All user reviews for the Tascam US-1800

The Tascam US1800 was an interface that I used for a few months in 2011. It connected easily to my computer via USB connection. This unit is rackable taking up one rack space on my desktop workstation. This interface has 16 inputs that you can record with simultaneously and 4 outputs. 14 of the inputs are analog and 8 inputs are for XLR mics and it does provide phantom power. This interface had everything that I needed at the time.

UTILIZATION

It was easy to set up and start using, it came with a manual that was easy to follow and the disk to load the driver was easy to use, because all I had to do was just put it in my PC and it installed the software then the interface was recognized by Cubase and Pro Tools.

GETTING STARTED

I liked using it in Pro Tools 10 a lot because that is where I do most of my recording at and instead of paying a lot of money for one of those interfaces that Pro Tools endorses I was able to get the same features but only pay about half that price.

OVERALL OPINION

This interface is good, and I feel that it is very underrated because no one is talking about using it. The only downside to it was sometimes there would be a latency issue when working with Pro Tools 10 depending on what you are recording and how many tracks you are recording at the same time. You can work around this but sometimes it is very annoying. At first I just thought it was my PC until other users told me about that same problem and it’s mainly because of the USB connection and recording with multiple tracks. This was probably the last USB interface that I have purchase since then I went all to fire wire because I think the speed is much better.

I bought this card due to its numerous I/Os to use it with a good external preamp (Goldmike) + headphone amp. The inputs on the front panel are very practical (for instruments).
For the price, it's impossible to get more I/Os.

USE

The installation with the CD is hassle-free, but then it all goes south: It's impossible to use direct monitoring due to the weakness of the signal, even after going into a headphone amp. Likewise, it's impossible to do direct monitoring via the additional line outputs (which is confirmed in the manual). In short, it has lots of outputs, but they are worthless. Finally, I got loud "plops" through my speakers, which I didn't have with my old Presonus.
I asked for my money back after 3 days.

OPERATION

It's okay, the control panel is a bit on the minimalist side, but nothing too serious.

OVERALL OPINION

It promises a lot on paper, but it's impossible to use this soundcard correctly for recording applications.

I chose it given its number of xlr jack inputs
and the brand's reputation.

USE

Worthless drivers, is Tascam mocking its users?
Is Tascam shooting itself in the foot?


OPERATION

It's impossible to install the drivers for windows 7 64bits from Tascam's site.
Lousy after-sale service, inconsistent.


OVERALL OPINION

I sent it back after one month of looking for solutions.
I bought a presonus vsl 1818 soundcard and had no issues with the installation, the manual is clear.
Tascam will have lots of problems in the sound/midi interface world.

8 XLR inputs with 48V phantom power per groups of 4
2 Instrument inputs on 1/4" jacks, switchable to line inputs
4 Line inputs on 1/4" jacks with -4/+4 per pairs

6 outputs: 2 monitors and 4 Lines
1 headphone out on 1/4" jack

MIDI in/Out
S-PDIF or AES or EBU In/Out
USB port

Converts up to 96k/24 bit

I've been using this card for 3-4 months and I'm very happy with it, the only snag is the lack of an ADAT I/O. I use it with Cubase 5 on a PC to record bands I do FOH for.

The preamps are light, they distort as soon as you go beyond 03:00 but they are clean and sound nice if you don't reach that threshold.

USE

No issues during the installation. It's stable and works fine with Cubase, at least for what I use it for. I record my drums on a regular basis with the 8 front-panel tracks and have no complaints. The only minor drawback of this card is the somewhat significant latency: 2.6ms at the input and 12.3ms at the output, which means 15ms when it's properly set up (using the manufacturer's ASIO, otherwise it's 50+ ms o_o). A somewhat high latency, but to record 14 tracks simultaneously, it's okay. There's no update I know of.

OPERATION

It's very easy to use, I haven't had a single compatibility issue since I have it. Not even under Windows, nice! I haven't opened the manual, so I can't tell whether it's clear and comprehensive. My girlfriend, who has not the slightest clue of audio, uses it without asking any questions!

OVERALL OPINION

After 3 months of intensive use I can say it's perfect for me. The real problem of this card is its lack of communication with other devices, but it's PERFECT for a simple home-studio setup. And, coming from me, it's a real compliment: I made a Lambda Lexicon explode (without any regrets) and I don't use my EMU 1616M anymore. The tascam US-1800 is easy to use and (I hope) sturdy.
A very good investment to start out and even if you already have some experience and want simplicity for your studio.
Compared to the lambda (although they don't cost the same) or the EMU, I prefer the Tascam for its simplicity and how quick it is to get familiar with it.

The Tascam Us 1800 is the latest iteration of Tascam's line of extremely budget friendly audio interfaces. This one in particular is almost exactly the same as its parent the US 1641. It is simple a set of marginal improvements that mark them, but they are all essentially under the surface. The US 1800 comes with a great set of inputs, just like the US 1641, it has 16 inputs and four outputs, making it the interface with the most channels for the price on the market. What is particularly nice about this is that the preamps have improved a lot from the last, and remember, the preamps on the 1641, while sounding a bit distant, are not terrible.

UTILIZATION

The drivers and the latency with this program is pretty much brilliant. That is the main draw of this one. Underneath the surface, the US 1800 is more updated to run on newer systems, whereas the drivers for the 1641 were not supported for quite a bit of time now. However, I can completely record over almost all channels without incurring hiccups at all, and that is absolutely something to behold.

GETTING STARTED

It is an audio interface. You plug it in and install the drivers. The inputs and output are labeled quite simply. The only thing that may drive a few people away is that the phantom power switches are still only breakers for inputs 1 and 4 and inputs 5 and 8. However, that is not a terribly big deal. It lacks some of the niceties like pads and filters, but I generally use dedicated units for that anyway.

OVERALL OPINION

In the end, it is not so much nicer than the 1641 that you should endeavor to buy it at full price if you can find a 1641 for less, but if you cannot find one for less, get the 1800. It is nicer internally, more updated, and on a completely shallow level, a much more attractive looking unit than the 1641.

What characteristics have motivated your choice?

The number of entries - Powered through the phantom Micro. I want to route audio tracks to my Cubase Vocoder.

Main home studio sound card to replace an EMU 1212M I wanted to upgrade the bridge via AD / AT. For a lower price, I have a new sound card with a sufficient number of IO
Home studio: Pentium IV 3.2Ghz 8 Gig Ram - Windows 7 64bit - Not professionnel.Petits multitrack recording, VST, .. Connectors: All analog inputs directly into the sound card - no external mixer (finally no more need: now disconnected).



UTILIZATION


I turn on Cubase with a latency of 2ms ..

The multitrack recording easy setup - .. For now I've done some tests: playback 8 tracks simultaneous recording of mono and 4 tracks with a few real-time VST effects. No worries, it rolls ...



GETTING STARTED

A priori no problem, installed without any difficulty - Maj 64bit driver is downloadable from the site.
No extra software that came with the card, which complicates the config. EMU at home or Creamware and imposes a load config before launching Cubase. Configuration child from Cubase.
RAS ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few days .. As said above: I tried Creamware Luna EmulatorX'm through.
The converters are good. But I feel that those of the EMU in 1212 were a bit more 'clear'.
Small problem: We stay here at 24 bit and it does not exceed the 96 khz ... However it depends what you're looking .. For my usage is more than enough ..

What is nice is that this map, despite its size (rack) can be transported easily and can be used with a laptop on the move ...

Good Q / P

If I were doing .. For this budget probably yes ...