Zoom U-22 Handy Audio Interface, 2-Channel Portable USB Audio Interface, 1 XLR/TRS Input, Battery or Bus Powered, Phantom Power

I use this audio interface when traveling. It can be battery-powered or USB powered and is extremely lightweight, especially without batteries. The dimensions make this one of the smallest sized audio interfaces available.I also own the Zoom H1n and Zoom H7. This U-22 has a similar sound quality as the H7. I prefer to take an XLR mic, XLR cable and this U-22 along with a desktop folding mic stand as my travel setup. I have found the H7 overkill for most projects because my podcast, audio and video needs usually involve 1 mic. The H7 microphone quality is good but running the U-22 with an XLR mic gives me better results.For $80-100 this U-22 is an excellent choice for anyone wanting an upgrade in sound quality over USB mics. Pair this U-22 with a good XLR mic and you will have a setup far superior to anything in the consumer level audio section for far little investment money.My current mics:Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Mic https://amzn.to/3vk5U2cStellar X2 Mic https://amzn.to/3sSYBwFAKG Pro Audio C520 Headset Mic https://amzn.to/3eskbmEMy retired mics:Audio-Technica Condenser Microphone (AT899) https://amzn.to/3ey2JgfAudio-Technica AT2020USB Mic https://amzn.to/3vgO006Blue Yeti Mic https://amzn.to/2Pqodn0Apogee MiC Plus https://amzn.to/3vmwdV9Audio-Technica AT897Sennhesier MKE400 https://amzn.to/3tWwD4s

I own both the Zoom H6 and the U-22, so I can speak from experience that they share the same fantastic sounding preamps. The preamps are super-low noise and help both small- and large-diaphragm condensers come through with incredible detail.What I have noticed (and may be the source of others' complaints) is that the output knob, if set to a value less than 10, starts to introduce electronic sizzle and whine into the audio output. This sizzle, from my testing, only exists due to this output knob. The sizzle is not recorded, and turning the knob to 10 completely fixes the problem. My guess is that the onboard volume attenuation is less than stellar.My recommendation: buy this fantastic device (unless you need stereo input), turn the output knob to 10, and use your computer to control the audio volume after you set the mic gain. It's a great product made by a great audio company.

Opened, tried, listened but returned. Sound quality was fine for what it is but felt too much like something clunky from 1993.

Most other USB interfaces need power to work with an iPad, that is, a powered hub that needs AC current. This one can run on rechargeable batteries, but I had to get some new fancy ones [Ansmann 2850]. The powered hub I had been using required the addition of a ground wire to defeat 60hz hum. Switching to battery power I can not only perform my electro-acoustic music away from an outlet, there is no hum. To bring the input from my inactive pickup up to a reasonable gain I insert a phantom-powered Triton Audio BigAmp Piezo [about the size of an xlr adapter cylinder]. Be warned that the aux input is stereo and cannot accept anything weaker than a headphone output, so my hope of using it for the guitar pickup, with a mic plugged into the xlr in, was disappointed.

Using a 24 channel live mixer in a sanctuary and needed to reduce that to stereo line-in for a laptop in order to live stream our worship during this "Stay Safe/Stay Home" era.SInce the board has line-level out, and your pc only offers a mic-level in, you need this!2 small gripes:1) The Aux in on the unit is 3.55mm (mini headphone sized), requiring an adapter to get from the RCA or 1/4" outputs from my mixer.2) You have to go hunting on their website for the audio drivers so your laptop will recognize the device.BUT, both issues easily solved, and the result is great. Also appreciate that the unit can be powered off the USB connection, so batteries are totally optional!All in all, excellent unit, arrived on time, and in good working order. - Thanks!

Poor sound quality with iPad and u22

Got this specifically for RTA microphone duties for my car stereo system install EQ calibration. Didn't want to spend a ton but wanted a portable solution with phantom power. Fits perfectly. I have used Zoom products before at work for our Video Studio and they are built well. I would say a major benefit of this model is that it is its price and size. It's portable/small and can run on batteries. I have not actually tested this unit so I am commenting based on value, design, and quality build. I'm sure it's clean sounding though as all the other gear I use is.

I got this in order to use a direct line from our wired monitor packs for audio while recording with phone. I split the signal after our pack, one into this and one into my in ears. Adjusting the pack to a barely loud enough volume causes this interface to distort/clip the signal even with the gain all the way down. I’ve tried it as many ways as I can think of to get my personal audio and this thing to behave but unless you’re running a separate controllable signal it’s just not usable. But if you were doing that you’d have even more gear and cables to hook up.Other than that, it’s likely usable at home in a controlled environment but for just barely a little more money you get a proper interface that does so much more and actually performs like it should.This is essentially just e waste waiting to happen.