Behringer UMC404HD

So, I wanted a 4 input USB interface that could record at 48Khz/24bit 4 tracks at the same time without issues in order for me to digitize my master tapes from my 4 channel analoge track recorder.

Mind that I used to have a Scarlette 4i4 1st generation which I never had any issues but I sold it long time ago. I was just about to pull the trigger and buy the Scarlette 4i4 3st gen which costs more or less double the money, until I noticed that not only it had only two line ins (at the back) but since the 1st generation they removed 2 of the front preamps. So, I would have to connect 2 channels to the preamps and 2 channels to the line ins. These two groups of connections have different specs (impedence) so I didn't want to mess around and waist time with any of this.

I read a ton of revivews and although I had never bought any Behringer device worth of 15 euros or more, I pulled the trigger and bought one.

It looks sturdy enough, the manual contains only the basic information but apart from the routins, it is a simple device.

No problems with the Win10 drivers (built 1909) which is always a good thing. That's the only thing I downloaded from the Behringer site, by the way, I don't need anything else. One thing I am already missing is the Control/Mixing Panel of the Focusrite. Don't get me wrong, it's not something you must have, but it was a very good and useful thing to have and the Behringer software is kinda of poor gut it does the job (and when it doesn't do it, you can always set a few things from within the DAWs).

The interface got paired with my Presonus Eris E5, no problems, the E5's have been set to unity (half their volume) and the Behringer takes care of the rest.

I also use the AKG271's and this soundcard can drive'em without any problems (no need for headphone amp in this case).

Now, the important stuff.

The card is dead silent, its convertors "sound" great, I've already digitize quite a few of my material without any issues.

The Mix pot was a little bit odd to me at first (mixes the input sound and playback sound) but that's alright.

Line/Instrument and Pad buttons are very useful, no problems with the quality of the pots etc except that the Volume is way too close to the Mix and if you have big hands/fingers it might be a problem (well, not a problem but maybe a mild inconvinience).

All in all, at that price and with these specs, this might be one of the best purchases I've ever made. the price is ridiculous for what you get, absolutely ridiculous!

So, yeah, I am gonna go ahead and recommend this interface as if you are looking for a card with the specs it packs, you really can't go wrong with the 404HD.

4 channel input/output USB Audio interface that is cheap in price but quite nice in quality, additionally it is plug and play for Linux (tested with Ubuntu 20.04).

The good:
The microphone inputs are quite clean, at least when using condenser microphones with phantom power (slightly more noise than in a SSL2 interface).
The headphone output has more than enough power to drive 250 Ohm headphones (tested Beyer Dynamic DT 990 Pro and DT 297 PV)
The knobs feel really nice, time will tell, but they feel a grade above the ones used in other Behringer consoles.

The quirks:
When monitoring, you can mix the inputs and the outputs with the MIX knob.
For the inputs you can listen to all of them at the same time, and stereo mix them as well by pressing the Stereo/Mono button.
However when monitoring the outputs for channels 3-4 (by depressing the Monitor A/B button) they are completely separated from the rest, including the inputs.

The less good:
The CLIP and SIG LEDs are useful guides, but you need to monitor your levels through software to set the microphones gain (at least until you know how they behave with the interface).
Line level inputs start distorting before clipping, make sure your signals are not too hot (even though they are not clipping distortion will happen), this seems to be more evident at higher frequencies.

The bad:
The line outputs are low, if you are connecting to a pro line level you might find the output insufficient, if you are connecting it to a PA or a mixer down the line, make sure you can pick something with a -10dB option for the level (and even then they might be a bit on the low side with the MAIN OUT at maximum level).

Overall the price leaves little to complain about.