Wanna dive into the world of home studio recording? Then the Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD USB 2.0 audio interface is an excellent tool to start!

The U-Phoria UMC204HD is perfect for singer-songwriters or singers who record their own music. It has two exceptional, top-notch Midas-designed mic preamps and all the connections you need for your guitars, keyboards, and even MIDI devices, all at a professional 24-bit/192kHz resolution.

Furthermore, the UMC204HD is only $119 on Amazon, and shipping is free. That’s a pretty good price for something that does so many things and looks pretty good on your desk. If you’re highly interested in buying this fantastic device, then this article is for you!

What is Behringer U-PHORIA UMC204HD?

The Behringer UMC204HD has a lot of controls and knobs all over its front panel, making it appear confusing at first sight. But there’s actually a lot less complexity than meets the eye. Four distinct parts make up the IO:

On the left side, you’ll find two hybrid XLR jacks that can accommodate both the standard XLR and 1/4″ jacks used by most musical instruments.

Also found are the input 1 and input 2 controls, along with the remaining controls for the listening devices. And as soon as you visually divide it, it becomes much easier to manipulate. Similarly, audio mixers often have multiple input channels to manage.

Below, let’s check its characteristics.

Microphone

A real Midas preamplifier is one of the things that makes the Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD USB 2.0 audio interface stand out. The Midas preamps are some of the most popular mic pres in the world. They are known in the live sound industry for providing very clear sound with lots of headroom. On top of that, these preamps come with +48V phantom power, so you can use any good condenser microphone with your U-Phoria UMC204HD. Talk to your Sweetwater Sales Engineer about putting together a great deal on this U-Phoria UMC204HD with the right mics and monitors for your whole recording setup.

Design & Build

The Behringer U-Phoria UMC204HD is made of metal and has plastic knobs. The durability is a big step up from their cheaper UM2 (one preamp), which is made of plastic all the way through.

Where To Buy?

Buy here

It is a small, nice-looking computer with rounded edges and a very simple interface. The controls are easy to get to. On the front are the inputs, level meters, input buttons, and headphone jack. On the back are the MIDI, USB, 48v phantom power switch, and outputs.

The plastic locks can be taken off to see what’s inside, but they won’t fall off while the door is open. It is built to last with a strong metal case that you can take with you and use for remote recording. It’s small and light, and you can put it in your bag with your laptop and go.

Connectivity

If you want to connect items to your 2i2 interface, we suggest using balanced 1/4′′ cables (TRS). This includes the studio speakers and microphones you use. It costs a little more and has two rings instead of one on balanced wires. They won’t pick up as much magnetic or electrical noise as this might sound like a steady hum, buzzing, or even radio waves.

The audio interface’s sound should be turned down while you’re connecting things. Once you’re done, turn it up to avoid hearing any loud clicks or pops.

Front Panel

There are two XLR/6.3mm combo jacks on the front panel, so you can use either XLR or 1/4′′ jacks. There are some control buttons next to the plugs. There is a switch that lets you switch between “line” and “instrument.”

Line is used to connect audio gear, and instrument is used to boost the sound of a guitar or other instrument. The other button is a “pad” that cuts the input sound by 20 dB right away.

Each channel also has two lights that show when something is working. The lower light, called “sig,” turns green whenever an input signal is found, and the red “clip” light turns on when the signal is too strong. This is kind of like a simple level meter, but the gain input knob is just about enough to set your gain levels.

A stereo/mono button on the front panel’s right side lets you preview your sources in mono. You can also use the mix dial to change how much of the computer’s playback audio you hear compared to the direct microphone feed. The mix can be changed so that you only hear what’s coming into the interface or what’s coming from your DAW, or you can find a good blend.

There is a main out volume control for your studio speakers and two midi in and out lights that show when midi signals are active. This button is next to an A/B output button that lets you choose between two audio sets of extra outputs on the back of the interface. Power on light and ghost power LED let you know when 48v is on. There is also a 6.3mm headphone jack that has its own volume control.

Conclusion

The U-Phoria UMC204HD from Behringer is a great audio interface for the money. The MIDAS-designed mic preamps are quiet, and they’re a big step up from some of Behringer’s older Xenyx preamps. Along with its low latency, the UMC204HD has extra outputs and inputs that make it a very useful studio tool.

Truly, there isn’t a better value for money than the UMC204HD at this price point for anyone who wants to start recording or blogging at home and needs a professional sound.

Why You Should Read Reviews Before Buying

While finding a perfect set of studio monitors (or any other devices for that matter) can be a bit of a headache, you need to explore more on your options rather than settling down on the first thing that you see. As smart buyers, we know how important it is to do research on a product and think about its pros and cons before we buy it. With that, it’s great that the internet gives us access to so much information that we can learn everything we need to know about a piece of equipment before we decide to buy it. So, there should be no excuses on your part as a smart buyer.