Tascam US-122L Audio/MIDI Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this Tascam about a year ago and I am very happy with so far. I am using a laptop running Windows XP and haven't had any problems with the device. I find the handling with the Tascam rather easy and think that for this price it is a perfect audio interface for beginners. (And even though it's a little embarrassing to me to mention how "badly" I treat my equipment sometimes, I have to say that I dropped the interface several times and it's still working fine! ;-)). I have connected my electric guitar with it, my keyboard (via both, 1/8 and midi) and I tried different microphones with the Tascam and each of them were picked up just fine.
I really didn't have problems with it and would recommend it as a "beginner's device".

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The follow-up to our mega popular US-122, the new US-122L delivers everything you'd want in a portable audio/MIDI interface.Record two tracks at a time with zero latency; whether you have a PC or a Mac, your song ideas go down in real time, real easy. Its size means you can take it anywhere you take your laptop, yet it's packed with features that make buying it an audio no-brainer. MIDI input and output, high quality mic inputs, 96kHz/24-bit recording (better than CD quality)-all the stuff you'd want without the fluff you wouldn't. The US-122L: the answer to your recording needs.

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TASCAM MF-P01 4 Track Cassette Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)If you want a recorder as a scratch pad for ideas or to practice multiple parts and you don't want to pay a lot, this is the product for you. Spend the extra money though, and get the startup pack w/ the tape, headphones, microphone, etc. For $39 bucks more, it's really a deal.

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If you're just getting into recording your own music, the MF-P01 is the perfect Portastudio for you. Using the MF-P01 couldn't be easier ... just pop in a standard cassette tape, plug in your instrument, select the track you want and hit "Record". You have four tracks to work with, so recording your drum machine, guitar, vocals and keyboard is no problem.Plus, the MF-P01 is the most inexpensive Portastudio ever made in TASCAM's long history of creating the most innovative audio products for everyone from musicians to the very best world-class studios. If you're a creative musician and want to get into the art of multitrack recording, this is the best place to start. Highlights:The perfect Portastudio for musicians and novice recordists.4-track multitrack recorder.Uses inexpensive standard cassette tapes.Records one track at a time with classic warm analog sound.Includes headphone output.

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Tascam DP01FX 8 Track with Effects Digital Multitrack Recorder Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My first multitrack recorder was a Fostex cassette based recorder back in the early 90's. I loved it - used it nearly daily to work out arrangements or learn new songs. When it finally quit working, I was a little heartbroken.
At that time, someone had turned me on to PC multitracking software - which was a suitable solution, until I started upgrading. I found that certain programs wouldn't work with certain operating systems, conflicts with various attached devices would cause recording errors. I felt like I spent more time troubleshooting my system than actually recording.
After much research, I settled on this unit. As a solo artist this is an excellent machine - I mostly record acoustic arrangements, with some electric guitar and drums. Although I've used this for a week, I couldn't be happier with the results...far superior to my old cassette unit, and much easier to use than software. The sound is much better than I hoped for...and the menus are easy to navigate.
The guitar effects are OK, but not great. I don't expect I'd use them at all...the sound I get when I mic my amp is far better. The vocal and drum effects, on the other hand are more useful. Overall, I expect I should be able to make very high quality demos.
You can only record two tracks at a time, but as a solo artist, that's not such a big deal. For bigger arrangements, such as with my band, I have a 14 channel Mackie mixer that I run into the unit that allows me greater flexibility.
The unit is easy to learn how to use, and the user's guide is written so that my 11 year old can figure it out. I had no trouble recording, mixing and mastering...following the instructions in the guide, I was able to successfully transfer the final mixdown of my music to the computer without any hangups.
Overall, I'm very satisfied with this unit.


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Twenty-five years after the introduction of the first Portastudio, the new DP-01FX 8-track Digital Portastudio makes hard disk recording affordable and simple enough for all musicians. Continuing TASCAM's "Capture Your Art" campaign of making recording approachable to all musicians, the DP-01FX features the one-knob-per-function design that has made TASCAM cassette Portastudios the choice of thousands of musicians. It shatters the confusing page-shift-menu interface popular with most other digital recorders. And at a price under $500, multitrack recording to hard disk has never been more affordable.The DP-01FX has two mic inputs on 1/4" TRS or XLR jacks for dual mono or stereo recording. Phantom power is provided for connecting professional condenser microphones. Its eight tracks record at uncompressed CD quality to an internal 40GB hard drive, and a stereo master track is available for recording a mix. Each channel has a 45mm volume fader, plus dedicated controls for pan, effects send, high EQ and low EQ. An LCD display shows meters, editing settings and locate points. The DP-01FX has a USB 2.0 jack for file backup and transferring mixes to a computer. There are analog RCA line outputs, a headphone out and S/PDIF line output. The DP-01FX also has a multieffects processor for adding effects to an instrument during recording and a reverb processor for adding effects during a mix. 8-track recording at uncompressed CD quality into a built-in 40GB hard drive2-tra...

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Tascam DR100 Portable Digital Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased the DR100 to record classical musicians on-location as a smaller and lighter replacement for a much larger hard disk recorder and a pair of external mic preamps. I was hoping that the built-in XLR inputs and +48 V phantom power would be all I'd need for quality 2-channel recordings. After some live recordings of professional musicians as well as a bit of bench testing, I have mixed feelings about the unit.
The good: Using the stereo line input, the DR100 is capable of creating very clean, low noise, low distortion recordings. The DR100 uses Asahi Kasei delta-sigma "Audio4Pro" digital converters which are excellent sounding and have a very low inherent noise spectrum and a S/N ratio of better than 100 dB. The Tascam v1.10 firmware upgrade allows for 96kHz-24bit recording using those converters and the resulting .wav files are superb. The recorder can use SDHC cards up to 32GB, with single files of up to 2GB, so long recordings are no problem. The line input matches any nominal -10 dBv preamp or mixer output. The menus are easy to navigate and the file structure is straightforward. The fast USB2 interface makes it easy to transfer WAV files to any DAW. When backlit, the LCD display is quite readable and the peak signal LED is fast and bright. The peak LED lights at -2dB and the bargraph meters cover a range of -49dB to -1dB where the device clips. The display never reads "0dB".
The "not-so-good": Having built-in, phantom powered preamps was one of the reasons I choose the DR100 over the many other available flash-memory recorders. I own a 24-channel, 96k-24 bit "portable" rack HD system as well as a laptop-based 8-channel recorder and wanted a high quality, but small and light system for 2-track recordings that could be used with high-end external mics. The DR-100's built-in unidirectional mics are probably OK for "snapshot" recordings, but are not acceptable for any serious professional use. During my initial testing using both an external small mixer and external mic preamps, (going in through the 3.5 mm line input) the DR100 worked very well. However, the internal mic preamps are not all that great. Although the V1.10 firmware update does provide for 24 bit, 96kHz sampling as well as 44.1kHz and 48kHz, it does not allow for 88.2 kHz recording, which generally is a better choice for final conversion to 44.1/16 bit for publication on CDs. Tascam should seriously consider adding 88.2kHz sampling, even if it means dropping 48kHz.
The preamp gain is adequate for most any modern condenser microphone and many, but not all dynamic mics. At higher gain settings the preamps do have a fairly high internal noise, which becomes audible when the preamp is switched to the "H" (high) setting and the recording level control is advanced into a usable range. This is when the unit is used for classical music recording with a fairly wide dynamic range of 40-50 dB. For compressed pop, and rock recording this is a non-issue. However, I've encountered a much more serious problem (for my use). So far, I've had problems when using the DR100's internal +48V phantom power with several sets of widely available phantom powered mics. I connected a pair medium-output (-70dBV/Pa) ribbon mics and was not surprised that the DR100 did not have enough gain. I then tried a set of "active ribbons" (with phantom powered internal amplifiers and found that everything worked fine if only one mic was connected, but connecting both mics caused a very audible (-30dB) high-pitched buzzing noise in both inputs. This only occurred when running on the fully charged internal Li-ion battery. When running on the PS-520 external power supply/charger, the noise disappeared, even with both mics connected. To me this indicates a weak +48V phantom supply. I tried another set of mics, a pair of very popular small diaphragm omni condensers and even running on the external power supply I had serious noise generated when both mics were drawing current from the DR100's phantom power source.
Please note that all of the mics I tried all work fine using any of my Mackie, SECK, Yamaha, True and Presonus mixers and preamps with absolutely no problems.
Bottom line: I'm keeping the Tascam, but will be carrying a couple of external mic pres or a small mixer with it.
For reference, I did document the recording levels at various gain settings using the internal mic pres.
The signal source was a balanced mic simulator signal generator. Output -41.5dB, one channel driven, phantom power OFF, limiter OFF. Signal = 700 Hz sine wave.
Levels listed are the indicated recording levels on the LCD display:
1. Coarse Gain Switch set to "L"
Gain dial setting vs (LCD displayed recording level)
dial 10 (-42 dB)
dial 9 (-42 dB)
dial 8 (-44 dB)
dial 7 (-47 dB)
2. Coarse Gain Switch set to "M"
dial 10 (-20 dB)
dial 9 (-20 dB)
dial 8 (-21 dB)
dial 7 (-24 dB)
dial 6 (-30 dB)
dial 5 (-34 dB)
dial 4 (-40 dB)
dial 3 (-45 dB)
3. Coarse Gain Switch set to "H"
dial7.5 (-1 dB) clipping
dial7 (-3 dB)
dial6.5 (-6 dB)
dial6 (-8 dB)
dial5 (-12 dB)
dial4 (-17 dB)
dial3 (-22 dB)
dial2 (-27 dB)
dial1 (-29 dB)
dial0 (-29 dB)
As noted above, the actual usable range of the attenuator dials is from "1" to "9" representing a maximum range of 29 dB. Changing the dial settings between "0" and "1" , and between "9" and "10" has no effect at all.
For actual acoustic recordings using a pair of sensitive, high output external cardioid mics, recording classical music with a peak acoustic level hitting around 85 dB SPL, I needed to set the coarse switch to "H" and the attenuator to "7.5" to get good recordings that peaked at around -4 dB or -3 dB on the DR 100 meters.
Other than the "wimpy" phantom power supply, I do like this recorder. It's capable of making fine, professional level recordings as long as you are aware of its limitations.


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A great choice for recordists--from musicians to podcasters--who need a reliable handheld recorder with advanced recording features, the rugged Tascam DR100 portable recorder offers four built-in electret condenser mics (two cardioid and two omni) as well as a pair of XLR mic ins with phantom power for adding pro condenser microphones.
The DR-100 includes a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, but can also be powered by AA batteries or an optional AC adapter. A built-in speaker allows for instant playback, and the metal enclosure includes a tripod mounting hole for recording flexibility. A wireless remote control is also included for remotely starting the recording.
Playback can be looped or slowed down without changing the pitch, and locate points can be added while recording. The DR-100 records to SD or SDHC cards, and a 2 GB card is included with the unit.

Key Features
Four microphones -- stereo cardioid and omni condenser mics
44.1k to 96k sampling rates for WAV file recording
MP3 and WAV file recording and playback
XLR Mic Inputs with Phantom Power
High-performance microphone preamp with 60dB of gain
Premium AKM Audio4Pro A/D converters with over 100dB signal to noise ratio
3.5mm line inputs and outputs
Low cut filter, analog limiter and auto gain control
Built-in speaker
Integrated microphone stand mount
Runs on rechargeable Li-Ion battery or AA batteries
Optional PS-P520 AC power adapter
Dimensions: 3.2 x 1.4 x 6 inches (WxHxD)

SpecificationsXLR MIC IN (L,R) inputs
Input impedance: 1.2 kΩ
GAIN HIGH setting
Standard input level: -58 dBu
Maximum input level: -42 dBu

GAIN MID setting
Standard input level: -36 dBu
Maximum input level: -30 dBu

GAIN LOW setting
Standard input level: -14 dBu
Maximum input level: +2 dBu

LINE IN input
Connector: 3.5mm stereo minijack
Input impedance: 1.2 kΩ
Standard input level: -10 dBu
Maximum input level: +6 dBu
LINE OUT input
Connector: 3.5mm stereo minijack
Standard input level: -10 dBu
Maximum input level: +6 dBu
Recording media
SD cards (64 MB - 2 GB) and SDHC cards (4 GB - 32 GB)
File system
FAT partition: FAT 16/32

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TC Helicon Correct XT Vocal Effects Processor Pedal Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First let me put up a disclaimer. This is an item that just came out this month, so I haven't had much time to test every single feature out in full. I also haven't played with connecting it to my VoiceTone Create yet (my Create is not the XT model but the old one) as I want to hear what this can do stand-alone in full. I will be updating this review as time progresses. Expect a note about how well it connects with the VoiceTone Create next week.
Also note that I've only used this with a Supercardioid mic, which the instruction manual suggests for best results. They market the TC-Helicon brand mic (naturally), but I'm using my very trusted Shure Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone. I don't even own a condenser mic because I've always been very impressed with the quality of mic that Shure makes in their dynamic mics. I really can't justify an extra $700 for something that I don't think even sounds as good, nor do I have that kind of money. If I did, I would be getting the TC-Helicon VoiceLive 2 Vocal Effects Processor. If you do use a condenser mic for live performance, you can run the VoiceTone Correct XT through a phantom power mode. As for how well gating and anti-feedback works with a condenser, I cannot comment on how it is affected.
So why write this review right now? I did get to put the new features, anti-feedback and auto-gate, in the XT through very extensive tests. Thus, if you're already commited to getting a VoiceTone Correct and not sure if the added features justify the extra cost (last I saw, the old model is $90 cheaper, but that could be different now) or curious if you should upgrade, then hopefully this review will help you out. So far, in terms of all the other features that existed on the previous VoiceTone Correct, everything seems to be in check.
AUTO-GATE:
My band's practice space is a vocal and audio engineering nightmare. It's a very tiny room with exposed insulation and wood (soon it will be dry wall, but even then, the only thing it has going for it in terms of acoustics is the floor is carpeted). The main amps are ones that were generally favored in the 80s for outdoor concerts. Great for if we start doing some gigs where we need our own equipment, but not the most ideal for what our practice space is. Pretty much the back wall is lined completely with amps for the vocals, guitar and bass. Amps are pointing in just about every direction in the room, so it's pretty much impossible for me to get anywhere close to an ideal set up. Background noise was a confusing mess, and it was a pain to get the set up on the main board to not go red while still hearing a good volume of vocals in the mix. Enter auto-gate.
Just at the default factory settings, it has eliminated all background noise going into the mic. In fact, to pick up my voice at all, I have to have my lips about one inch away from the mic. With a supercardioid, this is actually a good thing as these mics are designed for vocalists to be singing really close to it if not with their lips actually on the mic. So anytime my lips aren't practically making out with my microphone, I'm not meaning for whatever I'm doing to be picked up live. So far, ZERO background noise has leaked through to the mains.
I used to be upset that I couldn't get the mic that I wanted with an on/off switch, but the gating on this pedal is so great that I'm actually glad I don't. It's like I have an adaptive on/off on the mic that knows exactly when I want it on or off, and without the background noise.
ANTI-FEEDBACK:
In terms of anti-feedback, it seems to work well. I can't tell if it's all just because of the gating that has fixed back my feedback issues or not, but I have had no issues since I've been using the Correct XT in our practice space.LIVE COMPRESSION, EQ, DE-ESS:
I will make a couple notes here about these features. By default, the red light for "Warmth" was off. I decided to click it on, so anything I say here is based on that assumption.
Most of my singing-style is clean tone, four-octave range, and I've been fairly pleased with these features so far in terms with how it shapes my voice. I absolutely love the produced sound this pedal is capable of. However, I mostly want to address what this did for my screams. I tried out some of my high screams (imagine Viking/Black metal) with these features. With no additional effects, this device helped shape those screams into something much more rich and thick than any thickening effect I've used on my VoiceTone Create. I imagine the sound when I combine the two is going to be phenomenal.
AUTO-PITCH CORRECTION:
I haven't noticed too much going on here, but I didn't expect to. Every band I've auditioned for has been impressed with my pitch accuracy. The times I do miss a note, it's almost always because I don't know how the vocal part goes on that section, and thus I'm missing it by singing the wrong note as opposed to being flat or sharp. This is based on tuning chromatically, so it only does minor adjustments, not the miracles of Auto-Tune. I will run this through some stress tests and update at a later date.Expect this section to be updated at least three months from now. Since the VoiceTone Correct XT is a brand new item, it's impossible for a consumer review to accurately comment on longevity yet.
So far, all the build quality and sturdiness feels just as good as my VoiceTone Create. I've been stomping on my Create and throwing it around in my trunk for eight months now, and it still feels brand new. I expect I'll get similar treatment from the VoiceTone Correct XT.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
I'm just happy I have something that solves the issues of my band's practice space. That alone is worth the price of this pedal for me. Throw in the produced sound that it adds to live vocals through compression and de-ess, and this thing is just incredible. Some of the EQ and Warmth you may not enjoy, but all settings are adjustable on here and can be used manually or adaptively. Personally, I've been very pleased with the adaptive tones it picked for me. Everyone's voice is different, though, and you may not find the same results here, but it's not difficult to just disable one of the features you don't like.
I also very much like that it can be connected to the computer for firmware updates. As for how much of a difference this makes, only time will tell. For now, it's just an extra blanket of security to make me feel ensured that my pre-amp won't get outdated soon like my VoiceTone Create did when they released the XT version.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TC Helicon Correct XT Vocal Effects Processor Pedal

Like having a live engineer and vocal coach at your feet. Smooth, pro vocal tone with the security of active anti-feedback is yours with Correct XT. Match that with TC Helicon's natural auto-chromatic pitch correction, it's like having a live sound engineer and a vocal coach at every gig. TC Helicon VoiceTone Correct XT Features Studio-grade compression, de-ess and adaptive Shape EQ to brighten and smooth vocals Effortless auto chromatic pitch correction helps you sing in tune Automatic anti-feedback seeks and destroys feedback.

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Tascam Track Pack T1 US122L Soundcard with Micrphone Pack Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm using this with a relatively new MacBook and GarageBand. And it sorta works. The updated driver still leaves the Mic VERY quiet and the guitar input not much better. The input dials need to be turned all the way up to get any input. Maybe a 64-bit drive would help, but now Tascam has discontinued this model, so I'm not holding my breath.

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Turn your Mac or PC into a complete recording system for music, podcasting or production with Tascam's Track Pack T1 package, which includes the US-122L sound card, MC-VT1 dynamic microphone, HP-VT1 headphones, and Cubase LE4 software--everything you need to produce hit music on your computer.
The US-122L is your computer's gateway into the audio world. More than just a soundcard, it has a pair of pro-quality microphone preamps for connecting any type of microphone. The phantom power switch supplies power for condenser microphones. The US-122L also has a line input for recording powered devices like keyboards, drum machines and guitar amp modelers. You can even plug your guitar or bass directly into the US-122L. With two inputs, you can record two microphones or sources at once, monitoring with the included HP-VT1 headphones. The included MC-VT1 dynamic microphone is ideal for recording instruments like electric guitar, drum kits and rock vocals.
The Track Pack T1 also comes with Cubase LE4 software, which provides 48 tracks of recording and playback with a Tascam interface and a Mac OS X or Windows XP computer. You can edit your tracks to fix timing and mistakes to put together a perfect take. Cubase LE4 has a professional-quality mixer built in with plug-in effects like reverbs, compressors, distortion, auto-pan and more. You can add more VST plug-ins later and there are more free and commercial VST plug-ins than any other format.
US-122L Features
High-quality stereo audio interface
TASCAM XLR mic pres with power for condenser mics
Works with audio application software for Mac OS X, Windows XP or Vista

MC-VT1 Features
Dynamic handheld vocal microphone
Professional XLR output for lower noise performance
Built-in pop filter reduces vocal plosives

HP-VT1 Features
Closed-ear headphones for isolation while recording
Includes 1/4-inch stereo headphone adapter plug
Padded headset with rich bass response

Steinberg Cubase LE Features These are just a few of the features of Steinberg Cubase LE:
48 audio tracks: More than many "pro" applications, enough for large arrangements and multiple takes
64 MIDI tracks: Record layers of MIDI synths, or incorporate ReWire samplers like GigaStudio 3 LE
96kHz/24-bit audio resolution: Audiophile recording quality captures every detail and nuance
VST plug-in effects: Thousands of effects to choose from, from free downloads to pro packages, with the most widely-supported plug-in format
VST instrument support: Incorporate VST soft synths into your Cubase arrangements
Notation editing and printing: MIDI tracks show up as completed notation for printing charts for musicians and editing tracks
Time Stretch: Change the tempo of a loop to match your song
ReWire 2 integration: Run ReWire-compatible applications like GigaStudio 3 on the same computer as Cubase LE
Upgrade path to Cubase SX: Upgrade to the full version of Cubase if you outgrow this version
Extensive support for mixing control surfaces: Use a US-224, US-428, FW-1884 or FW-1082 to control the program
To upgrade from Cubase LE to a more powerful version like Cubase SX3, visit steinbergupgrades.com.

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Behringer SX3040 Stereo Sound Enhancement Processor Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great addition to my DJ setup. I have this between my amp and mixer and the increase punch and clarity is phenomenal. Don't hesitate to buy the SX3040 or anything with the Behringer name. You know it will work and won't crush yout wallet.

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Ultimate Stereo Sound Enhancement Processor

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Line 6 POD Farm Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I already had a decent understanding of how Pod Farm worked . In a matter of 15 minutes i had the Metal sound i'd been looking for in Guitar emulated Plug Ins . I've used Amplitube 3 , Guitar Rig 4 etc. and "NONE" of them can i get the kind of grit Metal sound i have with Pod Farm ... In "NO" way am i discrediting either of them . In My Melodic Heavy Metal Band , We play through LINE 6 HD147 Stacks that we've grown pig headed of the sound they create for us . Nonetheless , The compliments that we've gotten from them are just awesome . We are recording in Cubase 5 , And i removed the Amplitube 3 Plugins from the Inserts chain and replaced them with Pod Farm and "WOW", Nothing less than amazing . I haven't really messed around much with all the other features of Pod Farm , At the moment i'm so satisfied with our sound that i haven't had no reason to . My shopping experience has been picture perfect with "AMAZON.COM", I definately will be shopping through them for "ALL" my musical needs 4 sure ... Thanx so much AMAZON - You Da Bomb ...

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POD Farm\': The Premium Plug-in for Recording GuitaristsFrom dark and smoky American combos to blazing, gain-crazed English stacks, the sounds of hundreds of fully adjustable amps and cabs, plus studio-standard effects, stompboxes and preamps, are here for you to define your music and cement your place in history.In 1998, Line 6 released Amp Farm amp modeling plug-in and forever changed the way guitarists record. Ten years and dozens of groundbreaking creations later, Line 6 continues the recording revolution with POD Farm. POD Farm plug-in features the sounds of sought-after vintage essentials and must-have modern monsters necessary for a pro-sounding recording. It includes 18 immortal guitar amps (modeled after* Fender Deluxe Reverb, Marshall JCM-800, Vox AC-30 Top Boost, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, and more), 24 guitar cabs, 5 bass amps and 5 bass cabs, 29 essential stompbox and studio effects (modeled after* EP-1 Tube Echoplex, Ibanez Tube Screamer, MXR Phase 90, LA-2A studio compression, and more) and 6 crucial mic preamps (modeled after* Neve 1073, Avalon Vt737, API 512c, and more). Drag and drop models into the signal flow, pre or post amplifier. The carousel-style gear browser, displaying each and every coveted model, provides an experience that\'s a dream come true. Creating classic tones or imaginative hybrids is incredibly fast and easy. Fully adjustable, each model offers total tweak capability. Also, with hundreds of presets available, classic gear combinations can be chosen to provide timeless tones in an instant. POD Farm is Mac AU/RTAS/VST and Windows RTAS/VST compatible for seamless integration with all major recording software applications.This product requires an iLok USB Smart Key (not included) and an Internet connection for activation.

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

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)the drivers for this product are just barely compatible with windows 7. the first time i installed the software, i could not record via USB. upon reinstallation, it worked through audacity but would occasionally spike noise while i was recording


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The lightweight US-800 from TASCAM adds great-sounding multichannel recording to your laptop, with eight inputs and four outputs for capturing dynamic soundscapes and performances. Six XLR microphone inputs each have phantom power for attaching your finest condenser microphones, and premium 192kHz/24-bit audio converters record every detail. The US-800 includes S/PDIF digital audio in and out as well as MIDI in and out for linking up to your studio. The rugged, lightweight package is ideal for mobile or desktop recording. For great-sounding multi-mic recording, the US-800 packs an incredible amount of features into an interface you can bring anywhere.

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USB 2.0 4-CHANNEL Audio/midi Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The sound quality is very good. However, the interface crashes at random intervals throughout the day. On a fresh install of Windows XP SP3, I frequently got the Blue-Screen-of-Death blaming tascusb2.sys. There was no warning. Computer could be on for hours before doing it, or not. I haven't been able to discern a pattern as to when it happens -- it happens most often when I listen to music, but sometimes it will crash when I'm doing nothing at all with it.
Installing the newest drivers from the Tascam Website actually made my system crash more often than the old drivers. The interface also takes 20% of CPU power to run on a Core 2 Quad Laptop, even when I'm doing nothing with it. The Interface actually crashed my PC once while I was writing this review.
Appearantly, this is a problem that existed with the previous model of the US-144 as well. Google it; there are dozens of reports online of people having the same issues as me, and hundreds of reports regarding Tascam's worthless customer support, even here on Amazon. The instruction manual is also littered with typos.
Even when it does output sound, you can't use it in a production environment due to very high latency. If you set the latency to anything other than the highest setting, you will get all kinds of crackling and skipping, even when just listening to music in Winamp or Windows Media Player. It often doesn't get properly recognized in Cubase 5. Recording is nearly impossible.
Support is unhelpful, telling me to disable my anti virus and firewall(not an option due to security concerns, but even when I did do it for an hour, my system crashed again), and outright lying to me, saying that Mac users don't have issues with the Tascam Audio Interface, when even the reviewer above me has problems getting it to work on his Mac.
Bottom line: When the thing works, it outputs some nice, clear sound for the price. Unfortunately it's nearly unusable due to constant crashing, latency issues and worthless support. Stay away until they put out some new drivers, which they have been promising for nearly two years.
Jamal Nichols

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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

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Tascam DR07 Portable Digital Recorder Review

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(More customer reviews)I just returned mine. Simply put, its a great little product, and for $175 you just can't find a better value. But you get what you pay for, and you get a nice little recording device, perfect for most applications, epically recording musical ideas while away from the studio. However, for low level recordings such as acoustic guitar, look closer at the Sony PCM-D50, that's what I'm switching to for my use. Here are my pros and cons of the DR07:
pros:
great price ($175 guitar center)
small
light weight
records any combination of 16/24bit 44.1k/48k sample rate
has built in mics
very easy to use
takes SD cards to expand recording time.
records either mp3 or wave files.
sound is directional, and records the best from directly in front.
Comes with a wind screen.
Takes AA batteries, easy to find and use.
cons:
Mic pre-amps are VERY noisy: when recording an interview or acoustic guitar, you can hear the hiss through it... lots of hiss on low volume recordings like that.
Lots of handling noise (more on that below),
NO Speaker! So you have to bring headphones to check your recordings.
The windscreen looks and feels cheap, its just a piece of shipping foam cut out to fit on top.
Buttons feel cheap,
memory card and USB access door feels cheap, I'm sure after a short while of use, it will break off.
Handling noise: any slight touch of the unit make a loud sound when using on-board mics, Poor quality limiter: the limiter cuts back so hard that when you just touch the unit, or get a loud pop from your voice, it cuts all the way down to zero, and then back up, so you get this very dramatic but short cut out of sound. Its very annoying. I had to turn off the limiter to use it, because every time i touched the unit to move it, it would cut out for a second. This was during an interview where I had the recording level up.
I was doing an interview and had to set the internal mic sensitivity to high and the gain to 8 or 9 (out of 10) just to get a good level on my subject sitting about 6 feet across from me. There was a lot of noise (hiss) too.Too much for someone picky, and looking for clean sound. Maybe an external mic would have been better, but you're still using the internal pre-amps which are very noisy.
I have to say that for the price, if you are looking for something to record band rehearsal, practice, or song ideas, its perfect! Maybe if you had a pair of mics you would get good results from a live rock concert (rock, not jazz or classical, because of the hiss in the background.... the rock music would drown that out)
So 5 out of 5 because it is perfect for what it is, but its not a solid feeling professional piece of gear with high quality preamps, its just a portable recorder for every day recording... professional sound guys would be disappointed. I would recommend this to my musician friends who want something to record scratch song ideas while away from a real studio, or someone looking to get into recording as a hobby, and play around with recordings.
Hope that helps people out there.*** UPDATE ***
okay, i just found the Sony PCM-M10 Portable Digital Recorder. I would suggest that anyone on the fence about the Sony PCM-D50 should consider this one, its half the price. If its ANYTHING like the D50, it will be something to consider if you're looking for a bit more from the DR07, mainly a bit more in quality of the mics.
PCM-M10 Portable Digital Recorder

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TASCAM's DR-07 brings portable digital recording to an even smaller, more affordable package. A pair of highly-sensitive built in mics captures a wide stereo image, recording in either MP3 or 16/24-bit WAV format. The DR-07 is powered by AA batteries and it transfers files to a computer using a high-speed USB 2.0 connection. The versatile recorder even includes a windscreen, tripod stand mount and 2GB SD card to start recording right away.

Musicians will appreciate the playback functions of the DR-07, including the ability to loop MP3s and slow them down without changing the pitch. External microphones and sources can be recorded through the mic/line input, and the recorder offers analog limiting, low cut and auto gain setting for great-sounding audio. But for great-sounding recordings, the compact DR-07 is all you need.
Built-in Mic The DR-07 features a pair of built-in stereo electret condenser mics, for instant, high-sensitivity stereo recordings. Thanks to the adjustable input level, it's a great choice for quiet or loud applications, from simple songwriting with a guitar to recording a metal band rehearsal.
SD and SD-HC Support Record to SD cards (including the included 2GB card) or add a little more recording time with high-capacity SD-HC cards up to 32GB.
Simple File Transfer Using the USB 2.0 jack, file transfer is a breeze. Simply connect to your PC and drag-and-drop.
Mic/Line Input Use an external microphone or line input device using the 3.5mm line and mic inputs.
The 3.5mm line output works with headphones or for sending to stereos/monitors/etc.
Keep It Clean The DR-07 has plenty of features to ensure your audio doesn't end up a distorted mess. The switchable low cut filter helps avoid rumble during field applications or recording bass-heavy material, the analog limiter keeps the dynamics in check, and the auto gain setting helps avoid preamp distortion from the get-go.
MP3 or WAV Recording The DR-07 writes WAV files at 44.1 or 48kHz, 16 or 24-bit formats. But you don't always need that for a scratch practice recording, grabbing an interview or lecture, etc. MP3 file recording lets you record directly to MP3 format, from 32kbps to 320 kbps, thus saving you a wealth of space on that SD card.
Variable-Speed Audition Slow down playback without changing the pitch--handy for learning or studying passages, transcribing interviews, or other uses.
Ultra-Portable The DR-07 is ready to go anywhere, since it's powered by two AA batteries (you can add the optional PS-P520 power adapter to power from a wall outlet).
It weighs just 4.4 ounces--with batteries--and is 2.2 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches in size.
What's in the BoxTASCAM DR-07, 2GB SD Card, USB Cable, AA Battery, Windscreen, Owner's Manual, Warranty Card

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Tascam AKDR1 Accessory Kit For Dr-1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Some parts are excellent. The bracket (a.k.a "tripod adaptor") that snaps onto the DR1 is high-quality and well-designed. The DR1 snaps securely into it, and it allows complete access to all controls and connectors. The microphone-stand adaptor is likewise well-built and secure.
It is the tripod itself that is questionable. While it is of reasonable quality, the flexible legs are a too stiff. This works well enough to hold the DR1 above a horizontal surface, but that's about it. The tripod's function would be better fulfilled with a Gorillapod Joby GP1-A1EN Gorillapod Flexible Tripod (Grey), a similarly-sized device with much more adaptable legs.
The windscreen is a piece of foam, sized and shaped to fit over the microphone end of the DR1. It works, but how could it not? Anyone could build one with foam and some tape.
I've used the bracket with a full-sized camera tripod, and on a mic stand with the mic-stand adaptor. I have used the tripod with a small camera, but not with the DR1. I have not yet needed the windscreen.
All together, this is a functional set of accessories. The one necessary component is the bracket; the others (tripod, mic-stand adaptor, and windscreen) can be purchased from other places or easily macguyvered; they merely help justify the price.
The list price ($75) is not justifiable, and only serves to make the "real" price seem reasonable. The (current) "real" price (about $50) is still too high, but how else can one acquire the bracket?

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The Tascam AKDR1 Accessory Kit adds functionality to the Tascam DR1 Compact Portable Digital Recorder and Tascam GTR1 Portable Stereo Guitar Recorder. Included with the kit is a handy tripod adapter, a mic stand adapter as well as a desktop tripod which is perfect for capturing your own playing more easily. There's also a windscreen that comes included with the Tascam AKDR1 accessory kit.

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Tascam US-144 USB 2.0 Audio and MIDI Interface Review

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(More customer reviews)I absolutely love this product for portable recording. I have a Dell notebook computer and have used this to record solo piano and my music lessons. The microphone pre-amps are pretty decent. I have used the mic preamps directly and have compared them with the same mics used through Grace One preamps. Surprisingly decent in comparison. The recordings of piano compared to a setup with a MOTU 828 MKII and Grace One's was really pretty good. I absolutely loved the large controls for gain on the top of the unit. Very easy to manipulate and more solid than other competitive product cheap knobs. The fact that this unit is USB 2 means that the recording quality can be far superior than USB 1.1 units that are going to limit whether you can do high quality recordings on multiple channels. The midi interface works great also in Acid and Sonar. The unit definitely will cause your laptop battery to drain faster if you are using mic inputs with phantom power but that is fine by me for the great functionality. Line in works fine but if I had any minor complaint it would be that it would be nice to have an effects insert interface. Obviously, this should not be a problem for line-in devices but is more of an issue for mic recording where you might want some outboard vocal processing. The headphone interface is good and I like the ability to use a mix between the computer and the external source into the headphones.

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The Tascam US-144, their follow-up to the mega popular US-122, delivers everything you'd want in a portable audio-MIDI interface and more.Record two tracks at a time with zero latency; whether you have a PC or a Mac, your song ideas go down in real time, real easy. Its size means you can take it anywhere you take your laptop, yet it's packed with features that make buying it an audio no-brainer. MIDI input and output, high quality mic inputs, 96kHz/24-bit recording (better than CD quality)-all the stuff you'd want without the fluff you wouldn't. The US-144: the answer to your recording needs.

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Tascam PT-7 Chromatic Tuner/Recorder Review

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(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.

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The TASCAM PT-7 is a unique combination chromatic tuner, metronome and memo recorder for acoustic and electric musicians. The tuner features a high-speed graphic display, ideal for students to find their pitch on wind and string instruments, and an oscillator tone can also play for pitch reference. The metronome plays through the built-in speaker or headphone out and includes a visual display to keep the beat. Also included is a monophonic recorder, providing 20 minutes of recording time for song ideas or practice playback. Recorded music can be looped or slowed down without changing the pitch, so that students can learn to play along with the instructors' example. Though designed for the acoustic instrument player and educator, the TASCAM PT-7 is the ideal companion for any chromatic instrument player.

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Tascam MPGT1 Portable MP3 Guitar Trainer Review

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(More customer reviews)Ok, I will do my best to answer everyone's questions that aren't asked here yet, in which I also had before I purchased this item. This trainer is just amazing. It helps you out in so many ways. First off, this CAN be used simply as a portable amp, exactly as the "Dean Stack in the Box". I know I'm not reviewing that item, but I would like to give some information about it. The Dean stack in the box is a great portable headphone amp. It has great volume, great distortion, and most of all (in which no one else covers) it carries through great pinch harmonics great. Unlike the portable pignose amp, where it does not carry through pinch harmonics one bit. The Dean in a box though can be a pain changing the 9v battery, which can lead to the wires breaking, wich is what happened to me. It was still an amazing product though, with amazing sound, and amazing pinch harmonic carry through.
Now, with that said, it leads me to this. THIS guitar trainer, has GREAT sustain also, and carrys through pinch harmonics just like a normal amp, and jsut like dean in the box. They will not die out like the pignose amp. Also, it has a rechargeable battery in it, so there are no wires to rip off, like dean in the box while changing a battery. This is also built like a tank. Super tough and durable. Makes you want to take good care of it right away. The rechargable battery on it also lasts a long time. I would say well over many many hours.
I want to clarify what exactly the guitar cancelling feature does. It does not cancel the guitar out, so you can substitute your own. It instead pushes all other sound (vocals, drums, etc) into the background (which is dim but still heard) while the guitar in the track shines through so you can hear it clearly and study it more, note for note. Let me tell you, it works very very well. Like one reviewer said, you do hear wayyy more than you have heard before. And this is coming from me, a guitarist of many years, whom has an ear for music, and picks up on every single note and plays by ear. I was even very amazed.
I will now do the best I can to break everything down into all the positive parts of owning this trainer, as there are no disadvantages that I have found:
* This trainer CAN be used as a portable headphone amp, without any song playing in the background, and it does have many amp effects, from clean, to overdrive and distortion for metal (which I play). It has great affects like reverb, chorus, flanger, overdrive, etc.
* Is not cheap, like other portable devices, so no wires will break off changing batteries, since you simply dont have any batteries to change.
* Built very strong and durable.
* It DOES let you create sub-folders, so you can put entire folders into it and sort by artist or albums, instead of having one long list ot a thousand tracks.
* Guitar cancelling feature (as described above) works fantastic.
* While playing a track, you can adjust the volume of the track playback, and your guitar volume, so if the track volume, or guitar volume is higher than the other, you can equalize them at the same volume, or make your guitar volume louder, or the track volume louder.
* You can slow the track speed down 50%, which is amazing. You can also keep the pitch the same, so whether you speed the track up or slow it down, it wont sound like a chipmunk, or someone from a horror movie. It keeps the original tone. You can, however, turn this function off.
* You can turn the pitch up or down, so if it is in standard e tuning, you can chance the tuning of the song. Although it WILL NOT drop all the way down to drop d tuning or anything like that, it still works great.
* You can quickly pick a start and stop point for it to start looping, so if there is a solo, or any part like that, that you want to keep going over and over until you learn it, you can loop it.
* You can create a playlist, just like on an mp3 player.
* This can be used as an mp3 player (although I never would, since it's expensive, and I never want to break it.
* Has a ton of storage. About 900 MB worth (actually a hair more.
So all in all, this trainer is simply amazing! It does exactly what it says it does, and a whole lot more. Even if I didn't need it for a trainer, but was simply looking for a portable headphone amp for travelling, I would easily choose this over dean stack in the box or anything else. I was not disappointed one single bit. I love this thing.
Hope this helps! Enjoy!

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Designed specifically for musicians, the Tascam MPGT1 MP3 player/guitar trainer enables you to slow down, loop and even eliminate guitar parts to help you learn new riffs. This MP3 player can store up to 240 songs and includes a Variable Speed Audition playback feature, which slows down the speed without changing the pitch, and sections can be seamlessly looped while practicing tricky passages. Songs can even be pitched up or down to match the tuning of your guitar, so you don't have to re-tune for every song.

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Tascam 2488 Neo Multitrack Digital Recorder Review

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(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.

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The Next Generation of Tascam's 24-track, 24-bit Recorders. Featuring 8 mic inputs, Tascam's 2488 Neo recorder is up to the challenge of recording and mixing a full band. Create a fully mastered CD with excellent mastering effects; reverb, amp simulation, compression and EQ processing. TASCAM utilizes an easy-to-use interface, powerful preamps and all the effects needed to light up the charts. The 2488 Neo is the ultimate 24-track production machine. Tascam 2488 Neo Features Upgraded mastering effects for pro-sounding CD mixes include: Multiband compression EQ and noise shaping 3-band EQ on 24 channels 8-inputs and stereo bus High and Low sweepable shelving bands Full parametric mid band Three aux sends on all channels (except the effects return) Loop effects; reverb, delay, chorus and more on an aux send and return Guitar multi-effects; overdrive, distortion, chorus, delay, flange and more Eight assignable dynamics processors for compression (record or mixdown) Dedicated Stereo Compressor on the stereo output Eight inputs: 4 XLR (or 1/4 inch) with phantom power and four 1/4 inch inputs Nineteen 45mm faders including master fader LCD display for viewing meters and edit parameters 80GB hard drive 250 Virtual tracks CD-RW; Record Audio CDs, import/export WAV files and backup hard drive High-speed USB 2.0 connect to PC or Mac for data backup and SMF/WAV file Recording resolution: 44.1kHz, 16-bit or 24-bit AmericanMusical.com is an authorized dealer of Tascam products.

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TASCAM DP-008 8-Track Digital Portastudio Review

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(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.

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Concentrate on your music and not on the recording process with the easy-to-use Tascam DP-008 8-track digital Portastudio, which can capture CD-quality audio wherever you roam. Using a Secure Digital (SD) memory card, you can record two tracks simultaneously and work with up to eight tracks in a multi-track project.
You can use built-in microphones to grab ideas, plug condenser mics into the XLR inputs or plug a guitar directly in to lay tracks. There's even a metronome and chromatic tuner built-in for tight-sounding tracks. The DP-008 also allows you to digitally bounce tracks to make room for more, and touches like editing and undo make recording stress-free.
Each track on the DP-008 has its own row of knobs for level, pan and effects, just like Tascam's classic cassette Portastudios of the past. The effects knob sends to a built-in stereo reverb processor with hall, room, stage and other effects. Each track also has EQ to tailor the sound for your mix. When your song is complete, mix it to a dedicated stereo track while riding levels and flipping pan as much as you want. You can export your mix, or even individual tracks, as a WAV file.
What's in the BoxTascam DP-008, USB cable, 2 GB SD card, batteries, user manual
Features and Specifications
8-track Digital Portastudio
2-track simultaneous recording
(2) XLR microphone inputs with phantom power
(2) 1/4-inch line inputs, one switchable to guitar level for direct recording
1/4-inch footswitch input and Autopunch features for punch-in recording
RCA line outputs
1/8-inch stereo headphone output
Chromatic tuner and metronome features
Stereo reverb effect on send/return path
Level, Pan and 2-band EQ controls per channel
44.1kHz/16-bit recording resolution
Records to SD or SDHC Card media, up to 32 GB supported
USB 2.0 connection to computer for backup and track/mixdown export
Built-in stereo electret condenser microphones
Backlit LCD display
Powered by four AA batteries (included) or PS-P520 power supply (optional)
Up to 5.5 hours of battery life (recording, phantom power off); up to 6 hours of battery life for playback
Measures 8.7 x 1.42 x 4.98 inches and weighs 19.7 ounces (without batteries)

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