Still thinking about setting up your home studio? At this point, there's no question about it. Computers have taken over the recording territory. All the systems we knew until now have changed: from the way a demo is composed or recorded to the processes of making a record, the size and ways of working of record labels, distribution, artist promotion, and even the new formats for selling our music.
Today you can do anything from recording a serious demo in your own home to producing a pretty serious record, if not a fully professional one. You can even combine homemade production work with that of a professional studio that helps you add the finishing touch. The tools we have today are a far cry from the "cheesy" MIDI we used to have. Today you have the opportunity to post your videos, play live in a virtual concert hall, upload your music to the network of networks, promote it and, in short, carry out every creative process from your own headquarters: your home or personal studio.
The tool we present here is a serious, professional alternative with a pedigree, one that equips you perfectly to start working. If you have the computer and the ideas, you need little else.
Introduction
This unit can serve both those who want to get started with a simple but complete interface from a good family, and those who have already entered the "recording on my computer" scene with some kind of rudimentary system. In both cases, you'll find a package that offers everything you need to get started (and even to take your first steps, which, with time and dedication, can give you surprising results).
Good breeding shows
The fact that this product comes from the prestigious Lexicon brand has, a priori, two advantages. First: it has engineering and a finish worthy of a great brand. Second: it includes the Pantheon II Reverb VST/AU plug-in, which offers six of the company's most legendary reverbs.
What does the U22 offer?
The little sister of the I-ONIX series, which comes before the U42S and U82S models, gives us all the elements we need to trigger samplers and loops, or record MIDI and audio with quality.
1. Software. It includes one of the mini versions of Steinberg's well-known recording and production software: CUBASE. Specifically, Cubase LE4. As you can imagine, over time you'll be able to install more powerful versions of the same software if you wish. To get to grips with the system, it's more than enough. It's also surprising that the manufacturer includes Toontrack's EZDrummer ®, albeit in one of its most stripped-down versions; without a doubt, one of the best programs for programming and editing sampled drums.
2. A unit in a convenient, manageable format. What's surprising and sets this hardware apart from its competitors is its design and finish. It's built in a kind of rack format, but it doesn't need a rack cabinet or furniture to fit into (the dimensions aren't really standard). What I mean is that it's built (as you'll see in the photos) so that you have in view and within reach both the LEDs that give you visual information on input and output signals and the interface's pots and basic controls. All in an elegant metallic and matte black finish.
3. Headphone output with independent control. It's more convenient than it seems. We have separate volume controls: main output, monitor mix and headphones. When recording, everyone needs their own listening levels; this control allows that customization.
4. Phantom power. Needless to say, condenser mics will give you higher quality levels in your recordings: more sensitivity and nuance than a dynamic can offer, which is probably rougher and doesn't require this type of power. As you probably already know, for a condenser to work you need a 48 V power supply (phantom power), which the Lexicon U22 provides.
5. Two "dbx® 60V high-voltage, ultra-low noise" mic preamps with independent volume for each channel, as you'd expect.
6. A switch to activate mono/stereo mode from the front panel.
7. Information LEDs: active USB connection, instrument input, active phantom power, stereo signal and "multi-LED digital VU meter bars" on the two input channels and the two output channels.
8. Separate main volume and "Monitor MIX" controls, which means you'll ultimately control the output through: main control, monitor mix and headphones. These features give you more versatility and precision over the settings you need for different listening situations.
Connectivity: rear and side panels
As I said at the beginning, the elegance of the design is worth highlighting. And this quality also shows on the rear panel. With a little skill, we'll manage to wire everything up without our desk becoming swamped with cables. At the same time, access to the connections is quick, clean and convenient.
The rear offers the usual power and USB 2.0 (in this case) sockets, MIDI in and out, a stereo output (that is, two mono) in TRS ¼ (jack) format, and two handy multi-format inputs. The MIC/Line inputs accept both jack (TRS ¼) and XLR connectors. In other words, we can plug in the typical instrument cable, dynamic mics, etc., but also, on the same input, balanced cables with XLR-type connectors, as with condenser mics.
Finally, it has a switch to turn 48 V phantom power on and off for condenser mics or any source that requires it.
On the sides, following the discreet but accessible concept, we find the instrument input and the headphone output, both in jack (TRS ¼) format
Conclusions
This is a carefully made interface that lives up to the expectations we can have of a LEXICON product: a good finish, good looks and magnificent components for its price (which, by the way, is around €280). Speaking of the investment that buying the unit might involve, we should bear in mind that, although it may be above the average for what's on the market, its price could be justified by the preamps, the finish and the inclusion of the software mentioned throughout this test: EZDrummer ® Lite, CUBASE LE4 and the collection of reverbs in the plug-in that comes with the product.
Admittedly, we can get a two-in, two-out interface with the same sample rate and resolution for a more affordable price. But it's worth stressing that the quality of the preamps, the reverbs and the ease of use will give us better results in our final work (recording quality, noise reduction, etc.), and save time when handling or preparing each session.
The interface is certainly attractive, it has quality and it will look good in your studio. You'll look like a pro if you put it on your desk. Lexicon is Lexicon.
Recommended computers
Windows
• Microsoft Windows® 7, Vista 32 and XP SP2
• 1.8 GHz CPU or higher
• 1 GB RAM
• 1024x768 pixel screen resolution
• DVD-ROM drive and Internet for registration
• USB 2.0
MAC®
• Mac® OS X 10.4.9 or higher
• Intel® Multicore system
• 1 GB RAM
• 1024x768 pixel screen resolution
• DVD-ROM drive and Internet for registration
• USB 2.0
Compatibility
Windows XP 32-bit
Windows Vista 32-bit
Windows Vista 64-bit
Windows 7 32-bit
Windows 7 64-bit
Mac OS X 10.4.x
Mac OS X 10.5.x
Mac OS X 10.6.x
