IBOOK or LAPTOP WITH TASCAM US428 Options

[UPOWER]

HI,

I wonder if anyone has a similar set up? The Tascam US428 seems to be a good unit. Does anyone have any comments about this? I like to have hands on in regards to mixing and twisting knobs. It looks like a good combination of audio interface, midi controller and mixing desk for live performances.

[Ged]

Hi Flameboy,

Yes, my experience with the 428 is quite limited (esp. in a live sense & re: your requirements as a drummer) so I'd talk with as many people as possible if I were you. With regard to your questions, no, I didn't have any trouble with drivers. Perhaps the negative comments were due to the fact that the 428 comes with a basic driver only for installation along with a recommendation that you download the latest driver from the tascam site. Although a little inconvenient it wasn't exactly a problem...
I guess my only criticism (related to the above) is that, as a migrating pc user, I found the setup process a little un-intuitive (for instance, I didn't 'instinctively' know that an OMS setup is vital to run the 428 and cubasis). Again, this was due to inexperience and so, for any migating pc user, I'd recommend reading the manual very carefully during installation to avoid any difficulties.
I'm using OS 9.1 for music making (see the OSX forum for a few reasons), OSX for pretty much everything else (the new ibook comes with both). I haven't yet needed to talk with the tascam people as yet. Their site is pretty straight forward though and contains a lot of info on the 428 (full manual, cubasis + manual, latest OMS/428 drivers and recommended setups). I'll let you know if I experience any difficulties.

R