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, with 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. Offered as a 1U, rack-mounting format, and 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.
It has 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 the unit. Alternatively, two of the four output channels may be output over a stereo S/PDIF or AES/EBU digital (coaxial) output. It provides 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. 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.
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.