Testing the Cheapest Audio Interface on Amazon (Behringer UM2)
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- Опубліковано 6 чер 2024
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Ben's Behringer Video: • Behringer: The Edgelor...
Julians Review of the UM2: • Behringer UM2 cheap Au...
The Behringer UM2 is the cheapest audio interface you can buy on Amazon, so how good can you get for the lowest possible budget? Today we check out the limits of the cheap interface, the history of the controversial company, and if it can power some of the most consequential microphones on the scene on the moment (yes...that means the Shure SM7B).....so...how much noise does this thing really produce?
TIMESTAMPS:
Misconceptions about Audio Interfaces: 00:00
Powering SM7B Example: 02:39
Unboxing and About Behringer: 04:45
Hardware Quality: 06:26
The Sound: 08:24
Blind Tests: 12:07
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Lewitt 440 Pure - amzn.to/3imNwRh
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My Audio Interface:
Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen- amzn.to/2P4SXtl
My Monitors:
KRK Rokit 5a - amzn.to/3grczSW
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I started with one of these in the early stages of the pandemic. There was no issue with it, except that it is a gateway drug to more expensive wants and things. I suppose every entry point is a gateway. As always....love your content.
Thanks so much! and hey, if its a gateway drug, at least its a cheap one :)
*Before watching* TLDR; I own it and… it works. Preamps are a little noisy; nothing a little gate at -45db doesn’t clean up. Works great for my secondary set up and was a good little starter when I had to start over from scratch. For $35 smackers it’s a bit pricier then when I bought it for $25, but I have had it 3+ years and it still works.
I have one UM2, it was my entry level card , and I still use it for the streaming PC, and as a protable unit, it can be pluged in to a laptop, or even a Ipad (with a powered usb hub). I think I won't get rid of it any time soon. By the way, your content is great! Congratulations!
I just got a UM2 to get me started with a new podcast project and had it in front of me while watching this video. The good news is that my sample doesn't have knob wobble (and who doesn't want a straight knob?), and the legs sit flush on my desk. So maybe they're listening to you and taking the feedback into account, and for the price I feel like I'm ahead of the game. Always appreciate your videos and love your channel.
I have been using UM2 for 2 years now, I never needed to upgrade probably because my gears are easy to drive and I don't always need the preamp.
The plastic construction didn't matter at all for durability. I find it as something that just sits on my desk. The knobs may be a little wobbly, but its not something that gets wobblier.
If you're on pc, let the drivers used be the one that windows installs by itself (it'll show as USB-AUDIO CODEC) and then get the alternative asio drivers.
Alternative ASIO drivers of my choice is Voicemeeter Virtual Asio. I produce music on the regular and don't have problems with it.
For 35-45$, hell yea.
Great long term insight here! Thanks man
UM2 has Behringer specific drivers. They're just incredibly hard to find. I don't know if they stopped developing it or not, but after finding and installing them it fixed a few issues I was having. Not being able to listen to computer output and instrument output at the same was an issue, until installing the actual Behringer UM2 drivers.
I really like your video. I have a few Behringer things laying around, and I like them a lot. My daily "interface" is an old FCA1616, with it's main defect being the fact that it doesn't have a built in power supply and switch. All the rest I just LOVE. Some products are "low end" however, but that's not unusual at that price point.
I often recommend either the Scarlet 2i2 or the Behringer UMC202HD (because of the 24-bit capability and both of them having two microphone inputs - really useful for podcasts). These interfaces are definitely great, and by recommending the slightly more expensive ones, I try to avoid the need for upgrading without breaking the bank.
I do think you're confusing bit depth (number of bits per sample) with bit rate (number of data bits used in 1 second), but still I like your videos a lot. You give your honest opinion, and you're not afraid to come back and adjust your opinion if the results are not what you were expecting (like it sounding a bit darker than you expected). Keep them coming! Love your channel!
Thanks Nico! And yeah good call on the UMC202HD over the UM2. But I definitely know the difference between bitrate and sample rate, one being related to headroom and dynamic range and the other being related to the approximate resolution of a wavelength. That being said, the metaphor and comparison I worked was def a bit confusing
The way the blinde test SHOCKED ME 😂😂
Interface 1 (UM2) took that by a long shot - am I hallucinating?
i really liked how you know you're explaining to beginners,therefore you explain things simply, amazing, good job!!!!
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Great review...I appreciate your honesty. Subscribed.
Oh I almost bought this before jumping in to the Scarlett solo. Its a good entry level interface. But a lot of audio engineering friends of mine convinced me to invest in a better interface and the Scarlett solo was that.
There's definitely a noticeable difference, but I mean for $35 (right now at least), its hard to beat at that price!
@@AudioHaze I do have to keep myself from buying the "cheapest model" of somethings. Sometimes I just can't resist like the "cheapest Behringer switchless dynamic microphones for podcast recording". But then at some point you have to redefine your standards. In my example: the SL84C is NOT sufficient for me, while the BA85A is more than good enough for me (as is the XM8500). It was 11 euro vs 25 euro per microphone. The BA85A and its slightly darker sounding sibling the XM8500 are NOT in the same league as the SM57 or SM58 (or the sE V7 which is far better than the SM58 IMHO), but they cost only about 1/4th of their price.
My point being is that at some point I find it important to define minimum expectations. At some point the law of diminishing returns kicks in. Keeping it with Behringer Products, the BA85A and XM8500 are my sweet spots where that principle kicks in. For audio interfaces it is at the UMC202HD (costing three times as much as the UM2, while still being very much in a "very low budget" price bracket)
Same here instead of the scarlet I went with the minifuse 1
Amazing video! I will consider acquring this interface in the near future!
Its good that you explained these things. I really thought at first if you buy a microphone like at2020, comes with audio interface and xlr cable. thanks.
Hey man! Great content and breakdown of recording gear. Can I ask what font you are using for the last part when its white text on black background?
Thank you for the preview
On-point. Love your channel, always.
Thanks Chris!
I got the UMC202HD, THAT model has the MIDAS preamps, unlike the older UM2. Recommend checking that as an entry-level as not much more and for what you get (metal case...) I wonder why they still flog the UM2.
Yeah I'll have to check it out! Heard good things as well and you're right, not to much more!
You should either get the UMC22 (or 2) for a cheap and limited one channel interface
or the UMC204 for a 2 channel interface with complete connectivity.
The UMC202 costs a lot comparatively but sits in a weird in-between spot. Its too expensive to buy it just so you have anything but there is also a very high chance that you are going to replace it in the future. Just spend 20 more bucks for the 204 to get an interface that you can keep using forever.
Compared to the UMC22/2/204 the 202 is the only interface where direct monitoring doesnt work properly because it always outputs the audio to just one side of your headphones.
@@Currywurst-zo8oo Can't disagree, though the 202 output in monitor does both channels, it if you have one mono input then it will just output to one side on the headphones and if you have both inputs in use, you get both sides, tried and tested many a time.
But the RCA out's on the 204 as well as midi, do make it worth the extra. Though in my case I got my 202 new in a deal for just over £50.
@@Currywurst-zo8oo BTW. I think if you push the jack not till the end of socket it will "downmix" channels to mono or clone one of the channels for both. Just a "hacky" thing.
@@Currywurst-zo8oo I have the UMC204, definitely skip the UMC202 and get the UMC204. Great audio interface, the Midas preamps are really good, the thing is very solid and built like a tank.
For the first time in my life, I am happy I stumble upon a sponsor in a video. I wanted to go on the Distrokid route to share my music for the first time, and I am glad I've seen this video so I can also support you, and I can also get a discount, lol. For how long is the affiliated link available?
Eyyy glad I could help! The link is perpetual, its not timed or anything :) anyways, thank you so much for the kind words!
@@AudioHaze Niiiiice, and you're welcome man, keep rocking!
Great video! Just a question, what would you prefer? Scarlett Solo 3rd gen or the Behringer Um2? Thank you!
This video and your other videos have been really helpful thanks i really appreciate your hard work, Im wondering whats the most natural sounding dynamic and most natural sounding condenser microphones like its close to what you hear in real life if you know what i mean
Good question! Condensers tend to be a bit more natural, for me the C414 and Rode NT1 both do a natural tone very well, so does the King Bee II. For dynamics, its a bit harder, although the RE20 is a brilliant condenser-like tone and quite natural for a dynamic. :)
@@AudioHaze thank you very much
what about LATENCY? at what latency msec you do not hear delayed sound? cuz i would like to get one for recording vocals and instruments. GREAT VID 😊
Wow I thought the Behringer sounded better even though it was slightly noisier. The scarlet had kind of a cheap sound in the higher registers to my ears, the Behringer sounded more like something you'd hear on a recorded song. You could always EQ the scarlet to make it sound similar but I feel like the Behringer would make life easier (and cheaper) if you're in the market for an interface.
i bougbt a um2 last yr as my 1st audio interface.
i just checked, no knob wobbles or uneven surface on the rubber feet
i only use for recording guitars and i will try to record microphone/vocals soon.
Another interesting video from you. I was considering the UM2 before I purchase my Scarlett 2i2, and I'm happy with my choice in the end. Will there be any chances for you to talk about computer spec for music production?
Thanks! Maybe sometime soon, although for now, I'll just have to stick with my crappy 7 year old mac, so whenever I can afford it lol
Is there a way to compare different audio interfaces visually? Maybe by using a white noise generator on the input and seeing a representation of that signal in an audio spectrum analyzer?
White noise generator is a good idea! Also measureing noise floor on something like izotope insight would work well (I'll keep that in mind for the future)
Hey buddy! You rock 🤜🤛 congrats on your sponsors and subs. You're very good at this so you deserve the credit.
btw got an affiliate link for the NT-1? I made my final choice. Since I can't get the $11,000 Telefunken I got a hard-on over (lol seriously!), I'm getting the $270 NT-1 kit over the King Bee 2. There are only 7 left on Amazon!!!!! I'm so excited eek 😁
Thank you as always! You’re extremely supportive and I appreciate that so much :) and congrats on the mic decision! Here’s the link since you asked, appreciate ya using it! amzn.to/2NUoBJK
@@AudioHaze eeek! I just ordered it 👍 😃 it arrives between 4/20-4/25!! 🎉 thanks for the link.
Its ur usual bud here, I sound like a broken record here but awesome video as always! I find it funny that people are criticizing you over things that aren't relevant to the video loll. Road to 10k!!
Thank you Tonio! Glad you for the kind words :) haha sometimes you just gotta roll with the critiques when you're on camera
The UMC404HD has been great to me for the past 4 years. Much better preamps but I still use a cloud lifter with my SM7b. Could I get away without it? Sure, but it’s better this way
Thanks for the info!
i started with that and released songs to streaming platforms, it gets the job done tho , now im using audient evo
Damn, in the blind AB the second interface had an obviously much fuller and dynamic sound/more depth to it compared to the first one. Scarlett is a massive improvement, is that the 2i2?
Absolutely true, and in the noise floor test with the dynamic mic, the different is very apparent
@@AudioHaze I knew the noise floor was going to be a massive difference but I'm surprised at how much difference response wise the preamps have, potentially ADC as well. Which Focusrite is that that you are using?
What video do you talk about which level to record at? that doesn't need to record at -6dbs? Hug from Brazil.
I got the UM2 for just 20 bucks from Sweetwater. I pair it with SM57 and works fine.
I'd say Behringer drivers are a pain on Windows. It's plug&play in Mac.
Yeah someone else mentioned that in the comments, I wasn't aware! Super seamless on mac
Im currently using the UMC202 which has the midas preamp and honestly I don't think I'm gonna need to upgrade any time soon. It also has 1/4" outputs on the back
Yeah I've heard some realllyyy good things about the 202 :)
Cool vid! I wonder if the Midas preamp is the reason it sounds darker?
Video request: I also own an 18i20, and I am looking to get another 8 mic input to take advantage of ADAT connections and get 16 mic inputs. The Behringer version of the 18i20 is only $279 vs. the Octopre or another 18i20 which are close to $500/600 now. Could using the 18i20 as the master and the Behringer as a slave work in terms of ADAT? Or will the darker tone from the Behringer, as discovered in your video be a factor? Might be a good video… awesome work btw!
Perhaps one day I could try something like that! Wold be curious how big of a difference the 18i20 makes compared to the Behringer, but likely similar to this experiment I suppose. In terms of ADAT, I am not the guy unfortunatetly, I wouldn't know if you could chain them like that. That said, you could easily make an aggregate device and treat the two interfaces like one big super interface! (at least on mac)
This model does not have the MIDAS preamps, UMC202HD would be the cheapest one AFAIK with those preamps.
Behringer does an ADAT interface ADA8200 that has Midas "designed" preamps and works with the 18i20, currently this is less than 40% the price of the equivalent octopre and it sounds pretty decent.
Lol, perfect subject for me.
I am trying to figure out what audio interface to buy.
Of course, i am looking for something for teaching classes, so my situation is different than most people. Any suggestions?
You don't need anything overly complex for good audio, a solid UMC202HD, Scarlett, or Presonus interface would get the job done :) assuming its over zoom or google hangout, much of the quality is lost anyhow
Thanks, very helpful
im using sundara with motu m2, sounds better then first gen scarlett solo I came from
Yeah the Motus are awesome :) and nice!! Sundara gang!!
Update: guess what arrived today??? My new Rode NT1. Im setting it up now but im so excited I just had to come on here to tell you. Thx for the affiliate link, bro 🤜🤛 k, going to play with my mic now 😃
Dude enjoy it!! Let me and everyone else know what you think after you try it out for a bit :)
A month ago i bought the UM2, The noise is mostly coming from turning the windows volume on 100 or near even when the mic preamp is all the way down. Any advice please help. I usually keep pre amp on 80%(dynamic mic) and on 54 in windows and using a noise reducer in post :(
Hey! By windows volume, what do you mean exactly?
...I could tell interface 2 was a Focusrite... I guess a few of them do have a "sound". (don't get me wrong, I love the Focusrite sound, that's why I use one, too)
looking to get one of these to just run my presonus eris 3.5 and it's subwoofer, do these audio interfaces provide different output audio quality to the speaker? If so which would u recommend for my use case?
I’ve been taking pot luck on whatever mics the band has in my small venue live recordings. I use the economical UMC 1820 - intercepting signals from the source and passing on to front of house PA. When I get home I mix by ear - EQ, compression, reverb as needed. Here’s one from a couple months ago:
ua-cam.com/video/fqduAF24jrc/v-deo.html
Sadly the inexpensive Behringer failed after five months. Started developing clicks, pops, 1-2 second, unrepairable deep outs.
If I had bought a mic in the range of a half grand, preinflation, would this be ok?
I think I actually prefer the darker tone that the Behringer brings. Just me?
Thank you!
Sorry for me taking that long, but since i really am into interfaces that much, I wanted to give it the proper atention. And that made me answering a bit of difficult to fit into my daily schedule. So here I am, sitting down and writing this. Because while I - once again - loved, loved, LOVED this video A LOT, I still found a few seemingly little things that I still wanted to adress with comments and recommended corrections for future explanations. Of course, I won't talk about the production here, because you are leaps and bounds ahead of me, obviously.
You talked about self-noise of the interface, but when - starting 12:45 - you did back to back comparisons of the noise, you used clips of the SM7B on both interfaces. This could be problematic. Now people might wonder, why would anyone consider that a problem? That's the only way to get a proper clip of the noise, right? And my answer to that is a resounding: "No." It comes with some issues of its own. The noise we heard has either very little self-noise, or its difficult to actually differentiate the self-noise from the background noise inherent in your room. To be honest, i doubt, that the higher noise floor of Interface 1 (the Behringer UM2) was actually a noise floor of the Interface, because the higher noise floor very noticeably was a louder recording from the room. Maybe that was an AC in your room or maybe that was the heater two floors down, that was running on the UM2's take, but not on the Scarlett's take? Whatever it was, it was already audible on the TLM102 vs RODE NT1 video.
*The UM2 had a noise reading of -42dBFS (RMS) / -33dBFS (Peak), The Scarlet had a noise reading of -44dBFS (RMS) / -36dBFS (Peak).* Knowing the UM2 has the same Preamp in it, that is used on the UMC202HD, which I have owned before, I am comfortable in saying: The Self-Noise of that interface will never be anywhere near as loud. I know for a fact, that - apart from some high pitched frequencies, that might stand out from the noise just a little - the self-noise of the UMC202HD / UM2 interfaces, no matter how loud you set the gain, will never be much louder than rouhgly -80dBFS (RMS) / -66dBFS (Peak). To put this another way: The background noise in your room is 5 Times as loud as the actual self-noise (white noise) i'd expect out of the UM2.
Lets also do a quick explanation on the way 16 Bit recordings limit your noise performance. I use my interface (a MOTU M4) just as an example here. If I use a plug with a resistor between Pins 2 and 3 to simulate the noise behavior of that interface with a microphone connected, but wihtout any sound comming from the microphone, then set the gain of my interface to 30 dBFS (12 o' clock) I get a noise floor of ‒109dBFS (RMS) / ‒96dBFS (Peak) at 24 Bit PCM. To simulate my interface being 16 bit only, I do a recording at 16 Bit PCM next. Same Plug, same gain setting. Suddenly I have a noise floor of -96dBFS (RMS) / 80dBFS (Peak). This is due to digital artifacting and the limit of what 16 Bit Recordings can do. So because my interface is 24 Bit, you can set the gain for the signal to be 13dBFS (RMS) / 16dBFS (Peak) quieter without introducing any additional noise, which can be useful, if you want to record loud sounds and quiet sounds at the same time - for example, a drumkit - because you get a higher usable dynamic range.
Even though you touched your nose and should probably delete your channel I very much enjoyed this vid. (made the mistake of reading other comments ;)) It's nice to have a reminder of how good some of the cheap gear is. By the way, have you considered using B&H affiliate links? It's nice to have an alternative to Amazon if it's worth your time setting it up.
would it work if connected to IPad using USB B - USB C cable?
I’m a firm believer that the um2 is significantly poopoo. The lack of drivers really sets it into the dookie section. The interface i always recommended to people on a budget is the mtrack solo, it’s barely 10 dollars more but has significantly less preamp noise, headphone distortion, and it has asio drivers. Easily the best super cheap interface imo. Also hugely recommend an audient evo 4 in the next step up. Nonexistent preamp noise and the headphone preamps are butter.
Will have to check it out! I haven't tried the M-Audio stuff. I'm sure it does offer some significant improvements though! Was just curious what the bottom of the barrel preamp sounded like in the first place, and imo, really not too bad!
Everyone should watch the first two minutes of this video. Repeatedly!
so like what planet yall finding the um2 for so cheap all i see is used ones for 50 bucks
As for the noise test, results for both seemed to be dominated by (varying) ambient noise present rather than the preamp input. If you want something comparable, I'd suggest using the SM7B and an XLR splitter cable so the same performance can be recorded with both interfaces at once.
It is not unusual to see a frequency response drop up top with gain at full tilt, though generally I wouldn't expect it to be as noticeable as in the UM2. It's still plenty fine for spoken word... slap on an XM8500 and voilà, there's a perfectly acceptable budget podcasting setup.
As mentioned, if you can find an M-track Solo for not much more I would consider going for that instead. Still, the UM2 is no slouch... it's still a better match for a low-impedance dynamic mic than a Steinberg UR22 or - heaven forbid - a Presonus Audiobox USB 96.
Danke!
Thank you as always Rainer!
I want to learn so bad but I’m just so confused on all of this
any latency?
*BEFORE YOU BUY THIS INTERFACE*
I had this interface for about a year. I used it to play guitar and vocals. Just recently the interface crapped on me. The audio playback sounded extremely distorted and I don’t know why. I thought it was my DAW but it was the Behringer. My friend had the same problem. So before buying, just know this is a very prevalent problem with this specific interface.
If anyone has any way to fix this, please let me know. I don’t have the money to get a very much better interface at the moment and I am really trying to make music.
now do behringer vs rme 😎
Maybe some day :)(
OHHH in the old room?
Old room?? Current room!
you are amazing
Thanks!
is there anything cheaper than this?
mfw when someones grimacing holding the same audio interface as me lmao
Hahahha, I think that may just be my thumbnail face lol
Lol that isn't bad way to present a sponsor
Hahah thanks!
The cheapest is bluecoil. 25 bucks.
Huge like!
Doesn't work on Windows 11. Drivers are outdated.
help
EYY throwback
Man, you confused bit rate and bit depth, that's too bad, it may confuse beginners.. they are your channel main audience.
I'd never buy a behringer product because I'd never give the owner my hard earned cash. Be a nice, honest human being.
I support Behringer for what they do. Many of the things they copy are stupidly overpriced, and mostly due to name only. Behringer makes products of that same quality or similar accessible to everyone. A perfect example of this is their TO800 overdrive pedal (ts808 copy), or even their Model D Minimoog Synthesizer.
@beanpasteposts Don't support them, they are not your friends, their dystopian mega city was not built for the betterment of humanity.
Don’t scratch your nose when you are recording yourself.
What a wonderful, kind hearted comment. Glad I put 9 hours of work into this to hear such beautiful, considerate insight.
@@AudioHaze it’s a simple don’t. To lift your work to a professional level.
This video was very entertaining, I don't think a normal human gesture diminishes the value of it by any means. Just keep on scratching and bring us the audio insight my guy.
Dude, no offence you talk to much
bit means binary digit. bruhhhh
Bandrew and I have discussed this topic before. It's amazing how little it cost to make audio that 95% of listeners approve of. A $100 mic and a $100 interface is all it takes. Well.. plus good acoustics too. Great Review as always.
Absolutely! The power of the modern era of recording is really amazing, its a shame we glorify the past recording days sometimes
@@AudioHaze The folks back in The day wanted the most modern gear. Did the folks in the 70's say I want stuff from the 50's? I'm gonna say no.
@@AudioHaze For people who listen to a lot of pre-recorded music, the sound and character of that older gear is what we have become used to in our music, so certain audiences, engineers and producers gravitate to those tried and tested signature sounds. Glorification or Proven Recipe???