Behringer U-Phoria UMC 204 HD Audio Interface

Here is a look at the Behringer 204HD, its cheap, but is it cheerful?
After a few months of usage and comparison with the Focusrite 2i2 I share my thoughts.

[@senndart]

im buying this, thanks to all the reviewers and you especially(just the info i much needed💪🏽).

[@KRColson]

Thanks so much for honest appraisal of this piece of equipment. I was actually leaning towards the Focusrite but now may pick this one up instead. Cheers.

[@masonkanterbury3007]

I've got one. It works great. Very clear too.

[@HarryOsirian]

no worries about the jumper holes. I got a couple clothes whom I cherish too

[@stevenroosblad9813]

This is the best audio interface

[@AmoebaMan]

Certainly great value and compares very favourably with the competition! AM

[@minkorrh]

We've come a long way from the Creative Audigy breakout front-panel for your computer. It worked, pathetically by comparison.

[@plizy]

Just for this video, i'm getting it

[@MrRafaelEPS]

Hola amigo, pregunta: partiendo de que las salidas pueden ser domésticas -10dbv o profesionales +4dbu, las salidas RCA y MAIN de esta interfaz tienen la misma potencia? o la salida RCA es menor? J. Krause dice que el Main Out es de +1dbu, que me puedes decir de la RCA? Gracias.

[@Coolhandrup]

So the question that no-one seems to cover in any of their reviews of this interface which I hope you can answer is this? Do all these outputs act as individula independent outputs? So can you re-route the RCA A and B outputs to have different audio paths coming out of them either with some accompanying Behringer GUI software or through the outputs of your DAW? So for example are they recognised by either CORE (Mac) or ASIO (pc) drivers as audio outputs 1-6? (1+2 being Main outputs then 3-4 being Outputs A and perhaps 5-6 being outputs B?) Or do these ouputs only mirror the inputs coming on on Channels 1 and 2 on the front panel if the balance dial is switched towards direct input monitoring? I hope that makes sense....

[@ArrakisOCE]

Are the insert outputs instrument level at all? I am trying to find an interface that can be used as an outboard FX loop for guitar pedals.

[@AmoebaMan]

I use the rear outputs (fixed) to drive a line input to an audio amplifier. Any guitar pedals I use are upstream i.e. before the interface obviously apart from any software effects I apply using a DAW on my PC. I do sometimes use a DI signal out of my bass head unit as a LINE input to the interface and this works fine also, AM

[@ArrakisOCE]

Thanks for that - makes sense. @@AmoebaMan

[@tarcisiobarros689]

thank you

[@johnviera3884]

so if you plug in a microphone, you select LINE? my interface (as well as most other interfaces) has a MIC and LINE switch. the INST is a different input. LINE level is not the same as MIC PREAMP level.

[@AmoebaMan]

Hi, yes, I would select LINE for a microphone, on the 204HD Inputs 1 and 2 are both designated MIC / Line so you can plug either microphones or instruments using either XLR or 1/4" connectors. There is a LINE / INST selector for each input which designates line level or instrument level input source. If you need phantom power (48V) for your microphones then there is a switch on the back and I also show an adapter in the video which i sometimes use to allow me to plug in a PC condenser mike which coincidentally also requires 48V to use. AM

[@johnviera3884]

@@AmoebaMan thanks. my current interface has a MIC and LINE switch. because LINE and MIC are not the same preamp.

[@rs4425]

Thank you for review. Re the UMC202HD, why would the design allow only ONE SIDE of the headphone to work? I'm only concerned with doing interviews with no instruments. But I'd like to hear both sides.

[@AmoebaMan]

This occurred when I tested the cheaper models using the 'monitoring' feature - as the input was mono it only came out of one side of the headphones and had no stereo / mono button. If you don't plan to use monitoring e.g. if you are using a DAW then it would not impact you. When I am travelling / practicing bass I often use the monitoring feature for listening to my playing along with other sounds, this works particularly well for me because you don't get issues with latency that sometimes occur with DAW. AM

[@masterwong3837]

What kind of issues were there with the drivers, and how did you solve them?

[@livehardrocktruth742]

Good question considering I'm have problems with a clean non interrupted stream. No one is really speaking in detail with how to solve this problem.

[@ronasr.9317]

So I just got this one and I can’t seem to get any sound out. The moment I switch it to UMC ASIO driver it loses all sound, whilst showing that theres an input with a signal. Is there a fix for this?

[@soundimpressions]

Try asio4all driver instead UMC asio driver

[@brianodonnell586]

Hi I have just purchased the Behringer 204hd and have CR3 monitor speakers. Could you recommend a cable to enable my monitors. Sorry new to all this. Thanks

[@AmoebaMan]

Of course it depends on what your speakers require for input, I just buy 2 x 1/4 inch mono jack to phono lead cable - I’m sorry I don’t have any particular brand recommendation. Good luck! AM

[@brianodonnell586]

@@AmoebaMan many thanks for your tabs advice. Regards Brian

[@kunee51]

Is the out main out and playback out separate? I need to if its separate since I need to send different instrument with dedicated out (atleast 4 different output) and Im looking for something affordably cheap like UMC204hd.

[@AmoebaMan]

I don't use the playback outputs but as I understand it they can be used for a separate set of monitors - from what I have read it is a separate line out independent from the volume control - you would need to check this in the manual. Good luck! AM

[@kunee51]

@@AmoebaMan Thanks, I've checked the manual and its confirm separate outputs.

[@christinedescant734]

Do you have any idea if the Behringer UMC204HD will work with an ipad (as in 2021, 9th-gen)? My son dove headfirst into learning guitar and is loving it but none of us are "techie" minded about gear or such. This interface seems good for the long-haul, I'm just not finding clearcut information about what "computer" category would be best for it. Any constructive input is much appreciated!

[@AmoebaMan]

The new USB-C iPad Pro's officially support some audio interfaces e.g. the gen 3 focusrite ones. Sorry, I am not sure about the Behringer or older / different iPads, currently I am not in a position to try it, I will let you know if I do! AM

[@josepalomares3763]

From what I know this is a "Class Compliant" device which was something developed to work on Ipads/Iphones without the need to install any drivers, just plug and play. This interface works on Windows, MacOS, IPHONE/IPAD and even LINUX.

[@AmoebaMan]

I tried this yesterday and was able to connect my 204HD to a 2021 iPad Pro and and Android phone successfully - in both cases the device recognised the 204HD as an external soundcard, the headphone aand audio outputs worked OK. A good indication but unfortunately I was not able to test the audio interface inputs / full functionality as I lack the software necessary. This suggests to me that with the right software it may well be possible to use, I would be concerned about battery usage so a external power supply might be a good idea in this scenario.. AM

[@jaroslawzmuda8963]

Hi, I use this and monitors plugged in to my pc daily and I have problem when turn of pc or start it I have that loud "bum" Sound How to fix it?

[@zadie1271]

have you fix it already? cause i have the same problem

[@jaroslawzmuda8963]

@@zadie1271 still available but on lower volume it is quieter. Back potentiometer i set on 30% and it helped a bit. I think it might be done by some usb adapter with time lag but i couldn't find any of these

[@rafaelcruz6142]

Can i use UMC 204HD 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 ?

[@AmoebaMan]

Sorry, I have not used this in a live situation, I use it with a DAW for paying bass into my PC and with a mike, this means I can add filters / pedals, the latency /performance is OK in this scenario. I am afraid your usage case is more advanced than mine! AM

[@ochd1502]

Yes

[@robertohiquianasr.8845]

is it compatible with windows 11?

[@littlebarrytv]

Will this work for vinyl recording

[@AmoebaMan]

A lot of PC's have a line input already built in, I have never tried digitizing vinyl but my guess is that an Audio Interface is probably not necessary, even cheap USB soundcards have 3.5mm line-in and would probably be easier to use even if your turntable doesn't have USB. AM