Description
Take your sound new heights with the high-speed, high-resolution, low-latency, and ultra-portable UAC-2 SuperSpeed USB 3. 0 Audio converter. The bus-powered UAC-2 adds two channels of 24-bit/192 kHz high-resolution audio to any USB 2. 0 or 3. 0-equipped Windows or Mac computer—even to your iPad. It utilizes SuperSpeed USB 3. 0 technology for low latency and includes advanced features such as 4x upsampling, Loopback, and MIDI I/O. Plug in any microphone, line-level device, or instrument and use the UAC-2 for onstage playback, recording to a DAW, or enjoyment of high-res audio in your home or office. You can also use it for fast, low-latency podcasting, gaming, and other live streaming applications.
In the box
- Operation manual
- USB 3.0 cable (1m)
- Cubase LE software download
- Cubase LE startup guide
The Zoom UAC-2 USB 3.0 SuperSpeed Audio Converter
Add high-resolution audio to your PC, Mac, or iPad.
The portable UAC-2 adds two channels of low latency 24-bit/192 kHz high-resolution audio to any USB 3.0 or 2.0-equipped Windows or Mac computer—even to your iPad*. Housed in a robust metal chassis, the UAC-2 is perfect for onstage playback, recording to a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation,) podcasting, gaming, and other live streaming applications, as well as enjoyment of high-res audio in your home or office.
*(AC adapter and Apple Camera Connection kit or Lightning to USB Camera Adapter required for use with iPad)
- 2-in/2-out USB 3.0 SuperSpeed low latency audio interface
- Support for up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio
- Two combo mic- / line-level input connectors with Hi-Z switches for connection of instruments like electric guitar and bass, plus MIDI I/O
- Two balanced output jacks for connection to amplifiers or self-powered speakers plus headphone jack with dedicated level control
- Compact, rugged, and bus powered—no AC power or batteries required
- Compatible with all popular DAW and streaming software, including Cubase, Logic, GarageBand, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and others
- Works with all USB 3.0 or 2.0-equipped Windows and Mac computers, as well as iPad *
Complete connectivity
The UAC-2 works with everything from legacy USB 2.0 laptops and desktops to the latest-generation Windows or Mac USB 3.0-equipped computers. Or plug in an AC adapter and Apple Camera Connection kit or Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (sold separately) to use it with your iPad.
Enhanced software functionality
Zoom’s free UAC-2 MixEfx is a Macintosh- and Windows-compatible application designed specially for the UAC-2. With UAC-2 MixEfx, you can set mix parameters and add high-quality effects such as reverb and echo. Other features include a low cut filter, phase reverse, and Auto Gain control for each input. UAC-2 MixEfx even provides three memory slots for saving and recalling user settings.
Xprod77 –
If latency matters to you, you can’t beat the value here.
First let me qualify this review with my PC setup as most reviews will almost always eventually lead to “what kind of setup do you have” questions: I’m running a custom build Intel Hex-core i7-5820 overclocked to 4.2ghz, EVGA X99 Micro 2 MOBO, 32GB Corsair XMS DDR4, EVGA GTX950 video card, Samsung 256GB NVME SSD, Mushkin 1TB Reactor storage SSD, and WIn 10 64 Pro all in a liquid-cooled Corsair Air 240. This is NOT a “studio-only” PC. I use this PC for everything; email, surfing the net, Photoshop, video editing, telecommuting for work, etc. I know many people are VERY strict (anal) about not using their studio PC for anything but that but I have found after decades of building PCs that it’s really not that big of a deal. I’ve seldom had any conflicts or performance hits due to also running software other than whatever DAW I was using. Lastly, you should know that my aim with this purchase was mainly focused on LATENCY. I’ve streamlined my home setup (kids will do that) so that I’m basically doing everything with VSTs/virtual instruments now. That means I need the lowest latency I can get to get a natural feel when tracking.Prior to this Zoom I was using an aging Mbox 2 with Pro Tools 11. I have since (finally) left the Pro Tools camp after over 15 years of far too many upgrades/crossgrades and over-charged nonsense. I have only recently begun to use Presonus Studio One. Running my Mbox 2 through Studio One would cap at a buffer of 128/44k and anything lower would seriously distort the signal. Some research showed that this is a known issue with the Mbox 2 on Windows 10 64. With that buffer setting I was getting noticeable latency. Presonus was reporting something like 10ms input and 10ms output. I’ve read that still wouldn’t be the true real-time latency (RTL) number that ultimately matters (it would be higher) so that wasn’t good at all. Especially since I couldn’t get the buffer down any lower. After countless hours of research, mostly on Gearslutz and DAW Bench, it seemed that I either needed to drop serious money on an RME device or wait until the situation gets better with all the other brands. Well, I got kids…and RME wasn’t going to fly with the wife. So that left me kind of stuck…I could get a firewire card and try out the Focusrite Saffire Pro series but I didn’t feel like adding more PCI cards to my setup and some reviews were mixed on it. What was key in my research was this…it’s not so much the interface hardware as much as the DRIVERS that matter. Apparently there are very few interface makers that actually develop their own drivers. RME, of course, is one of them and that’s why they are always at the top of the list of low-latency interfaces. Most use the same generic driver that may or may not be fully optimized for the interface. So on one of my research binges I noticed some forum posters on Gearslutz mentioning ZOOM this and ZOOM that. Now, I’m primarily a guitar player and I had heard of Zoom before from way back in the day and my initial impression back then was basically that they were the Walmart of guitar products. Cheap, made-in-China, knockoff and low quality stuff that I would NEVER put on my pedal board. So as I’m reading some users raving on the quality and most importantly, the low latency of the UAC-2, I was skeptical. There were even some comments about Zoom supposedly contracting a company solely for the purpose of developing their own drivers for this product and the theory being that THAT is why the latency was so good on this device. That’s how I ended up here. For $250 (vs. $750 for the RME Babyface Pro) it was a no brainer to check this one out. I’m very glad I did. I’m getting incredible latency numbers being reported by Presonus and most importantly, I can’t detect any delay when I’m tracking guitar loaded with amp sims and effects or synth VSTs. It’s amazing. Presonus is reporting something around 1.54 input latency and 4.04 output latency with a 64 buffer at 44k.. And again, yes I know that is not the true RTL number, but it sure is better than what my mbox was able to achieve and it’s noticeable to my ears and playing.Lastly, the install was ultra smooth. I did not experience any issues installing the latest drivers or setting it up in Presonus Studio One. To summarize, if latency matters to the kind of work you’re doing with your DAW, it’s hard to beat the value this unit represents. FIVE stars.
Prathmesh Mudholkar –
Best In Budget
Superb Build Quality ✅Very Good Pre Amp ✅No Driver Issues (Used on W10-11) ✅3.0 is amazing ✅Does Good Translation in DA Conversation [Monitoring]
harshvardhan verma –
product not working.
When I got the product i did not have a laptop speedy enough to be compatible. I kept this audio interface packed for a long time. This was bcause all the products i bought on amazon were up to the mark. When I got a laptop with windows 11, this interface did not work. I knew that the warranty period had passed so I tried the market to get it repaired. They say that some I C is not working and not available too. Such a waste of my hard earned money. I request the seller to at least get it repaired. I will bear the cost of repair and couriers.
Rod Murphy –
Good for the price range
Pros: The unit has outstanding latency. Ran it at 2.9 ms with buffers at 32 with no problems, stops or glitches. This is as good or better than some PCI or Firewire audio interfaces. As a guitarist who uses plug-ins, this is an important issue. Also, the drivers are very stable and smooth. Installation was extremely simple: other manufacturers should take a lesson from Zoom on this matter. In addition, it runs great using power via the USB 3.0 cable.Cons: The headphone volume and clarity was less than desired. The output was not very high: I get better volume thru a iPhone. While I understand that this is a $250 unit, the audio output sounded slightly opaque, and some prerecorded tracks that were made on other units (for example, Lynx L22 or MOTU) occasionally distort thru this equipment. Aurally, the audio detail is good and comparable to more expensive audio interfaces, but the actual dynamic range is suspect. This makes mixing and mastering problematic, and it is not good enough for my needs.Overall, I highly recommend this as an entry level/hobbyist level, because it is excellent for the price range. Not comfortable using it for final demos or professional recordings. However, I think Zoom is on to something, because it would only take a few adjustments to make this an unbelievable audio interface. Maybe a company like Black Lion Audio might create a mod for this equipment.
Daniel –
Brilliant
Its my first every sound card. Love it. The first installation needs to be done using the usb 2.0 port. It may be ok with 3.0 port as well(I dont have one), but certainly problematic with USB 3.1 port. After first installation using port 2.0, i am able to use it with 3.1 port as well. I spent precious hours experimenting to find this out. Hope it helps someone.
sudipto paladhi –
No issue. Working well.
No issue with win 7/64, win 10/64. Latency is almost negligible. I have no mac book. So I can not tell. But I use Jam origin Midi guitar with iPad. To work with iPad it requires an external zoom power adapter. And that is a costly and rare item. It would be better to get the adapter in the packet with the price slightly increased.
Fornaio –
Perfectly Meets My Needs for Simple Vocal Recording
I needed a new audio interface for recording vocals since my old USB 1.0 interface has serious compatibility problems with my new X99 motherboard that I was unable to resolve. I use Zoom field recorders that have served me well, so I decided to give this one as a try. Very simple PC setup:Shure SM58 mic to XLR jack on UAC-2Monitoring with headphones on “Phones” jack on UAC-2USB 3.0 port on PCWindows 10 ProZoom UAC-2 ASIO Driver at maximum sample rateAbleton Live 9The MixFx application that launches automatically when you connect the UAC-2 works fine, but doesn’t really provide anything I need for my simple setup. It is supposed to alert if new firmware is available for the UAC-2 so I usually keep it running.Signal quality and low-latency perfectly meet my needs as an aspiring musician.
Amazon Customer –
Drivers couldn’t install properly, even with Zoom’s help
I was excited to get this product because of the USB 3.0 port, 192 kHZ sampling rate, etc. Unfortunately, my PC (Windows 7 64 bit) couldn’t recognize the device because the drivers couldn’t install successfully. After communicating with Zoom through a chain of emails troubleshooting the problem – testing out other USB ports, uninstalling and then installing the driver, testing out the device on another computer, etc., eventually Zoom informed me that it was a known issue that occurs with Windows.The next day, I was provided a PDF with three ways to fix the issue, the issue being that I needed to disable digital driver signing:1) Every time I restart my computer I need to disable driver signature enforcement in the advanced boot options2) Disable integrity checks in command prompt and turn on test signing3) Enable “ignore” for code signing for device drivers from the local groups policy editorOptions 2 and 3 didn’t work even though I followed the instructions verbatim. I didn’t want to deal with the hassle of Option 1, I was also just frustrated at this point and not very hopeful, and I had to look up ways to reverse what I had just done.However, to be fair, when I tested out the device on my brother’s laptop (Windows 10 64 bit) it installed instantly, and control panel recognized the device. Also, Zoom’s tech support was responsive, which I appreciated. Nonetheless, I spent hours just trying to get my computer to recognize the device. I had read negative reviews about this subject, but I figured an issue as big as this would probably be fixed by the end of June. Lesson learned. Don’t assume!!
George Marinich –
Other than that there is almost no noticeable lag and the unit sounds good.
Only used for a couple of weeks. I bought it because my old audio interface was no longer supported by OS X El Capitan. It was probably time to upgrade anyway. This unit works well generally, but there is definitely some sort of bug in the driver software – even though you have to download the latest to get the unit to work. When the system goes to sleep sometimes an insane lag is introduced making it impossible to record. A system restart fixes the issue, but that can be a headache at times. Occasionally the unit powers down and won’t power back on after the system has been asleep as well. When starting a new session I’ve gotten in the habit of restarting the system every time. Other than that there is almost no noticeable lag and the unit sounds good.
Sami S –
very quiet, works great
I bought this to record guitar with garageband. The previous solution i was using had a continuous hum when I connected the guitar. More annoying was the noticeable delay between playing and hearing it back through the computer. With the Zoom UAC-2 I don’t have any static noise at all and zero delay while playing. I definitely recommend it.