Steinberg UR824 Audio Interface

Steinberg has outdone itself in producing this amazing interface and I'll try to explain why I think so. The ordering of the below points was arbitrarily chosen without sequencing by importance.Pros:1. Build quality: Right away you see the quality of the device, as the device comes in a rugged full metal body which looks like it can stand the test of time. The Neutrik combo jacks are an industry standard. The knobs and buttons feel very very solid. The smooth finish and grey/black color combinations are a touch indeed. It is however more heavy than it would seem, which gives me confidence in quality anyway. Simply a 10/10 for build.2. Mic Pres: One of the most important qualities of an interface. and in this regard the UR44 shines again. The pres are very quiet both at low and high gain settings. I can compare with the Presonus 44VSL which had pres which were far more noisy.3. Good I/O options: 4 mic, 2 line input and Midi I/O. Plenty for my needs. 2 headphone outputs with 2 mixes is again a killer feature. Invaluable while recording music with other people.4 . DSP features: DSP is fast becoming a standard feature in interfaces even at this price range. UR44 kicks the butt of most interfaces in this regard. This interface works in conjunction with the dspMixFX software interface. It offers EQ, compression, high pass filter, phase and guitar amp both while monitoring and recording (You can use these effects as an insert). This software control is even better integrated into Cubase. Reverb you can use only for monitoring, or for recording using the loopback feature.5. Standalone use: This is what simply takes the cake imo. Artists can use the interface standalone on stage. All the levels, effects, compression and other settings can be stored onto the device. So you can even hear reverb without computer processing. To change settings or recall profiles however, you will need to control the dspMixFX software using a computer or iPad. I always add some reverb to my vocal or instrument mic while performing live. Yamaha's reverb FX is surprisingly good.6. Performance: It is simply rock solid while in use. The drivers are well written leading to very low latency performance. The software control never failed on me. The AD/DA conversion is top notch. I use it with the Studio One DAW, and it hasn't caused me problems one single time. Forums are in high praise of this kind of stability.Cons:1. The biggest con is that the pres seem a little under powered. It hasn't been an issue with the mics that I own, but with some mics that require lot off gain, you have to crank it all the way up. With some dynamics or tube mics, I could even see it not being sufficient. Again, it depends on the requirements of your mics. So do some research first. But gain is very clean overall.2. I/O options are plenty enough. But I like RCA line inputs usually. Of course, that problem is easily solved using cables. But I would have still preferred RCA to connect line level devices like mp3 players, etc.3. Headphone outputs are not the loudest: My older interfaces, be it the Presonus 22VSL or the Yamaha Audiogram 3, gave me a louder headphone output. So again look into the specs for your requirements.4. Reverb: I wish reverb could have been recorded as well on each individual channel. It sounds so good. But I am asking for too much at this point. :)Overall, have no doubt about buying this interface. It is a steal at this price!

This interface has everything you need for tracking a lot of mics especially drums. Its so versatile with all the inputs having XLR/TRS combo connectors and phantom power selection in pairs of inputs on the front panel with big buttons that illuminate in red when engaged. So many of the lower priced interfaces are +48v On/Off for all inputs or none. This interface makes it possible to use ribbon mics and condensers with a direct guitar input and direct bass input right on the front all at the same time. The preamps, Yamaha D-PREs are warm and full right out of the gate without a lot of work dialing it in. I use Midas Pro Preamps and A/D converters for digital I/O expansion box and these sound pretty close. The avid pres are so transparent that I find it takes more work to get to where I start on this rig. I use both ADAT optical audio 8 in and 8 out always and it doesn’t slow it down or complicate things at all. The 8 A/D converters are crisp and deliver outstanding quality even at lower sample rates. The 8 onboard outputs are TRS rather than XLR like my other units but this stands up to any other unit out there at half the price. I needed 24 inputs for tracking and often I am mixing through a desk (outside the box) and with 24 outputs for direct monitoring in ears, headphones or wedges there is never any apparent latency to throw my rhythm section off, even recording 24 tracks with Windows 10 64-Bit at 96kHz/24 Bit and using multiple plugins for live independent mixes going to each musician. This is the best in it’s class and the price is amazing. Unless you want to spend $3000+ you won’t find a better option. Solid chassis built tough. I use it on the road as well as in the studio and not a single button or knob has even warn at all. Illuminating phantom push buttons, pads and gain pots on the front are built to last with a precision feel on all the pots and knobs with a solid feel that don’t fall off. All inputs have individual controls of phantom power and the 2 with Hi-Z inputs on the front panel give me a DI for an acoustic/electric guitar and bass when changing things up on the fly . Plus having XLR/TRS combos on all 8 inputs eliminates the need for external mic pres, mixers or DIs. Go for it, you won’t regret it. I have been using mine for 4 years now and I do not have a single complaint. I use it every day and believe me I have run it through the gauntlet.

Muy buen producto. Alta calidad y fidelidad del sonido en la transmisión digital. Esta interfase junto con una buena computadora es una combinación muy poderosa. Transmite prácticamente en tiempo real. Tengo un teclado y un micrófono conectados, he hecho grabaciones y transmitido en vivo sin problemas. Recomendable. De precio bien.

I upgraded from the UR 22mkll. I looked at lots of interfaces and found this one had the most features for the money. A great feature is the ability to split the phantom power between the mic lines. In other words, you can have phantom power on the mic but not the guitar. cc mode for an ipad is also nice. Software includes FX Suite plug ins to model the sound.

Recently I have purchased the Steinberg UR242 from Amazon and it is astonishingly far excellent than I had expected. Its built up of full metallic body makes it look so good and pro. I have got an inclination on editing Videos and Audios and for quite some time I was planning to set up a Home recording studio of my own. I was very much confused on which sound card to purchase and sought advice from a colleague who owns a professional recording studio. He advised me to for Tuscam Sound card. I was much confused in between Tuscam and Steinberg UR242 and took risk on Steinberg UR242. To my utter surprise the UR242 is far excellent and reliable and sounds so good in DAW such as FL studio, Adobe Audition, Cubase etc. Thanks to marketing team of Steinberg product as well as to the Steinberg Company. I therefore recommend the products to the customers who are planning to purchase a pro sound card at affordable range to go for UR242.

It's great!. I personally liked it... Pretty stable and sturdy ... Full metal body and D pre preamp work quite well.. and fully compactible with Cubase as I work on Cubase it's performance is just flawless ... Real time monitoring no latency found.. no clipping no hissing and audio is superb... I'll recommend it all home studios and semi large music production studio..

Great sound amazing quality one of the best wish it came with cubase pro