Read top consumer ratings: Behringer UCA202

Ratings

Category: Accessory
Brand: Behringer
Model: UCA202
Availability: In Stock
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Behringer UCA202 Review

Behringer UCA202 Review by Richard M. Rollo (Montebello, CA USA)

I read the reviews of this and another similar product and chose this one. I'm really pleased. I installed it between my Mac Mini (Power PC version) and my Tandberg preamp. I used my Thorens turntable which I rebuilt and installed a Shure cartridge several years back. I described that in a review here of the Shure cartridge. I did notice that I had a hum in the stereo equipment before I hooked up the U Control but it went away when I started the turntable revolving. Microphones and phono pickups are subject to ground loops and other quirky things.

I didn't hear any difference between the original source and the monitored recording so this device is very transparent. The results you get will depend more on your stereo equipment and the condition of your source tapes and records than on this device. I did the transfer recording in Audacity, a program I had tried and liked in Ubuntu Linux. The main thing I was looking for was to test whether or not I could hear any difference between the original noise and all and the recording. They sounded identical to me and that's what I wanted to hear.

A note on turntables. I believe the quality of the transfer depends more on the quality of your turntable setup than on this transfer device. That doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money on equipment. It means that the turntable cartridge needs a phono preamp with the correct settings depending on whether it is a moving coil or moving magnet device. Also, if it has a ground wire it needs to be grounded. I doubt that your results will be very good if you try to plug your turntable directly into this or any similar device.

Finally, unless you have a lot of free time, it probably doesn't pay to transfer---say---your collection of old Rolling Stones LP's because that music is readily available in remastered forms today. Unless you have nostalgia for the pops and clicks as well as the music. But, if your music is not available in any form and you want to listen to it through an mp3 player, this device will serve its purpose very well.

Behringer UCA202 Review by jon

I bought this to hook up my linux machine to my receiver using the optical output. Works great out of the box with Ubuntu 10.04. The output of my onboard sound was weak, but no issues with this unit. Have not tried any of its other features.

Behringer UCA202 Review by K. Davis (Los Angeles, CA USA)

I purchased this product primarily to convert my vinyl music to mp3 format. The U Control gave me way more than what I expected. The only thing missing is a microphone input (which I didn't expect it to have). I got it for $30.00 with Audacity virtual studio software included. A similar product is sold at Radio Shack for $50.00 more. Not only was I able to convert my vinyl records (using a turntable that's been inactive since 1986), but I was able to convert my cassettes as well. I have been using the Audacity program (also free via internet download) to make break beat loops and songs.

I rarely write reviews, but it would have been a crime not to in this case. If the U Control has what you need, don't wait to purchase it. You can't lose at this price for what it does.

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Behringer UCA202:: Description

With this ultra-compact, bus-powered interface, you can link your Windows and Mac computer with any audio gear. There is no setup or special drivers needed?simply plug the interface in a free USB port on your computer and get into the groove. The UCA202 provides 2 analog inputs and outputs, as well as an additional S/PDIF optical output for direct digital conversion. The stereo headphone output with dedicated level control lets you monitor both input and output. And the cherry on top is that the U-CONTROL download area offers a huge software package for recording and editing.