All user reviews for the Roland UA-55 Quad-Capture

What motivated me to buy it: The brand combo inputs, self-supplied function "auto-sense" the advice of an engineer.

I use this sound card on an iMac and a MacBook Pro Home Studio or live session and I'm very satisfied
(Config: Intel i7, 12GB RAM)

UTILIZATION

For my part I have used on Mac, and drivers have never posed a problem for me on this point, no crash sequencer (Logic Pro), really ultra-stable!
- When recording, I am limited to two tracks Jack / XLR and I am using almost never optical inputs.

- In reading, I read projects 8-24 tracks without problem (be careful to have a computer that runs behind!)

- The drivers are updated with each new version of Mac OS!

- On my iMac I get a latency of 8ms and 6ms on my MacBook Pro.

GETTING STARTED

Installation without any difficulty (on Mac always), the panel is very clear, with the ability to adjust the compressors.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this sound card for 2 years, I have also tried other sound cards or almost the same range (M-Audio, Line 6, etc.) and there really is a big difference between these cards and the Quad- Capture! We really feel like spending a beginner to a pro really sound!
Indeed, this sound card has everything a great preamps since embarked worthy of the biggest sound cards and is found in incredible detail whether recording or playback!

So I think the quality / price is really unbeatable in this range and I even thought about buying a second to increase the number of tracks!

I wanted a not-too-expensive soundcard to be able to compose without the master set to the minimum (I'm on a 1.8Ghz desktop PC, so it was a bit hardcore...). All the soundcards I saw were the same to me.
What caught my eye was the looks of the UA-55. The connections are somewhat ordinary: Two xlr/jack combo inputs, midi in/out, RCA output (which I have used as SPDIF with a Presonus Firebox, two jack outputs, a HiZ switch, phantom power. Something to meet my needs for some time.
I use (now) a Dell 17R, intel core i7, 8Gb RAM, 1Tb, an M-Audio Oxygen 49, MDP 26, and Mackie MR8.

UTILIZATION

Unless you really put some strain on it (I abused Reaktor with the "replayer"...), the drivers won't give you any trouble. Further, like on any other soundcard I guess, you can adjust a fader according to ten levels, going from "stability" to "real time," which is really useful depending on the situation.
With my i7 and with maximum stability (I don't like to keep it low-key when adjusting the parameters...) I run 96 tracks, most of which have at least 2 inserts, and some of them have even 8 inserts, and I can hear no crackles, the master is set halfway
I have 10ms when recording, and if I really push it, the latency goes to 30ms, but you have to try really hard. In other words, if you optimize, you have no latency.
You can control it via the potentiometers (with LED level indicators, which are really nice and useful). The auto-sens function adjusts the sensitivity automatically, which can be very useful when you use the built-in preamp, which is very useful.

It's made of solid metal to withstand transport. It is very sturdy, mine has no scratches yet.

GETTING STARTED

I use it with Cubase 5.1 and have no issues. The driver is very useful and well thought-out.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for almost a year. I just tried the firewire Presonus Firebox. I don't know what to say regarding its value for money, but I love to think I made the right choice. It is very cool, nice-looking and sounds good. To wrap it up, if you are starting out with your home studio, it's a good choice and a very good value for money, given all its features (level LEDs and pots, drivers, etc.).
I think I would buy it again.

I wanted purchased this occasion Roland UA-55 Quad-Capture twice, but I did not because it has a major flaw:
When recording microphone or the output of a device (console or otherwise), if we change the gain on one channel noise appears on the audio. It is useless to make a recording.
This problem also occurs if the buttons on the interface or if it is on the settings of the interface is running.
Roland How can he let this default?
I reported this fault to vendors who told me that during recording it should not touch the recording settings, there was compressors for that! I laughed a lot.
Reading (monitoring-all is well and all is well designed.
The sound seems good.

UTILIZATION

No problems Driver on a Mac.

GETTING STARTED

Easy and simple installation on Mac

OVERALL OPINION

I tested two models one of which had less than 6 months.

The UA-55 is a 4 channel interface that has very good preamps in it. They are warm and clean, without coloring the sound of the recording. I was recording with this interface at 24 bit 192 kHz quality. Out of all of the times I recorded with this interface it has never given me any driver issues or problems. It has worked flawlessly from day one.

UTILIZATION

Setting this interface up took no effort at all, installing the drivers only took a few minutes and it was up and running and ready to go. I have never received a single driver update since I had this interface and never had the need for one.

GETTING STARTED

Using this interface with a condenser microphone was a good choice for me because it has a switched phantom power option on it to give the proper voltage for the condenser microphones that are very sensitive. There is a pair of ¼ Left and Right stereo outputs on the back of this interface that I ran right to my monitor controller. There are also MIDI ins and outs (5 pin).

OVERALL OPINION

This interface comes with a copy of CakeWalk Sonar X1 LE and it is very easy to set it up in that software. Only 2 of the channels on this interface have preamps though, and the other 2 do not so for me they really were not useable. I am not sure why they didn’t just put the preamps in all of the channels so they could really be more useable especially with this unit cost 300 dollars I think they could have afforded to put the preamps on the other two channels. That was the only downfall that I felt like was an issue with this monitor. I do love Roland products and they are always made to last a long time. This interface is great if you only need 2 preamps.

Which technical specifications motivated your choice?
Compact, user-friendly, self-powered USB interface

What do you use it for?
To record demos (vocals and guitar) and as main output for laptop and desktop PCs.

What's your setup (motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive,...)?
Gigabyte H55/Core i3/16Gb DDR3
I don't recall the laptop specs, but it doesn't matter. Both run on Windows7-64

Do you use it with other instruments or systems (mixing console, preamp, DtD, ...) and what's your setup? ...
Zoom guitar preamp, Joemeek vocal preamp, Mackie mixer, jack/XLR balanced cables.

UTILIZATION

Are the drivers stable?
Yes, very stable.

Are they up to date?
Enough to be manifestly stable

Which software do you use?
Cubase, VLC, Foobar2000, Audacity, Firefox

What's the latency of your system?
With the default buffer sizes, about 6-7ms

How many tracks can you record/playback simultaneously ? ...
- Personally, I only record one track, but according to the specs you could record 4 tracks simultaneously with inputs 1 and 2 on the front panel and tracks 3/4 via S/PDIF, but I have never tried it.
- Up to 90 tracks for playback with Cubase, with more tracks you have to adjust the buffer size but the latency increases...

GETTING STARTED

Was the installation hassle-free?
Absolutely!

Did you have any incompatibility problems?
None.

How complicated is the overall configuration?
It's pretty easy.

Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive? ...
No problems, so I think yes

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using it?
1 year

Which feature do you like the most / the least?
The most: The ease of use, the compatibility, the sound
The least: It would be nice to have a separate volume control for the headphones, the lack of progressiveness of the pots, the digital I/O on S/PDIF RCA only

Did you try any other models before buying this one?
Yes, but not with the same application in mind, so not within its niche ^^'

How would you rate its value for money?
A safe bet.

Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? ...
Sure, it simplifies my life a lot. I only regret not having bought it 10 years ago, but it didn't exist or didn't work so well ^^

Which technical specifications motivated your choice?

I wanted a USB soundcard capable of supporting 24/192, a simple unit with stable drivers to stay away of PC soundcards.

Do you use it with other instruments or systems (mixing console, preamp, DtD, ...) and what's your setup? ...

What do you use it for?
It depends on my mood. I use it with my laptop or desktop PC or the Mac, I also use my MiniDiscs, my studio live, my iPads, Ipod or iPhone, Neumann or Shure beta 87a vocal mic with a Voice live2.

Ditto on the Mac. Nothing to say, except that it works perfectly.

What's your setup (motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive,...)?
FYI, I put my PCs together myself. My main setup is a real beast, which nevertheless is starting to be outdated.
Quad core AMD, 8 GB Ram, 1 sdd for Windows...3 HDDs for storage, an Nvidia gtx680 for a bit of 3D (with a nice 27" display (a requirement for 3d ^^).

UTILIZATION

Are the drivers stable?
Nothing to say, impeccable.

Are they up to date?
Not right now, but what should I update for? ^^

Which software do you use?
Audacity, Soundforge, Studio one ,Capture

What's the latency of your system?
The what?

How many tracks can you record/playback simultaneously ? ...
My needs aren't' too demanding, but I do anything that comes to my head.
I'm not too limited in terms of Ram.

GETTING STARTED

Was the installation hassle-free?
No problems.

Did you have any incompatibility problems?
None. Neither on the Mac nor on the laptop or desktop PCs.

How complicated is the overall configuration? It's very easy.

Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive?
No, it's useless.
You have to get it from the CD, which I don't like.
It's true that it's not hard to get it going, but then again...

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using it? Several weeks.

Which feature do you like the most / the least?
The most: The sound, it's awesome.

Did you try any other models before buying this one? I used an old card on the PC or the Studio Live.

How would you rate its value for money? It's exactly what I was looking for, a solid unit (great sound, easy detection)

Based on your experience, would you buy this product again? ...
Without hesitation!

2 inputs, preamps and converters quality for its class. Hi-Z input for guitar.
Microphones used with static wide membrane (voice / percussion / guitar) and guitar line input on PC windows vista, cubase.

UTILIZATION

Stable no surprise but not too soon to judge the long term.

GETTING STARTED

Installation and configuration quick and efficient, no compatibility issues with Windows Vista and cubase.
English manual clear and sufficient.

OVERALL OPINION

I hesitated with the presonus audiobox including 22 in the same range but does not have a Hi-Z input for guitar by roland against the monitor and headphone outputs use the same gain as said before, the only default I use (and even the knobs are in front of my monitorings).

Value for money very good given the effectiveness of equipment and rendering accurate compared to my sources. A very good card in this price range.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

- Nomade USB 2.0 (3.0 would have been better ... But I do not rattle with an impedance of 8ms no bug ... and 48kHz ...)
- Quality preamps
- Hi-z and Phantom

For what purpose?

- Use basic: recording voice and guitar recording. Soon battery through a mixing desk connected to the coaxial amplified.

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Hard, ...)?

- ASUS laptop ... Intel I5 2.4GHz, 8G ram.

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable?

- No crash and 8ms in 48kHz.

What software do you use most often?

- Sonar X1 LE comes with .. Enough for what I do!

How many tracks you get to record / playback simultaneously?

- Register ... Two thanks to two xlr plug / jack.
- Read ... I did not go far enough, but the 8 tracks + 1 record and Roll!

What latency you get?

- Already said, I repeat: 8ms ... 6ms at its best and 20ms to go to 96kHz

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problems?

- I had problems at youtube with a sampling frequency of 41kHz ... So always put it back in if you want to surf 41kHz quietly ... Or if I missed something, tell me!

The general configuration is easy?

- Patient, I read the doc ... It's easy!

Have you encountered any incompatibilities?

- No

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you been using?

- Now a year

Did you try many other models before buying it?

- First purchase!

What is so special that you like most and least?

- The most ... There are so many as to the preamp quality, well made knob ...
- The less ... THIS headphone that hurts my ears when I forget to readjust the volume ... The same headset / speaker!

How do you rate the quality / price?

- Perfect although I can not say too much about ... Without experience.

With experience, you do again this choice?

- Not disappointed, it would be a pleasure! I even tried to take his girlfriend octo!

The press reviews say the quality of the 2 preamps microphones, the possibility of 44 khz to 192 khz and price.

I use Cubase 7 with a AKG C3000B microphone jacks for live voice, saxophone and guitar on PC intel I5 2500K HDD and 8GB ram 7200.

Focal CMS65 speaker output on (previously on PRODIPE PRO8).

I use it before going into the studio to make albums. Studio to me just repeat the voice (microphone .. € 2,000) is more class and mastering.

UTILIZATION

For drivers for 1 year and a half, one update. So it is rather quiet.

on the other hand, it is a little unstable if you want to change parameter 44 Khz to 192 Khz in CUABSE example, then exit to launch Windows media player ... occasionally rapid change of frequency does not please him.

3-7 ms latency in Cubase 20 track (VST and Audio freeze plug in + Audio)

I record only one track at a time.

GETTING STARTED

No problem with installation and perfect operation Sonar, Live and Cubase.

Hollowing least in Pro Tools, Samplitude ...

OVERALL OPINION

I've had 1.5 years.

FOr a Home Studio with instruments taken without separation wall, there must be a préamli headphone (exe. Samson S-amp) for four headphone outputs INDEPENDENT because the Quad Capture has a headphone output.

I drive this headphone (AU-55) on the S-amp and everyone is happy. Each volume headphones.

The price is: PERFECT compared to the quality and the competition.

A friend just bought one after 6 months taf home (pro musician).

I bought it for the next nomadic and USB.
I used to record any type of instrument against I do not use the integrated pre-amp just to try and I found it very nice especially for the price that it cost.

I have a laptop Toshiba CORE I7.

UTILIZATION

Very stable drivers
windows 7 and cubase 6
acceptable latency I have not been bothered that side.

you can only record a track or two mono track syereo.

GETTING STARTED

easy intallation.
no incompatibility.
not even needed manual.

VERY EASY!

OVERALL OPINION

I kept one year I changed my primary one Fireface USB because I needed more output and input rca spdif.
I had plenty of other cards before it, the best (Lynx L22 ...) and worst (M-Audio. ..)

I like the automatic calibration input is very convenient not to saturate for beginners is impeccable!
Yeah, of course it does not address Studios pro who can spend € 3,000 in Metric Halo and others!!

I do not like that it lacks input / output digital.

this card is a great value.

to buy eyes closed if there is no need for 50 000 inputs / outputs.

Quality of the two preamps 24 bit / 192kHz.


I use it with an Audio Korg M3, otherwise mainly with various Midi sequencers and other VST.

UTILIZATION

Tested on XP and W7, no worries whatever the operating system.

Used with Ableton Live, FL Studio and Studio One: no pb particular

GETTING STARTED

Breeze.

No inconsistency so far.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 months.

Previously I had a USB Aubiobox: a real difference in audio (best gain preamps, more noise ...)
After side latency, it is not obvious (at identical config PC)


I love the automatic calibration gain level ("auto sense")


The only bemol: volume of the headphone output and speaker common

J (I needed a map to save my components, generally box of acoustic guitar and voice. So I had the preamp quality, flawless audio reproduction. Map perfectly fulfills the specifications.

UTILIZATION

No crash so far, Assistant reaper cubase and the drivers are extremely stable. I can get off at 8/9 ms latency config recording, I go up much higher in situations of mixing. The Roland responds without any worries that I ask.

GETTING STARTED

No worries installed on my PC, even on my little laptop. The manual is clear, no worries either on that side.
No incompatibility reported.
on the other hand I drop a little note in the operation because there's something quite annoying: no separate volume between monitoring and headphone.
From the test published on AF, I bought knowingly, but use it proved quite compelling.
I found the solution by taking a small external controller for my speakers.

OVERALL OPINION

Very positive assessment of these first months of use. The preamp is indeed excellent. It is clear, breathless, with lots of headroom.
I had a lot of sound cards in their hands.
In terms of value for money, I had a USB mindprint trio which was higher, in fact I bite the fingers of the selling. the preamp was different, less precise, less headroom, more breath but a fun character, but the ergonomics of the device was fantastic.
My old Audio Kontrol was interesting, but below the level of preamp.
The Konnect 6, with me it was a disaster.
No, ultimately, the Roland is really a great card. Currently the best (in these rates)? to see, the VSL Presonus looks very nice too, but the Roland is a great choice for a home studio

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

I am of computer music for 15 years "samplant" guitars that I previously recorded. So I was looking for a card with the bare minimum with respect to the number of entries.


What instruments or systems (console, preamp, DtDs ...) the use and how you connect? ...
Guitar direct connection in the card ...

What is your config (Motherboard / CPU / RAM / Disk, ...)?
I7 6GB of ram

UTILIZATION

The drivers are stable? yes

How often are updated? no idea

What software do you use most often? Cubase 5

What you get lag? 17 ms (without optimization and with no audible latency)

How many tracks do you manage to record / play simultaneously? 15 tracks with AmpliTube guitar rig 3 or 5 on each track and Ozone mastering ... 5 until you have small cracks in 24/96 (but not ozone, there is still room ...)

GETTING STARTED

The installation is done it without problem?
it took me two facilities before the card is working properly ...

... And sometimes, while the card works under Windows, my DAO (cubase 5) or other VST autonomous tell me that the card is not connected
Solution ==> restart the PC ... therefore unclear whether this is the card or the computer that makes his but I incline to the computer.


The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
In English, but understandable
here is the link in French:
https://www.rolandce.com/mediafiles/manuals/QUAD-CAPTURE_fr.pdf

OVERALL OPINION

How would you rate the quality / price? very good! ! !

With experience, you do again this choice? yes

to give you an idea:
www.myspace.com/warlus2
all demos with the title in 2012 ...