Behringer UCA202 USB Device – A Short Review

So I’ve been looking into DAW audio input devices. In my research I’ve explored the “real thing” (ProTools) and a number of lesser tools by Lexicon, EMU/Creative-labs and M-Audio. In doing so I found a device that apparently is the cheapest of the cheap. The Behringer UCA202. For $30 from Musicians Friend or American Music Supply (+ shipping) you can have this little thing delivered to your door.

This little thing has a optical data output, headphone output (1/8th inch connector), volume control, stereo rca outs, switch for selecting the headphone out vs. the rca outs, and stereo rca inputs. Of course it has a USB connector to connect to the computer too. Of the several small pieces of documentation only a couple are in english and there was no software included with it. There is a respository of drivers and software on the Behringer website though. Several of the reviews that I’ve read on the device were negative about the experience of installing drivers under XP and Vista. I connected mine to the computer (using XP) and it installed with NO, repeat, NO problems at all. It came up working without error or difficulty (or any interaction at all for that matter).

I own three other Behringer devices (which I will review later) and have never had a problem with them. It should be noted that I keep them at home in my recording setup and do not take them on stage anywhere. I only use Audacity right now but will be checking the UCA202 with other software later. I will post again about the UCA202 after I have some time to do a little bit of recording work and can compare it against a better device.

Update: 8-08

I have not used this in 8 months now as too many other things have been on my plate.  My initial review stands until I get a chance to look at it again, hopefully in the next month.  I should note that it installed on my Ubuntu-Linux box without any interaction, just had to set the input/output in the mixer.  Very nice!