Steinberg IXO22 - USB Audio Interface Review (compared to UR22C)

[@sxbarral]

Yet another great review, with the usual level of thoroughness. Thanks! The main miss I see with the IXO line is the lack of DSP, that to me was one of the biggest selling points of the URxxC devices.

[@SeaGoRetta]

Not a noise meme material anymore :) Great review Julian!

[@ryokutidome3474]

Thank you for your review video. There is no better source of information than you in Japan. Your ability to observe the foundation, semiconductors, and build quality is commendable. I felt that IXO22 was the perfect choice for me, as I don't play musical instruments or stream videos. My confusion has been resolved. thank you!

[@saiprasad8078]

Hello! Another excellent review! 👍

[@spacepervert]

Thank you so much for such an informative video, while watching I saw on your comparison charts all the audio interfaces I was also researching so this is really almost a 1-stop review video for me!

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Great review. It'd be a LONG time before I get a steinberg interface though, due to my previous experience buying then selling UR22.

[@_BangDroid_]

I been waiting for an interface just like this! It checks all my boxes, including affordability.

[@Decenium]

The legend returns

[@Rake5k]

Great in-depth review! Do you have a chart comparing the latency of the different interfaces, like you do for dynamic range etc? That would be super helpful.

[@azzydog]

did you ever consider publishing your measurements on a website, maybe even in a interactive online tool? that would be a killer research source!

[@Isaacthompson]

Thanks for this!

[@ejmikk]

The high latency is a deal-breaker for an otherwise excellent looking interfacs :/ Thanks for a great review!

[@michaelruck4264]

Nice, thank you ❤

[@JulianKrause]

Any time!!

[@dennymovado2495]

U are hilarious and incredibly helpful

[@JTCPingas]

Always a joy to see Julian Krause review a new interface. It's rare to see a USB powered audio interface have low output impedance AND decent power from the headphone output aside from the Topping you reviewed a while ago.

[@iiizeroiii1636]

great review and great jargon and verbiage. very nice!

[@IamShopping]

Great review! Thank you. Also, it'd be really interesting to watch a review of Mackie DLZ Creator XS - both as a recorders and audio interface. Very interesting device.

[@byronabadia]

Good review! review of the Neve 88m?

[@alguitarchristie]

Thanks alot for your videos.I have watched a ton of them now, trying to choose my new interface for home. I finally went for the UA volt 276, because of the onboard compressor. Even if you can't change the settings, i think sometimes it's just easier to have presets and I can always decide to use them or not! I want to knock out some promo demos and want something easy to use with quick results and not too much post production. It's just acoustic guitar and voice, so I think this is more than adequate and I think the headphone outs will be good enough! Cheers

[@nightmisterio]

I have a UR22C(has DSP),( UPDATE YOUR INTERFACE, NEW SOFTWARE IS OUT) the real time monitor and control with the app on the computer of the EQ and Reverb makes it perfect for me, also with he function to record what is playing the computer and me is useful, the problem I have with it is the sound sometimes disconnects and I need to go to the back and switch between the power modes to start it again. I would want a interface like this that does not have this issue. I will see if the update prevents the off audio bug, will update soon this audio if it changed. Update: it's better but still still some cuts sometimes.

[@skeennah1927]

Julian will you review the new Motu 828 (2024)?

[@rjb7569]

I second that.

[@DanielTheia]

I definitely third that! I think this will be a super-interesting review

[@Onyxaxe]

Which interface would you recommend for people that prefer IEM's? Thank you for the review!

[@PaxdesignStudio]

Hi Julian, this is a great review as usual and it's the first I see about this interface. Did you spot which are the ICs used in the preamp path (I can't read above them from the pictures)? Thank you

[@obiraf]

As a owner of a UR22c from basically launch day to this day I can not see my self buying this. The missing midi connections and the DSP features and line in or DAW mixer knob are not something I'd trade for the improved preamps and headphones jack. The UR22c has had several software and firmware update and even the included plugins have been updated to vst3 standard. I'm happy to hang on to mine a little longer still. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3rXn2asiZh0gbcsi=Gfd2055-w2RKttJ- Compared to what the UR22c firmware v3 can now do this interface is missing many features due to the lack of the DSP and mixer software plust the increase in latency. It seams like more features were lost for a few improvements and the price does not reflect this IMO. Thank you for the work you do Julian. I bought the UR22c after your review 5 years ago. One thing I would love but it's probably not a realistic request is a re-review in a way. To see how these interfaces have aged over this 5 year period and what was improved with software updates over the years.

[@yo3429]

That's the point! The URC22 is much better than most people think, with condenser mics no probs at all. But when Yamaha / Steinberg doesn't implement DSP anymore in entry level, there's no reason to get one. The good thing is, other manufacturers start to do this and it will get better.

[@-adelalqatmeh3141]

Thanks for the great review...I wanted to ask you about Roland Rubix interface?... have you tried it before؟؟

[@helmanfrow]

When i watch your videos I tend to get hung up on EIN performance so today I checked the specs for about a dozen high-end, standalone mic preamps. Here are a few specs copied and pasted from various manufacturers: Pueblo JR2/2: -138dBv [Rs=0Ω, 20-22kHz, A-weighted], -131dBu [Rs=50Ω, 20-22kHz, unweighted] RND Shelford Channel: -121.37 dBu unweighted RND 5025 Dual Shelford: EIN (+66dB Gain): -133 dBu (150ohm) GML 8300: < -126.5 dBv with 150 ohm source / < -129.5 dBv with 0 ohm source John Hardy M-1: E.I.N., 20Hz - 20kHz Unweighted, 150 Ohm source, -129 dBu Grace 801: @60dB gain 150Ω source -127dB Great River NV series: EIN

[@ianlee6416]

Looks like yamaha finally got their mic amps to work well. In the pro audio scene, we have always said Yamaha's analog mixers were a joke because of the noisy amps compared to a similarly priced Soundcraft. But they are really reliable though. I've seen 10+ year old yamaha installs that are still working.

[@stevenleonmusic]

I got an IXO12 as a "travel" interface for my laptop so it's good to know it's based on something pretty good. But what am I going to upgrade my UR22 Mk ii to? The UR22C's headphone impedance and noise floor are very off-putting but the latency of the IXO22 is equally concerning...

[@Bendero]

thnks bro for review

[@agork]

It shall be interesting to see if they decide to make more high end interfaces like the AX4

[@predigr]

Superb analysis. What is your opinion on IK AXE I/O interface?

[@D.Technical.S]

Hi there Julian , great works on the reviews , been looking for my first soundcard for music production and you're reviews are a great source in my quest ... just curious if you are planning on a review of the RCF TRK PRO 2 and the FLUID AUDIO SRI-2 in the near future ? The tascam 4x4 , for what ive read about , should be a beter performer db output wise vs the 2x2 tascam ... Or did you reviewed them allready and did i missed it somehow ??? (i know you did the tascam 2x2 allready) Wondering how the m audio 192/6 would compare to the 192/4 ... 🤔 Since i'm a dj-producer of techno music , i'm not looking for inputs for recording so pre-amps is not my first concern , alltough you never know in the future ... What i'm looking for the best possible detailed audio quality , db output for headphones and db output for the main out to speakers . Also the control knobs on the top-side is a must for me ... That leaves me only a few options : SSL2+ (midi) m-audio 192/6(midi) ID4 ID14 (adat) Lewit connect 6 Fluid audio SRI-2 What bothers me , is that the best performing audio interfaces in the 150-300 euro/dollar is lacking midi ports ... except for the audient id14 & id22 (adat/spidf in /out) but against extra costs later on , and the SSL2+. The lewitt , m-audio and the fluid is lacking power output , +-102-107 DB so that's of the table . Leaves the audients and SSL+ (wich i don't like do to plastic build quality) Rests the audient devices which lacking midi ... So i'm stuck with the id14MK2 and will look for external pre-amps and midi ports in the future if needed For the front controlled devices , which all have midi ... tascam 2x2 tascam 4x4 motu M2 universal audio volt 1/2/276 arturia minifuse 2/4 focusrite scarlet 2i2 4th gen And that's about it ... So to roundup , the perfect budget interface just doesn't exist yet .... 🤭 The looks of the lewit , build quality of the m-audio would be nice , with the output quality of the audient devices , and midi in / out por favor !!!

[@GA-jn7oo]

Thank you Julian. Have you reviewed the Steinberg ur24c/44c? I've heard they have much better headphone input than 22c

[@realraven2000]

The software update to URC 44 was amazing. Wish there was an 824C, i love my 824, the best workhorse ever.

[@Galileocrafter]

Hi Julian, how are you actually measuring the power output of the headphone jacks? I would be interested in a video for every measurement and how you do it. I find this fascinating.

[@nekomancer350]

Did you ever get hold of an IXO12?

[@moguizpatton7582]

Hey Julian!...could you please make an analisis to the Neuman MT 48 US interface?, I guess this is expensive, but I really think on buy one!

[@michaeldavis9954]

Best reviews on the internet

[@asfodhell]

Hi ! Thanks a lot for all this hard work you do !! 😁👍 I'm torn between this interface and the Topping Pro E2x2 .... Thing is ; I use IEMs (Truthear HEXA), which are 20 ohms. Should I be concerned ? You mentioned noise being present with this IXO22's headphone output with sensitive IEM ? Currently on a Teyun Q-12, which was ultra cheap (below 20€), to replace my old and noisy Behringer X1204 USB (Xenyx preamps ... ultra noisy headphone Out too). It does the job rather well, but I'm very clearly not getting a proper headphone signal out of it ; everything sounds much better on my cheap Realme8 phone 😅 and I have to use EqualizerAPO on the PC. Its preamp is also not the best for my Behringer xm8500 dynamic mic, a bit noisy. (nothing a very small amount of noise suppression in OBS can't easily fix) I could go for the Topping and its 60€ higher price, but I'm a bit concerned with its quality control and lifespan .... The headphone Out -123 / -114 db noise floor would be a big difference compared to -101 db on the Steinberg ?? The Topping seems to do better on the mic preamp side of things too. As a bonus, the Steinberg would come with a "Native Instruments Komplete 15 Select" bundle, which is a nice addition for my use (mostly Bass covers on youtube ... and some gaming streaming, sometimes) Long wall of text, sorry !

[@asfodhell]

Nevermind, I bought the Topping E2x2 😄

[@sausageskin]

Julian, you are one of few youtubers in music production scene who does not wear a beanie!

[@santiagomeza6511]

Hi, it´d be awesome if you made a review of the tascam 208i interface... i have a US model and I'm considering upgrading... BTW your videos are great, love the reviews 🙌

[@teddym2808]

Julian, since you are already doing the most incredible reviews and already measuring latency.. I was wondering if you would consider showing us the in and output latency of an interface in addition to the total RTL, so my idea is it could be added to the graph as another column. For example, some interfaces like the MOTU have very high double output buffers on PC, which can be a problem for those of us who like the best latency to play our vst instruments live - as the output latency is the only one that matters in such a scenario, and so on. I have been searching for an interface with the lowest output latency, I don't care about the input, as I am making a little PC hardware synth box to use with my Mac and the output latency is all that matters in that case. Another example. It's so heard to find all these figures, believe me, but since you are already testing....... the utility does show already for you both input and output so perhaps you could just include it. A suggestion in any case :)

[@tkgg]

Is this incompatible with the dspMixFX software that was available with the UR22C? I'm still using the UR22C and being able to get some virtual guitar preamps for just practising guitar and then being able to get some compression for voice chat applications is really nice imo.

[@aeonlancer]

Haven't you already reviewed any from the UR-RT series?

[@followyourpassion8378]

How ist the RTL on iOS? That would be interesting in all your reviews.

[@lukaloridon3032]

I was looking into getting the IXO12, would it be fair to assume the HP out impedance is the same as this is a deal breaker for me because i use 32/45 ohm phones? Thanks in advance, great video as always!

[@yo3429]

IMHO, every headphone needs some EQing, as long as the power is sufficient and you can EQ, there's no real problem.

[@wojciechnowinski8775]

Hi Julian. As always honest and detailed review. I’m looking for affordable but good quality audio interface. I’m not streamer nor KZbinr nor songwriter I’d like to just have the possibility to record my acoustic guitar with a pickup system built in and maybe later in stereo with microphone but just for amateur purposes. Thanks for your advice.

[@airmantharp]

Good morning Julian (from NA), would you mind testing with Linux? For an interface that 'just works', it'd be nice to see if it is class-compliant and all inputs / outputs are available to the OS and say Reaper. Thanks!

[@artem.boldariev]

I would like to know this too.

[@carpediemearth]

Thanks. Please review the IXO21 and how it compares with the IXO12, especially as it's $50 cheaper

[@ErebosGR]

Any chance you'll review the Swissonic Audio 1, from Thomann's in-house brand?

[@AGVersace100]

Do you have a websote where we can check those spreadsheets?

[@kromal92]

Please, test new Motu 828! It's very interesting how it compares to Arturia AudioFuse 16Rig.

[@Kimodokun]

to comment on the headphone output chart - Are there any separate buffers/headphone amps you'd recommend to improve quality

[@randomnaamofzo1246]

You should really mention the volume control type as mentioned by White Sea Studio. The cheap potmeters cause panning/balance issues on the output down the line if using it.

[@aseomg]

Creative Live! Audio A3, is another interface to add to your review list.

[@mrshyst]

That running into ya room screaming ya ss# is bananas and oddly specific 😂.. Great video as always though!

[@porfiriolocascio4672]

Please review the Icon Pro Dyna Duo 44🙏

[@MS_Guitar44]

Hi Julian, Could you please explain the correct use of AIF in guitar recording? I have already established my own method. However, I have no way of knowing if it is correct or not. Many of the tuts are universal, which is useful for beginners, but only common sense for researchers. I would like to hear your opinion.

[@dylanjastle]

What settings does that monitor button change on the front? If it’s a mono switch for the monitors that would be nice

[@stoatystoat174]

Hello. Thanks for your helpful channel. I bought the MOTU M4 (which i am delighted with) and I am wandering if I could use it as a mic preamp powered from a USB power supply (phone charger) . This would be helpful to use my studio monitor speakers for my synth without having to plug my laptop into the studio (its nice to get away from computers sometimes) . I found I can do this with my old Behringer UMC204 which had no drivers to make it work with laptop so was expendable but i'm being a bit more careful with the M4 so looking for advice. Any advice much appreciated, hopefuly it would be a useful thing for your channel because lots of small audio interfaces could be handy preamps people already own (for synth to speakers, bass guitar to headphones without moving bass amp etc) No worries if this is of no interest to you, thanks for the advice which helped me chose the MOTU 👍

[@meistudiony]

Curious as to what software you use to do your measurements?

[@JulianKrause]

Hey the electronic measurements are done with a Spectral Audio M1 and its corresponding software. The acoustic measurements are done with the free software REW.

[@meistudiony]

@@JulianKrause thanks! Ive been trying to find something to do harmonic analysis

[@JulianKrause]

@@meistudiony You can totally use an audio interface and REWs FFT for that. Works quite well 😃

[@meistudiony]

@@JulianKrause thanks so much for the response. Was looking at REW and voxengos analyzer. Appreciate it!

[@oscillatorstorm]

After watching many videos, I'm still kind of confused. Which audio interfaces would you recommend?

[@souradeepde8215]

are the gain knobs non-linear?

[@MrSolcys]

Hey Julian, can you review SSL 12 audio interface from Solid State Logic?

[@smithsakulkaew]

Do the new Motu 828 pretty please.

[@karllagerfeld6823]

Hey Julian, I'm looking for an Audio Interface and i stumbled across the Komplete Audio 6. How is this compared to for example the Focusrite 4i4 4th Gen since its much cheaper?

[@BowToRock]

I would like to use a Hi-Fi audio set for recording music from vinyls to a digital track into the computer. My idea is to transfer the track from the turntable to a phono preamplifier via RCA, then to the audio interface through an RCA to TRS cable, then record this track at the computer. I am trying to find out what would be the best audio interface option for this and found that both STEINBERG IXO22 and ARTURIA MINIFUSE 2 could both fit the job (and my pocket). Do you think they are good options? Should I consider better interfaces for the task or with lesser hardware would be also okay? Which of these two is better in terms of audio quality for this purpose?

[@elmargapp7768]

Thank you Julian, great video as always. It's true, apart from a few new color variants, the hardware of the UR22C is from 2019. I'm curious to see whether Steinberg will soon bring a successor to the market. At the moment the XIO 22 is more expensive, even though it is actually just an entry-level model with basic functions. 🤔

[@EdoDijkgraaf]

Strange enough I am happy for Steinberg. (Although I will miss the UR22C noise.)

[@DragonboltBlastter]

Bro, when Steinberg AXR4, Avid Carbon, UAD Apollo review?

[@fcwy1]

Please do the Tascam dyna 8p next!

[@fenorify]

Hello, I love you independant testing, however it is missing some references which are in the same pricerange as some tested like the Presonus 1824c. It should be close to the Presonus 24c, but it is really the case as the price differ? Thanks

[@XxGLOWphoenix]

While i cant speak on test numbers etc, i can tell u not to buy the presonus 1810c. I have one and they are built so poorly, it died after 3 years. Im yet to open it up but i suspect most of the capacitors have domed or exploded. Terrible quality

[@BotraxDiaz]

Where van we sée those charts online?

[@-gassswsignal1447]

+1 Danke! Was sagen Sie über ESI Amber i1?

[@liternyj]

+1 Interesting! But I also found an inexpensive audio interface - an increasingly popular new product from the German ESI manufacturer - Amber i1. It replaces the ESI U22 XT, but in addition to a different appearance, it also has improved characteristics and amazing routing. Could you compare it with other audio interfaces? After all, you have a lot of experience and opportunities. I think that many people with a small budget will be interested! Thank you in advance and wish you all the best!

[@AcousticBoris]

Why do so many interfaces have that gain jump in the last 5-10% of the knob turn? It seems like every interface I’ve ever used has that issue.

[@cowboytonydee]

That usually happens when the pot resistance is too high, but I'd be curious to know why they do that

[@LondonSteveLee]

Cheap linear pots. Logarithmic taper types will reduce the cramping.

[@PileOfEmptyTapes]

These pots need to have a really funky taper (I think it's an antilog) which is not commonly stocked. Makers of audio interfaces on the less expensive side are likely to prefer parts that are widely available and cheap. Once you get into the realm of digitally controlled preamp gain, this issue should go away... so something like a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 4th gen or MOTU M2 and up. They have pots but their rotation is merely translated into a voltage and digitized, so any old linear pot is fine. On the downside those tend to have a hair more input noise than a traditional all-analog circuit.

[@furiobisotti8150]

I am not surprised to see that suppliers of audio boards design better devices after Julian's tests. Julian is becoming a world reference. Let's see if Steinberg Yamaha will improve latency with a new software driver...

[@jonaslingren]

I just bought this, do you have any idea on how to turn it off? Do you need to unplug the usb-c all the time? thats annoying.

[@JochenReulbach]

good enough seems to be the new great? ;-)

[@GavinAtkin]

Does it suffer from the same complicated licensing arrangements? It's so complicated and I don't know any other company that does it that way, so I wonder how many people just give up trying!

[@ZERZIA]

Thanks for review, but I guess I'll stick with my old tried-and-true audio interface Steinberg UR22mkII. :)

[@BukanIbuMu]

Noise lol

[@artysanmobile]

When will they ever learn?

[@joss6218]

Currently I'm so confused and mixed up on getting a simple interface 😅... Using Ipad pro currently but I soon would use a laptop HP, future maybe MacBook. Budget $300 looking for USB, low latency, I play panio/keyboard not professionally but I have multiple tracks on like strings, panio, few others.

[@GEMACOUSTICS]

I really like the freqency curves tho

[@dannymolns3573]

Julian! I'm quite suprised that you have never reviewed any UA Apollo interfaces. Any plans for something from UA in the future? Twin would be preferred, but either Twin or Solo would be awesome. Been very curious to see if their price tags are worth it for UA! Thanks a lot Julian.

[@-gassswsignal1447]

Was sagen Sie über PreSonus Quantum ES2? Danke!

[@nyllie6239]

Hello, would you consider taking a look at the uv1 from behringer? Maybe not huge for windows / mac users who can just use software but for people who don't want to rely on software for their signal processing / noise gate might be a option. maybe you already did and I missed the video but I cant find any

[@myyt4382]

Julian is that cool edit? 😊

[@kittycloudz813]

Why the high latency in 2024.. strange, I was so close to getting one, very portable with two input’s

[@dataskin]

Any chance to review Presonus io24 ?

[@wordswithatwist]

I use the Scarlett 3rd gen with the Shure mic in video and the preamp noise is bad. According to this review, this preamp should get rid of that noise, correct?

[@JulianKrause]

Hey, the IXO22 is a bit better than the 3rd Gen Scarlett. But it’s not a night and day difference. If you have severe noise issues, there might be other things at play. Especially with dynamic mics it is important to have the mic close to the sound source. Otherwise you will get noise with any interference.

[@wordswithatwist]

@@JulianKrause Thank you. It sounds like what you show with the Focusrite. I use it for podcasts/videos. All audio recording. I am about 4-6 inches away and I have tried everything. I am considering dumping the mic and going back to my SM57. Thank you for your amazing channel. I am learning a ton!

[@JTCPingas]

@@wordswithatwist Keep in mind also the diaphragm of the SM7B is quite a bit lower inside the mic housing. You have to almost eat it to get a good signal to noise ratio out of the SM7B.

[@wordswithatwist]

@@JTCPingas@JTCPingas thank you for the tip. ill have to try that.

[@davidanderton2437]

Pretty great, just very disappointing there is no ability to adjust the direct mix

[@taylorsharp5928]

Funny that Steinberg is the creator of ASIO, the purpose being low latency audio streams, but they can't manage decent latency in their own device.

[@Guitar_Builder]

My friend needs a cheap interface. RTL is the highest concern I don't know what the best one is that is still inexpensive. Can anyone tell me?

[@Cynical_Finch]

Those latency times are kind of a deal breaker for tracking guitar. My Samson G-Track Pro microphone with it's instrument line jack has 3 times better latency, and it has to use ASIO4ALL drivers.

[@bassyey]

Steinbergs suck lol

[@picksalot1]

For me, 5ms is noticeable in a bad way.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

Btw higher sampling rate = higher audio quality but also introduces more latency 😊

[@johngriffin5142]

@@wolfgangdevries127 That's actually not true. The higher the sample rate, the lower the latency. Observe chart at 11:45 48khz vs next chart at 192khz.

[@wolfgangdevries127]

@@johngriffin5142 true, but the audio file itself will at least need double CPU load. Which could introduce more latency afaik (I'm a technical noob, though).

[@LondonSteveLee]

Looking at this it appears that Steinberg have dropped the old faithful Yamaha D-Pres, yes these are noisy but they do have character. It's a shame you didn't point out which OpAmps Yamaha employ for the MicPre's while you had the lid off.

[@Bob.martens]

I used to have an older Steinberg interface for a while. The SNR of the DAC was horrible.

[@Purrrelll]

German Humour.... Bazinga.

[@FA-bj4yb]

PLS FOR PRESONUS 68C

[@waedi73]

great show ! On newer iPhones the camera adapter is obsolet afaik.