![]() ![]() On the top of the unit is a large rotary input level control, along with a funky blue LED to indicate that the USB connection to your computer has been recognised. Background digital playback interference on the review systemĪny musician who wants to plug in a mic or guitar instead of a line-level signal, make 24-bit recordings, and plug in a MIDI synth or two, should find Edirol's UA20 is a compact and convenient solution at an attractive price. ![]() Mic, guitar and line-level input options.Audio and MIDI support in one convenient package.All three slide switches are tiny and recessed to prevent accidental operation, but despite being a little fiddly to operate are reasonably positive in action. #Edirol audiocapture driverThe front panel is completed by a two-way switch labelled Advanced Driver, to choose between the standard 16-bit/44.1kHz USB driver or Edirol's own 24-bit/44.1kHz design, which is claimed to provide more stable timing. Input controls are ranged across the front, with the two quarter-inch unbalanced jack sockets on the right, a three-way slide switch to select mic, guitar or line level, and a second three-way switch to switch input monitoring between permanent zero-latency monitoring, software-selected monitoring using a suitable ASIO 2.0 host application such as Cubase, or Off. A quick look inside confirmed that like so many soundcards from other manufacturers including Aardvark, Creamware, Marian, M-Audio and Terratec, the UA20 uses AKM's AK4524 converters. Its rubber feet grip most surfaces well, so despite its light weight it shouldn't slide off the desk if you move your mic or guitar cable. The ABS moulded silver and grey case is smart, and at a diminutive 149mm wide, 111mm deep and 43mm high, should fit almost anywhere. Since it's still a little foolhardy to plug in separate USB MIDI and audio peripherals and expect them not to squabble occasionally, this seems a convenient arrangement, especially since the UA20 is parasitically powered from USB, requiring no external wall-wart. It supports stereo 24-bit audio recording and playback at a fixed 44.1kHz sample rate, and its inputs can be switched between mic, guitar and line operation.Īlong with line-level outputs, the UA20 also has an Toslink optical digital output, zero-latency monitoring, a separate headphone output, and a MIDI In and Out. Edirol have been active in this market since its beginning, and the UA20 provides us with yet another tempting combination of features. ![]() Now that initial USB teething troubles have largely died out, there's no denying that USB audio and MIDI peripherals have made a lot of musicians' lives much easier, particularly where laptop recording is concerned. Edirol's latest audio and MIDI interface fills another niche in the increasingly competitive market for USB devices. ![]()
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