Description
TASCAM USB AUDIO INTERFACES - Analogue, S/PDIF audio - Multi-track
These interfaces provide A/D conversion and transmission of up to sixteen audio inputs to a computer via USB, simultaneously converting four digital outputs from the computer. Each design has eight microphone inputs, six line inputs and an S/PDIF input and output. Conversion rates and resolutions up to 96kHz and 24-bit are supported over a high-speed USB 2.0 interface for use with software, such as the included copy of Steinberg's Cubase LE5, to record, process, and return multi-track audio. Both models are in 1U, rack-mounting format, and, similar in their core functionality, of interest to small, professional recording studios and to those seeking powerful, and potentially portable, computer-based audio recording functionality, perhaps by coupling this unit with DAW software on a laptop computer.
Both models have sixteen inputs, including eight XLR microphone inputs with switched phantom power, at least six 6.35mm jack inputs, and a two-channel S/PDIF digital input. When connected via USB 2.0 to a computer, four output channels can be used by supported computer software, through which digital audio is transmitted across USB to four analogue 6.35mm balanced jack sockets on the rear of either unit. Alternatively, two of the four output channels may be output over a stereo S/PDIF or AES/EBU digital (coaxial) output. The US-1800 and US-2000 both provide independent stereo monitor and headphone outputs, each with volume controls, and allow input monitoring without latency, which may be mixed with the output audio received by the interface from the computer. Both interfaces should be compatible with standard DAW packages on Windows and Mac OS X, including Cubase, Ableton, Nuendo, Logic, Reason, Fruity Loops, Pro Tools 9, and others. Beyond this functionality, the US-1800 and US-2000 differ slightly.
US-1800
On the front face, ten inputs are provided; eight XLR microphone inputs, with phantom power switched for two groups of four inputs, and two 6.3mm jack sockets, switchable between unbalanced instrument-level input, and balanced line-level input. Ten rotary controls provide gain adjustment for these channels, alongside the monitoring mix rotary control, allowing adjustment between a mono mix comprising only of input audio, and a stereo mix comprising only of computer output audio. The remaining four analogue inputs are on the rear of the unit, through 6.35mm balanced jack sockets, with switches for either -10dBV or +4dBu nominal input level. The US-1800 also transmits a MIDI input and output over USB 2.0, using the standard 5-pin DIN sockets on the rear of the unit.
Microphone inputs: -58/-2/+14dBu minimum/nominal/maximum, 2.2k ohm, balanced. Inputs 9-10: -52/-6/+10dBV minimum/nominal/maximum, 700k ohms, unbalanced, instrument level; -42/+4/+20dBu minimum/nominal/maximum, 10k ohms, balanced, line level. Inputs 11-14: -10/+6dBV nominal/maximum, 10k ohms, balanced. Digital input: S/PDIF. Sampling: 44.1/48/88.2/96kHz. Quantization bit-rate: 16/24-bit. Outputs: +4/+24dBu nominal/maximum, 100 ohms, balanced, line and monitor; 50mW maximum, 32 ohm load, headphones. Digital output: S/PDIF or AES/EBU format. USB interface: B type, 4-pin, USB 2.0.
Analogue performance, microphone input to line output - Response: 20Hz - 20kHz +1/-1 dB, 48kHz sampling; 20Hz - 40kHz +1/-3 dB, 96kHz. Noise: -96dB. Distortion: Better than 0.01%THD.
Power source: 12V DC, 7.2 W, from included adapter. Dimensions: 482.5 x 44 x 280 (w x h x d)mm, without projections. Weight: 3.1kg.
Included accessories: PS-1225L AC adaptor, USB 2.0 cable, CD-ROM with drivers for Windows XP, Vista, and 7, 32-bit and 64-bit editions and Mac OS X v.10.5.8 or later. DVD-ROM with Cubase LE 5, rack-mounting screw kit.
US-2000
Functionally, the US-2000 builds upon the US-1800 in providing increased monitoring capability, and higher-quality microphone pre-amplifiers, and D/A and A/D converters; however, the MIDI interface is not included. Two banks of level meters, 5 LEDs per meter, display the level of each input and output, and phantom power can be enabled for pairs of inputs, rather than banks of four. Each pair of inputs can also be switched between stereo and mono monitoring: in the former mode, odd-numbered channels can be monitored on the left monitor channel, and even-numbered channels on the right channel. The monitoring mix of inputs has its own level control on the US-2000, as does the monitoring mix of outputs from the computer, allowing easier control of the sum monitoring mix.
Connectivity differs in the presence of two balanced XLR / unbalanced 6.35mm jack combination sockets on the front of the unit, allowing microphone or instrument input, while all other inputs and outputs are on the rear of the unit. These two channels also have 6.35mm jack insert sockets; external equipment such as compressors, gates, or effects, may be inserted into the audio chain. While the US-1800 has gain controls for the first ten inputs, the US-2000 has gain controls for the first eight, while the remaining analogue inputs have switches on the rear for either -10dBV or +4dBu nominal input level.
Microphone inputs 1-8: -60/-24/+12dBu minimum/nominal/maximum, 2.4k ohms, balanced. Instrument inputs 7-8: -56/0/+16dBu minimum/nominal/maximum, 1M ohms, unbalanced. Line inputs 9-14: -10/+6dBV nominal/maximum, low gain; +4/+20dBu nominal/maximum, high gain, 10k ohms, balanced. Digital input: S/PDIF. Sampling: 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz. Quantization rate: 16/24-bit. Outputs: +4/+20dBu nominal/maximum, 100 ohms, balanced, line and monitor; 100mW maximum, 32 ohm load, headphones. Digital output: S/PDIF or AES/EBU format. USB interface: B type, 4-pin, USB 2.0.
Analogue performance - Response, microphone input to monitor: 20Hz - 20kHz +1/-1 dB, 48kHz sampling; 20Hz - 40kHz +0.5/-2 dB, 96kHz. Noise, line in to monitor: -90dB. Distortion: Better than 0.01%THD.
Power source: 100 - 240V AC, 14 W. Dimensions: 438 x 44 x 280 (w x h x d)mm, without projections. Weight: 2.5kg.
Included accessories: IEC power lead, USB 2.0 cable, CD-ROM with drivers for Windows XP, Vista, and 7, 32-bit and 64-bit editions, and Mac OS X v.10.5.8 or later. DVD-ROM with Cubase LE 5, rack-mounting screw kit.