Steinberg UR44 USB and iOS Audio Interface

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This 24-bit/192 kHz USB interface gives you 6 analog inputs (including 4 mic preamps), 4 analog outs, 2 headphone jacks, and MIDI I/O in a rugged metal case.

Striking the perfect balance between I/O connectivity and portability while incorporating audio technologies, the Steinberg UR44 is a flexible yet powerfully featured audio/MIDI interface that provides all the capabilities needed for a huge range of recording and production situations. The compact, full-metal case houses four D-PRE mic preamps, six inputs, four output channels and MIDI I/O ports, while additional advanced features such as onboard DSP power and full iPad connectivity are exemplary of an outstandingly flexible feature set equally suited to studios, large rehearsal spaces, mobile recording situations and home recording environments.

The advanced portable production studio

Today's musicians and producers demand outstanding quality, sleek design, and enough I/O capability to provide true flexibility while still being fully portable and rugged enough to withstand the challenges of the road. Enter the UR44.

First-class components

The UR44 is unique in its combination of input and output capabilities, stellar component quality and portability. Four Neutrik analog combo inputs with peak LEDs and switchable +48 V phantom power provide inputs for everything from an electric guitar through line-level audio equipment to boutique condenser microphones. Switchable Hi-Z support means no additional DI box is required to hook up your electric guitar or bass. Two additional line inputs allow connection of an extra audio source in combination with four mic preamps giving you read more a total of six input channels; that's enough to handle a huge range of recording situations.

Upwardly mobile

The UR44 is a unique production system as it puts first-class audio technology and outstanding sound quality in a rugged portable device that gives you enough I/O capability for complete flexibility: Recording live performances, producing in studio quality at home or in a hotel room, pre-production for your next album in your rehearsal space, playing back audio backing tracks on stage... The UR44 means no compromises -- you can keep your options open at all times. Enjoy the audio quality and advanced features of first-class, studio-ready components housed within an interface portable enough to accompany you wherever you and your music happen to be.
This unique interface also brings you the advantages of latency-free monitoring powered by the dspMixFx application and offering DSP-powered FX, letting you record with compression, EQ, reverb and guitar amp simulation on the headphone mix. And if you're using Cubase, all this functionality is integrated directly into the Cubase mixer and custom Cubase windows. For composers and producers using MIDI equipment like keyboards or pad controllers, the UR44 provides MIDI I/O ports on the back panel.

Everywhere UR

With its unique balance of portability and I/O capability, the UR44 may be among the most flexible devices of its kind available today. Four mic preamps, a total of six input channels, two headphone outputs, a MIDI port, iPad connectivity and four output channels mean that you're equipped to handle a huge range of recording and production scenarios.

Project studios

While smaller project studios might not need a huge analog desk or dozens of inputs, they do require outstanding audio quality and the ability to record a wide range of musicians, vocalists and other audio sources. Phantom power for highest quality condenser mics is just as important as a feature as the ability to connect several pairs of monitors for A/B-ing mixes on different speaker combinations. Need to quickly record guitar to add to your score or song? Just plug in a guitar to a Hi-Z input and record your guitar with DSP FX and no latency. Record all your digital instruments and connect MIDI controller keyboards to completely integrate all your gear in one compact, portable interface.

The all-round solution for multi-role musicians

Musicians today often find themselves in several different roles: today you might be recording your band in a rehearsal room, tomorrow helping out on a friend's album production or DJing at a live venue or club; the week after you might need an interface to playback audio backing tracks for a live gig or spend a Sunday afternoon finally getting around to setting up that home studio. Or you might need a portable interface for your hotel room to record that idea that's been bouncing around in your head all day while on tour. The perfect balance between I/O capability, portability, outstanding audio quality and seamless handling throughout makes the UR44 the ideal interface for the modern multi-role musician.

Backing the band

These days many bands and groups augment their live music with pre-produced backing tracks, perhaps even using MIDI to trigger additional equipment like stage lighting. The UR44 offers an ultra-flexible and reliable portable solution for bands and live musicians. Independent headphone outputs with individual volume control mean playback mixes are readily available for one band member in charge of cueing the next song, while four individual line outputs mean up to two separate stereo mixes for the FOH mixer and musicians on stage. The MIDI I/O can feed lighting equipment with MIDI events synced to the song playing back. And with ultra-stable drivers, a rugged metal case and a sturdy AC adapter that guarantees a stable electrical supply, the UR44 is ideally suited to live bands and performers.

Mobile recording solution

With its stable driver technology, quality components and four first-class mic preamps, the UR44 offers all the functionality needed to record live performances at smaller, more intimate venues or compact rehearsal rooms, or even to record larger groups or vocal ensembles with a few well-placed, high-quality mics. The combination of a portable interface that can fit in a shoulder bag with first-class hardware and software components like the acclaimed D-PRE mic preamps and the ultra-stable drivers makes the UR44 perfectly suited for many mobile recording situations.

Pro-level recordings with the iPad

Providing connectivity with Apple's iPad (V2 or later), the UR44 serves as a portable interface for iPad apps like Cubasis, Steinberg's streamlined, multi-touch sequencer tailored for the iPad. Perfect for on-the-fly productions and for sketching out musical ideas, Cubasis projects can then be transferred to a computer running Cubase for the next stage of production -- while retaining the same audio interface.

Steinberg gives you an overview of the UR44


Features:

- 24-bit/192 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface with 6 x 4 analog I/O and MIDI I/O
- 4 Class-A D-PRE mic preamps supporting +48 V phantom power and two Hi-Z
- Rugged full-metal casing for ultimate durability
- Latency-free DSP-powered monitoring with effects and bundled Basic FX Suite VST 3 plug-ins
- Cross-platform compatibility for Windows, Mac OS X and iOS (with the Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit), and Cubase AI music software included
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- MIC INPUT 1-4 (Balanced) :
- Maximum Input Level: 4 dBu
- Input Impedance: 4k Ohm
- GAIN Range: +16 dB - +60 dB
- LINE INPUT 3/4 (Balanced) :
- Maximum Input Level: +22 dBu
- Input Impedance: 20k Ohm
- GAIN Range: 10 dB - +34 dB
- LINE INPUT 5/6 (Balanced/Unbalanced) :
- Maximum Input Level : +22 dBu
- Input Impedance: 30k Ohm (+4 dBu input), 20k Ohm (-10 dBu input)
- GAIN Selection: - 10 dB or +7.8 dB switchable
- HI-Z INPUT 1/2 (Unbalanced) :
- Maximum Input Level: +8.5 dBV
- Input Impedance: 1M Ohm
- GAIN Range: +/- 0 dB - +44 dB
- LINE OUTPUT 1-4 (Balanced/Unbalanced) :
- Maximum Output Level: +16 dBu
- Output Impedance: 75 Ohm
- MAIN OUTPUT (Balanced/Unbalanced) :
- Maximum Output Level : +/-18 dBu
- Output Impedance: 75 Ohm
- PHONES 1/2: Maximum Output Level: 35 mW+35 mW, @ 40 Ohm
- USB Specification: USB 2.0, 24 bit, 44.1 kHz/48 kHz/88.2 kHz/ 96 kHz/176.4 kHz/192 kHz
- XLR INPUT Polarity: Pin 1: Ground, Pin 2: Hot (+), Pin 3: Cold (-)
- Supported operating systems:
- OS X 10.7 / 10.8
- Windows 7 / Windows 8
- Intel or AMD dual core CPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 4 GB of free HD space
Display resolution of 1280 x 800 recommended CD-ROM drive
USB port for connection of UR unit
- Internet connection required for installation, activation, account setup and personal / product registration. To complete the Cubase AI installation, a download of approximately 500 MB is required.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 844-358-4022
Email: steinbergussupport@yamaha.com
Web: https://helpcenter.steinberg.de

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (4 ratings)
Submitted February 27, 2016 by Mike L in Hamburg, NY

"Steinberg UR44 USB"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Solid build and performance. Excellent value.

Sound
The pres are excellent. Overall fairly clean; similar to focusrite pres, but slightly warmer. Great with SM 57. Hi Z great for guitar.

Features
Has all the features I need for home studio. The dsp mix software is really useful to get zero latency recording vocals and guitars into DAW. The eq, compression, reverb and basic guitar amp sims are of good quality and are not applied to the final mix into your daw. This dsp mixer function lets you run big projects in your daw of choice at high latency while recording vocals, guitar, etc...through dsp mixer at zero latency with effects--it's pretty seamless. 2 heaphone channels come in handy.

Ease of Use
The manual is fairly good. I reviewed manual and set up and was recording within a few minutes.

Quality
The quality is superb. Solid metal chassis, precise well-made knobs and input/outputs. I have used audio interfaces from Focusrite, Presonus, M-Audio, and Mackie. Only the Mackie Onyx Satellite was built as well as the UR 44. The ASIO drivers are very good.

Value
This is a great value compared to other similar units from other manufacturers. 6 inputs, 6 outputs, 2 headphone inputs, dsp mixer and effects, free Cubase AI, phantom power, excellent quality pres, incredibly solid build. Midi in/out.

Manufacturer Support read more
have not needed

The Wow Factor
I really wanted a unit with 4 pres for simultaneous mic recording, and 2 headphone inputs. This unit is less expensive than most of the competition, and I saved $ by purchasing a blemished unit. To be honest, I was a little nervous about what I would get. This unit has exceeded my expectations.

Musical Background:
Songwriter. Home studio.

Musical Style:
Pop, rock, folk, jazz, blues, electronic.
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