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Écrit par : rickenbacker ven. 1 août 2003, 14:15

A few people have been mentioning the Tascam US-122 lately, so I thought I'd post a review of the unit that I've just written for a music magazine. Might help someone thinking of buying one. Any further questions are very welcome.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then we'll begin...

The US-122 is the latest fruit of the Tascam/Frontier development partnership and is the logical successor to the US-428 and US-224 models. Where these sought to act as both interfaces and mini control surfaces for sequencers, the US-122 is a straightforward portable USB device.

Put simply, it is a two-input, two-output 24-bit AD/DA audio/MIDI interface, offering a respectable proliferation of ins and outs. There are two balanced XLR mic inputs; two 1/4” balanced line inputs (switchable to high-impedance unbalanced inputs for direct connection of any hi-Z source, such as a guitar, bass or synth); TRS inserts on each input channel for effects processors; impedance matching and a 16-channel Midi interface.

Output is via a pair of unbalanced line outputs on RCA connectors, although regrettably there is no digital option, either in or out. A separate headphone output with dedicated volume knob is provided, along with the master volume knob and a direct monitoring knob. The unit is entirely USB powered and provides phantom power to the two XLR sockets for use with condenser mics.

Construction is solid, the reassuringly chunky design and rubberised mid-section promising to withstand a few knocks. As the US-122 lends itself to portable use, this is an important issue. Its dimensions are also a boon, measuring just 149 x 60 x 196mm (W/H/D) and weighing just over 2lb (925g).

Installation of the tiny 5Mb driver was easy, the only caveat being that OS X owners must be running at least OS X 10.2.3. The driver also works in OS 9 and the device will support ASIO, Sound Manager, CoreAudio, CoreMIDI, OMS and Free MIDI. A version of Cubasis for Mac is bundled with the package, although this only works in OS 9.

The US-122 Manager contains settings for Audio Safety Buffer (1-5ms) and the USB Bandwidth Usage dialogue, an audio-disable function for when you just want to run MIDI and timing is crucial. A guitar tuner is also included. Sample rates of either 44.1 or 48Khz are possible, with a resolution of either 16 or 24-bits. These and other parameters (such as overall gain levels) can be set in Audio and Midi Setup in OS X.

In operation, using the US-122 is a no-brainer. Plug in your instrument or mic, move the mic/line or guitar switch accordingly, select phantom power if required and adjust the Left or Right channel levels as necessary, using the signal indicators as a guide. There is only one light to show the presence of an audio signal (when the level exceeds –37dBFS) and only one overload indicator (which lights at –2.5dBFS), so it’s something of a challenge to pinpoint the optimum recording level. Using your DAW’s channel-level indicators is advisable.

The latency of the US-122’s hardware input monitor is advertised at “always less than 1.5ms”, but you can avoid the latency issue completely while overdubbing live signals by using the Direct switch. There is also a Mono switch which folds the two direct monitor stereo channels to mono.

You can record and playback two audio channels simultaneously, although slightly disappointing is the fact that the manual advises against recording mic and line signals simultaneously as the signal level is summed and the two are likely to interfere with one another.

The sound quality achieved with the US-122 is of a professional quality and the unit delivers a nice loud signal on playback – some USB audio devices need cranking right up to get anything out of them. MIDI operation was also straightforward. Bear in mind that the US-122 is only a USB device, though, and that the limits of the USB’s data-carrying capacity generally prohibits playback of anything greater than 16 audio tracks.

One improvement we would suggest is that the dials could do with a coloured strip on top to better indicate their position. At present, there is only a groove cut into the plastic, but as all the knobs are silver on a silver machine, it’s hard to identify settings at a glance or in low light conditions.

Apart from that, if you need to capture analogue sources and are in the market for a small, portable recording and MIDI solution, this machine fits the bill. As a portable recording solution for capturing ideas on the hoof, for recording demos, gigs, rehearsals or any other type of location recording, the US-122 is a good bet.

Écrit par : xingu ven. 1 août 2003, 17:28

Nice review there. The only thing I would like to caution people against is the potential for OSX driver problems with any of the Tascam US-devices. One only needs to have a look through the Tascam Computer Audio forum to see that there are many people unable to work in OSX due to what has come to be known as audio 'fizzles' (transient distortion that leads to drop-outs).

There have been user reports of this problem from all three (122, 224, and 428) interfaces that have gone unanswered for many months now. Unfortunately, there is no real apparent rhyme or reason to what configuration causes them and even less fortunate is the fact that Tascam has abandoned any type of support, at least through the forum. They even recently scripted a pop-up window upon entering the forum that bascially says "we won't help you here." I cannot comment upon direct phone or email support, as I have no personal experience with either.

I actually went about my merry, fizzle-free way until I installed the demo for Logic Audio 6. I haven't had time to do much work at all, much less test to determine exactly when where and why it occurs, but the problem seems random, transient, and mostly just annoying at this stage.

That being said, there are also plenty of users that have reported no problems (as I did until recently) as well as those that don't post anywhere because they have everything running smoothly. I still really dig my 428, so my goal isn't to turn people away from Tascam. Just trying to keep people informed...

Écrit par : T1mon ven. 1 août 2003, 23:31

Thx for the review and for telling us the 'fizzles' problem.
The US-122 looked really interesting because it is 24bit instead of 16 like the MobilePre. But if it has problems with OSX I might have to look into the MobilePre again.
Maybe I can find a dealer in Germany who allows to test it for 30 days and then return it if it doesn't work.

Écrit par : natural selection mar. 14 oct. 2003, 05:57

hello rickenbacker,

you seem to be an expert so this question is directed towards you (as well as anyone else who can help!)

i just got a tascam US-122 and am trying to record music from my akai MPC 3000 into my computer (soundforge 6.0)........my computer doesn't pick up any signals/sound when i turn on the MPC

i installed all drivers correctly and the recording device in soundforge has been set to the tascam unit.....just to see if soundforge was faulty i tried to record some of a record into the microphone input on the laptop (works fine)

i connected the stereo outputs of my mpc into the L and R inputs of the tascam.......i don't know what i'm doing wrong......when i plug my headphones into the tascam's headphone jack and press play on the MPC, i still don't hear anything?!! am i doing something wrong or is it a faulty tascam?

-hung

Écrit par : rickenbacker mar. 14 oct. 2003, 14:45

Hey, Natural Selection,

Well, I'm no expert, but I'll try and help anyway.

Have you tried recording anything else connected to the 122? Like a mic or a line level instrument, such as a guitar? Have you selected the 122 in Audio Midi Setup on your laptop? Oh, wait - are you on a PC? I'm guessing that as you're talking about Soundforge you must be. Well, there must be something similar on a PC - a system setting for routing the sound input and output. If there is such a utility, can you select the 122 for all ins and outs?

What else? Dunno really. Unless it really is faulty, you should be able to hear something easily enough. Are you sure you have the cables connected from output on MPC to input on 122? How are they connected? RCA jacks or 1/4"? Can you run the outs of the MPC to the combo jacks of the 122? Have you got all the levels turned up and the connection type selected on the 122?

Try recording something else using the 122 - like a mic or guitar - and if that doesn't work, maybe it is indeed faulty. Hope that helps. Apologies if I stated the obvious anywhere here!

Écrit par : boze mar. 14 oct. 2003, 17:36

rick-
could you say anything more about that 'summed input' issue with recording xlr and line-in input at the same time?

i'm not sure i understood the point that you were trying to make as far as real world use. it's only got two inputs, but if i used an xlr for mic'ing vocals and a line-in for direct guitar then.. um.. i wouldn't like the results because of this 'summed signal level' thing?

i'm starting to think that 2 ins is a bit limiting for me. i'm hoping to get a laptop soundcard before too long but i'd like for some flexibility in different live laptop performance settings. had my sights set on the fw410 but alas, it's only got the two inputs as well.

-sorry, i'm just thinking out loud. nice review and thanks for sharing it with us

Écrit par : rickenbacker mer. 15 oct. 2003, 16:38

Hey boze,

The summed input issue is basically that - a mic and line in don't play nicely together inside the US-122, although it's not a total disaster. If you're a kind of one-man-band in your bedroom, or you want to build up a song one track at a time, or you want to record something live using two mics or a stereo feed or whatever, the 122 is fine. If you want to get some kind of Bob Dylan vocal mic, guitar and harmonica thing going on, it's not best suited for that. It's a cute solution for many uses and for many musicians, but you can't please all the people all of the time, can you? I liked it, but I didn't choose to buy one. I've got a MOTU 828, which is way more than enough for me. And you, probably. Check out the second-hand market for the original model at good prices.

Écrit par : boze mer. 15 oct. 2003, 17:11

thx rick-
yeah, i've already been pricing used 828's. it's funny- with them i've heard about their issue with monitoring other inputs while using either of the xlr's. it strikes me as strange that offering inputs doesn't guarantee using/monitoring them in any combination. that just seems lame to me- that you have to research and ask questions like 'so it has four in?-- can you like use them at the same time then? ... no, like _all of them?'

like i could have asked a hw person about the little tascam unit and they'd have been like 'yes, yes, and yes' but i'd still have gotten stuck.

appreciate the extra info and the advice though.....

Écrit par : billmeyer mar. 21 oct. 2003, 06:13

Just bought myself a US 122 because I was looking for a portable interface for my iBook. It fits the bill totally! I've got a rackmount FireStation for more serious stuff, but the 122 can fit in the pouch of my iBook case along with a stereo mic for recording 'on the road.' Nothing else in this price range can compete. ($175 at the local Guitar Center)

But about the 'merging sound' issue. Although i haven't tried it yet, I thought they were warning against recording a mic and line input at the same time, on the same side. in other words don't try to stick an XLR mic AND a line input device ON THE SAME SIDE, but rather one on the LEFT and one on the RIGHT. Has any one had experience with this issue?

My question is: how do you set the prefs in OS 10.2.8 to have sound going in to the iBook from the 122 and out of the audio outputs of the iBook (rather than the 122)? i can't seem to get this happening.
Thanks for any help.

Écrit par : jebbels mer. 22 oct. 2003, 15:43

Hi Rick
I've been considering buying the tascam because of my very limited funds. I have a new powerbook g4 with osx. I have run other programs(mostly graphic programs) on os 9 classic, it automaticly boots when you run non native osx programs. Are there any conflicts or down sides you know of with running the free cubase on os 9 on my computer. Because it's such an inexpensive package deal with hardware and software, and my purposes are just to make a decent quality demo, I thought it sounded like a good rout to take.

Écrit par : xingu mer. 22 oct. 2003, 17:54

You won't be able to run the OEM Cubasis (or any other audio app for that matter) under Classic. I suppose there's an off chance it might work, but probably not properly and it is not recommended. What capabilities do you need for your demo? Audio, MIDI, both? There's a few free/cheap apps mentioned in http://www.macmusic.org/agora/forums/?act=ST&f=2&t=8971&lang=EN& (but Muzys isn't available for OSX yet). Also, one I forgot about - http://nav.440network.com/out.php?mmsc=forums&url=http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help.php, which is a freeware multitrack audio editor.

Écrit par : huwthom ven. 24 oct. 2003, 16:36

I thought the purpose of OS Classic was to enable Mac users with newer machines to use older programmes. Why won't Cubasis work in Classic and is there anything that can be done to remedy the problem? I currently have a us 122 on order and don't want to be lumbered with a piece of kit that isn't going to work on my machine. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Écrit par : jebbels ven. 24 oct. 2003, 16:50

I got a suggestion yesterday from a friend that seems to aliviate the OSX compatability problem. I was unable to open protools free in classic because my computer would ask for OMS settings and then it would crash.If you go to the start up disk option for your computer prefrences, you can set your computer to boot up in OS 9.2, at least thats what mine did, and my computers new so I'm assuming that's a standard thing. I was able to run protools just fine then, so I'm assuming Cubase will work the same. You can reset the start up disk if you want to go back to OSX. Does anyone know if there's any reason why this would be a bad way of doing things. It's a little time consuming, but if you want to use older sound programs, I don't see any other option.

Écrit par : boze ven. 24 oct. 2003, 17:15

huwthom and jebbels-
booting into 9.2 (whether by holding the option key at startup or using the System Prefs method as J describes) is totally fine- not a 'bad way of doing things'. the two quick things i wanted to say is that booting into 9.2 is not the same as running Classic from within OSX (just in case this isn't obvious to somebody new who's reading this thread).

also, while you make a valid point that classic's purpose is to run older apps, the truth is that classic is not as robust as osx or a regular booting os9. it's best to think of it as OS9Lite or something- use it for a simple util or a fairly small program that isn't all that realtime processor dependant and it's okay, but don't expect to launch launch Cubasis in it and track audio or you'll be disappointed.

Écrit par : xingu ven. 24 oct. 2003, 19:21

Actually, new Macs lost the ability to boot into OS9 as of January 2003. You must have bought a computer from some older inventory. Not that that's a bad thing! At least now you can run Cubasis if you get that 122. The only downside is really the limitations of that program, but depending on your needs, it might suit you just fine.

Huwthom - if your Mac doesn't boot into OS9, I think you'll have to consider one of the free/cheaper options mentioned in my previous reply, as I'm not aware of any bundled OSX-native DAW apps - at least not with interfaces this cheap.

Écrit par : fisken jeu. 30 oct. 2003, 11:03

Hi.
I just got my Tascam U-122.
I'm a PC user, but got the same problems with the "fuzzy" audio signal.
When I try to record from a Microphone, using the XLR input, I get a fuzzy signal that's
no good at all. I experience small pauses in the input signal. When i don't record, it sounds
well using the audio output or headphones.
Any suggestions to eliminate the fuzz ????
(Recording is done in Cubase sx)

Écrit par : xingu jeu. 30 oct. 2003, 17:08

Back when the Tascam forums were still up, I don't recall any PC users ever having a similar problem as with the OSX drivers. I would suggest playing around with the buffer settings - both within the 122 control panel and within Cubase.

Écrit par : IMNiles ven. 21 nov. 2003, 22:41

I, too, thought it seemed from the manual that the summed input issue was only a problem when you tried to use line and mic/guitar on the same channel. Has anyone actually tried mic on one and guitar on the other, or a similar mixed combination, and did it work? This will be the primary application for me..

Thx!

Écrit par : tas538cam sam. 29 nov. 2003, 20:37

Is there somebody also having problems with latency (with MIDI) using the tascam us-122 in cubase SX.
Basically the problem is the following: when I hit a note in the keyboard editor in cubase, the response when I have the tascam us-122 connected is quite long, and definitely longer than when I play on the soundcard of my laptop. I would expect the latency of my laptop's soundcard to be worse than the latency of the tascam us-122, and not the other way around. Is there somebody who can give me some suggestions for resolving this. Many thanks in advance

Écrit par : Oakland Stroke sam. 13 déc. 2003, 00:40

I have been watching this thread for awhile. Although Tascams forums never reappeared after the OSX fizzle and drop-out problems were first reported, I have read here and there that Mac users are having better luck now with the US series.

Anybody out there who is using the drivers for Panther? I would love to hear more before I buy. Thanks.

Also, regarding the latency question concerning internal vs. external soundcards: The onboard card should have the least latency, especially if you are using core audio and MIDI. It's the roundtrip from your instrument to your interface, via your computer, that causes the latency.

Écrit par : rafisaar mer. 17 déc. 2003, 08:16

What laptop soundcard are you referring to?
Do you have a soundcard with MIDI on a laptop???

(I assume you're talking about MIDI because that's what you pointed out in your question).


Rafi

Écrit par : harsh jeu. 11 nov. 2004, 04:21

hey rick

i just bought a tascam us 122 and i'm using audacity. i have a mac and i just cant seem to get this thing to record. I have installed the drivers and have the tascam us 122 selected in the input options menu. Please help if you have any suggestions.

Écrit par : socatevoli ven. 15 juil. 2005, 03:10

i've had the us-122 for about a year in a half and i've used it on windwos and i couldnt be happier with it, recently i just switched to mac i have a powerbook g4 with osx the tascam hardware installed just fine tho cubasis didnt b/c of osx but i didnt really care b/c of garageband well now thats where im having trouble, i set the input in garageband to the us-122 and even messed with the output im not gettin a response from either,so i opened up the us-122 manager and im not getting a response from that either, yes my usb cord is plugged in and my input is a guitar, does somone know a secret that i dont to get this to work?

Écrit par : woodenbird mar. 30 août 2005, 23:25

hi,

i apologize in advance for the general naiveté of this post but cant seem to make much headway on my own. i'm a new mac user and just discovered this site. i have a g5 running tiger and i'm trying to use a tascam us 122 with logic pro 7. everything that has been said so far has been very helpful and i wonder if i might pose one further question.

how on earth do i get music to go into the computer via the tascam and out through the speakers connected to the computer? is this arrangement even possible or do i need to connect speakers to the direct out of the 122. if that is the case, do i make the 122 the default audio driver and have all sound (itunes, etc) go through it? and if so, is it okay to leave it plugged in and powered 24 hours a day?

i have tried every combination in the preferences tab to make the us122 the input device and the apple speakers the output but nothing works. i can record but only hear when i plug headphones into the 122. or i can record and then unclick the core audio enabled tab in logic to effectively turn off the us122 and restore regular speakers as out.

i understand the benefit of direct out to minimize latency and would like to do that.. so i guess what im asking is what is the best setup for a tascam using tiger and logic pro 7. and, if possible, what settings should i use?

sorry and thank you!

Écrit par : banevt mer. 31 août 2005, 01:16

I don't have Logic Pro or Tiger but when I run Logic Express on Panther there is only one option for inputs and outputs in the audio driver menu. Either core audio or built in. Maybe there's a way to mix and match in's and out's but I just always assumed it was either or.

Écrit par : rickenbacker jeu. 1 sept. 2005, 16:26

What about Audio MIDI Setup in the Utilities folder? You can set things up however you want there. I like to keep the AMS in my Dock, so you can do the old switcheroo any time.

This was done in Live 5 with a FireBox, not in Logic using a US-122, but I don't believe it matters what you're using - the AMS works the same way.

Écrit par : woodenbird jeu. 1 sept. 2005, 20:01

yeah, tried the ams to no avail. not sure quite why.. when out is set to internal apple, nothing comes out. when set to tascam 122, sound comes out of 122. strange..?

Écrit par : beauty_speed jeu. 1 sept. 2005, 23:40

hi everyone,

let me start by saying i´m very glad i found a forum with an updated,relevant, ongoing discussion of us-122...

excuse me if this strays off the discussion.

I own a us-122 which i have been using intensively with Cubase SX, Reason and Traktor DJ Studio with no problems or bugs whatsoever on a desktop PC.

I desperately need to buy my first laptop for live perfoming and a Mac seemed the obvious solution, especially because I could use the lower buffer setting of 128mb and get a latency so low I can actually get a decent result out of apps such as Guitar Rig played live. ( Correct me if this is too optimistic.)

My budget only allows me an ibook 1.42ghz, 1Gb RAM. This thread is somewhat alarming however: mac and us-122 don´t seem to mix well.

Has Tascam neglected Mac users in the past, are their products more pc-friendly, or is this a specific problem of the us-122 and I should just buy another interface (which I won´t anyway...)?

Thanks

Écrit par : rickenbacker ven. 2 sept. 2005, 17:24

Woodenbird: I don't know what to tell you. I don't have a 122 to hand, so I can't check it out. Yeah, seems strange, though. Fooling around in AMS worked for my FireBox and my 828.

Beauty_speed: I think there are many satisfied Mac/122 owners. You may or may not prove to be one of them in time. No one can predict the future

Got any friends with a Mac? Could you load your 122 Mac drivers up on it and test it? I didn't have any problems actually using the 122 on my G3 iBook, but I haven't had it for nearly two years now, so I can't speak for Tascam's current position regarding support for Macs and its whole US range of interfaces.

To be honest, the future of audio (on any platform) is FireWire (or at least USB 2.0). Interfaces are now so cheap and USB so slow in comparison, I wouldn't be surprised if Tascam were working on a new FireWire product. Or they might have abandoned the whole market altogether in the face of established, superior competition.