The areas of preamp sound quality and product build still offer a large surface area to score points against the competition. Additionally, portability, appropriate connection peripherals, and possibly a crisp appearance contribute to users leaning towards one product or another for their budget production. Both products are primarily aimed at musicians, producers, or sound engineers looking for a small, mobile interface that not only convinces with very good measured values but can also quickly disappear into the nearest briefcase when transport is needed.
With the UR series, Steinberg has set out to fulfill all the above-mentioned points and possibly add an extra scoop in one area or another. The UR 22 and UR 44 products are available for testing, which follow the same conceptual design but differ significantly in terms of connectivity options. However, the UR 44 also increases in price by over 100 percent at around 300 euros compared to its little brother at around 140 euros. Let's see which one best covers which areas of application.
Construction
Both products in the UR series share a uniform appearance. The first thing that stands out is the massive steel housing, which leaves an extremely sturdy impression. Scratches will probably not be completely avoidable, but compared to their plastic colleagues, the UR housings will definitely shine with increased longevity. Both products rest on four soft rubber feet, which offer very good stability on smooth surfaces, although they were not glued on too accurately in terms of right angles. Admittedly, a very marginal defect. Since small products are often stolen by unsavory individuals, there is a Kensington lock security opening on the back of both housings.
With dimensions of 158 mm x 45 mm x 158 mm (UR 22) and 252 mm x 47 mm x 158 mm (UR 44) (W x H x D), both products take up comparatively little space on the desktop and are also so flat in terms of height that they fit under the base of a standard monitor. The weight of just under one kilogram (UR 22) and 1.6 kilograms (UR 44) respectively also supports the mobile application area. In terms of system requirements, both products prove to be extremely modest. According to factory specifications, in the PC area, Windows XP with just 2 GB RAM is sufficient, while on OSX even the 10.5.8 variant passes. As always with all specifications, especially in the RAM area, double or more is welcome for smooth operation.
ASIO is used as the driver, which ensures comparatively short latency with high stability despite the high sampling rates of up to 192 kHz and a word width of 24 bits. In terms of power supply, the UR 22 is satisfied with the PC's internal USB port, while the UR 44 requires the supplied power adapter. This means the UR 22 is tidier with fewer cables but is dependent on the DAW used. As expected, both products come with a Steinberg program as recording software, in this case, Cubase AI. To be immediately available for all platforms, Steinberg has built a so-called CC switch on the back of the UR 44, which ensures that when activated, Apple products, for example under iOS, immediately recognize the product as an interface. However, activation prevents hardware support under Cubase.
Visually, one immediately recognizes the affiliation to the same product family. In addition to the same controls and conceptual orientation, the same preamps were also used. As with the larger brother UR 824, the so-called D-Pre preamps from Yamaha are used, which are supposed to generate better values in the signal flow through the use of twice the number of transistors. In terms of inputs, the UR 22 has 2 combo sockets (UR 44 4 combo sockets), all of which can be supplied with 48V phantom power if needed. The UR 44 is also equipped for the operation of high-impedance instruments such as an electric bass on inputs 1 and 2, while the remaining inputs can handle a line level if desired. The UR 44 also has 2 additional line inputs on the rear of the housing.
The UR 44 can output 2 different mixes from the device via 2 separate line outputs. For this purpose, the UR 22 has a very useful mix control, which allows a continuous crossfade between the input and DAW signal. While the UR 44 has 2 separately controllable headphone outputs, the UR 22 has to make do with just one output. To avoid all synchronization problems, both products have both MIDI In and MIDI Out. Another bonus of the UR 44 is the DSP-supported effects, which enable latency-free monitoring of the effect sections Guitar Amp Classics, REV-X Reverb, Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, and in the computer area, a phase switch per channel and a high-pass filter.
In terms of displays, both devices are rather sparse. There is only a peak display per channel along with 48V power supply. Ultimately, personal tastes in this regard will vary between "completely sufficient" to "insufficient," so this point should be considered neutral.
Practice
In practice, the first thing that stands out is the very high gain reserves of the preamps, which with -67.5 dB can ensure adequate level adjustment even for very weak signals. Another highlight must be the neutral sound of the interfaces, which could process all connected sound sources flawlessly, free from noise or other extraneous sounds. As expected, the preamps never work at their limit even with weak signals due to their high gain reserves and thus have sufficient headroom with any signal flow.
In terms of resolution and impulse response, both devices do a very good job, especially when considering the mobile recording application area. No real weaknesses could be identified in any area, leaving an all-around successful overall impression that will cause some furrowed brows among the competition.
Expanding on the Technical Aspects
The Steinberg UR series utilizes Class-A D-PRE microphone preamps, which are known for their transparent and detailed sound. These preamps offer a wide gain range, allowing for clean amplification of both very weak and strong input signals. The use of inverted Darlington circuits in the preamp design contributes to the low distortion and balanced frequency response.
Both the UR 22 and UR 44 support high-resolution audio with sampling rates up to 192 kHz and 24-bit depth. This high-resolution capability allows for capturing subtle nuances in recordings, especially beneficial for acoustic instruments and vocal performances where preserving the natural timbre is crucial.
The UR 44's DSP mixer deserves special mention. It allows for zero-latency monitoring with effects, which is particularly useful during tracking sessions. The included effects, such as the REV-X reverb, are of studio quality and can be applied during recording without taxing the computer's CPU.
Integration with DAW Software
While Cubase AI is included with both interfaces, the UR series is designed to work seamlessly with most popular DAWs. The driver's stability and low-latency performance are particularly noteworthy, allowing for real-time monitoring even in complex project setups.
For Cubase users, the UR series offers additional integration features. The "Basic FX Suite" plug-ins can be used directly within Cubase projects, providing a consistent workflow from recording through to mixing. The Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip, in particular, is a versatile tool that combines compression, EQ, and saturation in an easy-to-use interface.
Mobile Recording Capabilities
The UR 22's bus-powered operation makes it an excellent choice for field recording and mobile setups. Its compact size and rugged construction allow it to withstand the rigors of on-location recording. The ability to record at high sample rates while powered solely by a laptop's USB port is a significant advantage for documentarians and live event recordists.
The UR 44, while requiring external power, offers more flexibility for small ensemble recordings. Its additional inputs and outputs make it suitable for recording drum kits or small bands, where multiple microphones are needed simultaneously.
Comparison with Competitors
In the competitive field of budget audio interfaces, the Steinberg UR series holds its own against popular alternatives like the Focusrite Scarlett series or the PreSonus AudioBox range. The UR preamps are often praised for their cleaner and more transparent sound compared to some competitors in the same price range.
The build quality of the UR series is notably superior to many plastic-housed interfaces in this category. The all-metal construction not only provides better durability but also offers improved shielding against electromagnetic interference, which can be crucial in less-than-ideal recording environments.
Long-term Reliability and Support
Steinberg's reputation for long-term driver support is a significant factor to consider. Many users report years of trouble-free operation with their UR interfaces, with driver updates ensuring compatibility with new operating systems and DAW versions.
The company's heritage in audio software development also means that the integration between hardware and software is particularly well-thought-out. This synergy often results in a more stable and efficient workflow compared to some third-party interfaces.
Applications in Various Music Genres
For electronic music producers, the UR series offers low-latency monitoring essential for working with software synthesizers and drum machines. The direct monitoring feature allows for immediate response when playing virtual instruments, crucial for capturing performative elements in electronic music production.
In rock and pop recording scenarios, the UR 44's multiple inputs shine. Recording a vocalist while simultaneously capturing a guitar and bass direct input is easily achievable. The onboard DSP effects allow for adding compression and reverb to the monitor mix without introducing latency, helping performers feel more comfortable during tracking.
For classical and jazz recordings, where capturing the natural dynamics of performances is crucial, the clean gain structure of the D-PRE preamps proves invaluable. The high headroom ensures that even sudden peaks in acoustic instruments are captured without distortion.
Future-Proofing and Expandability
While the UR series doesn't offer direct expandability in terms of additional inputs, its MIDI I/O allows for integration with external MIDI interfaces or controllers. This feature enables users to expand their setup with MIDI-equipped synthesizers, drum machines, or control surfaces without needing to upgrade the audio interface itself.
The high sample rate support also future-proofs these interfaces to some extent. As higher resolution audio becomes more common in professional workflows, the UR series is well-positioned to meet these demands without requiring immediate replacement.
Conclusion
The Steinberg UR 22 and UR 44 represent solid choices in the competitive budget audio interface market. They offer a balanced combination of sound quality, build durability, and useful features that cater well to their target audience of home studio owners, mobile recordists, and budget-conscious professionals.
The UR 22 stands out as an excellent portable solution, ideal for singer-songwriters, podcasters, or anyone needing a simple, high-quality recording setup. Its bus-powered operation and compact form factor make it a go-to choice for on-the-go recording.
The UR 44, with its expanded I/O and DSP capabilities, offers more flexibility for small project studios or bands looking to record multiple sources simultaneously. The addition of MIDI I/O on both models also increases their versatility, allowing for easy integration with a wide range of music production setups.
While they may not offer the most extensive feature set in their class, the UR series compensates with reliability, sound quality, and a no-nonsense approach to audio recording. The robust build quality suggests these interfaces are built to last, potentially offering better value in the long run compared to some more feature-laden but less durable alternatives.
For those invested in the Steinberg ecosystem, particularly Cubase users, the integration benefits make these interfaces especially attractive. However, their broad compatibility ensures they're a viable option regardless of the user's preferred DAW.
In summary, the Steinberg UR 22 and UR 44 offer a compelling package for those seeking quality audio interfaces on a budget. They manage to strike a balance between affordability and professional-grade features, making them worthy contenders in the crowded entry-level audio interface market.
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