Behringer Xenyx 302 Interface

  • Thread starter Thread starter fritsthegirl
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fritsthegirl

fritsthegirl

Taste of home
I purchased this USB interface when I first started recording, I wanted an Maudio one but my mate told me this would be fine.

Once I got the right drivers for it it seemed to be OK, I don't have problems with latency or anything. I occasionally have to restart Reaper and refresh the drivers, because I get clicks in the playback. I admit that is pretty annoying, but I get used to stuff like that.

This thing only cost £35. I don't always believe because it's cheap it must be bad, but you know, often it is...

How much is this interface letting me down, and in what way does the interface affect the quality of the recording? If I upgraded the interface what improvement would I expect to see? Do you think it's worth it?

Ta. :)
 
FritsGirl, is anyone giving you feedback in the MP3 clinic that specifically relates to the quality of the recorded tracks?

I'm no Behringer fan, but it seems to be working for you so far from what I've heard. If you want to throw money around (and let's face it, it's fun!) I'd be going further back up the signal chain at this stage... mics, instruments...

There's nothing wrong with upgrading your interface, but is it the one thing that you think is holding you back at the moment?

I took the other path - I went for an expensive interface first up because (a) I could (b) I didn't want to ever be worried about latency, drivers, support, interacting with the DAW etc. So far it's working. Probably I could have spent less, but it's doing exactly what it I want it to do. Rock solid. Aim achieved.

YMMV, I'm a relative noob with interfaces so take what I say with a grain of salt.
 
Armistice said:
FritsGirl, is anyone giving you feedback in the MP3 clinic that specifically relates to the quality of the recorded tracks?

I'm no Behringer fan, but it seems to be working for you so far from what I've heard. If you want to throw money around (and let's face it, it's fun!) I'd be going further back up the signal chain at this stage... mics, instruments...

There's nothing wrong with upgrading your interface, but is it the one thing that you think is holding you back at the moment?

I took the other path - I went for an expensive interface first up because (a) I could (b) I didn't want to ever be worried about latency, drivers, support, interacting with the DAW etc. So far it's working. Probably I could have spent less, but it's doing exactly what it I want it to do. Rock solid. Aim achieved.

YMMV, I'm a relative noob with interfaces so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Click to expand...

Yeh, you're right, no one has said I must be using a crappy Behringer USB interface - my production skills probably cover up my dodgy equipment anyways.

I thought maybe someone might pipe and say OH MY GOD, get rid of that thing today. With a new interface your voice won't be pitchy, no more lip smacks, you won't make mistakes, and your mix will just sound awesome EVERY SINGLE TIME. :D

I'm glad you confirmed what I was kind of thinking, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I would rather throw the money at something I definitely need then, like beer. :drunk:
 
I have had many interfaces and used many interfaces, the only thing you should in my opinion worry about, is that how much is your interface useful for your own production, nothing else would matter.
the latency is relevant of how much live effect you are using, for me for example; Its important that I get no delay when I have my MIC in, or my instruments in... I would go nutzzz if there is a delay when Im trying different effects, But to counter that You can simply just record and then play back, but I saved up some money to get a Saffire Pro 40 which is decent in terms of quality and latency and etc ...
but what do you need your interface for? if its only for recording, then as long as you get the quality you want, it should be fine.
 
fritsthegirl said:
I purchased this USB interface when I first started recording, I wanted an Maudio one but my mate told me this would be fine.
Click to expand...

It's probably been covered, but I think the main reasons people upgrade from budget interfaces are...
1: Need more I/O or other functionality
2: Need more clean gain
3: Too noisy.

If those things aren't an issue, I'd probably just crack on and focus on other things.

I don't know your circumstances, but I'm guessing there are other things you can look at? Room and monitoring?
 
As noted above, I don't think your interface is going to be the weakest link in your chain. If it's pitchiness and lip smacks you're bothered about, then you probably want to focus more on warm up, practising the part plenty and recording multiple takes and comping a final 'take' - Reaper makes this very easy. Most lip smacks can probably be edited out. If you're generally just finding your mixes, composition, playing, etc. aren't quite floating your boat, then practice, practice, practice is the only way. If you don't like the sound of your recorded vocals, a different mic will make way more difference than an interface. Acoustic treatment is always worth it, as well, if you can.
 
Oh the Signature...I donno...I worked hard for it?? lol
I donno man just press shift and Enter??
 
Personally I'd say just keep on with it if it works for your workflow. Upgrade when you need more channels etc. I'm still using a cheapo soundcard (m-audio 24/96) and a couple of cheapish pre-amps. (studio projects vtb1 & alesis mictube) I also have a Tascam US800 but I only ever use that for drums, which is rare nowadays. Like the old adage goes, it's not what you've got but how you use it.

When I first started recording back in the early 90's I was using a CB Mic, a DJ Mixer, 2 tape decks and an old hifi. If I had then what I have now I'd of been blown away!

Make the most of what you've got and learn to get the best out of it. :thumbs up:
 
Fritsgirl - back to the Behr question. A different interface will probably give you better mic preamps, and less noise. I have noticed that most inexpensive (sub $300) USB mixers have a high-pitched whine if you turn up the USB level too high (in or out).

I used to have more than 2 lines in my signature here, but that was from the original set up, seems they changed things at some point?
 
jonny deep said:
When I want to make a multiline post in Facebook, I write in a text editor and copy & paste. Maybe that'll work?
Click to expand...
Hold shift and hit enter for a new line without sending. ;)
moresound said:
Copy and paste was my guess too!
Click to expand...
No go here.
mjbphotos said:
I used to have more than 2 lines in my signature here, but that was from the original set up, seems they changed things at some point?
Click to expand...
Yeah, a while back.

mjbphotos said:
Fritsgirl - back to the Behr question. A different interface will probably give you better mic preamps, and less noise. I have noticed that most inexpensive (sub $300) USB mixers have a high-pitched whine if you turn up the USB level too high (in or out).
Click to expand...
Sorry Frits. Sorta took over your thread there.
 
If the current setup is causing you to stop, reboot, worry about saving your work every 5 seconds, etc. then maybe an upgrade would improve your sound just by virtue of allowing you relax, let the creativity flow and focus on music instead of technical problems. Something to be said for that.
 
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