Behringer ADA8000 Optical Expansion Unit Review

The Behringer ADA8000 Ultragain Pro-8 is an inexpensive way to add 8 additional inputs and outputs to some audio interfaces. If your audio interface supports optical inputs or outputs, then this is an effective way to allow more connections.

This unit is great for those who already have an audio interface and are looking for an easy way to expand. When I started getting into recording drums, I knew I needed more inputs. The Focusrite Scarlett 18i6 I was using only had 2 preamps on the front inputs, with 6 additional line inputs on the back. After searching for awhile for a solution, I decided on a used Behringer ADA8000, mostly due to the low cost. Comparable versions from Focusrite and Presonus cost several times the price. I also could have just got extra preamps to make use of those line inputs, but that was quite a bit more expensive and took up much more space than the single rack unit Behringer.


To get this working, all I needed was a single optical cable. I just purchased a cheap one from Cable Matters, and it did the job just fine. The optical cable connects to the output on the Behringer unit and then to the input on the Focusrite. Since my Focusrite doesn't have an optical output to send a clock signal to the Behringer unit, I set the Behringer unit as Master at 44.1 kHz and the Focusrite's Sync Source to ADAT. If the audio interface has an optical output, this can also be done in reverse. With it connected in this way, I had an additional 8 inputs for recording, but I'm not able to take advantage of the ADA8000's 8 line outputs with this interface.

It's worth noting that even though the Focusrite 18i6 can record at up to 96 kHz as the sample rate, the Behringer ADA8000 is limited to 48 kHz (it can also do 44.1 kHz). Like the interface, it still creates a 24 bit signal. 

On the front of the unit, there are 8 XLR inputs for microphones and line inputs that can be connected to other preamps or direct boxes. Keep in mind though that these are not intended to be used for instrument inputs. Each preamp has a signal level and clipping indicator LED on the front, but I choose to use the software on my audio interface since it provides more information. The level control for the preamps has detents, allowing it to be set to the same place every time. This is helpful for consistency, but prevents very fine tuning of the level.

For condenser microphones, there is phantom power, but this applies it to all inputs at once so be careful if combining different devices.

The sound quality out of this unit is decent for the price. I didn't purchase it expecting the highest end preamps, but I am happy that they provide a clean boost without added noise and are definitely usable. More than anything, they're comparable to preamps you would expect to find on a medium level mixer board. Overall, there's really no issue using this for recording multitrack projects in the home studio, but you can always use external preamps and connect them to the line inputs on the front, using the Behringer unit only as a analog to digital converter.

Since picking up this unit, it has become (and will remain) a permanent part of my rack unit for recording. The Behringer ADA8000 is a very effective and economical way to improve the usefulness of a compatible audio interface by adding up to 8 additional inputs and outputs.