All user reviews for the Tascam US-122

When i first purchased the Tascam US-122, I was expecting it to work extremely well with my computer which is running windows 7. The price of the product attracted my attention as it looked like a solid mic pre-amp for my home studio recordings.

UTILIZATION

The tascam US-122 is compatible with almost every single daw the industry has to offer. It allows you to record to Mono channel condensor mics and it also includes Phantom power. THe product also offers jacks for you to plug in your guitar. I found that the customer support was horrible for this device.

GETTING STARTED

There was one major issue that i found with this product and that was regarding a static noise coming through my speakrers through direct monitoring through the interface itself. I thought that my computer was too slow but i was wrong. I did some research on the internet and i realized that it seems to be a latency issue with the product. Not just my interface but many other simliar models of Tascam have simliar problems. I believe this to be a compatibility issue.

OVERALL OPINION

THe recording quality this product offers is superb but the static noice that you get in your headphones through direct monitoring gets very annoying. I would not recommend anyone to buy this and would recommend them to buy either an m-audio interface or a steinberg interface as an alternative

The Tascam US-122 is one of the few usb audio-midi combination interfaces on the market. It features two xlr inputs, two line level inputs, direct input monitoring, and a stereo line-level output with level control. It is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems, although due to its age, is not officially supported by the newest operating systems.

This is a great portable interface that can do a little of everything. I mainly used it with my live laptop setup to play synths and keyboards, which is perfect with this unit, since it can process MIDI and audio at the same time. I've also used it to record guitars and microphones on the fly.

UTILIZATION

The drivers on Tascam audio interfaces, in general, can be problematic. Sometimes they work seamlessly, but sometimes they just don't work on certain operating systems or computer setups. I've owned three different Tascam audio interfaces, and each one has different drivers that seem to work the best on different setups. Unfortunately, the US-122 did not function with my new Mac OS 1.7 laptop, but it has worked fine for me on Windows XP laptops. Since this model is discontinued, there will likely never be updated drivers to better support newer operating systems.

The US-122 can record and playback two channels at once (stereo). I've used it with SONAR almost exclusively, and I've had no problems on my Windows systems. The drivers are not as low latency as some of the newer interfaces out there, but it was certainly fast enough for playing live keyboards for live shows.

GETTING STARTED

General setup is fairly easy: Install the drivers from the Tascam website or an included cd, plug in the interface via usb, and start using it through a DAW or standalone soft synthesizer. One of the advantages of this interface is that it is simple to use, especially with MIDI. All of the routing goes though one interface, so it is fairly easy to setup.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, this is a versatile, portable audio interface that can be useful for many different applications. It may be a bit dated, but if you can find a good deal on this unit used, and you own an older operating system, this interface may be perfect. I owned this interface for several years, and it has served me well.

I purchased this unit from http://www.GearTree.com for $180 including free shipping. all I had to do was call for a lower price. I purchased the unit because I needed a portable easy to use audio interface for demo recording.

I love the fact that this unit comes with phantom power, 2 XLR inputs, and is powered bu the USB connection. These features make portability a snap - use on your laptop and bring it home for power editing on your PC. It works equally well on a Mac.

I prefer faders for audio volume, but cost and space likely caused Tascam to include knobs instead. No big deal.

Quality is rugged duty, and the unit has rubber feet that allow it to stay put. Knobs are plastic and might be vulnerable if handled roughly.

Great piece of recording equipment, affordable. You can't beat this deal - especially the price I got from http://www.GearTree.com.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I acquired this unit from "savedbytechnology.com", after trying equivalent M-Audio box. The M-Audio box was not sensitive enough to pick my Markley Humbucker pickup on my acoustic guitar.

The device works pretty well as advertised, though the laptop I'm running it off of doesn't like Cubasis VST or Gigastudio, both of which are included the Tascam. I'm told it may have something to do with the Hyperthreading processor I have. (Dell 5150 with 3.06 HT P4, 512 meg ram, 80 Gig hard drive). As a result, I'm using N-Track version 4, without any difficulty. This unit works very well if you want to do some home recording, and do multitrack recording. Cost: $267 CAD.



Pros: The device is easy to use, and the USB works well, though it should be all on its own bus, not sharing one with devices like printers, PDA's and so on.

The level controls work well, and one could even hook this device up to a power amp while at the same time, record what you are playing. This device also is small: carrying it around is not difficulty.

The US122 also has a guitar tuner, which works very well: so far none of my other laptop based tuners work as well as this one does.

Cons: There is a lag between the input and output, so it takes a bit of fiddling around to get the buffer sizes right to reduce the lag time. I think that the exact buffer size will depend on the machine that you are using. Note: this is not for use with a machine that doesn't have some horsepower to it.

A word of warning: when swapping mics and other inputs, make sure that you turn down all level controls to zero, and power off the phantom mic power. Otherwise, if the connector slides over the contacts inside the plug in such a way as to short the plug, you could blow the channel. This mixer is not like an analogue mixer: it is not forgiving of sloppy work with cables and attaching or disconnecting inputs.

Finally, the Hyperthreading processor may not like the packaged software such as Cubasis VST and Gigastudio 24. I use N-Track, and the software works pretty well right out of the box.

One can't deny the quality and sturdiness of the US-122. It is in a cast aluminium case, so it is light, and also well protected in the case. The volume knobs feel flimsy, but some other people have checked this and found that the volume controls are actually quite good.

Bottom line: if you are doing your own home studio recordings, this device along with the right software will do just fine. It also helps that you deal with a reputable distributor, and in this case, that means "savedbytechology.com"

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I picked this up at Long and McQuade in Toronto for about $340 Canadian. I've been playing for quite some time now but never got into recording before. I was told this was a good unit.

It's a breeze to use. I had it going within a half an hour, and I'm no computer whiz. This thing is loaded. 2 XLR inputs, phantom power, stereo inputs and outputs, and the sound quality is excellent. I've used it for heavy metal guitars, clean acoustic guitars, vocals, etc. It does it all. I also like the fact that it's completely portable and self-powered via USB.

The only negative comment I have about it is the software that comes with it. The bundle versions of Cubasis and Gigastudio really suck and is a pain to use. I prefer to use Cool Edit instead. But as far as the unit itself goes, I have no complaints at all.

Solid steel construction, nice big volume knobs, and 4 rubber feet on the bottom to hold it still. A very solid well built unit.

If you are thinking about getting into recording on your PC, BUY THIS UNIT! You wont' regret it. For the money, it can't be beat and as long as you've got a good computer with a good recording program like Cool Edit, you can do anything that those $1500 units can.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

CHARACTERISTICS of equipment

Audio / MIDI interface compatible with Windows and Macintosh team with a USB connector

Analog-digital and analog-numrique with a resolution of 24 bits

2 analog audio inputs with volume controls, switchable between microphone (XLR, symtrique) and line / guitar (jack, symtrique)

Fantme power (48 V) can be active for condenser microphones

Line out Stereo (RCA, asymtrique) with volume control

2 loops (Inserts)

Respectively between 1 and 1 MIDI output

Power supply via USB AC adapter or batteries unnecessary

Based on direct costs with individual volume control, switch on / off switch and mono

Headphone output with volume control

Windows 98SE, ME, 2000 and XP, ASIO, MME and GSIF

Mac OS 8.6, 9 and OS X 10.2, ASIO, Sound Manager, Core Audio, WHO and MIDI Free

Version of specially Cubasis VST Steinberg and USB cable included in delivery
ps is shooting btement Site tascam.de DSOL chui some flmard ...

UTILIZATION

That is the a becomes INTERESTED ...
the use is simple, that is to have j'apprcie ct pose and be able to connect appliances and dconnecter on the map without needing any dplacer ( yeah my pc is encatr in my office!)
functions are conventional line-volume, headphone volume, volumes between lines (R + L) ... direct monitor function very practical for those who use me as VSTi, this feature allows you to play with a latency of about 1.5ms if not all I do not want to say stupid things happen but it seems a 15ms latency ...
There's also a loop to add effects machines ...
As for the manual need to learn English!

GETTING STARTED

Gnrale the sound is good, I did not notice any breath ... Converter 24bit works perfectly.

OVERALL OPINION

What else to say ... especially since I use it only for about 3 weeks ...
In any case, the report qualitprix me Parrat good (it's one of the best market I've found)
if I had to redo the exprience on it as I would buy the same ... plus the design is nice with its aluminum case and the blue rubber band on it

In short my opinion is you can not be advanced over the board but I everyone who have small home studio with me home with some gear forcment not professional!

I go in the Detailed mails above.
For me, the big advantage of this card is clearly the power supplies phantoms, which are expected to have a little stud portable.
When it works, that sounds pretty good, so I put almost a note here (I like the idea).
a little play in the knobs / USB all the same.
and clearly, c too unstable.

UTILIZATION

The big problem is that with the laptop on which I tried (via usb controller), the card has only two hours walk properly. it seems that the problem comes from lack of power supply in the card. impossible to make it work properly registered, and the map is not always located in the boot.

GETTING STARTED

Therefore, it's a catastrophe, the hardware seems to work randomly, and comes very easily to crash my system. Moreover, the manual states (loosely) that some controllers they have caused problems. the worst is that it seems to be working well, but not for long.

When it works, 4 or 5 apps in reading are not a problem, but the ADC are not found.

a bonus even when the draft alsa driver for linux seems quite advance.

OVERALL OPINION

Used less than a week, and I think we'll stop there.
the card seems frankly unstable.
damage, the idea was like, and for a sum not too high ...

I was looking for an audio interface capable of controlling my soft synths in real time (on stage): Vsti, Reason
USB2.0 3ghz laptop xp home, 512M ram, 60GB HDD
I also use this card in an external audio interface noon for recording midi / audio track by track with multiplex real-time monitoring.
I could record and a microphone, guitar and several MIDI tracks without any difficulty.
Sound quality sufficient to model good

Disappointing: the card is USB1.1 so obviously it will not load the USB bus (which is annoying on a laptop)

UTILIZATION

No installation problems, works first time, map well detected.
The manual is poorly translated, is incomplete with some points that are gibberish (including monitoring)

GETTING STARTED

A few problems here:
1) At least once every 5 minutes, you can clearly hear a little silence of a few milliseconds. This probably comes from my USB config (although this does not happen with a card QUATTRO), but I wish I could be guided on it (I'm not the only one to have the problem in my environment).

2) The latency is over 25ms makes it impossible to use the card live. The direct monitoring is not useful in midi as it is a direct bypass of the audio input to audio output.

OVERALL OPINION

I was disappointed with the quattro MAUDIO though it was in USB 2.0

In other words, the coup this card I am no longer of any use with features also poor. It has been three weeks since I have this card and I will obviously look for another. I recommend to anyone who will work seriously.

I will probably point me to a firewire or PCMCIA interface.

Sound card external 24bits/48kHz afternoon in a housing made of aluminum alloy (USB 1.0)
- 2 mono inputs on XLR or jack 6.35 with selection of impdance (guitar or instrument / mic), pramp, SETTING THE gain, phantom power supply and an insert.
- A stereo RCA output with volume SETTING THE / 1 stereo headphone jack with volume 6.35.
- An adjustable 'direct monitoring' (which is aptly named)
- 1 MIDI I / O
- Small led all showing prsences signals between MIDI notes, power of the card.

------------------

CHARACTERISTICS pass, we can say that this card brings together everything you need to model and you spend a small mix console.
It possde of pramp microphone with phantom power supply, XLR and SETTING THE volume knob + insert (useful for a comp). It possde input jack switchable impdance guitar-bass (very nice surprise, a chromatic tuner is available in software)
It possde a SETTING THE volume for the headphone output and STREO (useful to boot the PC you are pregnant with monitoring)
And MIDI input / output to connect a Controller (keyboard or otherwise)
Basically all the connections ncessaire on the desktop.
In addition it is quite pretty and looks robust (the case is still pretty compact)

For all these points, level 10/10 CHARACTERISTICS.

UTILIZATION

The manual is in English so be careful. Installation without any problem (in XP)
1 - it installs the drivers without connecting the card.
2 - the end of the install, it connects the card.
3 - you reboot the PC, install a few files back and it prt!

A total of 2 minutes (one, 3 minutes). The windows are similar config all other cards, SETTING THE buffer for latency and it can all prs

For ease of implementation, I put 8 because the manual is available in English.

GETTING STARTED

No problem for drivers at the moment. This is a notice hot, I will return in a few months.
I get 21 ms latency 44kHz, 16 bits. Enough for my use.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had ... one day only (view hot, I RPET)

(+) All the connections available, the knobs of rglage, sound.
(+) The look (it's subjective), the overall construction.

(-) The knobs 'float' a little (but definitely not spit!). In use, we'll see. This may be done for expr allger precisely the action of the knob on the plate lctronique (it's a hypothse)

I was looking for a card that would allow me to connect every 2 minutes in, when I from small mix console. This card is just fine. This is a notice hot, I put in 8

Overall, I will return in a few months. For now, trs positive opinion!

[update] 2 months of use. No problem. I maintain the view. I do not get too much notice of Piem (the problem seems to come from the laptop - USB controller means - not the card ... careful guys when you give advice as constructive ... the card is not in question, it ncessite a USB power supply worthy of the name)

I selected this card because I needed an external card that I can use it anywhere with a laptop to record my guitar, voice and MIDI sequences on the keyboard ... it fulfills its function with two-way jack 6.35 for my guitar and XLR with phantom power supply and preamp to please the microphones ... more MIDI tracks, the two inserts ... the only problem is the USB 1.1, CPU load increases very quickly if the card is set to minimum latency. A detail a bit strange: you can descend to 256 samples minimum latency on PC and Mac 128 according to the manual?? Otherwise the card is 24 bits/48kHz even if I use it in 44.1 and 16-bit ...

UTILIZATION

No problem for installation on 98 SE, in 2 minutes it's ready.

As against the manual is zero, and everything is really fuzzy on the monitor, I have some time to understand what the direct monitoring of the card (can of what is sent directly into the card the treatments without the sequencer) and to run the monitor in SX ...

GETTING STARTED

You just forget to change the params of the card as Cubase SX or other is enabled, or unplug the card in full brutal use-it freeeeeeze of total (in spite of the so-called Update 98 SE comes with the install supposed to prevent that).

Otherwise, the theoretical minimum latency on PC is 256 samples / 44100 Hz is approximately 6 ms but I never had no reliable way to get the latency practice ... tell me some software 18 ms, others less so, and I can use Trash or Amplitube Live without problems due to excessive latency with my guitar ... I would say that I have Cubase latency between 10 and 18 ms maximum.

For cons, I have big problems with, I have been slow to understand why and how, using this card is impossible with apps like Amplitube or Trash with the guitar plugged directly under penalty of get enough désagrébles whistles on some maps ... And then there is another problem of interference between the input and output ... (See below)

OVERALL OPINION

24/01/04

So it's been one month that I have, and I would try to complete this notice as and because I have not had the opportunity to test the block, I have not had much time (but I will register the components of a friend in the near future on a laptop I'll keep you posted) but it does everything I want for not too expensive (I got to 220 € to Scotto and to In addition to the docks of music it was € 460!! I almost hang them) then level money it's all good ... Now if I had more gold coins, I would have liked to take qqchose either Firewire or USB 2, but hey, with what I had of gold coins at Christmas I would have done exactly the same choice

05/06/04

Bon ben shit, after a visit to the store, I detected a defect present on all Tascam US-122 from first to last ... Plugging a headset and increase the output volume causes a kind of interference between the input and output, so that playback can be found recorded over the input signal when recording .. .

So suddenly, the advantage of this card over others, namely the preamplifiers, is no longer one because of their quality may, for both the XLR which apparently amplifies not above -12 dB that this guitar has more interference effects for ear piercing with the style of Amplitube softs ... frankly, if you really want a product in this price range, you Throw away the Firewire Audiophile and plan an external preamp, a direct box or mixing console ...

I needed a map to record not too CHRE BMD (something not too prtentions so) for my group: 2 between me enough to rcuprer battery pr mix on a mixer and pramplis Intgr should allow me to register then sparment vocals, bass and guitar (later withdrawals soft). Moreover, as I had to carry and use it on multiple PCs, a USB connection seemed to be a good choice.
The tascam rpondait all these needs and especially in its price range, it's only equipped with silent pramplis Intgr.
It is essentially a matter of budget and mobility led me to choose what SPECIFICATIONS MODEL with (24-bit / 48 kHz) are not too got the day with plenty maps 24bits/96 Khz. APRS is all about needs

UTILIZATION

Installation is fairly simple as most USB peripherals.
The configuration of the card is not very complicated, so given the limited rglages foun: one can simply activitdsactiv the audio stream (to allow the bandwidth to the south) and r Gler buffer size.
The fact that there is not a ton of options is not at all because the card works Gnant trs well without a lot of tweaking parameter.
The manual is pretty clear ... but it is only available in pdf ...
A point when even trsngatif: the dsinstalleur is anything but clean: it leaves open the file up with a panel in the control panel that is no longer there. Rsultat our friends tascam explains in a note as to transfer the rest, it must be done by hand, the worse they do not give the file names but advise the use of search windows ...

GETTING STARTED

I had no problem of stability or compatibility of the drivers (I installed the latest version IMMEDIATE site tascam). Apparently they are being updated from time to time.
I mainly use SONAR for recording with a lot of virtual instruments. Latency is always obtained infrieure 10ms, this level, no time limit seen in the game with a MIDI keyboard, for example.
For the number of tracks, I have not worked with over 6 tracks in reading and 2 (mono) recording (the card has only 2 inputs ...). Any fawn, this settings has more do with the power of the machine or squenceur.
In use, the card has been fairly stable over a growth record of 4 hours, I had a single dropout in sonar. on the other hand, in use on Windows 2000 multimedia card has a rvl be Calame: cuts his ds that the pc is too sollicit (scroll a web page type) and no matter what the size of the buffer.
XP is much better but still cuts from time to time (you will tell me that is not like a sound card to play mp3s but the diffrence in quality is such a relative intgre sound card you want to use more than a
Speaking of quality of its precisely the tascam converters do not worth sr MODELS upscale but they do a good job and if this is your first hardware a shallow, IMMEDIATE sentire you the difference.
For cons, the pramplis are a little weak people, is compensated on a one vote, but on a guitar part live sound is "soft", you lose normment in brightness and it is not putting a soft kind of returns that amplitude a.
I t's enough on this point because of prsence pramplis jou was a lot of my choice and I glimpse in the end I would be obliged to add a case of direct or external prampli.

Now for the things that upset: my copy of a default tascam 122 possde innaceptable When I put the headphones back (and the drummer get along, it takes at least a), the also records from it. Rsultat once the track amplifies means trs clearly sent the metronome click in the headphones. In short the card is totally unusable.

I e-mailed tascam whether this silent problem rpertori (another member of Audiofanzine had exactly the same) and it was only a s Series borked. In this case I just changed the card. My application is still not rponses and seeing the many problem that people encounter with this card, I finally DCID of change against an other models.

O The shop I made my purchase so refers to the map dfectueuse tascam of Service: APRS rsultat two weeks after sales service has given no new and responsible is unreachable at tl phone.

Frankly this card is to play Russian roulette: if it works, it makes things right for its price range (o to 7, for the note) but if it fair, do not expect you to tascam help (wish to under 0 but good use is not to judge on the VAS).

OVERALL OPINION

I tried it one week and did two recording sessions with.
The quality is correct ... for the price. The one and only default is that tascam does not respect its customers by knowingly selling what for me is very much like a borked SERIES, by not not meet the requests for information and then making fun lss customers with a sav absent subscribers (the store, which shall remain nameless, I also suggested that the lack of tascam Ractive does not surprise and it's the polished version of what they told me)
If c'tait again, I would take a PCI card (type delta 44). If you need mobility of the Audiophile USB is the same price but it does not pramplis (given the quality of the tascam pramplis basically you lose very little, as SAVE a little and take real pramps) to the slightly more expensive firewire 410. AND M-Audio, the sav rput is not for nothing, I was rponse my questions in less than an hour.

Universalis a good walk with several of my computers
audio + midi
use for home studio

UTILIZATION

Installation under Windows XP superb, and trs well as S2 W98
CLICKS ETC with my old computer (5 years, 128mb ram, AMD 450Hz), but with computers rcentes: no problem!

GETTING STARTED

Using absolutely no problem with my last computer, a TRS well, breathless etc.
It is a card a little minimalist, but once installed it is almost forgotten.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 8 months, to beginners with a W98 computer, I had little problem, do not also speak other notices (cracking ets) since installing XP on a computer r cent, it works perfectly.
qualitprix report: trs well!
Number of entries: the weak point for me.

Recording and impeccable sound reproduction
recording vocals
Portable XP version familaile
nothing but a conection to an omnidirectional microphone trs good quality.

UTILIZATION

No
not
yes
no manul

GETTING STARTED

Yes
I do not because I did not know how it's done.
wavelab for recording
no
this is not the goal, e want to record in a single track

OVERALL OPINION

For 1 year
all but one of great importance to me: Recording is still low trs, yet I put the volume of the tascam thoroughly! (I have to change the gain for each time a correct record)
Yes the card in an echo indigo with which I encountered the same problem
Well
No, but I do not know yet what to choose as external sound card for my laptop because I just want to record and transportable in a single track DIFFERENT places.
Can you advise me?