Steinberg UR824 USB Audio Interface
This one-rack-space USB interface gives you sample rates up to 192 kHz and tons of I/O: 8 mic pres, 8 line outs, 2 banks of ADAT optical, and word clock I/O.
Overall User Ratings (based on 6 ratings)
Submitted June 29, 2013 by James C in Tumwater, WA
"UR824 Cost Effective and Great Quality"
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I've been working with an M-Audio ProFire 2626 for quite some time. It's been a somewhat painful experience from temperamental FireWire (not every chipset works wit the interface), to lack of driver updates, etc.Recently, I decided to reevaluate what's available in audio interfaces. My requirements were as follows: 1. Must have stable drivers for Windows 8. 2. Must work well with Cubase. 3. Must support at least a 96k sample rate. 4. Must have low latency. 5. Prefer USB over FireWire for ease of setup. 6. Would like zero latency monitoring capability. 7. Prefer interfaces that can retain mix and other settings after powering off. 8. Would like to be able to expand to at least 16 inputs by cascading units. 9. Price. The Steinberg UR824 has met every one of those needs and more besides. It also has a built-in DSP chip that implements a hardware reverb with sends for each channel and a common return. Each channel also has it's own DSP-based parametric EQ and compressor called the Sweetspot Morphing channel strip. In addition, there are separate native software versions of both the reverb and channel strip provided with the unit. With the $200 rebate that Steinberg is currently running, this is an exceptional deal. I highly recommend upgrading the Firmware on the unit. Doing so will give you access to more sample rates. One warning though, the updater should be run only with the interface plugged directly into your computer and no other devices hooked up to the USB ports. It can be a little temperamental otherwise.
Musical Background:
Native American Flute, Guitar, Synthesizer
Musical Style:
Folk, Electronic, Ambient
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Submitted August 30, 2014 by Randy G in virginia beach, VA
"Great Quality!! Great Sound!!!"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
I was in the process of upgrading my studio and was comparing several units that would fit my needs. I narrowed my choices to the UR824 & RME babyface. I simply made my decision based on the Cubase integration which is why I went with the UR824. I am glad I made the choice overall.
Sound
The sound of the Unit was definitely a step up from my M-Audio fast track. The first thing I noticed were the clean presence of the pre-amps. To actually have usable Pre's was definitely a treat I wasn't expecting. I will certainly upgrade to an external pre-amp at some point, but the pre's are so good I feel their is really no rush at this point for me. Now in regards to the conversion, the ad/da converters has a stereo image that puts my M-Audio fast track to shame. I love the detail I am getting from this unit. From the low's to mid's and just from my brief experience with the unit, all you need is very little eq to perfect your sound. Two thumbs up for Steinberg for this!
Features
Their are many to list. But the I/O options are their to route which ever external equipment you may possibly have. To some this may be over kill but if you plan on expanding your studio at some point then it's well worth it. The two head phone busses are a great addition.
Ease of Use
I will be honest and say that this is Steinberg's weakest point. I will recommend that you have some type of experience dealing with input/output routing because it can be a huge learning curve if you don't. Also the dsp mix engine is a little redundant. You cannot run the dsp mix while actively running your daw, which in my case is Cubase. The dsp is essentially for stand alone operation. I will say that Steinberg does include vst plugins which are the same that you would use in the dsp mix engine but that takes away the feature of having zero latency. Overall their will be a learning curve to some degree even for Cubase users like myself but good certainly outweighs the bad.
Quality
The quality of the parts are great.. he knobs are big and smooth to the touch.
Value
I spent $800 for a unit that competes and has been compared to much more expensive units! The sound I am getting is enough values for me to say this is well worth the money.
Manufacturer Support
I will also note that Steinberg has done away with their regular tech support calling. and if you need to speak to a tech support agent .. You will have to send an email to then schedule a telephone call back. I think Steinberg should rethink this method and bring back open tech support.
The Wow Factor
The unit is great sounding at a great price point. As with any pro gear.. you pretty much get what you pay for !!! I am wow'd
Musical Background:
Hip Hop, producer
Musical Style:
Hip-Hop, R&B
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Submitted November 2, 2018 by William Blanchard in Phoenix, NY
"Fantastic Interface"
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I purchased this and an X-touch to replace my aging but not failing Tascam FW-1884 to use with Cubase Pro 9.5.
Sound
Preamps sound very clean and give you plenty of headroomBuilt int dsp effects sound really good.
Features
The dual adat in/outs are a gift from above. If you're looking for many inputs (up to 24) you can link 3 of these units together. I usually record at 44.1kHz so I didn't need three of these. I use the UR824 as my main interface and run adat in/outs to two separate Behringer Ultragain Digital ADA8200's (wordclock is synced over adat so no need for external wordclock cables) . This gives me an additional 16 inputs via adat. If you are looking to record at a higher sample rate you can use Behringer U-Phoria UMC1820's instead of the ADA8200. I have confirmed with Behringer that the UMC's sync wordclock via adat as well.
Ease of Use
Took a bit to get used to but once you figure things out it's easy to remember.
Quality
Great quality. Knobs feel like they are really good quality.
Value
It's a great value no doubt. It keeps up with some of the higher priced units that is for sure.
Manufacturer Support
It's Steinberg so don't expect much.
The Wow Factor
The dsp effects integrate automatically with Cubase Pro 9.5... that in itself was pretty amazing to me. In fact this unit is so easy to use with Cubase Pro 9.5 that it floored me. Not much manual configuration at all.
Musical Background:
30+ years as professional musician
Musical Style:
Rock, pop, New Age, Soundtrack
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Submitted February 19, 2016 by Andrew K in Lowell, MA
"More Headaches than features."
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When you pay a Premium Price for a product you expect Premium Performance.
This unit does not deliver. Not even close.
Like so much other hardware, it is brought down by Horrible Software.
Besides being difficult to install and get running (thanks to the intrusive "e-license"),
it just doesn't work. You're paying for 8 output channels, but the software doesn't recognize anything beyond the Main Stereo outputs.
Then, when you're ready to pull your hair out, you try contacting "customer support."
But that's a joke. There is no support. No phone number, just an email address that gets you a useless response like "Re-Install the software"
Really?
This doggy's going back where it came from.
Musical Background:
35 years recording
Musical Style:
electro
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Submitted December 9, 2014 by Tory S in CHESAPEAKE, VA
"Very Underrated piece of gear!!"
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For the price, this thing competes with the best of them. I upgraded from the Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 to this, and everything about it is better...preamps, conversion, I/O, the dspfx, latency, drivers, software, etc. I have not had the issues I had with drivers causing my computer to crash randomly as I did with Focusrite. For mixing I use the Yamaha HS50s, which in my opinion are VERY overrated, but I can tell a difference in the sound when paired with this interface. Raw recordings seem more accurate, and less colored, and every mix so far translates much better and can be done much faster. I am seriously considering getting another for a mobile setup.
Musical Background:
Full time professional musician/ engineer. Also arranger, songwriter, music director. Keyboards, drums, bass, and vocals.
Musical Style:
Gospel, Christian, Neo-Soul, Jazz, Blues, Pop, R&B, Country
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Submitted December 9, 2014 by Tory S in CHESAPEAKE, VA
"Very Underrated piece of gear!!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
For the price, this thing competes with the best of them. I upgraded from the Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 to this, and everything about it is better...preamps, conversion, I/O, the dspfx, latency, drivers, software, etc. I have not had the issues I had with drivers causing my computer to crash randomly as I did with Focusrite. For mixing I use the Yamaha HS50s, which in my opinion are VERY overrated, but I can tell a difference in the sound when paired with this interface. Raw recordings seem more accurate, and less colored, and every mix so far translates much better and can be done much faster. I am seriously considering getting another for a mobile setup.
Musical Background:
Full time professional musician/ engineer. Also arranger, songwriter, music director. Keyboards, drums, bass, and vocals.
Musical Style:
Gospel, Christian, Neo-Soul, Jazz, Blues, Pop, R&B, Country
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