the most important factor for me. I'm all about the performance, the latency and I certainly don't want any pops, crackle (even small intermittent amounts) that occur when an audio interface is buckling
Performance and song quality any day over preamps nuances. Totally agree.
So which one do you prefer between the two sir?
Yes, which one. Say IT.
Ed the behringer comes with the OEM version of Tracktion Waveform which is an unlimited DAW.
I'm using behringer UMC 204HD. Very good product. I think it's worth the price. good review. Thank you. from Srilanka 🇱🇰
That’s great. Thanks for watching. Good to know I have viewers in new parts of the world 🙂➡️
What instrument do you play? I'm a saxophonist and I'm thinking of getting the 404
@@TukeMorgan I'm a guitarist. I recommend you buy the audient brand. Behringer is worth the money but the quality is a bit lacking.
@@nuwandhananjaya thank you! do you know anything about how presonus or roland compare to audient?
India✌️✌️
Great review. I purchased the Behringer last fall and I'm pretty happy with it overall. The bundled software for the Scarlett was going to give me zero benefit since I am soon to retire my aging Mac Mini (2012) and move my UA-cam production to a Linux box. For cross-platform usage which includes Linux, you cannot beat the Behringer at this price point.
I've already ordered the SE Electronics DM1 Dynamite to give my Samson Dynamic Mic a little extra boost since I'm currently pushing the gain up to about 90%. From other reviews, the DM1 is a good alternative to the CloudLifter and $50 cheaper.
Thanks Jeremy. Sounds like the Behringer was a good purchase for you 🙂🤘
I used Linux, so, Scarlett have incompatibility or issues when running on LinuxOSs?
I run Windows, macosx and manjaro&arch, and cross platform compatibility interest me.
Appreciate any comment. Cheers. 👍
@@pedroj8127 All the comments I've seen about the Scarlett state that it works without a hassle on Linux. The problem is with the software included, since none of them are natively supported - you need something like yabridge, which uses WINE to run Windows VSTs. I thought Behringer interfaces allowed users to download an OEM version of Tracktion Waveform (which has a Linux version) once the device is registered, but there are other interfaces including Linux-ready software, such as the Icon Duo line, the ESI U22 XT, Mackie Onyx interfaces and the Antelope Audio Zen line (EXPENSIVE).
I've been out of the musical loop for a few years now, thanks to having kids. Finally getting back into it all now. Glad i listened to the end! Haven't gotten software for my PC since i was more focused on schooling on it. The Cakewalk by Bandlab looks great. I used Logic Pro Studio for years but that MacBook is archaic now.
I'll probably pick up the Behringer based on cost and basic features i need. I've always recorded on my old Behringer 4 track mixer old school analog style (i guess I'll call it that). I feel like this will give me more flexibility in recording when the kiddos are asleep. Thanks for this video!
Years ago I grabbed a UMC1820 store demo unit for $183 so I could experiment with micing up A LOT of stuff at once and a bunch of different ways to mic drums. That thing worked well for what I paid. It's definitely not the best, but you won't any other interface with 8 preamps near the price.
Ok up until now I thought my Behringer UMC was pretty great and had no plans of replacing it but I now realize there is a harshness at around 5k or so, which is something I have heard in my setup as well but I thought it was a trait in my voice or something else. Hmm. The Focusrite has a more natural and "sophisticated", warmer sound. It's a pretty noticeable difference TBH, very obvious between 01:15 and 01:30 for instance. If a harsher sound is desired, it can always be achieved by adding harmonic distortion which is easier than vice versa. Thanks for the video!
Yes, there is, I would say, a harshness or even a small distortion. I think the center of this is lower from my experience, even somewhere between 3,8 and 4,3 kHz, but its broad so it prolongs on 5kHz as well.
Thanks for the video - yes I am looking at longterm setup possibly spending a little extra on the Scarlett 8i6 3rd Gen - so I can setup monitors and a midi controller. It looks like the beringer has lots more features and outputs it looks like it approaches the features of the 8i6 which is more than 3 times the price.
Excellent video, I wonder if the UA-cam compression and the quality of the audio interface I use to listen to this video does not make it difficult to compare the two
Thanks, Steve. UA-cam only really compresses audio to the same quality as an Mp3, so you should hear the differences as if listening on Spotify. Phone speakers definitely won't highlight the differences compared to monitors or headphones.
I feel 2 is higher, shriller treble? I like that the 1 sounds more natural.
I found 2 (Behringer) to sound cleaner, neater, tighter and more pleasant every time. By the way I own the Scarlett Solo 2nd gen and the Clarett USB 2 Pre.
I am actually thinkin' of buying a Focusrite Solo 3rd Gen as it sounds more expensive than the umc22 that means it's on the higher end level. I will use it with my electric guitar for recording too. But now, I can see these type of opinions it makes me rethink to buy Focusrite as it's twice the price of umc22. Will I be wasting the extra cash or not?
@@kennethlourisombrog2149 I can't really judge because I don't own the UMC 22 and have never operated one in real life. I do own the Scarlett Solo 2nd gen and it sounds pretty good. You can't go wrong if you choose to buy the 3rd gen Scarlett Solo.
@@davidfabien7220 Right, and two other things I found that differ Focusrite from the umc22 are the 24bit 192kHz reso and 48v Phantom Power w/o issues with it. So I guess I would go with the Scarlett Solo. Cheers.
@@kennethlourisombrog2149 The Motu M2 is also an excellent choose.
I had the exact same experience. I went from the same interface you had to a umc204hd. I did end up having to reinstall windows because of driver issues when switching over, but when I plugged in my guitar and started strumming through my DAW dry I literally could not believe what I was hearing and feeling. I jammed just dry through the interface and daw to monitors for a while. Still cannot believe how much better it is a year later. I used that scarlett for years lol
Air mode not great advantage, the UMC204HD has insert loops so you can add any EQ to do the same thing, along with lots more like limiters, compression etc. In fact the UMC404HD with 4x preamp inputs and 4 outs, is about same price as the focusrite.
Yes comparison to the UMC404HD would make more sense. How can anyone compare the two when processed through internet connections, wi fi, cheap pc and laptop sound chips are utilized. Fairly useless review then?
Careful with the word "Cheap" I prefer to say Less Expensive. The Behringer still holds its own going up against audio interfaces that cost 3-4 times as much. Another bonus is it doesn't require any Software besides it's Windows drivers to make it functional so it's a stand alone interface with proven Midas preamps that maintain a lower noise floor than the Noisy focusrite's
On a final note a more fair comparison would be the Behringer UMC204HD to the Focusrite 2i2 but in this vid the 202 smokes the 2i2 IMO.
Thanks for this comparison.....I was wonder if I should upgrade. I bought the Behringer 202HD in 2018 and have been pretty happy with it. I primarily do vocals (speaking, not singing) for video tutorials, product reviews and things like that. I have always wondered what miracle of magic these other audio interfaces perform that mine does not......outside of the plugins and music design, not really anything that would enhance what I do.
And, perhaps it is the youtube compression and the fact I did not wear my headphones to listen, but I couldn't tell much of a difference between the two except for the electric guitar section....it does sound muddier on the Behringer....but I don't play guitar so not much of an issue for me.
Anyway, thanks for the comparison....it was helpful to me and helped me decide that I really don't need to upgrade/change out my Behringer UMC202HD for something else at double the cost.
The Scarlett isn’t a noticeable upgrade on a Behringer. Check out the new UA Volt with vintage mode and a built-in compressor - that would make a big difference to your VO work!
ua-cam.com/video/JW1na7KXBP4/v-deo.html
Got the Behringer UMC404 recently and so far working great. There are a few little keyboard functions you might have to learn as far as enabling tracks for recording etc. But it provides all sorts of options as far as main Outs (both XLR and 1/4 in) and having the four inputs is great if you're looking to record drums.
That’s great. Yeh the 404 offers much more flexibility.
1:55 nice solo, man!
I had both of these interfaces here for comparison and I didn't have any noise or hum when using phantom power with various condensers. I also didn't have the same duller tone on the DI and am wondering if this is due to impedance mis-matching? The Behringer UMC's mic preamps were noticeably quieter than the Focusrite's at higher gain levels and the headphone outputs were way better on the UMC. Overall, I found the Behringer UMC to out perform the Focusrite Scarlett and ended up keeping it to use with my iPad for mobile recordings.
Okay, that’s interesting. I’m wondering if there’s a quality control issue or it’s just a dud unit. Would an impedance imbalance cause such a hum? The mic was a Sennheiser e914. Identical to the one used with the Scarlett, both working fine.
@@EdThorne The impedance unbalance could cause the duller tone in the instrument line input test you did on electric guitar. Regarding the hum that could be various things but normally an grounding issue? Also, I've found with some budget products the power supplies that some companies send out can change depending on the batch. I bought a headphone amp a few years ago and it had a lot of hum! One of my colleagues had the exact same headphone amp and there wasn't any hum with his. I noticed the power supplies looked slightly different so had a look at their specs and they were different. I tried his PSU on my headphone amp the the noise disappeared. These were both brand new units but came with different power supplies.
@@richardpenrose1968 Yeh is have thought it was a ground issue if it was plugged into the mains but this was off my computer. And again, strange one hummed and one didn’t. The DI tone/impedance makes sense.
@@EdThorne Did you try the using the PSU that came with the UMC? I've used my UMC HD straight off my old iphone 7 with the PSU and it powers all my SDC's and LDC's no problem and no hum?
@@richardpenrose1968 PSU? This unit was only supplied with a USB type A-B cable for power of the computer.
Just found your channel I am a radio DJ and I have a Behringer Eurorack UB2222FX-PRO I play cd and vinyl so the extra out puts help. But I also broadcast from home remotely from the studio play out system and the Behringer for its price will be just what I need.
I have the behringer umc 22, my brother has a scarlet 2i2 and my band mates have an mtrack solo - I bet that’d be a fun shoot out comparison
Which audio interface is best bro😊
Go with whatever is cheaper unless they are within 20 bucks of each other or so. The scarlet offerings seem to be considered the go to brand and tend to boast the better kHz spec for people who want the premium product
The berhinger works well in my experience and offer great features and value for the money - to the point where I later purchased the umc 1820 and ada8000 units to have as many inputs as my band would ever need for recording projects.
The M audio solo does the job just fine but the plastic housing and wobbly knobs don’t feel as nice as the other two units but if you can get it at a steep enough discount where you can buy extra gear like a budget mic or headphones with the savings then it’s totally worth considering
@@ghostwriter1440 thanks bro
I cannot hear any difference between the two interfaces and the blind test proves it. Both do a great job. Furthermore I've never understood the "warmth" of a sound: which are the involved frequencies? Are they measurable with a spectrum analyser or is it only a product price-related psychological effect?
They are very close sounding. Warmth refers to the low mid frequency and harmonic content. It is measurable, yes.
Bought a Focusrite in 2016, it died in 2018. Then I bought a Behringer and it’s been going strong ever since.
What's wrong with Focusrite? Is it broken?
exactly!!!!!behringer 4 life.
Very professional presentation and informative video. Thank you! Keep up the good work!
You’re welcome, and thank you 🙂🙏
I have the Behrnnger UMC204HD it's bigger brother which has that mono switch found on the focusright also a monitor mix knob
a monitor A/B button
also on the back it has midi in and out dins and midi active lights for midi in and midi out on the front,
2 inserts, A and B playback stereo outs.... and t's still way cheaper than the Focusrite which is £138 and the behringer umc204hd is £79 which is almost 1/2 price still... but you get so much more in the capability on the behringer inc Midi in//out
Exactly. If the Scarlett had the mix knob (which is one of the most important things a USB interface could have), I would have gone and paid extra since it generally sounds better, but I had known from the start I wouldn't been able to do without it and opted for the UMC204HD. The next upgrade, in my opinion, would be the Solid State Logic "SSL" 2 which has everything the 204HD has and more, and which sounds better than both the Scarlett and the very popular Motu M2.
Can I know if behringer can use with software like Adobe audition? By the way it is a super great video what solved my problems, thank you so much from Malaysia❤️
You’re welcome. The Behringer will work with any software as long as your computer recognises the device (this will require the correct audio drivers on PC)
@@EdThorne I hear that the drivers for the scarlett on PC are very bad and unstable while the behringer driver is good on PC, though that was a year ago do you have any clue if this is still the case because I only have PC.
Thanks!
yes, indeed. I used it. even I've used both producta, no problem at all
Thanks bunches for this video. My biggest concern with the Behringer is the phantom power noise issue mentioned at 4:30. We use lots of condensers for recording, so this would be a major stumbling block. Currently have an XR18 that we don't seem to get the issue on, yet I saw another reply here saying a different Behringer interface model does the same thing. Anyone using Behringer interface WITHOUT having this issue? Is it possibly limited to certain units, cable issues, etc., or is it across the gamut? Also curious what frequency is the noise at-- you mention a high pass filter so assume it is only in the super low end (below 100? 150?)
From what people have said in the other comments, it seems this problem may be device specific, not many others are complaining about the same issue.
@@EdThorne the comment about a week ago by "Mi Nombres es F" suggests he's getting the same thing on the 202. Like you said, funny though more folks here and across the web aren't mentioning this if it is a more common issue. I'm super torn right now between the 8 channel variants. I could get a Behringer plus an 8 preamp for the cost of the Scarlett interface alone. The Scarlett does sound a little warmer with more "fullness" to my ear, but not sure I would notice much difference once everything was in the mix (3pc folk trio and a 5pc blues band).
@@jgib01 I'm curious to know which audio interface you ended up with as I'm a saxophonist who wants to record better covers and I'm not sure which is best
@@TukeMorgan The Scarlett is said to have a "warmer" sound due to a specific bump in the lower frequencies by Focusrite. That's not necessarily a good thing since a lot of low end gets taken out unless it's specifically a bass sound like bass, kick or synth
In my opinion you compared the wrong functions on the wrong devices because the Mono/Stereo Headphone Output is not given on the Behringer 202 but on the Focusrite.. the Behringer 204 does have this function so maybe you should have compared the Behringer 204 with the focusrite for a fair review.
But hey overall a good video so i'll leave a like
I've used a first generation Scarlet 2i4 for almost 10 years. It was my main audio interface until I upgraded to a Soundcraft Signature 22mtk about 3 years ago. The Scarlet then moved on to be my portable studio interface that I carried while on tour. Last year I was away and I didn't bring the 2i4 with me so I bought a UMC204HD to use instead. It did a great job, so much so that it replaced the 2i4. The specs are actually superior to the first generation Scarlet
I feel the Behringer is more robust too, ideal for touring.
@@EdThorne hey! i am gonna jsut use for electro guiater recordingss and for som programrs like guitar rig and a condenser mic. İ have low budget so is there any big differnce between umc22 and umc202,? pls help
i use a scarlett 2i4 2nd and after 2 years in my home studio i have lot of "schrrrr" with the volume volume or the headphones volume. I have tested the spray but same problem. You dont have problems with the volume knob ?
@@ChrisBessy no problem with the generation one Scarlett. It's still very functional although I don't use it as much as I used to. I suppose it's a case of how lucky you are with any of these things
i dont prefer 202hd, i prefer 204hd for more feature.
Where can we find his song? I couldn't seem to find it in his links.
Good, straight to the point vid.. Really liked it
Thanks 🙂🙏
Great video, had the same concern as my friends studio has the Focusrite...i noticed how loud they are on the output as compared to my Bheringer
Scarlet on sale for £70 on Amazon from Focusrite store but no delivery till Jan !
Throw one of those 20 dollar tube pre amps on the mic and blam the berhinger is not cold anymore. the scarlett is another hundred bucks..thats a mic and a berhinger pedal
I tried HD 202 and didn't like it. But still I never heard the bass undertone in your recording. Maybe a faulty cable or microphone. Your video is very informative. Thanks :)
U using bad mic that's why
That is interesting, because I have the Scarlett 2i2 3rd gen and a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, which to my best knowledge is around 60 Ohm headphones and I have plenty of juice in the headphone out. Actually, so much that I need to turn down my Windows volume.
I will say, however, that it seems that the crossover between the DAW and direct monitoring isn't equally loud, meaning that the direct passthrough seems to be muted, compared to for example Windows/system sounds.
60 ohm is pretty low impedance still, there's lots of headphones with 250 ohm or more.
@@givemeajackson ye lol 60ohm is nothing
I have a behringer and use it to record bass. It sounds good
@@vincentproductions8963 I used ASIO4all and didn't have any problems.
Now I use a Focusrite Saffire 6 which I bought second hand
Hello ed thorne, do you have any idea how to remove the um2 noise like theres a radio noise in the um2..i already use behringer driver and watch alot of tutorial but it still have that noise while my room is silent...can you help me?😢
Try a different XLR cable, maybe a different plug socket, and maybe move any phones away from the device.
Other than that, these interfaces are prone to reliability issues. You get what you pay for.
Great comparison, Captain Flint!
Haha, thanks. I’d rather be Billy Bones though I recon 😜
The background fuzz may be your particular setup. I found the opposite to be true when testing both devices into a DAW. The Focusrite had considerably more noise than the umc202, to the point that I returned it and kept the umc202. For the $, you really can’t beat the umc202.
Couldn't really hear a difference between them. This is interesting, as I'm looking for a cheap unit just to get audio out of my laptop; I'm gearing up to add some MIDI-triggered VSTs to my guitar rig. I was going to get a UMC202HD but a used 2i2 popped up on Facebook for a really good price. So, I guess it's pretty much just a coin toss :D
From all the comments I've received on this video, and my own experience, this comparison comes down to super cheap Vs reliability.
Wow! The reveal was TOTALLY unexpected, That Behringer sounds much better (to my ears), it sounds richer, clearer and more ambient; Again, to MY ears.😄 Thanks, That was an excellent comparison video and helped out a bunch in making my decision. 👊🏾
Glad you liked it!
i'm trying to decide between the Scarlet 2I2 or the Apollo Twin X DUO. I'm not hearing $700 worth of extra value in the Apollo yet. I just want to make sure I'm buying quality I can build on. The first combo guitar amp I ever bought 15 years ago was a Behringer. It was all I could afford when I started playing and it was great for me at the time. I still have it, but compared to my Marshall DSL the Behringer amp sounds like trash. I have feeling the buying a budget interface will result in the same outcome.
The value in the Apollo is in the Unison Preamps, the UA expandable universe if you want add/pair more devices later, the UAD plugins, near zero latency whilst monitoring with the plugins, the ability to print these monitoring effects as you record, and it’s desktop controller functionality. I glossed over the Unison feature a little bit in this video but there’s more info about it in this video reviewing the new Apollo Solo: ua-cam.com/video/lYDFQP3kBcE/v-deo.html
If you learn how to use the Console monitoring app with the Apollo you will never regret your decision buying one. Most of the complaints I hear about Apollo’s are from people who haven’t bothered learning Console. It’s unbelievably flexible and powerful if you do.
As a drummer who wants to record every now and then sounds like the Behringer is my best bet. I was told regardless of mic quality that the Scarlett would bring more life out of the drums but the louder headphone jack I think is most beneficial for me and the fact that it is half the price over the scarlett and has almost identical features makes it more intriguing for me as well when comparing the 8 mic output interfaces.
The headphone output volume is far louder on the Behringer. In terms of mic preamp quality, you'd probably want the Scarlett, but the difference is negligible at this price point.
Dont get too caught up in the preamp stuff....they sound extremely similar. there is no major difference in quality. I have had and used both. If you are a drummer get the behringer. you will want that extra headphone volume for sure.
@@jacobseal been using the behringer and im happy with my purchase 👍🏻
@@jacobsealyou just answered the question I have. Thanks a lot. At least I can save some money purchasing the behringer
I'm thinking about switching from the focusrite to the Behringer since focusrite has this annoying bug with VoIP where your mic crackles and stuff and there's no permanent fix
Might you use the opportunity to upgrade your interface? The Audient iD14mkii is fantastic.
Amazing vid! That being said, I am recording my band live through a powered mixer w/ E drums [we all wear headphones w/ the mix coming from the board], signal is sent to an interface [just bought the focusrite 2i2 gen 4]. My mixer has 2 rca plugs out, I am using a 2 rca to a 1/4 inch stereo cable and sending this signal to 1 line input. Would it sound better to get 2 separate rca to 1/4 inch mono cables and send them to line 1 and line 2 input? Or would I use 2 separate rca to 1/4 inch stereo cables? Again great vid and not often discussed! Also, I am going to experiment with the air vs air 2 features and no air and will let you know the results! Much love from Upstate NY! Oh, I am currently using Audacity as my DAW is the Ableton lite that comes with the focusrite better?
Or you could do what I did and scoop a virtually brand new Focusrite off the used market. A lot of people buy audio interfaces and end up barely using them. I just got an almost new Scarlet 2i2 3rd gen for $75 on FB marketplace.
Don't know about the behringer but the 2i2 is SO unstable. Working great one minute, won't record the next.
This is a common complaint. One reason people pay double for the Scarlett
@@EdThorne Ha, u misread! The guy said the SCARLETT is unstable!
@@MaximusAdonicus So he did, ooops.
Hi thank you for the video. My question is the following:At the moment I am only going to use the audio interface to compose electronic music on my daw, with headphones. Using an interface in this way will I improve the sound that I will perceive from my daw? Will I perceive a better sound in my headphones using the interface than if I only use the interface that is integrated in my computer? Thank you a lot
Interfaces are really only for taking output from an instrument or mic and recording it directly into your DAW with the direct monitoring allowing for minimal latency while laying down vocals or guitar/bass riffs so you're not hearing what sounds like an "echo" through your headphones as you sing/play.
If you're using a MIDI keyboard and not adding personal recorded vocals or guitar riffs, an interface isn't going to give you anything more than what a pair of nice headphones connected directly into your computer gives.
Excellent review, very clear and objective. Thank you.
You're welcome, I hope it was useful :-) Thanks for watching.
Вопрос по звуковой карте UMC204HD. Когда крутилки gain1 и gain2 выкручены на максимум по часовой стрелке, а в левых гнёздах где микрофон ничего не подключено, есть шум в наушниках которые подключены в гнездо на передней панели?
@Ed Thorne Music Production
Excellent video, thank you!
I have the BOSS RC-600 looper and I also use it as an Audio Interface, but since I never used other ones I couldn't say if it in comparison is any good.
Would you be interested in doing such a comparison? Please, please!
great-sounding tune man!
Thanks Luca, I’ll pass your comment on to Simon 🙂
I've just bought and installed my new Behringer UMC202 HD. Super excited! Thanks, Ed, for the detailed comparison. I loved it!
Amazing. Enjoy!
thank you for this video. as i will be running the interface through a mixer with a preamp for output i after your video i will be opting for the focusrite
Be sure to check out the Audient iD14 mkii too 👌 ua-cam.com/video/TCW9HVfG03M/v-deo.html
@@EdThorne thank you I will check that out in the morning 👍
amazing analysis
Thank you. Hopefully it was insightful.
@@EdThorne very much so. I just purchased the Behringer 204HD 👍🏻..thanks for the great videos. Much appreciated 🙏🏻
I find the latency on Behringer is terrible, even with 64Gb ram dell desktop, using it with Ableton
I have absolutely zero problems with latency on Behringer
Hi! I got the Behringer UMC202HD interface but I can't make it work! My computer doesn't recognize it. I tried with different computers, differents windows, and installing different drivers and nothing. If I pplug it in i can connect a mic and headphones and I get audio, but not on my computer, so can't record anything... Anyone had a similar problem?
I'm experiencing same thing. I can't even use the behringer umc driver directly. I have to go through the Asio4all and it'll not working well
thanks for the video man!!
monitor output n the block size b4 cracking is the most important, just like u said the inputs is similar but the output is warmer n fuller on the docusrite'
One problem I have found with the Behringer UMC202 at least on a PC, is that I don't have an option for just one channel. What I mean is if I'm only using one input it still records in stereo and thus I only get sound on one speaker side on the recorded audio. I know this can be fixed when using proper recording software but it's annoying if your just trying to record a simple video on a PC. I have looked in the sound settings but it only gives me two channel options.
This sounds like you’re recording onto a stereo channel in your DAW rather than a mono channel, is this possible?
@@EdThorne Hi Ed, it's not on a proper DAW just the PCs standard video software. I know it's not professional but I just wanted to make a quick video with reasonable sound and found it strange that I could only select 2 channels in the advanced sound options on my computer. I don't know if this is more to do with windows itself or the Behringer drivers for it.
@@GoldenToothBrush That’s a Windows issue not an interface issue. I don’t use Windows so I can’t make a suggestion but there are plenty of free DAWs around that you could record into for more recording flexibility. Cakewalk by Bandlab is popular for PC.
@@EdThorne Thank you. I have an oldish mac too and will see how it works with that. Going forwards though I will need a DAW anyway. Thank you for the recommendations.
@@GoldenToothBrush I also highly recommend Cakewalk by BandLab. It is a full featured DAW and it is free. Amazing. There are also good tutorials on the UA-cam to walk you through the basics.
I love your intro clip 😍
So do I, thanks. Here’s the full song with the keyboard solo that made it onto the actual track instead of the guitar: open.spotify.com/album/3WZWJfHlOkTDy9faRObW8j?si=x1gxJPuYSFuTffYqN9M7Uw&dl_branch=1
What did you mean by "low end noise" ? I didn't even hear it when jacking up my volume. I think you're just revealing that one has better low end **response**
Being **muffled** is just how our ears perceive different EQ.
The phantom power on the Behringer made a low end hum (at least through our headphones whilst tracking it did).
@@EdThorne Oh actually, you're right, I can hear it. Just not at a level I normally listen to things to.
Was that tested with a condenser mic while active, or was it only tested with a dynamic? Heard and saw it, but just making sure there wasn't a variable in testing, since it could be easy to miss that when testing. (Weird variables can turn up when mixed devices are plugged in I presume)
@@skorpers I only had the phantom on to power the condenser.
I have a Behringer umc404hd, and it just died on me - after about 4 years of constant use, mind you. Need a replacement, and I was considering the Scarlett. But after watching this video, I might just buy another Behringer umc404hd.
I’d suggest a Volt or iD14mkii.
@@EdThorne need at least 2 inputs (for stereo mics on me guitar) and need Linux compatibility. So the Behringer really seems like the best fit.
He’s amazing. Decaffeinated love is killer! Great song!!!!!!!!
The solo sounded a little bit plucky and thin IMO. Good info“btw”. bless.
ive not finished the video yet. but i've owned both of these at different times and i love them both. literally the only difference to me might be name credibility. if youre working with a musician to record they might give an eyeroll when they see your 'studio' is built on a behringer interface and may make them second-guess your skill, thinking youre a noob or whatever. ive never ran into this problem but people can really be that snobbish about gear. i know i'd look differently at 2 guitarists if one had an all Boss pedal board and an all Behringer board. its sad but thats how we work. i LOVE my UMC202HD
Though I would prefer focus rite,I guess they're both good audio interface,the rest issues can be dealt with mixing and mastering thank you
My behringer umc22 has problems on fl studio where it starts buzzing when I change effects or record too long. I have to rechannel to remove the sound. Anyone knows how to fix this?
Does it permanently affect your recorded audio? If not then it means it's only messing with the playback. Try increasing the buffer size, but the more you do the more latency will be introduced.
If your recorded audio is permanently affected with the buzz, I think it's either some defective parts on the audio interface or your computer's audio chip is incompatible with the interface. (Happened to me while I recorded live session with a Qu-pac mixer from Allen & Heath)
Is Behringer cold, or just natural, flat and uncolored?
The Behringer has the Midas Verona pre circuit. It does not sound cold by any means. Actually, the Behringer is more on a darker side than the Scarlett pres. IMHO they sound great and very uncomplicated with the high end roll-off, which is perfect for many things, like they perfectly roll off for budget chinese large diaphragm condenser mics, removing the high end zipp with ease. People often refer to the Scarlett as more "open" or "airy" - but really, I had no problem eq-ing as much high end into recorded signals as I possibly ever need. I find too much high end more problematic to deal with in a mix, honestly. So I definitely prefer the Behringer (Midas Verona) to the Scarlett pres. The name "Focusrite" makes people think of the high end pres, but these are no ISA style pres, not even Clarett style pres, so they are kind of budget devices. One man's "muffled" sounds are the other man's "compact/warm" sounds, one man's "open" sound is the other man's "problematic/easily distorted" sound. Depends a lot on what music you want to record and what you personally prefer. These newer Behringer interfaces are nothing like the earlier ones. Much warmer sound IMHO and great conversion quality. I use them for recording drums and bass, but would record guitars and vocals with them every day of the week. I know a few radio moderators who use these interfaces for internet radio, my band's female vocalist included, with a cloudlifter-like pre-preamp like the triton audio (or you can buy the new TC audio device for incredibly low price as 22 EUROS/ a huge bargain!) and they sound great. No joke, these interfaces easily beat the highly professional interfaces of yesteryears ... plus - you can achieve ridiculously low latencies with them/the Behringers (like 80 samples / ~2ms - as low as it gets with USB), and they are very easy to handle. No bells and whistles, just great workhorses.
I also use older Mytek ADC, MOTU AVB interfaces, I had older Kronauer and Swissonics converters ... and I have absolutely no problem to use these Behringer interfaces for album recording (these are great times for musicians).
PS: I own the UMC204HD at home, and the UMC1820 plus ADA8200(same pres) in the recording/rehearsal room of my band, and use them every day. IMHO there is no interface that beats them in price/performance ratio as of today.i
Yes, I quite like the Behringer UMC1820 and the ADA expansion. They sound very uncolored to me, and capture all the nuances of the source. They sound a million times better than my old Edirol (Roland) units that were ok twenty years ago, but sound pretty average now!
I have a Behringer UMC204HD. Mine might not be representative of the model, but the headphone amp has a ridiculous amount of hiss with the output knob at 2 o'clock or higher. Similarly, the unbalanced RCA outputs have a rather high amount of noise present, indicating the unit is overall a poor performer with regard to SNR. I'm currently using the RCA line outs for a pair of PC media speakers, but I'm not holding my breath that the TRS mains outs are going to perform any better. Overall, the unit can only be described as serviceable but disappointing. Would not recommend despite the 204HD having more complete features over the 202HD little bro.
Thank you for this comparison. I'm not in a position to get a new Scarlett, and buying used it would more likely be Gen1, which puts me off somewhat. Behringer, on the other hand, I can get new. All I'm recording is line out from my digital piano (Casio PXS1000). What would you do in my place, Behringer or Scarlett?
Focusrite Scarlet for sure :)
I have a berhinger........not used it as I can't find which driver to use..........
Hi your video was very helpful, I only want an audio interface for mixing and mastering with 250ohms headphones, do you think the Behringer would be better suited?
I'm glad it was useful, thanks for watching. In terms of mixing and mastering you'd probably want the best digital to audio conversion you can afford. Check out the new Audient iD14 (mkii) if you can stretch to that. If not, either of the devices in this video fine. Some argue the Scarlett will last longer...
@@EdThorne Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. You have been very helpful. Have a good day, peace from Ireland 🇮🇪✌️😁
The scarlet can only handle max 200 ohms
Can i use the 204 for live performance ? I need the daw for autotune and 1/2 for main and 3/4 for custom mix on In Ear Monooring. Will it work ?
Thanks for the video brother! Hugs from Brazil!
You’re more than welcome, obrigado. 🙂🙏
@@EdThorne I have a Traktor Audio 10 interface and I reduce A LOT the "low noise"
connecting a grounded wire to it!
I'd like to digitizing my vinyl records through my budget turntable system; Music hall mmf mark1, pro-ject phonobox preamp. Should I get 2nd gen or 3rd gen Focusrite ? and is there a difference in sound quality between solo, 2i2 ? My only reason to get audio interface card is record my vinyl and upload youtube without much loss of sound quality.
You’ll need two inputs to record the stereo vinyl. The 3rd gen is slightly better.
2i2 has phone control button.
@@HarvinderSingh-yy8th Phone control…?
I would like to record me and a guest using the Focusrite Solo. Since it has two inputs can I connect a mic to the quarter-inch input of the Focusrite using an XLR to quarter-inch cable?
You need a two channel interface, such as the Scarlett 2i2. A microphone needs a preamp (the XLR inputs) to bring the voltage produced by the mic up to -line-level. Instruments like guitars usually produce this level of signal so jack inputs are sufficient. In your case, if you use a XLR to ajck input, one mic will have a very weak, poor sounding signal.
Sir, can I do Karaoke on it ?
I am wanting to select either; a Behringer or focusrite to enable me to connect my KRK rokit5 gen 4 speakers to it so I can boost the sound volume. I also connected my vankyo v630 projector to my KRKS but the sound volume was not loud enough. I used Bluetooth adaptors to transmit from the projector and another to act as a receiver for the speakers. But I am not happy with sound overall so I am now looking at audio or mixer interfaces. Any help or advice that can be offered would be greatly appreciated?
Next time i wanna buy Focusrite Solo ;) been using 2i2 for 6 years already it's great but now i think i need to buy Solo or Apollo Twin :)
Haha. Definitely go for the Twin. The Solo is too limited by its single DSP core and you can’t daisy chain it with other UAD devices if you want to expand.
I've had the 202HD for two years now. It's fine. Friends have Focusrite and Steinberg and their recordings are no better than mine. Like you, my next upgrade will be a thunderbolt Apollo Twin Duo. That would be an upgrade worthy of the name.
@@williamf.9615 really? how about sound quality for proffesional producer?
I just bought the scarlet 2i2 and I'm going to return it to get the berhinger u-phoria umc404hd usb
@@jcalzada74 I'm considering to buy this too
Behringer umc líne of audio interfaces are sound underrated umc22 AND umc22 work flawless
They’re work horses for the money 👌
I personally preferred the Beringer but just. Both sound very similar.
which one can i buy to record hip hop song?
Audio gear does not discriminate against genres 👌
@@EdThorne I can buy it for my home recording.
Thanks for your information.
You’re very welcome 🙂
So if I already have daw software and plugins, for half the money is worth behringer
Great promotion for Simon
Thanks, he'll be happy you said that!
Oof. Thin line with with that acoustic rif. Very close to '94 Alice in Chains Nutshell.
I thought exactly the same
Hi, can you record into two separate channels simultaneously using the Behringer? I keep seeing the behringer umc202 compared with the focusrite Solo (instead of the 2i2). And as I understand it, the Solo has two inputs but can only record into one channel at a time. Wondering if the Behringer UMC202HD is the same...
You can record two channels independently with the UMC202HD.
I have some old pro tools demos from over 12 years ago. but I can't down load my old protools onto my new iMac, because it is on cds and my new iMac has no CD player. so I was wondering if the free protools download would be able to open my old demos. because I want to work on some of them again, thanks in advance for your answer.
You’d have to ask ProTools. I have no idea about compatibility of PT from 12 years ago with a free version of it now. Also, Youll need a CD drive to get them off the CD. You’ll be able to export the audio easily enough I’d have thought.
Very informative - thank you 🙏
You’re welcome, glad it was useful 🙂
@@EdThorne you