Behringer UMC 404HD

[mr_es335]

Good day,

A question: "Is it possible for an audio interface to colour the audio of SAC?"

For instance, the ADA-8200 sounds wonderful with SAC. So, I surmised that the UMC 404HD using the mic pre's would be similar, if not identical to the ADA's. And this is what I believe that I am hearing.

However, the instrument input sounds "horrible" - especially with Overloud's TH3. I thought that it might be the Bose L1's - but testing out another audio interface proves that it is UMC that is at fault here. All that I can say is "Bummer man!"

Due to space limitations and such, I am looking for a 4-Channel USB audio interface - and there is not a whole lot to choose from. I mean the UMC was $150.00!!

So, I am now testing out a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - as the Scarlett 18i8 is not any available at the moment. And interestingly, at least what I believe that I am hearing, is not as nice as the UMC.

I mean, is it possible that SAC sounds so good it-and-of-itself, and that the other so-called better audio interfaces can actually have an adverse effect on SAC?

I have a gig coming soon and I thought that all was "good" - but now it is not.

So, any input - literally, would be very greatly appreciated.

[cgrafx]

Good day,

A question: "Is it possible for an audio interface to colour the audio of SAC?"

For instance, the ADA-8200 sounds wonderful with SAC. So, I surmised that the UMC 404HD using the mic pre's would be similar, if not identical to the ADA's. And this is what I believe that I am hearing.

However, the instrument input sounds "horrible" - especially with Overloud's TH3. I thought that it might be the Bose L1's - but testing out another audio interface proves that it is UMC that is at fault here. All that I can say is "Bummer man!"

Due to space limitations and such, I am looking for a 4-Channel USB audio interface - and there is not a whole lot to choose from. I mean the UMC was $150.00!!

So, I am now testing out a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - as the Scarlett 18i8 is not any available at the moment. And interestingly, at least what I believe that I am hearing, is not as nice as the UMC.

I mean, is it possible that SAC sounds so good it-and-of-itself, and that the other so-called better audio interfaces can actually have an adverse effect on SAC?

I have a gig coming soon and I thought that all was "good" - but now it is not.

So, any input - literally, would be very greatly appreciated.

Ideally SAC doesn't really sound like anything, its entirely dependent on the digital audio supplied to it. So yes the audio chain can have a big impact.

The ADA8200 has a remarkably good/clean input chain particularly for such an inexpensive unit. I wouldn't however assume that the UMC uses the same input circuitry. Additionally the ADA8200's where connected to some other ADAT interface which also plays a part in what gets into the computer, although the D/A conversion is done in the ADA8200s.

$150 is cheap (Which is also what makes the ADA8200 such an amazing product). Good preamps are easily $1000 and up.

The move I'm making from the ADA8200's to the MOTU 8M is almost a 10x price increase (At least if I had to purchase new). And while I do think the MOTU unit is a step up from the Behringer, its by no means a high-end preamp.

You'll have to try a few different options to see what works.

[Danny O]

Dell...I use the Behringer UMC 404HD on one of my studio computers and for remote recording, and it's one of the cleanest interfaces I've heard. I drive the line inputs from a Behringer six channel mixer with no problem. Typically the instrument inputs have a sensitivity somewhere between a mic input and a line input, and a high impedance(1meg). you don't need a DI box with them. If you use any unit before them, try using the line inputs.

[Danny O]

.....PS...I have 2i2 as well, but I like the sound of the UMC 404HD better.

[TomyN]

Hi,

I assume that there is an other problem, based on the use of the USB input instead of ADAT. For instance, if the settings (depth and/or samplerate) do not match, the driver or the system could do a (really bad) format conversation/sample-rate conversion, which might create artefacts.

Tomy

[Bob L]

The UMC units are pretty good... if you say the mic pres sound ok... perhaps try using a direct box for your gtr input connected thru the xlr mic pre... should sound perfect.

Bob L

[Richard Rupert]

I haven't experienced anything like this with my UMC 1820. I've plugged guitar directly into the 1/4" inputs with excellent results. I definitely would blame this issue on something other than the UMC.

[Dave Labrecque]

Definitely check your gain staging. You may very well be overdriving the input.

[mr_es335]

Hello,

Well, I sincerely believe that it is not an issue with gain staging...it must be the input itself. I tested out a second unit and the same issue is evident. The same goes for all inputs. However, when I use a DI - "all is good!"

At present,I am in dialog with the folks at Behringer - and we will see what transpires there.

What IS interesting, is that when I A/B the UMC with the Focusrite Scarlett, for example - the UMC is definitely less coloured and therefore, more natural sounding. In the latter case, I am hearing my nylon-strung guitar "acoustically" - just louder.

Regardless of what Behringer does, I will stick with the UMC and the DI route.

Thanks to all the replied - your comments and suggestions are always greatly appreciated.

[Wink0r]

That makes it sound like an impedance mismatch.