Behringer UMC1820 Review (with Audio Samples) 

Behringer used to be crap. Since acquiring Midas, and getting access to there pre designs combined with Behringer's ability to produce it en mass for cheap. You get a lot of bang for your buck. I think the x32, even though the faders don't hold up to tough touring conditions, still changed the game for all of us. Thankful for that. Now you have other manufacturers competing for the same market. That's how change happens right there. You probably wouldn't have the decent priced digital boards from Allen and Heath and Midas and others if it wasn't for the x32. I have to give behringer credit for that.

Thanks for the great run down! I had trouble finding a demo that includes the rear inputs!

Ya sold me on it! Good review man, covered pretty much all the questions I have!

Hey thanks for the great review. I too was skeptical about Behringer a while back, but no more. I've got the x air 18 and it's great, and now i'm gonna get either this interface or the smaller one. They sound great and the price is deff right.

I've had this interface for 5 years now, this is my first modern interface, I actually rocked an old Edirol UA-20 for 15 years, eventually it wasn't supported by modern OSs like Win11. The Behringer is pretty good, I've found the headphone output is a bit noisy though.

Cheers for this review. I have a bunch of synths and drum machines that I split out (drums, snares) and I've run out of input options on my current card. Going to get this with the additional input unit. It's true, Behringer is incomparable with say a decade ago. I got their Moog clone a while back and the build quality is fantastic.

A really excellent, thorough review. Thanks !

These are working absolutely perfect with Linux/Jack/Ardour!

I'm an audio engineer with 22 years of experience. The Behringer was vastly better in terms of audio Quality...so now I know what I'll be buying to net some additional preamps via SPIDF to my Prism Titan. That kind of shocked me when you said you "didn't hear a difference". There's frequencies literally missing from the Presonus.

Very helpful video, cheers mate!

really cool desk with the piping and wood, looks nice and functional

Been using this as my main interface for almost 4 years. I absolutely love it. I mainly use it for hardware synths and use adat to connect to my Expert Sleepers ES-3 for my modular setup. Due to it having multiple inputs it works great for multi-track recording synths. A thing to keep in mind is that there can be some crosstalk going on with the channels when really cracking up the pre-amps but it has never been a problem in a real scenario. It comes with everything you need including a proper control panel however it is not as fancy as the one from Scarlett. It has never been a problem though. Sound quality is very transparent and the build quality is decent. Everything runs very smoothly using FL as well as with ableton or cubase.

Behringers stuff has been great so far. Never had a problem

The presonus is brighter sounding. But there was also distortion in the latter sound example.

is it possible to record 16 tracks at ones with the presonus daw? i know it works on Logic but it doesn't work on Audacity....if anyone knows please let me know!

Hey there, I'm needing to record a small jazz band and a rock band too. I've been wanting an 8 channel interface but there are so many to choose from. Would the sound quality of this interface be enough for a small recording business? I want to be able to create high quality recordings and compositions for local artists in my area. Thank you for your time!

Do the line-ins on these bypass all preamp circuitry?

Gotta start using earplugs at concerts man. There's a massive difference between those two clips. Different avg. db levels, the Presonus was clipping like crazy, and the Behringer had much more low-mid/bass. Completely different sounding. I preferred the Behringer.

I downloaded the presonus studio one but how do you configure it to the Uphoria UMC1820??? Whenever I try to record, the DAW does not get the signal from the microphone and its just mute. What do i do?? Please help.

Does anyone know if you can u run individual midi backing tracks through the 1/4" outputs on this interface?

Will signal still go thru such interface, say in a rack, when the interface is not connected to a computer or will it take a computer for audio to come out thru the audio outs??

Can two of these be daisy chained using the ADAT or would I have to use the ADA8200? I have one UMC1820 already but need more inputs. I do not use any mics and only need line input for all of my synth gear but having the inputs on the back of the UMC1820 is much more convenient for me than having them on the front like the ADA8200 has.

How well did this unit work for you compared to your older persons please?

Thanks for the review. I've got several rack mounted bits from Behringer, a headphone amp/splitter, a patch bay and a multi fx and they're all great. Had some really dodgy guitar pedals though. How's this still working 3 years later?

how is it now? after 2 years? did it break or malfunction?

Thanks for the video man...I was wondering if it works without connecting to a computer but I don't think so, right?

I just bought this UMC1820 with an ADA8200. So how do you set both units up to give you 16 mic inputs into your DAW, as well as to monitor each channel input through the line outputs on each of the hardware units? The UMC dashboard and drivers in and out only show odd pairs of input and output drivers In Cakewalk SONAR and in Windows. With the ADA8200 hooked up it shows an additional group of same odd pairs of input and output drivers with ADAT after each input and output. How do these translate into mic channels? For example the back of the UMC1820 has ADAT In for inputs 11-18. Where do you see these channels and how do they relate to the front input channels on each of the hardware pieces. I just bought these two units and I am very disappointed in the instructions and documentation included with each unit. They explain nothing in regards to how to hook them up properly. In addition I have scoured the internet reading Music Tribe forums, Behringer RU-vid videos, and tons of musician unboxing videos, and nowhere do I find proper instructions on a live set up doing 16 channels of recording while at the same time monitoring the line outputs on each of the hardware units by running them into a live mixing board. I have seen a host of other musicians on the forums asking the same question, and no one has been able to explain it in detail. I have two Toslink cables running from the in and outs of the ADAT connections on both units and have the ADA8200 set to ADAT. I know the UMC1820 is connected because I was able to record a track from one of its inputs into Cakewalk. I also know that the ADAT works in the ADA8200 because I can loop a Toslink cable between the In and Out ADAT jacks and hear analog output from the rear of the unit into my sound system with an instrument plugged into a channel on the front of the unit. Other than that I can only get select channels on the UMC1820 to record into the DAW. I cannot get any return outputs back through ADAT or USB to monitor the input on either unit and cannot record or monitor from the ADA8200. If anyone knows where I can find the detailed answers to this popular desired set up questions on line, please let me know. It would be greatly appreciated.

is there a vid showing how to run the click track thru 3-4 and the others thru 1-2??

Thanks for the video! Can you connect two UMC1820 to get 16 tracks?

Great review. I also have a UMC-1820. I really like it. I'm wondering what is the easiest way to use Channels 9 and 10 with the optical in?

Putting the obvious difference in sound between the Behringer and PreSonus aside here... which of these two interfaces do people feel is more transparent? I don't know if this is splitting hairs because these are such low end interfaces. I am also unfamiliar with both of these interfaces here in this video. About to pull the trigger on a new interface and am leaning towards an interface with good transparency. By this I mostly mean the least amount of color added to audio when tracking/recording. Great video by the way!

the new drivers 4.38 make a diffrence instant recognition of the device by the computer, tis great

Thanks for this! :)

Hello thank you for reviewing. Im not a sound guy. but i do live webinars. can i use this as audio splitter 1 audio coming from the mixer and send it to eight different output (laptop). can advise?

You can clearly hear a major difference between both, and I'd say that it was because the presonus was running hotter (more gain on the pre), but I'd say I'd still prefer the midas pre's on the behringer, but I'd really have to hear a whole mix of a song done on both to really tell.......but either will make you a record, and really, that's all that's important isn't it

Good evening, I don't know what's happenig with my interface because any computer can recognize it. To be more specific, I have only MACs in my house , so it's supposed to work without any type of driver. I have tried to connect the interface in many different computers, but it still doesn't appear in the system audio preferences. It's weird because some weeks ago it was working perfectly, but now it doesn't work at all. the interface takes the laptop energy because it can turn on, but there is no interface input that appears in the system. I changed the USB cable, but it isn't work either. I need help please Kind regards,

Does it work has a standalone?

This thing blown up yet or still going strong? (Assuming its not stored away and gets regular use) ???

Hi Infamous Musician, I have a question about your UMC 1820. Does it get really hot easily? Even when you just switch it on for about 2 or 3 minutes. I got mine today and find that it is very easy to get hot, and I feel that it kinda reduce the performance of the audio interface. I also have an FCA 610, but it doesn't seems to have the same problem.

Can i connect my line output 3-8 to line input on mixer as a multitrack?

Will the UMC1820 work with Audicity & an UNBUNTU 22.04 operating system? I'm thinking of pulling the trigger, on one these, to upgrade my studio. Any INFO would be appreciated. Gil

Hi there! Can you use it as a preamp? I mean use it's adat out to the input of another interface mainly as a preamp? By the way whats the maximum gain input in the UMC1820 preamps?

Great review and hardware. I have a question for the community: I've bought one, and only see the ADAT inputs and outputs under ASIO driver, but not under WASAPI driver. Does anybody else experienced this? Should I see ADAT I/Os under WASAPI? The problem is that sometimes I like to use GoldWave, which apparently doesn't support ASIO. Thanks in advance.

@Cody did you have to do anything to get your line outs to work ? As I think i'm having issues with mine... .Has anyone else had this problem ?

I have challenges with an U-Phoria 404 sound card. Immediately I just connect to my PC and then to the monitor Speakers, there is always a shower/wave sound coming the psssssy soft buzzing sound. Kindly help what's the matter?

can I use this to plug mics into then plug direct into a MacBook for recording drums

How Do You Connect This With Studio One 4?

Does the direct monitoring play in both headphones, or just one? I have the UMC202, and the direct monitoring will only play out of the side the input is plugged into (input 1 is left and input 2 is right, so you only get it in one ear)

Thank you for post, one question. What you use for software routing , witc softwear? Thank you

Would this work with Sony acid?

hi Cody, do you know if this interface include the recording software for the 8 channel mic ???

I can't seem to get windows 10 to recognise this unit. Any advice would be muchly appreciated. Thanks 👍🏻

Video already 3 year.. now still oke sirr this behringer umc? Have problem?

Hello Friend! Please allow me a few questions. Particularly I find the Monitor Station Remote (MSR) very interesting and I saw you have one. Does it only work integrated with FireStudio 26 × 26? What operating system do you use with it? Would it be advisable to buy an MSR currently because it is no longer manufactured and there seems to be no support for upgrades? I thank the attention.

I'm getting a rumbling noise noise when I turn phantom power on and and it does it even a mic is not connected. It's not normal noise and my 1820 is brand new

Do you have a video about your in ear system?

I know this will probably get lost, but, does this Interface work with USB bus power only? What I mean is, can you power it through USB? Or do you need to use the main power input?

Line Outputs 3-10 on the back: What precisely are they for and how do you get them to work? I've assumed as the manual said that they output the converted audio for each of those channels. But, so far they are as silent as can be. This unit is brand spanking new and those outputs have never produced an audio signal. I've been using Garageband and I don't see any way to configure them inside the DAW, as some have suggested. I was thinking that maybe I didn't push the right button or switch on the front, but I have honestly tried everything. Do they output audio signal in GB or not? And, if so, can someone tell me how to get those 8 separate signals using an iMac and Garageband?

whats the black connectors

Can record separate track like drum?

[sorry, I write bad because I'm Italian ], please I have a question: Which audio interface is better between these two? - motu 2408 mk2 (2003) or - Behringer umc 404 HD (2014 ) _______Thank you ps. for use in Home Studio, for do: - Mix - Producer in the box (plugin synth ... ableton) - "home" Mastering - Send/Return , out from Daw and re-input in Daw - also for recording some times: guitar / bass / mic condensator thank you

Sir I need help please. I have a Uphoria UMC1820 audio interface and I downloaded the DAW "Waveform 9" and for some reason the DAW doesn't let me connect to the interface and it's just mute. I can't use my microphones at all. What free DAW should i download that is compatible with a UPHORIA UMC1820 audio interface?? Please help, I'm getting frustrated.

is that thing still holding up almost 5 years later or it blew up? :D

Nice video!!! Is it 8x8 or 8x2?

presonus is a lot cleaner... is it better tho?

I am actually deciding between these 2 interfaces ironically. I want to use Presonus S1 4 artist which comes with the Presonus interface. I will sometimes use all 8 channels and want low latency, does the behringer do this well? Lastly is setup of the Behringer with Presonus S1 4 quick and easy?

Is it class compliant

Hey and thank you for this great video, I have a quesiton, How many outputs do I get when I connect this unit to my daw via USB? Do I get 8 or more outputs to the DAW?

True. The brand is massively underated and at times, villified. But they're quite good

How do you use/ connect external effects unit (e.g. compressor/ gate, reverb, etc.) with the UMC1820? Thanks for video.

I am using Behringer UMC204HD for live performance with my band. Out 1+2 stereo backtrack sequencer, Out 3 Guitar - RCA convert to DI, Out 4 RCA click track for drummer. it sound great when using headphones and another output in average level output at home. Problem appear when all out comes together in studio mixer with all the band players, the output sound distorted when raise the volume to average band level output (because need to balance with other band players) , I ensure its not clipping both form DAW or analog Mixer but still distorted when volume raised at average level with another band players I read that because UMC204HD has high THD (Total Harmonic DIstortion) seems cause the problem. Is that happen too with this UMC1820 ? have you try mix in DAW and output the volume up to average band level volume without distorted with this device ?

Did you also find that there is some leakage between channels because the inputs won’t mute when turned all the way down?

I just purchased it. Hope for the best...

Thanks Cody. Do you still use it in 2023?

cool review

My main concern is the lack of inserts on the Behringer. What is your take on this?

Can you use two of these to get 16?

I have a newbie question, so the outputs on the back send only the signal for the corresposding input or does it send the same entire mix through every output channel? Sorry if I didn't explain myself well

The presonus is clearer and has a louder input gain, causing the perception of clipping

Need help, I want to play 5 separate music for 5 rooms all from one system. Would the behringer umc1820 work since it has 8 outputs

Does it come with any type of routing/mixer software?

I start buying Behringer as soon as the company existed...I bought hips and never had problems...I been operating as a music tech for over 25 years and is true some people smear or at least snobs the name, I never saw a music company evolving all over that fast. What "domestic" producer would do without?

You did not mention if this show up as 8 individual tracks in Logic Pro X and/or GarageBand, I mean its a really important thing if you mic up the drums for example, many of these cheap USB interfaces only show up as 1-2 individual tracks in GarageBand and that's not good when wanting to record drums and have full control over all the mics on the drum-kit. Thanks.

Is your Behringer 1820 still working? I ask bc I have bn reading abt the 1820's longevity/durability. Some users say that their 1820 no longer works (overheating etc). Please share any information. I have one that is always powered and constantly on as it serves as an audio card for my mac pro as well as for DAW recording. I'd be happy to hear from anyone who heavily uses this device. Thanks 👍🏾

Can you tell me where you go that desk ?

hi there. i have latency issues using it on reaper. how do i do feedback loop on this umc device? i am trying to sort the offset setting to have no latency when recording.

please send me the guitar recording like an instrumental so i can make a song out of it . good vibes

dynamic range ???

I don't seem to be able to find the answer to the question I have about this unit, hope you can help. When running into a DAW is it possible to record 8 separate mono tracks at the same time, or is it limited to a single stereo track? I'm thinking about live recording here. Thanks.

Hey Cody - do you know how to get a signal out of any of the ¼" outputs on the back (3 - 10)? I have tried everything and zip. Those are controlled through the DAW. If you open up the driver window, Advanced, Configure, Volume there are two slider panels - one for Inputs and one for Outputs. No matter how I adjust them - no sound at outputs 3 through 8.

Thanks for the review. I am looking into doing some recording at home and was leaning towards Presonus studio one artist and using a behringer umc404 or umc1820. What's your opinion of the press us DAW?

Can you mix a 5.1 audio with this interface?

Great video man. Maybe somebody on here can help me out. Can I run two separate sets of studio monitors out of this unit?

do the input and outputs show as individual devices under windows audio playback/recording? or does it show as single stereo input/output outside of your DAW

Does it do 18 multi-track recording at the same time into different tracks?

Hi. I'm strongly considering getting this because my Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 has gone to shit. Right after I bought it (used, in all fairness) three of the little plastic buttons on the front completely broke and became unusable. Just a couple weeks ago my input 6 died completely (I tested this by plugging a guitar and quarter inch directly into the input and got no signal whatsoever). I don't want to spend $450 on another Focusrite product. That being said, one thing I do like about the focusrite is that it comes with the software to tell what inputs to be what. For instance, I always have stereo to aux cable plugged in to inputs 7+8 so that if I ever want to just listen to music off my phone, I plug it in and away I go. In the focusrite software, I've set 7+8 up to be a stereo pair so that my music comes out in stereo. Is there something similar for the Behringer interface? Glad to know you use Studio One, because that's my DAW of choice too. I'm thinking of buying this and using it as my main interface, then keeping the focusrite around for if I ever want to do some portable recording and don't need all 8 inputs.

I thought the presonus sounded brighter. Also a bit of peaking on the presonus, though it's probably a little hotter. Thanks for the vid though👍🇮🇪

Hi there, Does anybody knows if the UMC1820 is compatible with macOS High Sierra?

Good video!

I just got the 1820 but in Logic Pro X, the input/output channels show up as channels 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 instead of just Behringer Uphoria 1820 channels 1-8. How do I configure this?