Update: it has started making occasional crackling noises on both my Mac and Android phone. Enough to be annoying. This was a waste of $38.
The UCG102 does what it promises--connects your guitar to your computer through USB and provides a headphone output. For a pretty low price. It's basically a computer audio interface, similar in function to something like the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, but with fewer features and in a smaller package. If the small package or low price is important to you, then go for the UCG102. If a larger package is OK and you have a little more money, then go for the Scarlett Solo or a Behringer UM2 or UMC22. If you want a step up but still want the small package, then there is the IK Multimedia iRig HD 2 or the MeloAudio TS Mini for about the same price as the Scarlett Solo. But for the money, you can't beat the UCG102.
On my Mac, I just plug it in and it works. Low latency, no crackles, good sound. The highest quality setting, as seen in the MacOS Audio MIDI Setup tool, is 48.0 KHz 16-bit Integer, which is fine--better than CD sound (44.1 KHz ,16-bit).
I've also connected it to my Android phone (a Google/LG Nexus 5X running Android 8.1), and it works. I had to use an adapter from USB-B on the UCG102 to USB-C on the phone, and I also had to provide power to the UCG102 (phone wouldn't do it), but it did work. The app I used, Deplike, had some troubles since the OS wasn't giving it priority, resulting in some crackles and drop-outs, but that's Android's fault, not Behringer's. It was better on my Moto X4 running Android 9.0, which was able to directly power the UCG102--fewer crackles, but still some.
Two things to know about this product:
1. Don't bother installing the software, it's junk. It comes with a very old version of some open-source recording software called Audacity. Just go to audacityteam.org and download the current version for free if you need a fancy recording app. Or record with Apple GarageBand for free.
It also comes with software that models an amp (yes, just one amp!) from Native Instruments from 2008. Don't bother. GarageBand has decent amp and effects modeling, or buy BIAS FX or Amplitube.
2. The headphone output is 50 ohms. Generally, you want headphones with 10X the ohms of the output for the best sound (so 500 ohms, in this case), but you'll be OK if your headphones are at least 50 ohms. Mine are 26 ohms, in which case there is terrible distortion. I switched to another headphone which are 60 ohms, and then it sounded good. Many headphones intended for use with smartphones are low ohm headphones, and this may be the reason some people here have experienced distortion with the UCG102. It seems that this device is intended more for use with "studio" headphones, 100 ohms and up.
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Product description
Product Description
BEHRINGER GUITAR LINK UCG102
The Ultimate Guitar-to-USB Interface to Jam and Record with Killer Modeling Amps and Effects
- Plug in your favorite guitar and turn your PC or Mac computer into a guitar amp and recording system without the need for any other hardware
- Directly works with your PC or Mac computer - ultra-low latency ASIO driver for PC audio optimization included
- Stereo Headphone output lets you jam with your computer and can also be used for monitoring with active monitor speakers
- Powered via USB - no additional power supply required
- High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
- Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany
Your guitar is a time-tested cornerstone of popular music. Hook it up directly to pop's present and future with the GUITAR LINK UCG102.
Amazon.com
Whether you're a guitar ace, novice home recording buff or a jack-of-all trades songwriter in need of a souped-up guitar presence, the UCG102 is the accessory for you. For an incredibly low price, you can bridge your favorite axe to your home computer.
 Bridge your favorite axe to your home computer. Click to enlarge. |
Old School Meets Cutting Edge
The UCG102 is a USB interface that, like a guitar amp, receives signal from your guitar via a 1/4-inch input jack. A built-in USB cable then sends signal directly to your computer. It has a 1/4-inch headphone jack and PHONES volume dial so you can monitor your performance as you record, a CLIP LED to tell you when your signal is too hot, and a HI/LO level selector.
Plug Right In
The UCG102 works directly with your PC or Mac computer (ultra-low latency ASIO driver for PC audio optimization included). Since it's powered via the USB bus, no additional power supply is needed, saving you valuable power supply real estate.
|
| PC Windows | Mac OSX |
| CoreAudio | n/a | 10.5*, 10.6*, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 |
| ASIO/WDM Drivers | XP, Vista, Windows7, Windows8 | n/a |
| Application "AC Box Combo", NI | XP, Vista, Windows7, Windows8 | 10.5*, 10.6*, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 |
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2021
The box ships with a CD, I don't have a CD drive (who does?). So I go to their website and download "All Mac Software" for this device. You get a series of confusing files in oddly named folders. None of which align with what the actual manual says. Nowhere in any of the things I've found so far is there something called a "Combo" that the manual speaks of.
Eventually I discovered that I can download this application they kept speaking of called "Native Instruments" which appears to be a gateway for other audio software to install themselves. After entering in the serial number that's provided on the CD jacket I was presented with a few apps to install. I installed the Guitar Rig 6 which seemed to be the most promising "simple amp to listen to your guitar through the computer".
According to the manual I should pick the USB codec and select a latency of 16ms. The application only went to 32 or higher. More fumbling around and I discover that I can't actually hear anything coming out of the "stack" (even the metronome). I realize there's no input either, and there's no option to select one besides the USB Codec (see screenshot).
The documentation for Guitar Rig 6 says that I should pick my input device, well nothing is available. The manual states that I should use some sort of "Aggregate Device" and to see their website for details. Their website is almost entirely useless and I found absolutely nothing around "Aggregate Device".
I'm now holding onto a USB device that I've only been able to have Audacity able to record, yes Audacity worked just fine.
TL;DR: Do not purchase this device unless you know what an Aggregate Device is, what Native Instruments is and what a "Combo" is. I'm still mostly in the dark, the documentation is horrible. You are better off spending a little more $$ on pretty much anything else (including just buying a real amp).
Verified Purchase
Prepare to be completely confused.
By Chris on January 9, 2021
My goal: Play music via a simulated amp through my Mac computer. It's not that simple.By Chris on January 9, 2021
The box ships with a CD, I don't have a CD drive (who does?). So I go to their website and download "All Mac Software" for this device. You get a series of confusing files in oddly named folders. None of which align with what the actual manual says. Nowhere in any of the things I've found so far is there something called a "Combo" that the manual speaks of.
Eventually I discovered that I can download this application they kept speaking of called "Native Instruments" which appears to be a gateway for other audio software to install themselves. After entering in the serial number that's provided on the CD jacket I was presented with a few apps to install. I installed the Guitar Rig 6 which seemed to be the most promising "simple amp to listen to your guitar through the computer".
According to the manual I should pick the USB codec and select a latency of 16ms. The application only went to 32 or higher. More fumbling around and I discover that I can't actually hear anything coming out of the "stack" (even the metronome). I realize there's no input either, and there's no option to select one besides the USB Codec (see screenshot).
The documentation for Guitar Rig 6 says that I should pick my input device, well nothing is available. The manual states that I should use some sort of "Aggregate Device" and to see their website for details. Their website is almost entirely useless and I found absolutely nothing around "Aggregate Device".
I'm now holding onto a USB device that I've only been able to have Audacity able to record, yes Audacity worked just fine.
TL;DR: Do not purchase this device unless you know what an Aggregate Device is, what Native Instruments is and what a "Combo" is. I'm still mostly in the dark, the documentation is horrible. You are better off spending a little more $$ on pretty much anything else (including just buying a real amp).
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Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
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Top reviews from other countries
Andrew Holmes
Not as good as I was expecting - non-compatible with my phone.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021Verified Purchase
birkumar
amazing product
Reviewed in India on June 30, 2019Verified Purchase
Heinrich von Skalitz
Miese Treiber!
Reviewed in Germany on March 7, 2017Verified Purchase
Paco Herrera
La mejor opción para tocar la guitarra sin amplificación externa.
Reviewed in Spain on September 27, 2016Verified Purchase
La mejor opción para tocar la guitarra sin amplificación externa.
Reviewed in Spain on September 27, 2016
La verdad es que soy fan de los nuevos aparatos para la grabación/edición de pistas de guitarra, y hacerme con este aparato (no en versión imitación), ya era una prioridad. No es la mejor opción para aquellos que busquéis grabar pistas profesionales sin set de amplificación, cabs, etc. Lo he probado en mac y pc y sigue habiendo ruido al uso y un leve retardo, el rendimiento está realmente bien. La configuración de presets metal deja muchísimo que desear, sin embargo otros efectos y configuraciones grunge, rock, clean, etc están realmente bien. Pero si eres metalero y pretendes acercarte al sonido de un conjunto Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier, esta no es tu opción. Añaden software de Native Intruments, pero demasiado básico para hacer cosas "decentes", con lo cual es necesario adquirir una licencia Guitar Rig 5 o similar.Reviewed in Spain on September 27, 2016
Es un artículo que recomiendo para hacer cosas, no da la calidad merecida para resultados profesionales, pero entretiene, se distrae uno con ello y ya es casi un clásico de los gadgets musicales, muy imitado (aunque siempre es recomendable la versión original).
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konstantin
UCG102
Reviewed in Germany on March 23, 2021Verified Purchase
