Zoom UAC-2 USB 3.0 Audio Interface

Take your sound new heights with the high-speed, high-resolution, low-latency, and ultra-portable UAC-2 USB 3.0 Superspeed Audio converter.

The bus-powered UAC-2 adds two channels of 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution audio to any USB 2.0 or 3.0-equipped Windows or Mac computer—even to your iPad.* It utilizes USB 3.0 SuperSpeed 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 webcasting, podcasting, gaming, and other live streaming applications.

Webcasting, podcasting, gaming, and live-streaming

Broadcast your creativity, enhance your gaming experience, and share your performance with the world.  The UAC-2's Loopback function combines the input from connected mics, instruments, and line-level devices along with background music or other audio tracks being played back by your computer and then instantly routes a custom blend of the signals to your favorite streaming software.

Recording and archiving

Pair a UAC-2 with your DAW and create great audio in any recording environment. Connect a wide variety of microphones, line-level devices, and instruments. Use Direct Monitoring for zero-latency overdubbing. Sync your MIDI controllers, sound modules, and drum machines. Archive your favorite recordings in high-resolution formats. The UAC-2 provides everything you need, in one compact device.

Desktop audio enhancement

Think your headphones and speakers already sound pretty great? Try plugging them into the UAC-2 instead of your computer's audio outputs and treat yourself to the true experience. Now you can enjoy the ultimate in streamed high-resolution audio—all the way up to 24-bit/192kHz—in full fidelity.

Complete connectivity

The UAC-2 is an incredibly versatile interface. It works with everything from legacy USB 2.0 laptops and desktops all the way up to the latest-generation Mac or Windows USB 3.0-equipped computers. Or plug in an AC adapter and Apple Camera Connection kit or Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (sold separately) and use it with your iPad.

MIDI

The UAC-2's MIDI input and output connectors ensure rock-solid synchronization between your computer and devices such as electronic keyboards, controllers, drum machines, and synthesizer or sampler modules.

USB 3.0 SuperSpeed

The USB 3.0 SuperSpeed transfer protocol supported by the UAC-2 is ten times faster than USB 2.0 and six times faster than FireWire 800. The result? Low-latency (2.2ms roundtrip @ 96kHz / 32 samples) for improved performance from your DAW software, and a stable data stream that is unaffected by computer jitter (slight variations in timing), so there's no need to connect an external master clock source. What's more, the extra bus voltage carried by USB 3.0 (900 mA, as opposed to the 500 mA carried by USB 2.0) allows for the use of higher-end electronic components such as the advanced preamps and converters in the UAC-2.

The Hardware

The USB 3.0 connector on the rear panel carries digital signal to and from your computer in addition to providing power to the UAC-2—no batteries or external power required. Dual front panel combo XLR/TRS inputs allow you to connect a wide variety of microphones as well as line-level signals from electronic keyboards and music players—even passive instruments such as electric guitars and basses. Dual-balanced TRS output jacks enable you to connect the UAC-2 to amplifiers or self-powered speakers, and there's an independent ¼" stereo headphone jack with dedicated volume control for private monitoring of the input or output signal.

Dedicated input gain controls and Clip LEDs make it easy to set optimum input levels, and a large Output knob enables fast control over overall output level. A phantom power switch applies +48 volts to the mic inputs, allowing you to use the UAC-2 with studio-quality condenser microphones, and a three-way Direct Monitoring switch enables monitoring of input signal with zero latency in both mono and stereo. MIDI In and Out connectors allow interfacing with devices such as electronic keyboards and drum machines. Last but not least, a Class Compliant Mode switch enables the UAC-2 to be connected to an iPad.*

Upsampling

The UAC-2 uses high-end components such as the Burr Brown PCM4202 analog-to-digital converter and AKM AK4396 digital-to-analog converter. In addition, the UAC-2 performs 4-times upsampling during both analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion. In other words, when the sampling frequency is set to 44.1kHz or 48kHz, the UAC-2 processes the signal at high resolution 176.4kHz or 192kHz. For A/D conversion, this means less aliasing noise; for D/A conversion, this means increased clarity and fidelity.

Extend your capabilities with software

State of the art editing with every interface

The Zoom UAC-2 comes with a free download license for Sternberg’s Cubase LE music production software, providing not just the ability to capture incredible high-resolution / low-latency audio in every box, but to do spectacular things with it.

Take your recordings to a more professional level. Steinberg’s powerful and state-of-the-art audio software used by creators around the world now comes with every Zoom UAC-2 and UAC-8 purchase.

Features:

• 2-in/2-out USB 3.0 SuperSpeed audio interface
• Support for recording and playback up to 24-bit/192kHz
• Loopback function for webcasting, podcasting, gaming, and other live streaming applications
• Low latency overdubbing and direct monitoring for zero-latency monitoring in mono or stereo
• Two combo balanced XLR/TRS input connectors accept both mic- and line-level signal
• Hi-Z switches allow direct connection of electric guitar or bass
• Switchable +48V phantom power
• Two balanced TRS output jacks for connection to amplifiers or self-powered speakers
• ¼" headphone jack with dedicated level control
• Independent gain controls and clip LEDs for each input
• Large knob output volume control
• Direct Monitoring switch for zero latency monitoring in mono or stereo
• MIDI In and Out
• Compatible with all popular DAW and streaming software, including Cubase, Logic, Garage Band, Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and others
• High-performance mic preamps with up to +60dB of amplification
• 120dB of dynamic range
• 4x upsampling during A/D and D/A conversion for reduced noise and enhanced fidelity
• Asynchronous transfer system unaffected by computer jitter
• Bus powered—no AC power required
• Robust metal housing ensures roadworthiness
• Works with all USB 3.0-equipped computers and iPads*

Specifications

Inputs

• Input 1/2 connectors: XLR/TRS combo jacks(XLR: 2 hot / TRS: TIP hot)
• Input gain: 0 to 60dB in 1dB steps
• Input impedance: 5kΩ (1 MΩ (when Hi-Z ON)
• Maximum input level: +12 dBu (@0dBFs)
• Phantom power: +48V

L/R Output

• Type: ¼" TRS jack (Balanced)
• Maximum output level: +14 dBu (@0dBFs)
• Output impedance: 100Ω

Phones Output

• Type: ¼" stereo phone jack, 20mW + 20mW (into 32Ω load)
• Maximum output level: +8 dBu (@0dBFs)
• Output impedance: 33Ω

Dynamic range

• A/D: 118dB typical (IHF-A)
• D/A: 120dB typical (IHF-A)
• Number of audio channels
• Recording: 2
• Playback: 2

OTHER

• Frequency characteristics:
• -1.0 dB: 20 Hz - 60 kHz @ 192kHz
• -1.0 dB: 20 Hz - 40 kHz @ 96kHz
• -1.0 dB: 20 Hz - 20 kHz @ 44.1kHz
• Measured conversion noise (EIN): -125dBu (IHF-A) @ 60dB, 150Ω input
• Sampling frequencies: 192kHz, 176.4kHz, 96kHz, 88.2kHz, 48kHz, 44.1kHz
• Bit depth: 24-bit
• Interface: USB 3.0
• MIDI In/Out: 5-pin DIN jack
• Power source: USB 3.0 Bus Power /AD-14 AC adapter (DC 5V 1A)
• Power consumption: 5 W maximum
• Dimensions: 113.9mm(D) x 176.0mm(W) x 46.2mm (H)
• Weight: 750g

UAC-2 System Requirements

Windows:

• OS Windows® 7 SP1 or later / 8 / 8.1 (32bit/64bit)
• CPU: Intel® Core i3 or faster*
• USB: USB 3.0/USB 2.0**

* Operation is not guaranteed with CPUs from Atom, Celeron or Pentium series or CPUs made by AMD.
** Only USB host controllers with Intel Chipsets are supported. Operation is not guaranteed when used with USB hubs or expansion cards.

Mac:

• OS Mac® OS X 10.8.5 or later
• CPU: Intel® Core i3 or faster
• USB: USB 3.0/USB 2.0*

* Operation is not guaranteed when used with USB hubs or expansion cards.

iPad:

• OS iOS 7.1 or later

* Optional power adapter(AD-14) and Apple Camera Connection kit or Lightning to USB Camera Adapter required.