Behringer U-Control UCA202 USB Audio Interface Review

The Behringer U-Control UCA202 is a compact and affordable USB audio interface that allows you to connect instruments, microphones and other audio devices to your computer. With its simple plug-and-play operation, 16-bit/48kHz resolution and low latency performance, the UCA202 provides a easy way to record and playback audio on your PC or Mac.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features and performance of the UCA202 to see how it stacks up for home studio use.

Key Features

• USB 1.1 connection for plug-and-play operation on Mac and PC
• 16-bit/48kHz resolution for CD-quality audio
• Supports sampling rates up to 48kHz
• Stereo Line inputs and outputs on RCA connectors
• Microphone input with +48V phantom power
• Headphone output with dedicated volume control
• Bus-powered design, no external power required

Design and Connectivity

The UCA202 has a compact and lightweight plastic construction that makes it easy to transport. All connections are on one side of the unit and include:

• 1 x USB port
• 1 x Stereo RCA line input
• 1 x Stereo RCA line output
• 1 x 1/4″ TRS microphone input
• 1 x 1/4″ TRS headphone output

A blue LED indicates when the UCA202 is powered on and connected via USB. The front panel has a large monitor knob that controls the headphone volume.

The UCA202 is USB 1.1 compatible and is plug-and-play ready for both Windows and Mac. No drivers are required, just connect it to an open USB port and your computer will automatically detect it. A USB cable is included in the box.

No products found.

Performance and Audio Quality

With 16-bit resolution and 48kHz sampling, the UCA202 provides CD-quality audio recording and playback. This makes it suitable for basic home studio work, podcasting, video voiceovers and other applications that don’t require high-res 24-bit audio.

The UCA202 utilizes Asio4All universal ASIO drivers to achieve low 7.4ms latency on Windows computers. This allows you to monitor through your computer with minimal delay. On Mac, the latency is a bit higher at 21ms, but still reasonable for monitoring.

Audio quality from the inputs and outputs is fairly transparent and neutral. The mic preamp provides plenty of gain for dynamic microphones while keeping self-noise low. 48V phantom power allows you to use condenser microphones as well.

The headphone amp outputs up to 200mW of power into 32 ohms, which should be sufficient for most headphones. The volume knob has smooth control from zero to max volume.

Overall, the converter and amplifiers in the UCA202 deliver decent audio quality that is perfectly fine for everyday home recording, podcasts, voiceovers and casual music listening. It’s not going to rival high-end audio interfaces, but at this affordable price point, the UCA202 sounds very good.

Ease of Use

Setting up the UCA202 is as simple as plugging it into your computer’s USB port. The drivers automatically install in seconds and it will be ready to use with any audio recording software. The inputs and outputs are clearly labeled, so getting connected is quick and easy.

With its simple controls and plug-and-play usability, the UCA202 is designed to be very intuitive for beginners. You don’t have to install any drivers or deal with complex set-up procedures. Just plug it in, launch your DAW or audio program, select the UCA202 as your audio device and you can start recording. This makes it a great entry-level interface for those new to digital recording.

Who is the UCA202 Good For?

The UCA202 is an ideal audio interface for the following users:

• Beginners – easy setup and operation is great for those new to recording.
• Home studio users – provides a simple stereo interface for small home studio setups.
• Podcasters – microphone input and direct monitoring works well for podcast recording.
• Vocalists and voiceover artists – low-latency monitoring helps capture quality vocals.
• Musicians – connect instruments like keyboards to record into a DAW.

It may not meet the needs of more advanced users who require high-resolution, low-latency audio. But for beginner and hobbyist use, the UCA202 gets the job done.

Drawbacks and Limitations

While the UCA202 delivers good performance for the price, there are some limitations to note:

• Max 16-bit/48kHz resolution limits audio quality for pro use.
• Only stereo in and out, no multichannel capabilities.
• Low 10mW headphone output may not drive high-impedance headphones well.
• No direct hardware monitoring of mic input. Must listen through software.
• USB 1.1 has slower transfer rates compared to USB 2.0 or 3.0.

So while perfectly fine for casual home studio use, the UCA202 does not have the I/O, resolution or advanced features required for professional audio production. Lack of hardware monitoring could be an issue for live playing situations as well.

Alternatives to Consider

If you need higher audio quality or more connectivity, some alternatives to look at in a similar budget price range include:

• Focusrite Scarlett Solo – USB 2.0 interface with mic preamp and 24-bit/192kHz resolution.
• Steinberg UR12 – Compact USB 3.0 interface with MIDI I/O.
• Presonus Audiobox USB 96 – Studio quality 24-bit/96kHz resolution.

Going up in price, models like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and Presonus AudioBox iTwo provide expanded I/O and even better performance for home studios.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The Behringer U-Control UCA202 delivers solid audio quality and real plug-and-play usability in a highly affordable USB interface. It’s easy to setup for beginners and provides enough I/O for basic home recording needs.

While not suitable for professional studio use, the UCA202 gives budget-conscious users a quality option for simple audio interfaces. If you’re looking for an introductory model to learn the basics of digital recording and working with audio on computers, the UCA202 is a great choice with outstanding value.

So for beginning music hobbyists who need an easy-to-use stereo interface for things like podcasts, simple vocal and instrument recording, or connecting keyboards and mics to a computer, I can certainly recommend checking out the Behringer U-Control UCA202. It provides a nice gateway into the world of digital home recording at an affordable price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use the UCA202 for?

You can use the UCA202 for:

• Recording vocals, acoustic instruments, keyboards etc. into a computer
• Live streaming podcasts or musical performances
• Turning your computer into a simple PA system
• Transferring vinyl or tape to digital audio files
• Basic home studio recording and music production

It provides a stereo interface for recording and playing back audio over USB.

Does it work with Mac and Windows?

Yes, the UCA202 is plug-and-play compatible with both Mac OS and Windows operating systems. No drivers required.

What is the audio resolution?

The UCA202 supports 16-bit depth and sample rates up to 48kHz. This provides CD-quality audio.

How many inputs and outputs does it have?

It has 1 stereo pair of RCA inputs, 1 stereo pair of RCA outputs, 1 microphone input, and 1 headphone output. All connections are 1/4″ TRS jacks except the RCA input/output.

Is phantom power available?

Yes, the XLR mic input supports +48V phantom power for condenser microphones. This is activated by pressing the “48V” button next to the mic input.

What headphones does it work with?

The headphone output can drive headphones from 16 to 150 ohms impedance. So it will work with most common headphones. Higher impedance headphones may not get full volume.

What USB standard does it use?

The UCA202 uses a standard USB 1.1 connection that is compatible with USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports as well.

Are there any drivers to install?

Nope, the UCA202 is a true plug-and-play interface that does not require any driver installation on Mac or Windows computers.

No products found.