Alesis GuitarLink and Behringer UCG102
By David Bell
| Posted in Guitar
If you’re after an easy and simple ‘no fuss no muss’ way of recording your guitar, then you’ll want to check out the GuitarLink from Alesis and the Guitar Link UCG102 from Behringer (try not to confuse the names). These no thrills USB devices are the quickest, easiest and most economical solution for connecting your guitar, bass, or other line-level audio source directly to your PC or Mac via USB for mono recording.
The Alesis GuitarLink is the more undemanding of the two products, being no more than a 16.5-foot length (5m) instrument cable, with a ¼ inch jack at one end, accompanied by a male USB at the other. This plug-in-and-play device has no drivers to install. When you connect it to your computer for the first time it will automatically install all the necessary drivers and be ready to use immediately with your existing sequencers such as Logic or Cubase.
Behringer’s Guitar Link UCG102 interface also connects to your computer via a typical USB cable, though unlike Alesis’ GuitarLink, this tiny interface includes a 16 track multi-track music production sequencer and audio editor, armed with ‘Guitar Combos Behringer Edition’ software from Native Instruments. It also features a stereo headphone output for silent practicing, or monitoring with active monitor speakers.
Both the GuitarLink and Guitar Link UCG102 are compatible with most Mac (OS 9 or higher) and Windows (XP or Vista) 32-bit, class-compliant drivers and software.
These aren’t to be compared with your sophisticated firewire audio interfaces, but for their price points, there’s some fun to be had with these cheap and cheerful jamming devices.
About David Bell
It’s all about the Bass for me! I was given my first Bass on my 12th Birthday, since then I’ve spent every available penny on basses of all varieties, 4 string, 5 string, upright, you name it!…
I play a range of different styles of music, from Pop/ Rock to 50’s; I’ve even appeared on the main stage at the Country Musik Messe in Nürnberg, Germany. When I’m not playing live I spend a lot of time writing and recording in the studio.
I’ve worked in the Guitar industry since 2005, running one of London’s most foremost Bass guitar specialists. I’m currently enjoying working in DV’s Web/ Graphic Design team. I’m most exited to be able to share my interest, experience and knowledge about Bass gear here on the DV blog.
Tags: Alesis, Behringer, Cubase 5, Guitar Link UCG102, GuitarLink, Logic 9, native instruments
Hi, I would like to know if this berigher will work also with my bass. Did you try it?
fabio
Hi I’m having trouble using my behringer guitar link on logic i wondered if you could give me some advise?
Louis