Behringer umc1820 v Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2ndGen

[OneWorld]

I want to buy a spare audio interface for an experimental DAW setup.

I looked about and saw a review of Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2ndGen in SOS Mag from some years ago, giving the Focusrite absolutely glowing comments, happy to work right down to 32 samples. Good support, quality build, sounds impressive. I have owned Focusrite before and was pleased.

However I saw a user review of the Behringer umc1820,m abnd the user, a pro user by the way, said he was astounded at just how good it was, both in build quality and the sound.

Additionally the Berry has DSP effects and dynamics, very useful I would have thought. Thing is I see very few other reviews

Has anyone experience of either of these interfaces? I just missed a Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2ndGen on eBay for £200, the seller stating it was in 'as new' condition, I think I missed a bargain there, there are a couple of Berries at £200

[sonics]

Additionally the Berry has DSP effects and dynamics, very useful I would have thought.

Are you sure?

Do you need all those inputs?
If yes, I'd try to find a Focusrite because of the superior drivers and vastly superior support.

[OneWorld]

Additionally the Berry has DSP effects and dynamics, very useful I would have thought.

Are you sure?

Do you need all those inputs?
If yes, I'd try to find a Focusrite because of the superior drivers and vastly superior support.

Yes that's why I am looking at these two interfaces

[ef37a]

The Focusrite is a no brainer to me. The Behringer kit is remarkably good for its money but if that is not a desperate issue go for the Frite!

Dave.

[Drew Stephenson]

find a Focusrite because of the superior drivers and vastly superior support.

I'd second this, I'm still using a gen 1 8i6 and Focusrite are still updating the drivers when needed.

[OneWorld]

find a Focusrite because of the superior drivers and vastly superior support.

I'd second this, I'm still using a gen 1 8i6 and Focusrite are still updating the drivers when needed.

Yep, the word is on the street, the smart money is on Focusrite, and I have just seen a 3rd gen on eBay for £350, seems quite a bargain. ONly thing is, it is a USB 'C' connector and my pc only has a 'C' Connector on the front and I don't want wires sticking out the front. I guess I have to read up on USB 3.1 (ordinary type connectors and USB 'C' connectors and see if a cable with 'C' at one end and Ordinary at the other will work

[Luke W]

ONly thing is, it is a USB 'C' connector and my pc only has a 'C' Connector on the front and I don't want wires sticking out the front. I guess I have to read up on USB 3.1 (ordinary type connectors and USB 'C' connectors and see if a cable with 'C' at one end and Ordinary at the other will work

The short answer is that it will work.

You’re (understandably) mixing up connector names and protocols a little. USB 3.1, and all of the other numbers and Gen this, that and the other that follow them, refer to the version of the USB protocol. USB-C is simply the shape of the connector, and in the case of the Scarlett (which is a USB 2.0 device, if you want more numbers!), a simple USB-C to USB-A cable will be all that you need to connect the interface to an “old-style” USB port.

I believe they ship with one in the box.

[tea for two]

Ooops posted for another thread.

+ for Focusrite. I've had their Clarett, Forte, Saffire.

[OneWorld]

ONly thing is, it is a USB 'C' connector and my pc only has a 'C' Connector on the front and I don't want wires sticking out the front. I guess I have to read up on USB 3.1 (ordinary type connectors and USB 'C' connectors and see if a cable with 'C' at one end and Ordinary at the other will work

The short answer is that it will work.

You’re (understandably) mixing up connector names and protocols a little. USB 3.1, and all of the other numbers and Gen this, that and the other that follow them, refer to the version of the USB protocol. USB-C is simply the shape of the connector, and in the case of the Scarlett (which is a USB 2.0 device, if you want more numbers!), a simple USB-C to USB-A cable will be all that you need to connect the interface to an “old-style” USB port.

I believe they ship with one in the box.

I think what confuses me is that for example in this case, Focusrite, regarding the Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 3rdGen make some claim 'USB C' connector for even lower latency, whereas I too am under the impression that USB C is simply the shape of the connector, the shape of the connector has no bearing on the data throughput whatsoever, except that it can handle the 3.1 and beyond. Same gal, different frock. ANyway, I have been looking around and yes, the connecting cables are i common use and my USB ports are the 3.x

I get it now

[N i g e l]

Ive had the Behringer 1820 for a few years now, used on W7/W10/W11 for synthesizers @ 96k.
I bought it as it was 1/2 the price of the Focusrite equivilent for very little difference in quality.
The current PC Behringer drivers are V5.57 from last year [W11 update I think]

There was a good drum shootout [also with onyx] here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uO3oZZGk4M

there shopuld be alot more shootouts & analysis around now that those products are mature.

Ive got a Focusrite 4i4 gen 3 for mobile recording with microphones, it is marginally better than the Behringer but is a faff to use - the only panel button is for 48V, Hi Z etc is all done with an app.

Gen 4 might have fixed that.

[tea for two]

Ive got a Focusrite 4i4 gen 3 for mobile recording with microphones, it is marginally better than the Behringer but is a faff to use - the only panel button is for 48V, Hi Z etc is all done with an app.

Gen 4 might have fixed that.

Same for my Clarett 2pre had to use software to change inputs drove me up the wall.

[Arpangel]

I'd get the Berry, even if money wasn’t an issue, for the OP's intended use it’ll be more than good enough, no drivers needed, sound is great.
But it doesn’t have on board FX/DSP, don’t know who told you that.

[ef37a]

I'd get the Berry, even if money wasn’t an issue, for the OP's intended use it’ll be more than good enough, no drivers needed, sound is great.
But it doesn’t have on board FX/DSP, don’t know who told you that.

???? One says "PC" NOT "mac" AFAICS. I have also read a report on one Behringer interface that starts to give poor distortion results a dB or two below 0dBFS but of course, until (never!) Hugh runs one through his AP rig we cannot be sure!

Dave.

[Arpangel]

I'd get the Berry, even if money wasn’t an issue, for the OP's intended use it’ll be more than good enough, no drivers needed, sound is great.
But it doesn’t have on board FX/DSP, don’t know who told you that.

???? One says "PC" NOT "mac" AFAICS. I have also read a report on one Behringer interface that starts to give poor distortion results a dB or two below 0dBFS but of course, until (never!) Hugh runs one through his AP rig we cannot be sure!

Dave.

Dave, yes, it needs drivers for Windows, but not Mac.
I'm running an 1820 on my Mac, and a 202HD on my PC, never had any issues with distortion, in fact, the headroom is quite high I've thought.

[ef37a]

I'd get the Berry, even if money wasn’t an issue, for the OP's intended use it’ll be more than good enough, no drivers needed, sound is great.
But it doesn’t have on board FX/DSP, don’t know who told you that.

???? One says "PC" NOT "mac" AFAICS. I have also read a report on one Behringer interface that starts to give poor distortion results a dB or two below 0dBFS but of course, until (never!) Hugh runs one through his AP rig we cannot be sure!

Dave.

Dave, yes, it needs drivers for Windows, but not Mac.
I'm running an 1820 on my Mac, and a 202HD on my PC, never had any issues with distortion, in fact, the headroom is quite high I've thought.

My point exactly. Nowhere does One World say he is running a mac, quite the reverse. In any case, to me the provision of well written drivers for PC* users shows an attention to detail just as does achieving a wide dynamic range.

*Hon' Ed please note!

Dave.

[OneWorld]

Sorry, I should have made it clear I am on Windows, I forget there's an alternative! well 2 if one includes LINUX

I am beginning to wonder whether the inbuilt DSP effects/dynamics in the Berry, or indeed any other interface is such a big deal anyway. It's all there is the DAW anyway, we can have too much choice sometimes. Focusrite does seem to have the edge as regards suppport.

I have had Berry gear i the past and liked it., But in each case, it conked out after a few years. I once had a Focusrite Liquid 56 interface and it soldiered on for more years than I care to remember, I sold it on when I bought my RME and as far as I know it still in action to this day.

In fairness to Behringer, I have heard many reports that reliability problems are a thing of the past.

I have now been offered a Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen for cheap money, though considerably more than the Berry umc1820...hmmmmm......decisions decisions, though the reported figures of working easily, right down to 32 samples really is impressive

[Drew Stephenson]

If someone's offered you the focusrite, and you can afford it, I'd go for that.
No future worries and if you need / want to sell it on it'll maintain a good second-hand price.

[ef37a]

You have RME kit One?!! AND you intend to sully its presence with a Bellringer?

OK yes, B's kit has improved and they provide a good service to those that realy cannot afford better but if you are not in that situation just go for the Focusrite IMHO.
N.B. There might be a Tascam or other brand in that range worth investigating?

Dave.

[Arpangel]

Sorry, I should have made it clear I am on Windows, I forget there's an alternative! well 2 if one includes LINUX

I am beginning to wonder whether the inbuilt DSP effects/dynamics in the Berry, or indeed any other interface is such a big deal anyway. It's all there is the DAW anyway, we can have too much choice sometimes. Focusrite does seem to have the edge as regards suppport.

I have had Berry gear i the past and liked it., But in each case, it conked out after a few years. I once had a Focusrite Liquid 56 interface and it soldiered on for more years than I care to remember, I sold it on when I bought my RME and as far as I know it still in action to this day.

In fairness to Behringer, I have heard many reports that reliability problems are a thing of the past.

I have now been offered a Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen for cheap money, though considerably more than the Berry umc1820...hmmmmm......decisions decisions, though the reported figures of working easily, right down to 32 samples really is impressive

The Berry "does not" have built in dynamics or any effects at all.
Regarding the Windows drivers for it, I've been running my 202HD for about four years through loads of updates for Win 10 with no issues.
Whats going on ? The Berry's are so simple, there’s nothing to learn, and they have been rock solid here. Focusrite's are fine too, but cost more for no extra benefits AFAIC, or benefits that you wouldn’t notice in a real world situation, in every day use.

[OneWorld]

Sorry, I should have made it clear I am on Windows, I forget there's an alternative! well 2 if one includes LINUX

I am beginning to wonder whether the inbuilt DSP effects/dynamics in the Berry, or indeed any other interface is such a big deal anyway. It's all there is the DAW anyway, we can have too much choice sometimes. Focusrite does seem to have the edge as regards suppport.

I have had Berry gear i the past and liked it., But in each case, it conked out after a few years. I once had a Focusrite Liquid 56 interface and it soldiered on for more years than I care to remember, I sold it on when I bought my RME and as far as I know it still in action to this day.

In fairness to Behringer, I have heard many reports that reliability problems are a thing of the past.

I have now been offered a Focusrite 18i20 3rd gen for cheap money, though considerably more than the Berry umc1820...hmmmmm......decisions decisions, though the reported figures of working easily, right down to 32 samples really is impressive

The Berry "does not" have built in dynamics or any effects at all.
Regarding the Windows drivers for it, I've been running my 202HD for about four years through loads of updates for Win 10 with no issues.
Whats going on ? The Berry's are so simple, there’s nothing to learn, and they have been rock solid here. Focusrite's are fine too, but cost more for no extra benefits AFAIC, or benefits that you wouldn’t notice in a real world situation, in every day use.

Shows how ill informed one can be by being convinced by a 'user review' the one that caught my attention was a glowing review, with the reviewer claiming he was 'astounded' at how 'amazing' etc the Berry was, I guess I should have been suspicious when I read a torrent of plaudits

And what I find unconvincing now is on the Berry website it says such things as "Blazingly fast performance" but nowhere on the website does it give objective specifications to justify the "Blazingly fast" claims. An adjectival phrase is useless - a FAST snail will never be as FAST as a SLOW cheetah

[N i g e l]

The Berry "does not" have built in dynamics or any effects at all.

definitely, maybe it comes with access to a Behringer bundle of VST things for DAW use ?

[Drew Stephenson]

The Berry "does not" have built in dynamics or any effects at all.

definitely, maybe it comes with access to a Behringer bundle of VST things for DAW use ?

I would expect so. The G4M site says, "Free audio recording, editing & podcasting software with 150 instrument/effect plug-ins at Behringer.com"

[James Perrett]

And what I find unconvincing now is on the Berry website it says such things as "Blazingly fast performance" but nowhere on the website does it give objective specifications to justify the "Blazingly fast" claims. An adjectival phrase is useless - a FAST snail will never be as FAST as a SLOW cheetah

I wouldn't be surprised to find that they are using the same XMOS silicon and the same Thesycon drivers as most USB interfaces so latency performance will probably be very similar.

The main differences will be in the analogue circuitry and the convertors.

[jimjazzdad]

Just a very personal opinion but I try to avoid supporting 'Evil Uli' on principle. While Behringer gear has come a long way from the early cheap Chinese clones due to the acquisition of some respectable marques, I will never forgive the original sin of stealing the intellectual property of engineering companies that had innovative and quality products. And, to be fair, I am sometimes not that thrilled with the Harmon Group either. Buy the Focusrite Scarlett with a clear conscience.

[N i g e l]

debating of the for and against of your opinion have been done to death on the Keyboards & Synths> Behringer, thread & other websites.