To highlight something I said in the comments (but forgot to mention in the video): on the UMC202HD, the "direct monitor" mode maps each input channel separately (i.e. input 1 goes to the left ear, input 2 goes to the right ear), it doesn't upmix them as if they each were stereo. Reportedly, the UMC204HD model does that, if you care about that feature.
Thank you. This is a big deal for me as hearing my own voice is one of the main reasons I'm buying an audio interface to begin with. I really don't understand why they limited this feature to the 204 - the 204 should just be for those who require the additional inputs
@@stankostankochunt5837 you can work around that issue with a short cable you plug in. Connect the output of channel 1 with the input of channel 2 and you will have the sound of your voice or what the like on both ears even on the 202.
Just want to point out that the UMC204HD has a dial that makes it so you can change the balance of audio between your mic monitoring volume and your computer audio volume. In my case, this feature is important because it will allow me to hear what I'm saying to my teammates in games while being able to keep both headphone earcups on so I can hear what's going on. If I don't have active mic monitoring it makes it so I have to have on earcup off to hear what I'm saying and hinders my ability to hear the environment in games, which is a crucial aspect in being able to perform well in competitive games. The UMC202HD doesn't have this feature which is why I'm going to be going with the UMC204HD. Just wanted to bring that point up because it might be important to anyone else who plans on using an audio interface as your source for sound while playing games.
I've been running Linux daily on my workstation since 2004, so anything I buy has to work well with Linux. In the case at hand, I just forgot to mention it in the video's narration so I put it in the title instead ;) if you inspect my channel, you'll see that there were Linux/FLOSS-related contents previously, and there will be some more soon.
Well, it depends! If by recording you mean "recording electric/electronic instruments with in-line effects and/or MIDI" then yes. Otherwise, for recording voice and classical instruments with microphones (or even electric non-MIDI instruments, with no fancy live effects), then the UMC202HD is perfectly capable of that, it will just be a bit limiting if you decide to expand your usecases down the road, in which case the UMC204HD is a logical choice indeed.
@@JeffFortinTam but you also said you can also only hear through one ear cup while recoding. If that's the case, then it's bad for music Production and voice recording.
@@UssyMustyYS To be more precise: you hear "Input 1" in the left monitoring channel, and "Input 2" in the right monitoring channel on the headphones. Beyond the possibility of using two microphones (and thus record in stereo) or perhaps some sort of stereo microphone that connects to two mono input jacks, I could imagine (but perhaps I'm wrong on this) that you could split the microphone output with some adapters and then upmix the mono to be a "mono stereo", so to speak. Otherwise yes, you have one microphone coming into one ear if you're recording in mono, your sound is not upmixed to two channels by this device. As far as I understand singers might be the most affected by strict self-monitoring requirements, I don't know about instrumentists, it depends on the needs I guess; I've seen some professional guitar players record without monitoring headphones (while singers and classical instruments did have them). Personally, I've never felt the need to hear myself when I'm recording my voice, but I'm not a singer. So, if you really care about this feature, and neither a software loopback monitor nor a mono hardware monitor nor "use stereo microphones" is acceptable to you, then the 204 model is probably the one you want. It's not that much more expensive all things considered.
Very clear and helpful. Thank you for getting right to the point. It actually made the intro of you traveling to pickup the package enjoyable. In some videos there is entirely too much going on. Great job Jeff
Very good review. Enjoyed the style of the video, good info. I use the behringer um2 currently and have outgrown it. I have looked at both models you discussed. Need the extra inputs. Thanks for the video.
Hi Dave, glad you liked it (a bit surprising, since it seems you have much fancier gear than me already)! I like your video shooting and editing style by the way, very classy. What do you use for stabilizing your shots, steadicam, motorized gimbal, shoulder rig, or just the lens'/sensor's stabilizer?
@@JeffFortinTam Thank you. I was looking to solve a new audio problem I have, need to power a new small condenser microphone for a new video series, looking at different options between small form analog mixer consoles like a Mackie 402vlz4 or cheaper Behringer, portable recorders like Zoom H5 - Tascam DR 60D mkii, little phantom power devices from Saramonic - Beachtek - Comica, orr looking at audio interface options from Behringer - Steinberg - Mackie - Yamaha - Native Instruments etc etc
@@JeffFortinTam as for stabilizing shots, usually relying on IBIS from my GH5, G9, and GX85 that I no longer own. When IBIS is not available I've used things like a tripod or monopod to add a counter weight when moving around :)
I'm thinking of getting this interface primarily for my guitar but i have an important question. If I use this to play my guitar through a digital guitar amp plugin with headphones connected will I only be able to hear my guitar in one ear or both ears
It depends if you use this hardware's monitor button (in which case you will hear it in only one ear), or if you "monitor" through a software loopback from your digital plugin, in which case it would probably be stereo as the sound would come from the computer and you wouldn't have to use the hardware monitoring button.
Important difference that you've missed is that 404hd has stereo mix button, so when you direct monitoring you hear input in both left and right channels.
FYI, I had to crank the volume up to 86% to hear you clearly, whereas with other videos I listen at about 14%. If there's something in your process that could be causing this, you could perhaps look into it if you want.
Strange, I didn't need to crank the volume up here to hear it and you're the first one to mention this... if not a transient issue on your side (ex: lowered volume on the video player itself), it might be that I edited to -6dB instead of 0dB, or maybe this was the video I edited as a quick one-off "test" with Resolve instead of Vegas (which would mean I didn't have my usual/preferred editing workflow then, and possibly edited "just by ear").
would the 202 be good the mic that i use for voice placed near an electric guitar amp for recording. I am a novice at this. I just want to try recording basic tracks into garage band to experiment for the first time with making a song. i am really trying to decide between the UMC202HD (around $60) and the UMC22HD (around$40) which is even lower. any suggestions? asap, please
Does the 202HD, would as an external sound card where you can route music or other audio to the device and out to the headphones or the main out to monitor speakers?
In my case the whole device acts as an additional sound card (for input and output), and I don't think there is a particular distinction in terms of outputs at the software level. When sound is routed to it, it outputs both through the headphones and the speakers connected to it, you simply use the physical volume knobs to control each independently (I simply lower one to zero while I'm using the other).
Nope, I have not experienced that problem, with three different pairs of headphones. Does it happen on every computer (i.e. would it happen on a laptop running on battery power, for example) and any headphones? If so, maybe you got unlucky and have a defective unit? Also, 12 o'clock (50% volume) is LOUD, I rarely need to raise it above 25%; is your source signal (in software) at 90-100% volume?
@@JeffFortinTam answers.presonus.com/45655/high-pitch-whine-from-usb-audio-interface Some people got problem something like this, he said solved but how? Have you tried using IEM to headphone out? Does it sound clean with your UMC202HD?
@@duhamkai it sounds fine to me with my monitoring headphones (I don't have IEMs), without me having to do anything in particular. You should contact the manufacturer for support.
You said you only hear one ear when you recording because it is mono channel. Should i use it for just playing guitar not for recording, and listen through headphones? will i hear stereo sound with my headphones? Thanks.
As my pinned comment indicates, you will hear each input into one ear. If your guitar has two/stereo outputs that you can plug into the two inputs, then you will hear in both ears.
2 days ago I got the same 202, I dont livestream, if I ever do that, its an extra and very rare... I pre-record with script and add to my edited video... So I dont care for higher models. I combined it with AKG Perception 120...
Can someone please help me out. I'm thinking of getting UMC202HD, but I don't really understand the mono/stereo issue that this interface presents. I'm planning to use a condenser microphone for recording, a guitar and a keyboard directly connected via midi to the computer (ok, and maybe using the interface). The rest of my work is basically VST and electronic production into the DAW. Would the stereo/mono issue affect my work, also considering that I would be using monitor headphones connected right to the pc? (I'm sorry i'm new in this)
Note for Linux users: do NOT use PulseAudio (PA) when recording music. It's not meat for that. Use Jack Audio for that. P.S. You might want to go to the Linux Musicians Forum to ask questions 'bout that. :-)
Background music is MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH to LOUD LOUD LOUD Get it together of NEVER NEVER NEVER make another video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To highlight something I said in the comments (but forgot to mention in the video): on the UMC202HD, the "direct monitor" mode maps each input channel separately (i.e. input 1 goes to the left ear, input 2 goes to the right ear), it doesn't upmix them as if they each were stereo. Reportedly, the UMC204HD model does that, if you care about that feature.
Thank you. This is a big deal for me as hearing my own voice is one of the main reasons I'm buying an audio interface to begin with. I really don't understand why they limited this feature to the 204 - the 204 should just be for those who require the additional inputs
@@stankostankochunt5837 you can work around that issue with a short cable you plug in. Connect the output of channel 1 with the input of channel 2 and you will have the sound of your voice or what the like on both ears even on the 202.
Just want to point out that the UMC204HD has a dial that makes it so you can change the balance of audio between your mic monitoring volume and your computer audio volume. In my case, this feature is important because it will allow me to hear what I'm saying to my teammates in games while being able to keep both headphone earcups on so I can hear what's going on. If I don't have active mic monitoring it makes it so I have to have on earcup off to hear what I'm saying and hinders my ability to hear the environment in games, which is a crucial aspect in being able to perform well in competitive games. The UMC202HD doesn't have this feature which is why I'm going to be going with the UMC204HD.
Just wanted to bring that point up because it might be important to anyone else who plans on using an audio interface as your source for sound while playing games.
Ah yes, that's a very good point, I hadn't thought of that usecase at all. Makes sense!
I love that you consider us Linux users in your video
I've been running Linux daily on my workstation since 2004, so anything I buy has to work well with Linux. In the case at hand, I just forgot to mention it in the video's narration so I put it in the title instead ;) if you inspect my channel, you'll see that there were Linux/FLOSS-related contents previously, and there will be some more soon.
Long story short, get the 204hd if you're using it for music production or recording.
Well, it depends! If by recording you mean "recording electric/electronic instruments with in-line effects and/or MIDI" then yes. Otherwise, for recording voice and classical instruments with microphones (or even electric non-MIDI instruments, with no fancy live effects), then the UMC202HD is perfectly capable of that, it will just be a bit limiting if you decide to expand your usecases down the road, in which case the UMC204HD is a logical choice indeed.
@@JeffFortinTam but you also said you can also only hear through one ear cup while recoding. If that's the case, then it's bad for music Production and voice recording.
@@UssyMustyYS To be more precise: you hear "Input 1" in the left monitoring channel, and "Input 2" in the right monitoring channel on the headphones. Beyond the possibility of using two microphones (and thus record in stereo) or perhaps some sort of stereo microphone that connects to two mono input jacks, I could imagine (but perhaps I'm wrong on this) that you could split the microphone output with some adapters and then upmix the mono to be a "mono stereo", so to speak. Otherwise yes, you have one microphone coming into one ear if you're recording in mono, your sound is not upmixed to two channels by this device.
As far as I understand singers might be the most affected by strict self-monitoring requirements, I don't know about instrumentists, it depends on the needs I guess; I've seen some professional guitar players record without monitoring headphones (while singers and classical instruments did have them). Personally, I've never felt the need to hear myself when I'm recording my voice, but I'm not a singer.
So, if you really care about this feature, and neither a software loopback monitor nor a mono hardware monitor nor "use stereo microphones" is acceptable to you, then the 204 model is probably the one you want. It's not that much more expensive all things considered.
I second that, get the 204 or 404 for the mono monitoring switch!
Very clear and helpful. Thank you for getting right to the point. It actually made the intro of you traveling to pickup the package enjoyable. In some videos there is entirely too much going on. Great job Jeff
Very good review. Enjoyed the style of the video, good info. I use the behringer um2 currently and have outgrown it. I have looked at both models you discussed. Need the extra inputs. Thanks for the video.
Covered all the basic bits that really matter. Excellent review.
What i like about 204 hd is it has playback and input knob and the option to choose mono or stereo monitoring.
What's the use of playback and input knob
Fantastic job answering a specific question. Thank you.
Thank you very much I bought the
Behringer U-PHORIA UMC202HD
Thank you!! You answered exactly the question I had!
i was looking very specifically for this info
I heard that if you switch to mono the playback would be through both (L & R)
The UMCHD202 doesn't have mono like the UMC204HD Which has both stereo & mono
Thank you so much for the review. i decided to go with the 204.
Hi @Jeff Fortin Tam, congratulations on the video. A question to record electronic drums at home, which one do you recommend 202 or 204?
Great video, thanks for your help !
Thank You! Great review
Thanks for description. How would the 2nd person listen to the interview? Can TWO people monitor the conversation?
I suppose you could use a simple splitter adapter for the headphone jack and it would probably work, but I have not tried this.
Behringer UMC204HD, a fairly cheap interface with professional sound and unique features
Thanks for the info Jeff, and cheers, I'm also in MTL.
Hi Dave, glad you liked it (a bit surprising, since it seems you have much fancier gear than me already)!
I like your video shooting and editing style by the way, very classy.
What do you use for stabilizing your shots, steadicam, motorized gimbal, shoulder rig, or just the lens'/sensor's stabilizer?
@@JeffFortinTam Thank you. I was looking to solve a new audio problem I have, need to power a new small condenser microphone for a new video series, looking at different options between small form analog mixer consoles like a Mackie 402vlz4 or cheaper Behringer, portable recorders like Zoom H5 - Tascam DR 60D mkii, little phantom power devices from Saramonic - Beachtek - Comica, orr looking at audio interface options from Behringer - Steinberg - Mackie - Yamaha - Native Instruments etc etc
@@JeffFortinTam as for stabilizing shots, usually relying on IBIS from my GH5, G9, and GX85 that I no longer own. When IBIS is not available I've used things like a tripod or monopod to add a counter weight when moving around :)
Competible for macbook?
Can i use it 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 ?
I'm thinking of getting this interface primarily for my guitar but i have an important question. If I use this to play my guitar through a digital guitar amp plugin with headphones connected will I only be able to hear my guitar in one ear or both ears
It depends if you use this hardware's monitor button (in which case you will hear it in only one ear), or if you "monitor" through a software loopback from your digital plugin, in which case it would probably be stereo as the sound would come from the computer and you wouldn't have to use the hardware monitoring button.
Thank you! ♥
can i use this 202 to record guitar and voice simultaneously?
Yes
Important difference that you've missed is that 404hd has stereo mix button, so when you direct monitoring you hear input in both left and right channels.
He covered that from 4:27.
202 don't have MIDI & It Monitors in stereo so channel 1 left ear & channel 2 right ear
Love the info. Thank you.
FYI, I had to crank the volume up to 86% to hear you clearly, whereas with other videos I listen at about 14%. If there's something in your process that could be causing this, you could perhaps look into it if you want.
Strange, I didn't need to crank the volume up here to hear it and you're the first one to mention this... if not a transient issue on your side (ex: lowered volume on the video player itself), it might be that I edited to -6dB instead of 0dB, or maybe this was the video I edited as a quick one-off "test" with Resolve instead of Vegas (which would mean I didn't have my usual/preferred editing workflow then, and possibly edited "just by ear").
I like umc204hd. It very good.
I'm curious to know if your Behringer UMC202HD is still going strong after 2 years
Indeed it is, I use it everyday on my Linux workstation!
would the 202 be good the mic that i use for voice placed near an electric guitar amp for recording. I am a novice at this. I just want to try recording basic tracks into garage band to experiment for the first time with making a song. i am really trying to decide between the UMC202HD (around $60) and the UMC22HD (around$40) which is even lower. any suggestions? asap, please
So, is it possible to record in mono from the UMC202 to your DAW?
Thanks for this!
DOES IT ALSO WORK WITH UBUNTU STUDIO 20.4? THANK
Does the 202HD, would as an external sound card where you can route music or other audio to the device and out to the headphones or the main out to monitor speakers?
In my case the whole device acts as an additional sound card (for input and output), and I don't think there is a particular distinction in terms of outputs at the software level. When sound is routed to it, it outputs both through the headphones and the speakers connected to it, you simply use the physical volume knobs to control each independently (I simply lower one to zero while I'm using the other).
I got high pitch noise from headphone out, but the noise dissappear at 12 o'clock knob. Umc202hd do you have same problem? Or solution
Nope, I have not experienced that problem, with three different pairs of headphones. Does it happen on every computer (i.e. would it happen on a laptop running on battery power, for example) and any headphones? If so, maybe you got unlucky and have a defective unit? Also, 12 o'clock (50% volume) is LOUD, I rarely need to raise it above 25%; is your source signal (in software) at 90-100% volume?
@@JeffFortinTam answers.presonus.com/45655/high-pitch-whine-from-usb-audio-interface
Some people got problem something like this, he said solved but how?
Have you tried using IEM to headphone out? Does it sound clean with your UMC202HD?
@@duhamkai it sounds fine to me with my monitoring headphones (I don't have IEMs), without me having to do anything in particular. You should contact the manufacturer for support.
LOL! It’s like you included B roll at the beginning just for the sake of including B roll. 👍🏻
Well, I'll admit I also wanted to have some fun making the video! Be glad I didn't do Rick roll instead of B roll ;)
Jeff Fortin Tam
LOL! 👍🏻
Which shotgun mic did you use in this video?
An old Sony ECM-NV1 from a DV camcorder, from what I read online it was not considered a fancy/expensive mic.
You said you only hear one ear when you recording because it is mono channel. Should i use it for just playing guitar not for recording, and listen through headphones? will i hear stereo sound with my headphones? Thanks.
As my pinned comment indicates, you will hear each input into one ear. If your guitar has two/stereo outputs that you can plug into the two inputs, then you will hear in both ears.
@@JeffFortinTam thanks
Thank you for sharing this useful information, hope you could keep doing things like this :)
Thanks! I'll do my best to continue making insightful videos, time allowing!
Great video thanks ^^
2 days ago I got the same 202, I dont livestream, if I ever do that, its an extra and very rare... I pre-record with script and add to my edited video... So I dont care for higher models. I combined it with AKG Perception 120...
Can someone please help me out. I'm thinking of getting UMC202HD, but I don't really understand the mono/stereo issue that this interface presents. I'm planning to use a condenser microphone for recording, a guitar and a keyboard directly connected via midi to the computer (ok, and maybe using the interface). The rest of my work is basically VST and electronic production into the DAW. Would the stereo/mono issue affect my work, also considering that I would be using monitor headphones connected right to the pc? (I'm sorry i'm new in this)
It means that you can only hear your voice on 1 end of your earphones while recording
Thans man;]
Could it be used with behringer fcb1010 midi interface?
Name and artist of the first song, please?
Note for Linux users: do NOT use PulseAudio (PA) when recording music. It's not meat for that. Use Jack Audio for that.
P.S. You might want to go to the Linux Musicians Forum to ask questions 'bout that. :-)
Check out PipeWire in recent Linux distros, as it is meant to solve Everything™!
The music you've used is very annoying
Couldn't complete the video because of that annoying music you've used in the background.
Sorry👎
Background music is MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH to LOUD LOUD LOUD
Get it together of NEVER NEVER NEVER make another video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I understand having feedback, but you're just being a dick dude.