Tascam US-122 user reviews ( 6/10) - 24 user reviews

• 01/11/10

  moosers's review

  Characteristics

  The Tascam US-122 is a compact USB audio interface with both audio and MIDI capabilities.  This is aimed for the user who wants a small audio interface to build a small home studio around.  The US-122 has two XLR mic inputs and stereo 1/4" connections as well.  It also has a MIDI input and output and 1/4" outputs for monitors and headphones.  In total, you've got the ability to record two tracks at once, whether it be by mic or direct line.

  Utilization

  The make up of the Tascam US-122 interface is very straight forward.  Everything is clearly labeled and easy to understand, as it is indeed catered for those who are new with audio interfaces and computer recording.  You can use the interface with pretty much any software, but I've used it with Cubase.  Since I wasn't using this within my own recording rig, I'm not sure about the specs that I used with it, but I do know that the interface ran smoothly and that I didn't get any latency will using it on a Mac Book lap top.  This only has the capabilities to record two tracks at a time, but I was able to run a bunch of pre-recorded tracks along with it as well.

  Getting Started

  The process of getting the Tascam US-122 up and running is one that I wasn't involved with as it was already set up when I tried using it.  However, judging by looking at it and from what I know about audio interfaces, I would say that this should be a fairly simple process to set up depending on what type of configuration you're running the interface with.  I've never had a need to check out the manual for the US-122, so I can't say anything about its make up...

  Overall Opinion

  While I can't say that the mic preamps on the Tascam US-122 have all that great of a sound, for those who want a low priced audio interface to get your home recording studio up and running, I believe that this should be tried out and investigated.  I love how compact it is, as it makes it easy to move from place to place if you wanted to get a mobile studio going.  It also has a good amount of features for such a small interface.  This is definitely a good budget audio interface to check out if you're looking for one to get started with.
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• 12/10/08

  M Elise's review

  Characteristics

  This is an inexpensive USB powered external audio interface for your computer; the purpose of which is to replace your computer's built-in sound card and provide superior sound and better audio hook up options. It features two XLR mic inputs with phantom power option, two quarter inch line/guitar in jacks, two quarter inch insert jacks, adjustable input levels, RCA line out jacks, midi in/out, headphone out jack, headphone level knob, line out level knob, direct monitor level knob, switch for mono or stereo monitoring, and plenty of LED lights that help you see whats going on. The unit is solidly built and is housed in a metal case.

  Utilization

  When I first installed this on an old G3 Imac there where a few timing issues but I was able to resolve them by adjusting the buffer. I once tried to install this on a friend's PC laptop and was never able to get it to work. It could have been the laptop or it could have been the US-122s software. I don't know.

  Getting Started

  I only used this unit briefly to make multi-track recordings. I have never had any problems. In recent years I use it occasionally to input cassette and LP recordings into my computer for conversion to audio CDs and MP3s. The unit works nicely with no issues. I like the unit ergonomically with its knobs on top, small size, and strong construction. Its easy, clear and straightforward to use. The unit sounds good but not as good as my Motu 828 Firewire audio interface. I can hear the difference but I don't know how to describe the difference. The US-122 is powered completely by USB so it makes sense that the amplifiers are not as sophisticated as a unit such as the Motu 828 which is powered by more juice.

  Overall Opinion

  I bought this when it first came out and at the time it was a ground breaking product for its price range. Now Tascam has a newer version and there are many other similar brands on the market. I have not heard or used any of these. However for my needs I have no reason to ever abandon this unit in favor of a newer one.
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• 10/12/08

  bpmccauley1's review

  Characteristics

  The choice to purchase the Tascam US-122 was really easy for me, it was cheap and would allow me to record two tracks at the same time. When this interface was purchased I was very new to the world of recording my own music and I was looking for exactly what this little guy had, good price and decent features, like the ability to be completely portable with my laptop, recording on the go is a must for me.
  
  I am an acoustic musician so you won't find me plugging my guitar directly into the US-122, instead I use my MXL990 and 991 to mic my guitar. Additionally I use this with a Dell Inspiron 6000, 2GB RAM, 60GB Hard Drive.

  Utilization

  Once this thing was finally at my home, getting it to work for the first time was a bit difficult, at the time I chalked it up to my inexperience but have since realized that it was definately the product.
  
  I had a very hard time installing the software for this thing on my computer. There were definate issues with Windows XP Professional and Home. It was crazy, I finally found a forum online that explained to me what I needed to do. I had to install the software, and cancel the setup, this process had to be done 3 times, then on the thrid time for some reason it would work, crazy if you ask me.
  
  Then I had to try and follow the crazy instructions on how to set up my computer to work with the interface, you know changing sound ins, AISO...that kind of thing. For a beginner at the time it was definitley frustrating.
  
  Once I got everything working, I had to learn how to use Cubase LE (the bundled version that came with the US-122)...again this recording software and the instruction manual that came with it was less than beginner friendly. All of the instructions were in professional recording language (not surprisingly really), but I had to go and look up definitions of most of the words in the manual. Again, maybe just because I was a beginner, but I'm a pretty intelligent guy, seems to be that it should not have been that difficult to figure out.

  Getting Started

  All of that being said, once I did get things figured out, this product is really great. I've owned it for several years and I've used it often. It is the only recording interface that I use. I've even trusted it to record some other bands in the area. Granted you aren't going to be recording drums with this thing since you can only record 2 tracks simultaneously, but for acoustic stuff or a few instruments this thing is great and you can take it where ever you go as long as you've got your laptop and a mic you've got a recording studio.
  
  The digial sound that actually comes back out from my computer and to my ears is really way better than I could have imagined for the price of the unit. I think I got mine for around $150 or something like that, definately worth it.

  Overall Opinion

  Like I said I've been using the Tascam US-122 for several years now. I will admit that I definitley had many, many issues to iron out before I could get the thing to work properly, but once I got everything worked out I was really happy with the product.
  
  I would definately suggest that if you are looking for a cheap way to get some tracks laid down with very decent quality to buy this product.
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• 03/08/08

  EyeLWait4U's review

  Characteristics

  The TASCAM brand US-122 interface quite simply allows you to use two line level inputs and two line level outputs to record professional sounding audio into your personal computer be it a PC or MAC brand. It's simple to use, easy to install (literally about 20-30 minutes) and it is really affordable. We purchased it on sale for about $185.00 at a local music shop shortly after it was released on the market.

  Utilization

  Here are the facts: Most any computer has a crappy sound card. I don't care if you bought yours for 200.00 or more dollars. It is still crappy and produces good audio for your playback on the computer but not professional for professional audio recording. Now, I know, I know...you don't want to buy anything else. I get that. You've already spent too much money now to create you home studio. I did too. But, imagine a professional CD you produce that sounds great the first time, no pops, no clicks, no hisses and is CLEAN sound.

  Getting Started

  Note: This also instantly accepts non-powered microphones and it powers them with built in trinkle power (phantom power) and it also accepts guitar levels instantly. It features headphone and separate volume control and also full MIDI for your audio recording/keyboard and sequencing. It's not cheap plastic but steel. Buy you. You'll be glad you did.

  Overall Opinion

  Buy it! You'll be glad you did.
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• 11/24/11

  doumson's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " to avoid"

  Characteristics

  work with the hardware, PC and macbook pro

  Utilization

  completely unstable, jumping with my PC and my mac does not recognize Forever, awful.

  Getting Started

  Installation is quick, when it works ....

  Overall Opinion

  I got two years, I care because I had no choice, not the means to change, but I would do it no choice but to take this card, the converters are awful, the driver completely unstable, as regrets, tascam for me it's over.
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• 09/23/11

  YanB.'s review ( translated ) Improve this translation " a beautiful machine"

  Characteristics

  I bought long ago in order to receive MIDI input and a sound card fast (ASIO) on my laptop (a P4 with 512MB RAM running XP). Temper but I mainly use Cubase and Reason and it has always turned out well, only a few synth VST (freeware) and a sampler I have posed some problems but I think this is due to the ram in my PC is rather narrow. The beast also runs fine under Vista.

  Utilization

  Overall, the results are very good whether it be the sound quality or latency.
  
  on the other hand, WHOLESALE flat, drivers are no longer updated. Officially, the latter system is compatible with Vista PC, but I heard that some come to install it on Seven.

  Getting Started

  The machine is easy to use and complete.
  
  Rich connections: Midi in out
  
  Microphone inputs (with phantom power) / line (2xmono)
  
  Send entries on the two loops to create pure effects
  
  Stereo line output
  
  Headphone
  
  Possibility of adjusting the level has all the floors (and out), direct monitoring (on / off and level)
  
  Setting the latency ASIO, DirectX, MME, ...

  Overall Opinion

  I still serves today. Sometimes I also use a Zoom H4 as a sound card but it is less functional.
  
  I particularly appreciate its versatility and robustness against I bitterly regret the abandonment of any updated driver.
  
  
  
  Put off the problem of the US-122 driver is always in style of the day (MK2 version does not seem to bring anything new) is up to you to see.
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• 11/24/08

  djaafar's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  - What characteristics have motivated your choice?
  
  
  
  No novice at the time I have been guided by the advice of others.
  
  
  
  - For what purpose?
  
  
  
  Record different instruments and voices making

  Utilization

  - The installation is done it without problems? Yes
  
  - Have you experienced any incompatibilities? Not
  
  - The general configuration is easy? Yes
  
  - The manual is clear and sufficient? .. Not even

  Getting Started

  - The drivers are stable? Yes
  
  - Are they often updated? Not required
  
  - What software do you use most often? Cubase SX3
  
  - What you get lag? Less than 8 ms
  
  - How many tracks you get to record / play time? ... One ... its weak point

  Overall Opinion

  - How long have you use it? 3 years
  
  - What is so special that you like most and least? Preamp not powerful enough
  
  - Have you tried many other models before buying it? My first
  
  - How would you rate the quality / price? Excellent for the time
  
  - With experience, you do again this choice? ... for a beginner? Yes
  
  
  
  If I had to switch to another card that would not hesitate a Tascam
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• 09/25/07

  efabric's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  I wanted to record the guitar, bass, microphone and keyboard ...
  
  
  
  What do music!
  
  
  
  a priori it could do everything.

  Utilization

  The installation was a great galley, I left plan for months before trying again ... Always the same delusion: you got the choice between latency can or crackling sound when recording.

  Getting Started

  The pilots jumped from 3.1 in 4152 something.
  
  none is really stable.
  
  
  
  I must have 21mS input and output 10/11. One-thirtieth of a second is too much!

  Overall Opinion

  I was so fed up that I sold.
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• 02/15/07

  galloan's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  TASCAM brand recognition, the option noon can connect a groove box, is the use of branchemlent my computer to my korg, I have a dell computer last generation with only 1 GB of RAM, connected USB

  Utilization

  Installation without problem, but that takes time

  Getting Started

  Little or no latency with the ASIO option

  Overall Opinion

  For two and a half years and I am very happy, the south is an option that I recognize the unique and the most comfortable with this kind of machine is that I connected to my computer it recognizes it at each cost, no need to reinstall, but good computer and shortcomings of a computer to another toujpours ca change, at least I have no problems in two I never reinstall and it works just as well especially in midi
  
  I try the Edirol but I did not like her, and the price was too high while the tascam at the time was more affordable
  
  for the value I found this product very well, with the experience I remake that choice, I even advised a friend
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• 04/20/06

  funky_nikoo's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  This card has the advantage of combining midi + audio in a single device for an extremely reasonable price (less than 200 €).
  
  I wanted to turn my laptop (centrino processor, 512 MB RAM) in "home studio" To record guitars, keyboards and voice audio midi.

  Utilization

  On installing xp service pack 2, no problems! ... In 30 seconds it's done!
  
  I did not then very long but so far no incompatibility reported.
  
  Setup is extremely simple and ergonomics of the "config panel" very clear.
  
  Side by manual cons, there's really only what you need.

  Getting Started

  I installed the driver provided on the Tascam site and everything works impeccable '.
  
  I use Cubase VST for my recordings, many plug-ins for audio and vst instruments (like the B4) for keyboards. Level latency, good surprise, inaudible on vst instruments, and nothing to report as "perceptually annoying" audio either!

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for a week. I appreciate the ease of use of this map, branch, 2-3 settings and go!
  
  Before I used a mixer connected to a SB live card for a desktop (this is also why I am delighted for the latent side us122 ;-))
  
  The value for money is excellent, at least for use in "amateur". So the choice I would do without hesitation.
  
  
  
  ps: I just drop the overall rating for a Tascam probably saves the knobs and switches, which still remind me a bit of toys my 4 year old cousin!
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