Steinberg UR12
2 x 2 USB 2.0 audio interface with 1 x D-PRE and 192 kHz support
Combining an extremely compact design, extraordinary build quality, full iPad connectivity and the outstanding D-PRE mic preamp, the UR12 redefines quality for its class of 2-in 2-out USB interfaces. 24/192 converters offer you outstanding levels of audio fidelity, while the D-PRE gives your microphone recordings incredible detail, depth and dynamics.
Key features
24-bit/192 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface
Top of the range converters provide a maximum sampling rate of 192 kHz and a resolution of 24 bits, delivering pristine audio quality.
One Class-A D-PRE mic preamp
Yamaha’s highly acclaimed D-PRE preamp deliver a truly transparent and beautifully detailed sound that is unrivaled in this product class.
Rugged full-metal casing
Built to the most exacting standards by Yamaha’s experienced engineers, the UR12’s full-metal chassis is rugged enough to withstand all the rigors of the road.
Latency-free hardware monitoring
The UR12 features latency-free hardware monitoring with an easy-to-use monitor source switch that allows you to choose between the direct signal and the output of your host application.
Compatible with major recording software
The UR12 is compatible with all major audio editing, mastering, and music production software supporting ASIO, Core Audio, or WDM standard.
iOS connectivity
UR12 offers connectivity with Apple’s iPad and iPhone. When paired with Steinberg’s iPad-based Cubasis music app or other iOS audio apps, the UR12 offers a portable and intuitive production experience.
Cubase AI included
Based on the same core technologies as the popular Cubase DAW, Cubase AI offers an intuitive feature set for composing, recording, editing and mixing.
Loopback function
The UR12 offers an easy way to streaming performances live to the internet, with incoming audio signals merged to the playback signal from Cubase or other DAWs inside the computer.
Power source selector
The UR12 provides a 5 V DC port to supply power when connected to an iPad or iPhone. A standard USB power adapter or an external USB battery can be plugged in to guarantee power stability.
Cubasis LE included
Cubasis LE is a streamlined version of Steinberg’s popular iOS music production app, offering professional music production on your iPad.
The UR12 in detail
Ultra-compact...
The UR12 proves how many first-class components can fit into a compact device at a very competitive price point. Its cleverly engineered capabilities give you all the I/O you need to quickly record your tracks…
... with full-on audio quality
…at a quality that would just a few years ago have seemed impossible on a recording device at this price point. The acclaimed D-PRE offers a sumptuously detailed, wonderfully dynamic sound, while the second input offers access to a Hi-Z input for guitars or basses. Featuring recording in stunning 24-bit quality at a whopping 192 kHz, the UR12 offers almost unheard of fidelity for recording in its class.
Portable and affordable
The UR12 has been engineered not only to offer the maximum functionality and quality in an extremely compact design, but also to be available at a very low price point. Often, smaller interfaces that are affordable for those on a tight budget mean (at best) average audio quality; this ethos has been transcended by the UR12, with its first-rate components, fantastic price/value ratio and exceedingly portable design.
iOS connectivity
The UR12 offers a Class Compliant mode for connectivity with Apple’s iPad and iPhone. Combining the UR12 with an iOS audio application like Steinberg’s Cubasis gives you a remarkably intuitive music production experience. If you’re running your UR12 with an iOS device, just add a portable USB battery or any standard USB power supply to provide the interface with the required current.
Integrate your system
The UR12 is compatible with all major audio editing, mastering and music production software supporting the ASIO, Core Audio or WDM standard.
UR12 also includes a special version of Cubase, Cubase AI, to offer a complete production environment in one package. And Cubase users also benefit from the auto-setup functionality which handles configuration of input and output channels and buses from within Cubase for a uniquely integrated music production environment.
Use cases
Newcomers to music production
The UR12 is the ideal interface for newcomers to digital music production, looking to record their first tracks and explore a new world of writing, recording and mixing music on their computer. Offering all the I/O needed to record vocals and guitars in outstanding quality, the UR12 also includes a streamlined and upgradable version of Cubase, Steinberg’s legendary music production system. Available at a price point that will appeal directly to musicians making their first foray into making music on a computer, the UR12 is nevertheless built to exacting standards of quality, with first-class preamps and rugged metal casing that is made to last.
Pro musicians on tour
Professional musicians on tour requiring an ultra-compact interface that makes no compromises in terms of either build or recording quality need look no further. The UR12 offers the outstanding D-PRE preamp, a Hi-Z input for connecting electric guitars and basses and a headphones output for monitoring on a plane, tour bus or in a hotel room. Its small size means that it will easily fit into your hand luggage, while the rugged metal case means that it is designed to deal with life on the road.
Live streaming of audio to the Internet
The UR12’s loopback function lets you broadcast your audio production live via the internet! Combine your live microphone signal feeding into the UR12’s mic input with the audio coming from, say, a recording of a college lecture and stream both live to the web. Or add a live voiceover to a music backing track, with both signals merged and looped back to your internet broadcasting software. You’re ready to reach the world…
Recording your friends and family — in professional studio quality
Creating recordings of those once-in-a-lifetime moments you share with the people around you can be so rewarding. And what a difference it can make if your child’s first faltering words are recorded at the poor sound quality offered by mobile phones or dictation devices but in sumptuous 24-bit/192 kHz resolution. The UR12 has everything you need to build a personal recording station in your own home, with a first-class microphone preamp and an easy-to-use program based on professional production software used by recording engineers around the world.
The UR12 close-up
UR12 front panel
2. XLR connector for mic and peak indicator for Input 1
3. +48 V phantom power indicator for Input 1
4. TS connector for guitar (Hi-Z) and peak indicator
5. USB power indicator
7. Main output volume / headphone volume control
8. Direct monitor switch
9. Headphones output
UR12 rear panel
2. Power source selector
3. USB 2.0 port
4. 2 analog RCA outputs
5. +48 V phantom power switch
6. Safety lock hole
UR12 setup examples
The UR12 is an exceedingly compact recording system with all the I/O and features you really need on the road.
Hook up a condenser or a dynamic mic to the D-PRE and plug in your guitar. You’re now ready to record. Plug in your headphones for zero-latency hardware monitoring.
Then, of course, there’s a USB port to connect to either your Mac or PC, letting you record and mix your productions with the included Cubase AI workstation or other audio software.
Plus, the CC Mode provides connectivity with Apple’s iPad and iPhone.
For easy live streaming of performances to the internet, the Loopback function consolidates all playback tracks and input channels and routes the mix to your internet streaming software.
Technology
Sharing the same heritage as the highly acclaimed MR816 interfaces, the URs house outstanding converters and D-PRE Class-A discrete mic preamps. Each interface is completely adapted to your needs while sharing the hallmarks of the UR range: great build quality, stunning sound and flexible, fully integrated capabilities. Ultra-stable drivers for Mac OS X and Windows mean that the entire UR range supports all major recording software applications.
D-PRE microphone preamps
All UR audio interfaces offer D-PRE Class-A discrete mic preamps from Yamaha. The D-PRE is carefully designed to capture all the subtleties and expressiveness of any audio source and is the culmination of years of development by the experienced engineers at the Yamaha Corporation.
The preamp is where sound creation begins in recording, and ultimately determines the quality of your mix. D-PRE Mic Preamps sound stunning, and the difference is in the design. Usually, preamps use one transistor each for the hot and cold signals at the input stage to amplify the signal. However, the D-PREs specified on Steinberg audio interfaces use an inverted Darlington circuit, where two transistors are used for each hot and cold — a total of four per unit. With only one transistor on a preamp circuit, distortion tends to increase along with the signal level. By using a pair of two cascaded transistors, very low distortion can be maintained regardless of signal level.
Some users might look for a microphone preamp to dramatically color the sound while others search for a very neutral response. For example, some highly sought after vintage microphone preamps excel at amplifying certain components of a given source, imparting a generous amount of color to the signal. Such a preamp might be great for a vocal recording, however those preamps will not suit every use.
D-PRE has a very wide frequency range so that it can handle any music source and it does not overly amplify any specific components of the signal. It’s beautifully tuned to be able to capture the true expression of a given performance or audio source, while leaving flexibility for later editing. The end result is that D-PRE provides a sound that is a perfect amalgamation of understated signal enhancement combined with impeccable sonic integrity. The development team took a lot of time to adjust this subtle balance and the D-PRE sound quality speaks for itself.
Loopback function
For easy live streaming of performances to the internet, the Loopback function consolidates all playback tracks and input channels and routes the mix to your internet streaming software. This function is often used by hosts of internet live streaming programs. When the function is active, incoming audio signals such as microphone, guitar or line source will be merged to the playback signal from an audio playback software like Cubase or other DAWs inside the computer. The merged signal will then be send back to the computer for streaming.
192 kHz
All components are carefully selected and implemented for full resolution of high-end audio of up to 24-bit/192 kHz. A higher sampling frequency means more samples of the audio source, resulting in better reproduction of the original sound, contributing to the naturalness of audio image and ambience.
CC Mode
All UR interfaces can be switched to CC (Class Compliant) mode*. In this mode the interfaces work with the iPad and iPhone. Combining the UR units with an iOS audio application, such as Steinberg’s Cubasis for iPad, you get a fully mobile audio recording solution.
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