Check out the two new audio interfaces from Steinberg: the UR824, a rackmountable USB audio interface; and the desktop UR28M interface. Both units feature USB 2.0 connectivity, D-Pre microphone preamps, DSP-powered reverb and channel strip effects for monitoring at zero latency, and professional solutions for musicians and producers alike.

At first glance you can see that the UR28M’s console is designed for easy access to controls and connectors. It comes with a single prominent output volume knob for individually controlling the levels of one of three stereo output pairs or the levels of six outputs simultaneously. You can also select between three monitoring mixes set up in the dspMixFx mixer or Steinberg Cubase, which is routed to the selected outputs.

Several smaller rotary knobs control signal levels of inputs 1 and 2 and the levels of the two headphone outputs, while further dedicated switches for inputs 1 and 2 allow you to employ 48V phantom power, 26 dB signal attenuation, and connecting high-impedance instruments. Other controls include the Dim button for attenuating all line output signals by 20 dB, the Mono button and the Mute button for muting the selected output signal. Four-segment LED meterings for the inputs and the output are also available on the UR28M console.

The rear panel provides two TRS line inputs and two Neutrik combo TRS / XLR mic/line inputs alongside six analog balanced TRS outputs plus a coaxial S/PDIF input and output connector. Also included is a 1/8-inch stereo input jack for connecting to a portable audio player or other devices as a reference source.

UR28M features:

• 24-Bit, 96 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface
• Analog 4-input and 6-output plus stereo input for reference source
• S/PDIF coaxial I/O
• D-Pre Class-A discrete mic preamps supporting +48V
• Latency-free DSP-powered monitoring with one REV-X reverb and four Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strips with any DAW by using the latest dspMixFx technology
• Native VST 3 plugins of REV-X and Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip included
• Digitally controlled monitor level control with DIM, Mono, and Mute fed by a 3 × 3 monitoring matrix
• 2 Separate headphone buses with individual outputs
• Cubase AI 6 music-production software included
• Cross-platform compatibility for Mac OS X and Windows

As for the UR824, this new interface boasts a front panel that hosts two Neutrik combo TRS / XLR connectors for balanced microphone / line input with switchable 48V phantom power and Hi-Z (impedance), pad push buttons for signal attenuation, gain controls with peak indicators. On the opposite side of the unit, there is a single output level rotary knob that allows you to adjust the levels of the eight line output signals alongside two headphone connectors, each with a dedicated level control. The output signal to be controlled by the front panel rotary is selected through the software.

The UR824's rear panel provides six Neutrik combo TRS / XLR inputs and eight analog balanced TRS outputs as well as two pairs of optical ADAT inputs and outputs. Also onboard are two BNC connectors for switchable word clock input and output. Overall this mixing and recording interface offers options to expand the number of analog inputs and outputs across the system via ADAT to provide up to 24 input and output channels.

For signal synchronization, the UR824 interface also features JetPLL, a patent-applied solution for audio network jitter.

UR824 features:

• 24-Bit, 96 kHz USB 2.0 audio interface
• Analog 8-input and 8-output with 8 D-Pre Class-A discrete mic preamps supporting +48V
• 2 Pairs of ADAT optical I/O (doubles as S/PDIF) provide 16 inputs and 16 outputs (S/MUX compatible, 8-input and 8-output @ 96 kHz)
• Latency-free DSP-powered monitoring with one REV-X reverb and eight Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strips with any DAW by using the latest dspMixFx technology
• Native VST 3 plugins of REV-X and Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip included
• 2 Separate headphone buses with individual outputs
• Word clock I/O with 2 BNC connectors plus JetPLL ultra-low jitter support
• Cubase AI 6 music-production software included
• Cross-platform compatibility for Mac OS X and Windows

Steinberg's new UR28M is now available for 449 EUR (approximately $614), while the UR824 will be released at a later time, in November 2011 for 849 EUR (approximately $1,160). For more information on the new Steinberg audio interfaces, please visit steinberg.net.