BEHRINGER UFO202 WITH PRE-AMP FEATURE
A
practical primer.…
© 2016 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
The age of vinyl records and magnetic tape recordings has come and
almost gone. Some present day recordings are still being released in very
limited quantities in these formats. I say “almost” in that there appears to be
a slight resurgence of this past technology by the purest, but for us normal
folk what do we do to preserve and enjoy these recordings?
(TIP:
There is a debate by some that the
quality of vinyl and magnetic tape far exceeds that of the various digital
media currently available. Some also believe that the vacuum tube produces
better quality than does solid-state technology. While there may be some truth
to all this, an adult’s hearing, after the age of 30, gradually looses its
ability to hear higher frequencies and continues to do so to the point where
hearing aids become a necessary evil. Some of this was as a result of listening
to music at very high volumes in our younger years.)
There are several ways to convert your old media to a
CD, computer file or memory stick. In the case of vinyl recordings you need a
turntable that either has a USB output, or the more common analogue RCA
connectors. If you have USB you can connect it directly to one of the spare USB
ports on your computer and then use a software program that we’ll discuss later
to make a recording. If you have a turntable with RCA connectors you will first
have to plug this into some sort of pre-amp. A pre-amp boosts the very low
signal from the stylist to a level acceptable for recording purposes. I’ve
found the Behringer U-Phono UFO202 a perfect solution. This device has a phono
pre-amp built-in that can also be switched off allowing various other analogue
tape recording devices such as tape decks to also mate up with your computer. A
USB cable is attached allowing direct connection to virtually any computer
platform and provides a high-resolution 48 kHz conversion for high-end audio
quality. It’s also used to power the unit. The green LED is a USB status light
that indicates power is coming from the USB connection. Two analogue RCA output
jacks are provided allowing you to plug into the audio input of other devices. An
eighth-inch headphone jack and accompanying volume control are built-in
allowing you to monitor the conversion process. A selector switch turns the pre-amp
off for non-vinyl conversions. If you’re interested in only converting analogue
magnetic recordings you might consider the UCA202, without the pre-amp feature,
but since it costs about the same why choose it?
BEHRINGER UCA202 WITHOUT THE PHONO PRE-AMP FEATURE
TIP: The
UFO202 is outfitted with a ground lug. You will need to connect a small wire to
it and to the metal frame, not plastic, of the turntable. This is necessary to
eliminate any hum or buzz that may be picked up from the electrics in the
turntable mechanism. Worry not, you won’t be shocked when making this simple
hookup.)
Any audio recording of this type requires a software
program to make it work. I’ve found AUDACITY, a FREE multi-platform program,
works very well. Not only can you use this as your recorder, but you also can
edit, filter, speed correct, and equalize the material. Behringer offers this
and many other downloads for FREE on their web site. Once the recording is
complete it’s just a matter of saving to your hard drive, a CD or memory stick.
So, don’t throw away your precious recordings,
transcribe them to your computer and store them on a CD, memory stick or other
storage media. Turntables, reel-to-reel recorders, audiocassette and 8-track
decks are readily found on EBAY. Happy listening!
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★
Available at retail or from
Amazon.
Graphic
credits: Behringer
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent,
or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his
points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally
supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is
received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of
review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior
ratings.
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