Yamaha Steinberg UR22MKII 2-Channel USB Interface

After spending hours researching what audio interfaces were best for under ~$200, I finally decided to pull the trigger on this Steinberg UR22. I have only had the product for about 2 weeks now, but it has been working with no problems and was a breeze to set up. It also feels very solid, as the casing is completely metal. The input ports don't wobble or move. The knobs are nice and don't have any play in them. All of the functions I have used so far work without any problems. I am using an old laptop running Windows 8, and I primarily use it to record synthesizers, drum machines, and piano into my computer (Ableton). All of the reviews on cheap audio interfaces are generally not very good, and usually detail how hard it is to set up. This was the complete opposite for me. I literally took this thing out of the box, downloaded the driver onto my computer, plugged it in, and started recording. Couldn't have taken more than 10 minutes to get going. While this interface might not have all the inputs and features some people want, it is great for my needs and is an excellent value for the price. So far, I am happy with the product and would recommend it to anyone that is looking for a cheaper, beginner, audio interface. I will update this review at a later date.

Really happy that I did purchase this interface.Previously I had an old mixer, which was also used as interface for my guitar, and overall was working ok, but with this one, I get better sound quality; control over the amplification on 2 different Input; and the combo plug allow me to use both a regular jack and the mic plug interchangeably.Controls are easy to handle, overall the case is metal and very sturdy; no humming even if the box is close to other electrical items. Works like a champ with Cubase (a LE version is included, but now you can get that for free also from the Steinberg website).I can use both the guitar, using Guitar Rig 5, and my keyboard; and this is really nice, since I have one interface for every single need and fits on the desk perfectly

I own this and a scarlet 2i2. I prefer this one. I think the sound is very similar, but I've never gotten the drivers to work right on the scarlet. I always have to unplug it, and replug it in, multiple times per day or everytime computer sleeps, or sound freezes, Ive tried everything.Cons: headphone jack needs a pre amp, volume is low output.The knobs are small, the scarlet has a big volume knob.In this price range, either this or the scarlet will do the job. Maybe the scarlet doesnt work right on Windows 8.1, not sure. Besides that, nothing bad to say about either. I generally use a mic pre on this unit for vocals, that may not be necessary depending on your mic. I'm sure if you use a mic like the SM7b, you'll need a pre amp regardless of your interface.

I bought this for my learning disabled son, hoping it would give him great beautiful sounds that would encourage him to learn to play keyboard.With Cubase AI LE (included) this product succeeds beyond expectations in giving great beautiful sounds for at least five MIDI instruments, namely church organ (gorgeous and real pipe organ), piano (absolutely real), oohs and aahs (fabulous), numerous guitars, several drumsets. It then gives passable sounds for many other instruments. In some ways better than a real piano, in my estimation, since it takes up much less space and gives more than one high quality instrument.Note that to boost the sound I hooked the UR22 to a TCC TC-754 preamplifier (about $80 on Amazon) which then fed into the AUX jack of my $300 AV receiver, which plays the sounds created by the UR22 and Cubase over a 7.2 speaker system. With this setup, the organ sounds absolutely thunderous and majestic and real as anything played by E. Power Biggs. Oh, and of course, I hooked the UR22 to a MIDI keyboard, in my case an inexpensive MidiPlus AK490, costing about $65.PS(1) I tried the Ableton 30 day free trial. The church organ sounded less real than the Cubase version.PS(2) The UR22 can be installed on a 32 bit PC, and accept 32 bit music composition apps such as Ableton. But please note that Cubase requires a 64 bit PC, and refuses to install on a 32 bit.PS(3) To connect all the bits and pieces, cables cost around $30, including two 10 foot MIDI cables to hook the keyboard to the UR22, a pair of 25 foot RCA cables to hook the UR22 to my AV receiver, a pair of RCA to 1/4 inch adaptors to convert the UR22 sound output from 1/4 inch plugs to RCA plugs. So all in all it cost under $300 (I already had a 64 bit PC and an AV receiver). And gave me my very own audio recording and editing studio. So if you can play keyboard, you can put your very own songs on the web.PS(4) Of course the UR22 interface also allows you to plug in a mike and an electric guitar, so you can sing along with your composition playing your guitar listening to a MIDI drumset and then afterwards add organs, strings, etc etc.PS(5) As noted, my son is learning disabled. He just uses the keyboard and does not touch the computer at all. The computer is hidden away on a shelf about five feet from the keyboard, so he has no temptation to touch it. I select the instrument, and set it to play without recording. And leave it on all day so he can play anytime he wants.PS(6) In my experience, Cubase is easy to learn if you do the tutorials and allow quite a few hours getting comfortable with it.