Tascam US-144mkII

The Tascam US 144mkII 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 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-144s software.


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.


OVERALL OPINION

I bought this when it first came out and at the time it was a ground breaking product for its price range. But now I use a better interface, the one I use now is rack able which is what I love because it keeps things out of the way. But this little device will get the job done especially if you are on the go a lot and need to carry it with you.

There is something about the way TASCAM makes its interfaces for so little and yet maintain so much quality that just draws attention to themselves. Well, wait. That's exactly what it is. In the end, though, I have found that TASCAM interfaces are a little bit under appreciated for what they are. Figure that you get a very solid looking unit with two mic ins and two line ins with an obvious output just in case, and you have something that is absolutely worth that price. Add in digital jacks and midi, and before you know it, you have a very solid unit for recording on a tight budget.

UTILIZATION

I have found the drivers to be quite stable and the latency to be quite low, although I would prefer to use ASIO for All with this unit when it comes to windows computers. Through a bunch of different DAWs, it performs solidly. I have also found that the built in preamps, especially when compared with its younger brothers, are surprisingly nice sounding, and I would have no problem doing a quick side recording with these interfaces.

GETTING STARTED

It is an interface. It does not have that many features, and getting started on this thing in incredibly simple because of this. Plug in it, install the drivers. Maybe try Asio for all, but otherwise, plug in and you are good to go! In the end, all interfaces should not have too much fumbling around with, so it should be a simple process getting them to work. I also love the way the knobs feel.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I always say cough up $300 to get those inputs in the 1641 or the 1800, but those units are not exactly what I would call portable. So in the end the US 144 MK II is entirely worth it. You should go check them out, and I'm sure there are samples of the surprisingly good pre amps on the web. Go look for them, and I'm sure that you'll make the right decision when it comes to getting a cheap interface!

Motivated by the size and connectivity ...

I thought I integrate into my live set for ...

EWI player, the idea was to turn my fantastic sounds SampleModeling ...

Use with a very big machine and SWAM KONTAKT ...

UTILIZATION

Concern crash probably due to its micro-code, it better after update ...

Unstable XP drivers ... better under SEVEN ... but not great ...

Fairly high latency compared to my other sound cards ... even on lines similar price ...

The midi input is slow, too slow ...

The grain of sound is nice ...

GETTING STARTED

At first it was horror, I never knew why ... yet more than 10 years that I brew ASIO ...

The configuration is minimalist: the driver is not evolved enough ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it on my dedicated PC to stream internet video on Youtube ...

I had a lot of troubles with this interface and it left my live set after two weeks ... tired of connection loss (no, it does not come from the cable, or the config!)

I had others before, others after, the low-end and very very overpriced for pro studio ... this card is TASCAM's name and that is unfortunate. ..

I taught him to fly, and that's not even what it does best ... it through several times a scene from the air ...

Even a multi-effects guitar with a built-in USB interface has less latency ...

It can be used converter ... or pre-amp if you're stuck and not too demanding ...

Everything has already been said.

UTILIZATION

I use a Mac Book Pro, and nickel based super stable driver.

GETTING STARTED

No pb

OVERALL OPINION

I've had two years.
I used it only for recording Guitar and Direct line level stereo recording quality no complaints.

on the other hand I recently wanted to make a stereo jack of a choir with two microphones static Apaire 27 Joe Meek therefore requiring phantom power supply and then the disaster, background noise HORRIBLE that this is more or less based on microphone. In fact, I did a test with two microphones Static "MXL 2001" and such, the background noise of the phantom.
With dynamic microphones do not worry because not need phantom power. On the other hand, I expected a bit because all the electrical energy necessary for the interface is provided by the USB port ...
So I want to direct me to a Firewire / USB interface with external power supply for a good phantom!

Otherwise, very good value for price, therefore 4ms latency direct monitoring Cubase 7 without worry. Entry Guitar Live is perfect too.