Reddit reviews Steinberg UR12 USB Audio Interface

What they are using is an interface, a DAW and possibly an amp simulator on their computer.Basically an interface is a box that you plug your instrument or mic into that goes into your computer. It turns the analog signal of the instrument or mic into digital information that the computer can read. These can be worth a hundred dollars to thousands of dollars depending on your needs.

The bass signal would then have to go into an amp simulator for the direct input signal to be heard like it's played through an amp. These amplify and change your signal just like an amp would do, providing a full sound for your guitar/bass. These are can be worth anything from 0 dollars to a couple hundred and each has its own sound and quality.

DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation and allows your instrument or mic to be recorded along with other tracks and instruments. These allow you to record songs and covers but also allow you to use tons of effects including compressors and eqs, amp sims and midi instruments.If you simply want to play and/or record your bass through your computer I'd recommend getting a simple 1 input interface like a Steinberg UR12 or a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. The Focusrite would have a higher quality build and sound, but the Steinburg will still get the job done. A great DAW would be REAPER, as it is completely free to use but will request a licensing of $60 that you do not have to pay. And there are tons of great free amp simulators online, but there are some really nice amp sims for a bit of money. I'd suggest checking out This list of free sims and checking out the other paid amp sims including Bias Fx and Amplitube.

Good Luck!

It's your audio interface, or rather, your lack of an audio interface. Crackling in audio like you're experiencing is due to the ASIO drivers and your soundcard not being able to keep up with the bitrate to play back your audio without dropping data packets.

Audio interfaces that will fix your problem and let you play at much lower latency aren't expensive.

If you really want to spend as little as possible then you can get this Berhinger interface at just over $50, but I recommend spending the extra $20 or so and getting this Steingerb UR12. I use the 2-input version (UR22) and it's been great.

If you can find a used Steinberg UR12, I would recommend that.
I use one myself for one of my laptops, when I'm not in the studio.

It comes with Phantom power, XLR, monitoring, 192khz, 24 bit and even some direct monitoring. A new one would cost €99. So you might find a second hand one for something around 40-70 €/$.

https://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR12-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B00QY4RLRQ

In regards to lightening the CPU load, this is not the case.

You can shift most of the workload to a sound card or an interface and gain a ton of slack for your CPU. You can make this upgrade *relatively* inexpensive, but you can easily get into more bells and whistles with external interfaces.

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Here's a few links for some examples:

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Audigy-Performance-Headphone/dp/B00EO6X4XG/

https://www.amazon.com/Focusrite-2i2-GENERATION-USB-Recording/dp/B005OZE9SA/

https://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR12-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B00QY4RLRQ/

https://www.amazon.com/PreSonus-AudioBox-USB-96-Interface/dp/B06ZZCR6P4/

Check out this page to get a little more info on how to reduce latency issues while using Ableton for a little more help: https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/209072289-How-to-reduce-latency

The sound quality of a separate audio interface is better than one of the USB mics. USB mics essentially cram a small audio interface into the mic itself. Since there is less room in there it often sacrifices some quality.

The bigger problem with most USB mics is that they don't have zero latency monitoring (a few models do have this, you'll know it does if you have to plug headphones into the microphone to monitor your recording, example this model: https://smile.amazon.com/Rode-NT-USB-USB-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00KQPGRRE/)

It's a lot easier to get your volume levels correct if you have headphones on that you can hear yourself with no latency. You can listen to the computer output but there will be a slight latency which can be very annoying.

If you want to do a basic good quality setup here is what you need and some basic but good bang for the buck quality gear:

• Audio Interface with XLR input, phantom power, and zero latency monitoring
  
• A large diaphragm condenser mic
  
• A pop shield
  
• A microphone shield
  
• A Vocal plugin (VST) *Note: This often goes on sale for $30, keep an eye out for sales.
  
  Otherwise I'd go for that Rode NT-USB. It has the zero latency monitoring. You'll notice though that you aren't really saving much money, that mic is $170 and takes the place of the audio interface, mic. and pop filter I linked above. The cost of the audio interface is $75 + mic $99 + pop filter $9 = $183. So it's only $13 more vs a good USB mic. It all comes down to do you want to be more flexible in the future with options (better for future upgrades)? Or do you want a more compact all in one setup (better for travel or small desk space)?

Hello!
I am thinking of buying Steinberg UR12 Audio Interface and I have 2 questions. Any better alternatives at around the same price? I am aware of the focusrite but I've seen people complain they have problems on windows so maybe would be a bad choice for me (I use windows 10 64bit)?

And now for the stupid question...is it fine for an audio interface to be pluged in-out a lot of times? In the morning I will have to plug it in to my laptop and at night take it out. Will there be any problems with this? I guess not but doesn't hurt to ask!

If your budget is a little flexible, my recommendation is to grab an MXL 770 and a [Steinberg Ur12](https://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR12-USB-Audio-Interface/dp/B00QY4RLRQ/] or Mackie Onyx Blackjack. They are very similar, but if you think you'll also do audio editing at any point, the UR12 offers higher sampling rates, which means you can edit at higher quality; otherwise, the Mackie may be the better option just because it lets you control monitoring from your voice with with a knob on the interface. If you need a mic stand and XLR cable, check out this ebay listing for the MXL 770. These sub-$200 combos would last you a long time, and sub-$200 is very cheap for a complete new audio setup.

If you can't/won't pay that, you can keep the great mic and go for a cheaper interface; the Behringer U-Phoria is $30.00 on B&H (see the link). It's out of stock right now, but it should be back by the end of the month. It's also $50 on Musician's Friend. It's not as good as the Steinberg, but it gets the job done for audio at a very low price. So that's $130-150 for solid entry-level audio recording. If you got this setup and wanted to upgrade in the future, I would replace the interface first, probably to a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

If your budget is really flexible, I would spring for the 2i2 from the outset, personally. You could also invest in a better mic stand or mic cable, but any of these builds will get you started at a good price.

Of course, getting any of these used would result in better deals. If you're looking used, you should also look for the Focusrite Scarlett Solo on eBay; it has a pretty good resale market, so you may be able to find a deal. The Scarlett is comparable in quality to the Steinberg UR12.

I don't think I will be adding a real cab, as the apartments etc are not really supporting loud noises.. and if so, I first need a real cab.

So something for 100 bucks like this with hi-z input would do?

https://www.amazon.com/Steinberg-UR22MKII-2-Channel-USB-Interface/dp/B00QY4RLRQ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Steinberg%2BUR22&qid=1555155819&s=gateway&sr=8-1&th=1


Bias looks nice, but also like couple of hundred dollars. TH3 metal is only 90, so i might give that a try.


A DAW controller is just a midi mixer kind of thing to control setting in the software, just as the physical mixers?

Dude - you already have a mac. Garageband is like $5.00.

Get it and an audio interface ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QY4RLRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_WtwnybZ6Y0HCB)

A mic (Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006H92QK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_3uwnyb81ZSKAZ)

-nd a cheapo controller (Novation Launchkey 25, 25-key USB/iOS MIDI Keyboard Controller with Synth-weighted Keys https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B9QOMCG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_5vwnybW8TMXD0)

With this setup you can really get started right.

I have the Steinberg UR12. I don't know much about audio, so most of what you said went right over my head lol

You can pick up a Steinberg UR12 on amazon for $100 right now. It'll do everything OP needs. Obviously not pro gear, but for the sake of recording a podcast or voiceover for live streaming that's what it was designed for with the loopback functionality built in. The preamp will make your recording quality MUCH better with less line noise and artifacting that comes with just using a generic soundcard to record and give you the option of increasing or decreasing the gain if you need more or less volume.

I'll always recommend a dynamic microphone, and not a condenser (like the Blue Snowball, Yeti, Samson CO1U, AT2020, etc.). If you're in America, the ATR2100 is an excellently cheap choice, especially for the quality of it. I've got more recommendations for different price ranges here, though.

For about $118, you could get the Shure PG48 and Steinberg UR12, though. I would recommend that combination over the ATR2100 for sure.

I didn't really read much about the USB interface I linked, not sure if it does what mine does. The specific one I have is a Steinberg UR12 USB Audio Interface . What I do is take the 1/4" headphone out port and plug it in to the 1/4" input on the front. Then I plug the interface in to my laptop and connect it to a recording application. I use CuBase mostly but have also used it with Audacity for my wife to record vocals. That way you're recording the direct audio output that you hear when you're playing and not the MIDI.

I don't know if your USB audio interface can do this. It looks like it has some kind of combo inputs that allows both 1/4" and what ever those microphone inputs (XLR?) are called. You should be able to either get a 1/4" cable (like a guitar to amp cable) or the microphone connection to 1/4" cable. That should likely work. Though again I'm not 100% sure how you're interface works.

ah another prospective musician falls prey to the siren call of the loudest voices :(

if it's not too late, I strongly suggest getting an audio interface rather than a mixer. For slightly more, this will get you a much much much better sound.

Mixers are intended for live music applications in a bar where and interfaces are used for home applications. The preamps in an interface are much much higher quality than live mixer preamps (especially the ones in Behinger products).

mixers are okay for capturing voice for streamers playing videogames, but not good for us music streamers.

If you're interested in music and audio like I think you are, a hardware solution will also allow you to do some cool stuff, like hook up a turntable and get good recording quality to play old LPs and digitize them.

Looking at some of the audio interfaces (not amps, those are different. Audio interfaces hook up to your pc via usb and control audio there) it looks like you'll be hard pressed to find decent ones under the $100-150 range.

behringer, $50, mixer

I have the big brother for this one so it shouldn't be too noisy. If you're recording try to use a denoiser afterwards, but I don't notice too much of a difference (could just be my room creating the noise)

Focusrite, $150, audio interface

I keep hearing about the scarlet from other producers. I don't know why, maybe it's pretty good. Also look at the itrack solo for $80

Steinberg, $100, audio interface

Look at the 2 in, 2 out version as well, it's more in line with the focusrite

Mackie, $99, audio interface

presonus, $79 (ione), $150 (itwo), audion interface.

Check amazon for "itwo presonus" and you'll find a couple of bundles that may pique your interest.

My mixer, behringer, $150, mixer

I like this thing alot, it's got plenty of inputs, and while it is a tad noisy it's not enough to notice. Could just be my ambient room/computer noise that I don't hear. Anyway, with some cables and advanced routing it's turned out pretty damn good for streaming and chatting at the same time, you just have to use multiple inputs to your pc to have separate audio outputs it only took me a week of poking around (no manual) to learn and figure out everything. The compression and eq settings are also a bit nice to have.

BTW if you're getting xlr mics, some of the best ones are sm57's/sm58's by Shure. Usually $100 and they're solid enough to last you a while. I have a sm58 and it's ballin'.

Hope I was of help!

You need to leave the "adapter cable" ideology behind. You want a proper interface like this. There are plenty like it around the $60-100 USD price range. Integrated phantom power so you don't need a separate phantom power supply. Those "adapter cables" try to cram some cheap analog-to-digital USB hardware into a very small space, and the result is a shitty overall product.

Also, the above poster is ribbing you for saying 48 watts instead of 48 volts in terms of phantom power.

I have an AT2020USB sitting on the floor (next to a Rode Podcaster). Good mic. Sounds good. Still a condenser and still sensitive. Still better choices to be found that'll work for most and sound better.

I generally avoid everything Alesis and Behringer because they're cheap. Not just in price, but in components, quality, reliability, and sound... generally speaking. That said, I have no experience with that particular audio interface. The Focusrite Scarlett Solo comes well reviewed at around the same price (I think?). Steinberg also has an interface around the same price. If you're looking more for a mixer (that's what the Alesis is), then I'd suggest looking at a Mackie or Yamaha mixer. Chances are, you're going to be looking a lot more money than the Alesis, but you're getting superior preamps and overall better hardware and reliability. Just be careful to get one that's USB unless you want to go analog everything (if you're not an audio engineer with a high end sound card, don't).

Whether you need a mixer or an audio interface comes down to what you're going to be doing. The mixer can be helpful for effects, additional EQ, monitoring, multiple inputs, etc., but it's not necessary in most instances. For most, an audio interface with one or two inputs is sufficient--you can always upgrade later and sell the interface on Ebay (or some such) because they're always in demand.

Regarding stands, I use a Rode PSA1 and have no qualms recommending it, but it's somewhat pricey. If you need cheaper, the Neewer arm has good reviews, but I have no feedback regarding it. Pretty sure several people here use and like the Neewer arm.

For a pop filter, anything, really, is fine. Don't worry about metal ones or filters made of exotic materials--any cheap nylon screen works as well as anything else. You likely won't need a windsock, but you can find plenty of those on the cheap as well. (I suppose you could go with just windsock or just filter, but either should be fine--I just prefer a pop filter to a sock.) For the XLR cable, meh... not Monster? I use these--they're nothing special, just cables. Work/sound fine.

It's easy to spend a lot of money on this stuff, but if you have patience and time, you can save a lot by buying used. Most of my mics are used and they work perfectly well--generally speaking, people take care of those (and it's obvious when they don't).

Would you recommend that over this?

Steinberg UR12 USB Audio Interface https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QY4RLRQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ZpkxCbW9EW620

Hi everyone. I want to start collaborating with my brother in law who just moved across the country. We plan to record stuff (he is an EDM guy, I'm a rock guy) on GarageBand or the like and send it back and forth to modify, add to, etc.

TLDR: What gear should I get to start recording music onto my computer??

I want to record my acoustic-electric and electric guitar. What is my best option? I have an ok USB mic, but I'm sure it would sound much better with a direct clean input. I am debating between these two devices, but don't really understand the difference:

• Steinberg UR12 USB Audio Interface
  
  
• Apogee JAM Guitar Interface Input or the higher end version
  
  
  Any advice or other gear suggestions would be really helpful! For example, I have a Fender Mustang II modeling amp... is there a way to use that to record into a computer? Or just better off using build in tones from whatever software I use? THANKS!