This stereo audio interface has the smallest form factor in the U series, and has been specifically designed for those on the move. I features connectivity to laptop or iPhone/iPad (via optional cables) and offers line level input on stereo 3.5mm jack connection, along with mic/Hi-Z input on combination XLR/TRS jack connection. Recording can be from one of the inputs where the line level input takes precedence over the XLR/TRS input.
Switching, positioned on the right side of the device, includes power source switching (USB or battery/DC), 48V phantom power on/off, and direct monitoring on/off. Connection to Apple iPhone or iPad requires optional Apple iPad Camera Connections Kit or Lightning to USB camera adapter.
A rotary controller on the front facing panel of the U-22 allows input gain control and is complimented with a multi-coloured clip/signal LED. Output level can be controlled via a larger rotary controller also on the front fascia. Line output is via dual RCA (phono) connections, headphone output is via 3.5mm stereo jack socket, and USB 2.0 output is via type B connection – which also allows bus powering. Direct monitoring offers zero-latency. Optional AD-17 power supply can be used, and U-22 can also be powered with 2x AA battery cells for around 5 hours continuous operation with phantom power off.
Input gain: 0-42dB. Input impedance: 2.6kohm, mic; 484kohm, Hi-Z; 22kohm, line. Maximum input level: -0.8dBu, mic; +8.8dBu, Hi-Z; +1.0dBu, line. Headphone output impedance: 10ohms. Sampling frequencies: 96/88.2/48/44.1kHz. Bit depth: 24-bit. Power consumption: 5W. Dimensions (DxWxH): 119.2 x 91.8 x 44.6mm. Weight: 151g
U-24
Like the U-22, the U-24 has been designed with a compact form factor for users wishing to use outside of the studio. With the ability to connect to computer (Windows or Mac OSX), or iPhone/iPad using optional accessories, U-24 has an increased I/O capability over the U-22.
The front facing panel has two XLR/TRS jack combo inputs, each utilising a mic preamplifier the same as those employed in the H5 and H6 recorders, and input one with the ability to cater for Hi-Z input. To the left of each input there is a rotary input gain controller, and multi-coloured LED to signify signal or clipping. A Hi-Z on/off switch is positioned to the left of input 1, and a global +48V phantom power on/off switch to the left of input 2. Line outputs in the form of dual RCA (phono) connectors for outputs A and B, and dual unbalanced 6.35mm TRS jack outputs for the main output. Headphone output is via 6.3mm jack connector. Both main output and headphone output have a rotary volume controller associated with them, along with mute status LED buttons. Two further rotary controllers allow the user to control the balance between output 1-2 and 3-4, and the mixing between directly monitoring the input or playback.
The rear facing panel of the U-24 gives access to MIDI I/O via 5-pin DIN jack connectors, and USB connectivity, along with connection for optional AD-17 power supply. U-24 is able to run from 2x AA battery cells for a continuous 4 hours without phantom powering employed.
Input gain: 0-43dB. Input impedance: 2.6kohm, mic; 1.1Mohm, Hi-Z. Maximum input level: -2.7dBu, mic; +20.7dBu, TRS in. Headphone output impedance: 33ohms. Sampling frequencies: 96/88.2/48/44.1kHz. Bit depth: 24-bit. Power consumption: 5W. Dimensions (DxWxH): 191.8 x 92.3 x 42.7mm. Weight: 285g
This audio interface has the same features of the U-24, however in addition to inputs one and two, an optional Zoom microphone module can be connected and used for microphone inputs three and four – offering four-channel simultaneous inputs. The left side of the U-24 also has S/PDIF connectivity via optical TOSLINK I/O and RCA coaxial connectors.
Supported microphone modules include XYH-6, MSH-6, SGH-6, EXH-6, SSH-6, and XYH-5.
Input gain: 0-43dB. Input impedance: 2.6kohm, mic; 1.1Mohm, Hi-Z. Maximum input level: -2.7dBu, mic; +20.7dBu, TRS in. Headphone output impedance: 33ohms. Sampling frequencies: 96/88.2/48/44.1kHz. Bit depth: 24-bit. Power consumption: 5W. Dimensions (DxWxH): 198.8 x 92.3 x 42.7mm. Weight: 310g
Comparison chart