Tascam US-800 8 Input USB 2.0 Computer Audio Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Posting my experience with this device in case it is useful to anyone else.
I purchased the 800 about a week ago. As far as recording features go, it is great; super-low latency, decent preamps, digital i/o and midi, nothing to complain about and 6 xlr inputs for $200 is way better than any competing product. However, there are problems playing ordinary Windows audio that may make the 800 unsuitable for your needs. At least in Windows 7 x64, I can't speak for any other OS.
Within a day of plugging in the interface, I began having memory usage issues. Task Manager was reporting 3.8gb in use, even with just about every non-essential process killed. I'd try opening something that put me over the 4 gb limit and virtual memory would kick in, rendering my computer so slow as to be unusable; the only way to free resources was to restart. This happened day after day, to a computer that was previously reliable enough that I wouldn't reboot it for weeks at a time.
After a lot of googling, diagnostic programs, and trial and error, I figured out the problem: any non-asio audio played through the 800 would never leave memory (I had the 800 set as the default playback device in the Sound control panel). Every mp3, flash video, dvd, and game would leave their audio buffer in system memory even after closing the program. I confirmed this by setting up Foobar to use asio while Windows Media Player would use Windows' audio; every mp3 I played in Foobar would disappear from RAM after it was done playing, while Windows Media Player grew more and more bloated with every song, and wouldn't relinquish hundreds of megabytes after I closed it. This was also the case with VLC Player being used for flash video and dvds, Firefox and Chrome, and every game I tested. Same result when using Ableton Live vs any non-asio program.
There is a workaround if you have an S/PDIF output on your computer; just set your digital out as the default playback device in the control panel (I disabled the 800 just to be sure) and connect it back to the 800. I've confirmed that this solved the problem, and asio works perfectly alongside ordinary audio this way. Unfortunately many laptops don't have a digital out.
As an audio interface strictly for recording, the 800 has worked flawlessly and is a better value than just about any interface below $300. However, if you're merely a hobbyist like me, who wants both an interface and an upgrade from your motherboard's noisy and cheap converters for everyday use, unless you don't mind (and have the capability of doing) the S/PDIF trick you might want to look elsewhere.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tascam US-800 8 Input USB 2.0 Computer Audio Interface

Click here for more information about Tascam US-800 8 Input USB 2.0 Computer Audio Interface

Read More...

TASCAM DP-008 8-Track Digital Portastudio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After wanting a digital multi-track for a long time, I finally decided on this model, and I'm glad I did.
One thing that is not included in a list of specs is the usability factor. I've purchased my share of electronic devices for making and recording music over the years. Just looking at a dry list of specs has often been my method of deciding on what to buy. Well, on paper the DP-008 looks good, but it's not until you use this to cut a few tracks that you realize how well it is designed. I'm SOOOO glad I didn't buy the DP-004, as this model is clearly the results of Tascam eliminating the weaker aspects of the 4 track model just in time for the 8 track version.
I have seen a lot of digital multi-tracks that look good on paper, but to use them is a real pain. The fact that the DP-008 has all the individual track knobs means that you don't have to go flipping through pages on a menu or choosing the "hot track" in some other way. Here it's all laid out logically and makes tweaking the final stereo mix a piece of cake. Sure it would be nice if there were level sliders rather than dials, but these work just fine.
I use this model to record myself playing guitar and bass, run a Boss drum machine into it, and I record vocals with an external mic though a small mixer that has some helpful effects on it. You don't need a mixer, though, as the included mics are quite good. I am able to record several tracks, "bounce" them if I want to, and then write them to a stereo master mix. Then, I export that mix on the unit itself (sounds weird, but basically you're just creating a wav file that can be seen by a computer). The final step is connecting the DP-008 to a computer and merely dragging the song files over to the computer. I then use Audacity to convert it to an ogg file or mp3.
I use Linux and the process of transferring songs to the computer is very simple. In the past you would have received a useless cd-rom with a crappy "song transfer" program and maybe some crapware to go along with it. I'm glad that Tascam has decided to treat the customer right and state it clearly: There is no need for special software. Once you export the song, it will show up as an external storage device and you can simply transfer the files over to your computer, whether it's a PC running Windows or Linux, or a Mac.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TASCAM DP-008 8-Track Digital Portastudio

Get 40% OFF

Click here for more information about TASCAM DP-008 8-Track Digital Portastudio

Read More...

Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface with digital Connection - Macintosh and Windows Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I looked at virtually every multiple mic interface on the market and couldn't find anything to touch this in features and/or price... so I bought it.
Wow!This thing rocks! I connected up 8 microphones for Kick, Snare, Hi-hat, Tom 1, Tom 2, Tom 3, Left Overhead and Right Overhead... all those mics plug into the 8 XLR mic sockets at the front of the unit. Got some really great 20ft XLR mic cables from Amazon for only $6.95 each (Whirlwind LowZ Microphone Cable (20 Foot) I then plugged in my bass guitar into one of 2 switchable line/guitar 1/4" mono inputs on the front.
Each of the 10 front panel inputs has a volume control knob and red/green led. The drummer hits each drum individually one by one so I can adjust each vol control so that it just occasionally clips red but mostly stays green.
After adjusting the six individual drum mics I now get the drummer to play the whole set and I adjust the left and right overheads mics so they don't clip (go red). That's it! The mics are setup ready to record.
I took the main output from the back of the unit to my monitors and there's a volume control on the front of the unit to allow you to turn down the monitor while recording... then you turn it up to listen back... so in effect, the unit has it's own monitoring control.
Two headphone jacks would've been nice, but I used a Y-adapter 1/4" Headphone Splitter to split the output allowing me to plug in the two headphones for me and the drummer.
I now setup recording on my laptop (HP TX2500z) using the supplied Cubase LE4 software which is really easy to use - buy yourself the The Complete Idiot's Guide to Recording with Cubase. There's no specific book for version LE4 but this idiot's guide worked great for me.
A note about my notebook - It's a tablet PC laptop HP Pavilion tx2500z 12.1" TOUCH-SCREEN Notebook with a great touch screen - so you can arm/disarm or mute/unmute your record channels/tracks just by touching the screen buttons with your finger - it's just like a real mixing desk with real tactile switches - it's really cool!
You may need to tweak your laptop for audio recording to get the best results otherwise you will hear artifacts (odd noises) when recording if the laptop is struggling to find the necessary processing power. I tweaked my laptop and it was just amazing to see the difference in performance. You can Google "Tweak Vista for audio recording" to find the information on how to tweak.
I also replaced my 5400rpm drive with a 7200rpm drive Seagate 500 GB 7200RPM 2.5" Drive - it's real easy to do... Google "Upgrading laptop hard drive". As well as getting a faster speed drive I also made it a 500GB to replace the 320GB drive that I had - so lot's more space... and very low cost too!
RESULTS!!!!!!!!!!!
Well... Let me tell you, I was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the results obtained with this unit! The Tascam 1641 is an amazing piece of gear and Amazon's price is just out of this World at only $299...
It's like having a whole recording studio in a box - the mic pre's, the mixing desk (vol controls), the signal LED's, the monoring vol control, headphone controls, etc... AND the software - all for $299 - You can't beat that!
The actual sound that I got was totally professional - I couldn't have done better if I was in a top-notch recording studio. I am 100,000% satisfied!
GO FOR IT!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!!



Click Here to see more reviews about: Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface with digital Connection - Macintosh and Windows

Click here for more information about Tascam US1641 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface with digital Connection - Macintosh and Windows

Read More...

Tascam US-100 USB 2.0 Audio Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Tascam advertises this as "class compliant" USB 2.0, and it is. I plugged it into my Ubuntu Linux machine and was ready to go. No messing with drivers, no clunky setup. The US-100 works and works well. The case is nice and sturdy, making it idea for mobile use. And it sounds good too. If you want to just plug and play, this is a great buy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tascam US-100 USB 2.0 Audio Interface


Tascam's US-100 breaks the price barrier for great-quality recording into your computer. The microphone input captures great-sounding performances, or you can plug in your guitar or bass directly into the instrument-level input. Stereo line inputs can be switched to RIAA phono level for digitizing your vinyl collection from your favorite turntable. The USB 2.0 connection guarantees playback without hiccups on your Mac or Windows computer, and the compact aluminum construction withstands the hazards of the road, studio or dorm room.
Click here for a larger image.

Get 56% OFF

Click here for more information about Tascam US-100 USB 2.0 Audio Interface

Read More...

Tascam 2488 Neo Multitrack Digital Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I write songs and play acoustic guitar, and going back many years have a number of audio cassette recordings which recently I converted to MP3's and transferred to my computer. I spent some time searching for a digital multitrack recorder which I could use going into the future. Inasmuch as I only use between 4 and 6 tracks per recording, I almost settled for a less expensive machine; but I'm glad I put out the extra few hundred dollars for the Tascam 2488 neo. I especially like the following features:
(1) The autopunch feature is great. It allows me to very easily correct my mistakes without having to re-record an entire track.
(2) The 250 virtual tracks available for each song allow me to do a number of takes for each track and choose the one I like best.
(3) The new Mastering tool is awesome. After reading a couple of books on home recording, I was left with the impression that the final step of mastering is one that perhaps I should hire a professional to do. While I'm sure I could achieve slightly better results doing this, the Tascam 2488 neo does an excellent job of mastering my mixes with the push of a button.
(4) The 80 gig hard drive is more than ample; and it is very easy to transfer both individual tracks and completed songs back and forth between the neo and my computer.
(5 The user's manual is very thorough and easy to understand. In today's world user's manuals often are vague and indecipherable; so anticipating this possibility when I bought the unit, I also bought the DVD tutorial which is sold separately. The tutorial indeed was helpful but turned out to be unnecessary. The user's manual covers everything in detail; and if anything, it spells out the obvious at times.
I could go on: But the most important thing is that I now can make (and have made) multitrack recordings of my songs which appear at least to me to be professionally done. The best thing is that the more I use this machine, the quicker it is becoming to make new recordings because I've discovered the settings I like best and can quickly recall them and use them for different songs.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tascam 2488 Neo Multitrack Digital Recorder

Get 46% OFF

Click here for more information about Tascam 2488 Neo Multitrack Digital Recorder

Read More...

Tascam PT-7 Chromatic Tuner/Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I ordered this on the basis of positive reviews in the music press and websites, sadly, I'll be returning it.
All the things it does, it does well, with reasonable controls, a good size display, nice backlighting etc .Build quality was good, display and controls were intuitive enough.
However...
Neither the tech specs, nor any of the reviews I found mentioned that this 'recorder' has no monitoring capability. The fact that there is no record monitoring to speaker or headset makes it useless to me; I can't find any way to enable monitoring. I rather suspect that Tascam left out monitoring on purpose, so this would not compete with their vocal trainers, which cost twice what this does and generally have fewer features.
It's a real shame, the unit is quite nice, but even the cheesiest digital recorders all have a headset monitor feature, Tascam/Teac knows better.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tascam PT-7 Chromatic Tuner/Recorder

Click here for more information about Tascam PT-7 Chromatic Tuner/Recorder

Read More...

Tascam CDGT2 Guitar Trainer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great product with nice features, unfortunately, it's already been updated to the MP3 version, which I also own, and the new model kicks [...]!!! Worth the extra $50 simply for it's ease of use and replacement of songs, the CD model means you have to put the tracks you want to play/practice, onto a CD first. Being a drummer, it allows me to slow down or speed up the tempo of a song to practice what's being played, and there's also a multi-functional metronome on it, with a clear 'click' sound, not a tone or pulse, so you know exactly where the beat is. A good product, but the MP3 version is better.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Tascam CDGT2 Guitar Trainer

Featuring an improved compact design, the Tascam CD-GT2 guitar trainer allows artists, musicians, students, and music teachers to practice, learn and teach fast licks, rhythm parts and solos from their favorite artists. It offers comprehensive LCD display with graphical user interface, album title/track title indication by CD-Text, expanded effect banks for user preset, chromatic tuner.
Tascam's VSA feature (Variable Speed Audition, pitch control without affecting key) lets you learn a continuous mix of your favorite songs anywhere you go, while Flash Back, loop, and other play functions help review parts without having to constantly reach for the controls. The CD-VT2 also includes a vocal/instrument canceller, allowing you to play along to featured parts with your own vocal or instrument.
Key Features
Portable CD guitar trainer (More compact than previous CD-GT1MKII)
CD-DA/CD-R/CD-RW disc playback
10 second anti-shock memory
Comprehensive 128 x 64 dot matrix LCD display with graphical user interface
Album title/Track title indication by CD-Text
Elapsed Time/Remain Time display with bar meter
+16 to -50% pitch control in 1% steps
VSA (Variable Speed Audition, pitch control without affecting key)
Key control: +/-6 semi-tone, in semi-tone steps with +/-50 cents fine tune
Single play and continuous play
Single Loop, All Loop, and Seamless IN-OUT Loop
Flash Back function (Instant review up to 5 seconds prior playback)
Guitar Canceller with selectable canceling pan point and selectable frequency range
10 effect banks for user preset
Chromatic tuner with calibration (435 to 445Hz)
3 octaves tone oscillator
Metronome (BPM: 40 to 220, Beat: 2 to 6)
1/4-inch Guitar input
Guitar/Mic input volume
Guitar/Mic input level meter indicator on LCD display
CD level meter indicator
Foot switch connector
5 selectable functions by foot switch (Flash Back, Rewind, FF, Bank, Effect on/off)
1/8-inch stereo line output
1/8-inch stereo headphone output
Headphone volume
MONO monitor for CD (L+R, L, R)
Split monitor (Left ch: CD, Right ch: Input or vice versa)
Battery operation
Optional power supply PS-P520

Specifications
Disc Type:8cm and 12cm CD
Line Output Connector:1/8-inch Stereo mini connector
Nominal Stereo Output Level: -10dBV
Output Impedance: 600ohm (2V RMS)
Maximum Output Level (LINE OUT): +6dBV
Headphone Output Connector: 1/8-inch Stereo mini connector
Maximum Output Level (PHONES): 15mW (at 32ohm loaded)
Guitar/Mic Input Connector: 1/4-inch Phone Connector
Nominal Input Level
Guitar Input: -15dBV
Mic Input: -40dBV

Maximum Input Level
Guitar Input: +6dBV
Mic Input: -19dBV

Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (-3/+1dB); (A weight filter + 20KHz LPF)
Signal to Noise Ratio: Better than 85 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.03% (200Hz HPF + 20KHzLPF)
Channel Separation: Better than 80dB (A weight filter + 20KHz LPF)
Power Requirements: DC 5V (Optional AC adapter PS-P520) AA batteries x 4
Power Consumption: 4W (with PS-P520)
Dimensions: 7.64 x 1.52 x 5.43 inches (WxHxD)
Weight (excluding batteries): 19.4 ounces

Click here for more information about Tascam CDGT2 Guitar Trainer

Read More...

USB 2.0 4-CHANNEL Audio/midi Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I think it is sad that there are only 2 reviews of this device and they are negative. First off if you have a bizarre random recording program that no one has heard of, then you may run into technical problems. I am using sony acid and it works beautifully. The 2 track at once concept is what I really love about it, the sound quality next, aND the overall ease to use it. as far as the rumors of the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH are concerned, i did have some blue screens...but they by far were not the death screen. some computers dont work well with the driver that comes with it...the computer will periodically tell you via blue screen that it doesnt recognize the hardware or the driver and that it needs to be disconected. disconnect, restart and youre good. my computer did it a few times at first, then automatically removed the driver....the device still works fantastically with my comp..i have had a blue screen come up once since, in a 3 month period. it depends on you computers age and processor speed. i have had no problems with this device and would highly recommend it to anyone else.

Click Here to see more reviews about: USB 2.0 4-CHANNEL Audio/midi

Updated with better audio specs and a fresh new look, the four-channel Tascam US-144mkII USB audio interface is the ideal companion to any desktop- or laptop-based digital recording set-up And because it operates only on USB power, you can use it with a laptop while on the go to create a very compact and portable digital audio workstation system.
The US-144mkII starts with two great-quality XLR microphone preamps with phantom power for condenser microphones. There's also a pair of balanced line inputs and a guitar-level in for direct recording of electric guitar or bass. A pair of S/PDIF digital inputs and outputs is also included, for a total of four inputs and outputs at up to 96kHz/24-bit audio quality.
The US-144mkII connects to Mac or Windows computers using USB 2.0, and the unit is powered over the USB cable. Zero-latency monitoring is available for recording without the delay going to a computer and back. MIDI input and output jacks allow connection of synths and drum machines. Connect the US-144mkII to monitors through the line output or use headphones with the front-mounted stereo 1/4-inch jack. Separate controls for line and headphone out means you don't need to switch off monitors to work in headphones. The US-144mkII makes a perfect portable interface with metal components and solid construction built for the road.
The US-144mkII includes a copy of Cubase LE4 from Steinberg. This full-featured recording software captures up to 48 tracks of audio with another 64 MIDI tracks. You can edit your tracks to perfection using a variety of modes and tools. Automated mixing is included to create the perfect master. Cubase LE4 supports VST effect and instrument plug-ins, which an assortment included with the application.
Key Features
Bus-powered USB 2.0 audio interface
(2) XLR microphone inputs with phantom power
(2) 1/4-inch balanced line inputs
Switchable guitar level input
1/4-inch stereo headphone output
MIDI input and output
S/PDIF stereo coaxial input and output (US-144mkII only)
Individual Line and Headphone out level controls (US-144mkII only)
Up to 96kHz/24-bit audio resolution
Zero-latency hardware monitoring
Mac and Windows drivers included
Steinberg Cubase LE4 48-track recording software included
Aluminum case construction

Get 56% OFF

Click here for more information about USB 2.0 4-CHANNEL Audio/midi

Read More...