Tascam US-16x08
The Tascam US-16x08 offers 16 mic and line inputs for your computer with clear sound quality and advanced features to manage big sessions. Eight Ultra-HDDA microphone preamps provide clean and quiet operation while delivering up to 56 dB of gain. An additional eight balanced line inputs are provided, two of them switchable to instrument level for direct guitar or bass recording. Eight balanced line outputs are also available, two with a level control on the front panel for monitoring.
Built into the US-16x08 is a DSP Mixer for low-latency digital mixing. Each channel has four-band EQ and compression for polished-sounding monitor mixes. In addition to interface mode, the US-16x08 can be used as a standalone mic preamp. Windows and Mac drivers are provided, as well as USB Class Compliant 2.0 drivers for tablets like the Apple iPad. MIDI input and output are also available on the rear panel.
Whether using the ergonomically-designed angled desktop stand or mounting with the included rack ears, the US-16x08 includes enough I/O for almost any music recording application.
Ultra-HDDA mic preamps provide pristine audio quality
Our original Ultra-HDDA mic preamps allow you to input high-quality audio from any audio source just by turning a knob. These are the same mic preamps that are in our HS-P82 professional recorders, which are popular in the broadcast and film industry. These versatile preamps can handle both condenser and dynamic mics, and will allow you to enjoy high-quality recording even if you are not an expert. These versatile preamps also feature line-level inputs for keyboards and other equipment.
- Built-in Ultra-HDDA mic preamps have discrete construction that achieve −125 dBu EIN (Equivalent Input Noise)
- Guitars can be directly connected enabling the use of 3rd-party plug-in effects
- Wide dynamic range that can handle the sound pressures of drum recording easily
16 analogue inputs to process vocals, instruments and drums simultaneously
With 8 XLR and 8 TRS inputs, a total of 16 simultaneous analogue signals can be input. Record an entire band during a live performance or rehearsal with ease.
- 8 XLR inputs with 48 volts phantom power
- 8 line inputs switchable between –10 dB and +4 dB
- Can also be used as standalone microphone preamp
Advanced DSP mixer paired with a new USB driver
An obstacle with computer-based recording is latency (delayed audio signals). New driver software has been developed to eliminate latency issues and driver set-up problems.
The built-in mixer utilizes the high-performance BlackFin DSP processor making it possible to offer 4-band EQ and compression on each channel.
- High-resolution recording up to 96 kHz/24-bit
- USB 2.0 computer connection
- Advanced DSP mixer with 4-band equalizer and compressor on each channel
- Driver software can be installed without connecting the interface
Support for iPads and other iOS devices
You will not need another audio interface if you decide you want to make music using an iPad or other iOS device. The performance of these interfaces has been tested with not only the bundled digital audio workstations (DAW), but also with other popular recording software – you can continue to use them even if you change DAW software. Since these units include MIDI inputs and outputs, they can also be used as MIDI interfaces.
- Connect with an iPad or another iOS device
- Tested with Sonar, ProTools, Cubase, Live, Studio One, and Garage Band
- MIDI input and output enable connection with keyboards and other MIDI devices
Standalone use as an independent mic preamp
By turning the unit on without a USB connection, it can be used as a microphone preamplifier in standalone mode. After passing through the Ultra-HDDA circuits, the signals from the XLR inputs on the front are output from the TRS jacks on the rear of the unit. This allows it to be used for a variety of applications, including with interfaces and PA/SR mixers that do not have their own or less good preamps.
Features at a glance
- High-quality Ultra-HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) microphone pre-amps with ultra-low noise (EIN: –125 dBu)
- Recording at up to 96kHz/24-bit
- Support for Mac and Windows operating systems
- 16-in/8-out audio streaming from a PC connected via USB 2.0
- Selectable operation mode between audio interface and standalone mic preamp
- On-board DSP mixer for monitoring
- Low-latency monitoring via the DSP Mixer
- Compressor and 4-band EQ for each input channel on the DSP mixer
- Eight XLR inputs with phantom power
- Two TRS (balanced) inputs selectable between line and instrument level
- Six TRS (balanced) inputs on rear panel
- Eight TRS (balanced) analogue outputs
- Standard headphones output
- MIDI input/output
- USB Audio Compliance 2.0 for iOS connection
- DAW compatibility (Sonar, ProTools, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Garage Band)
- Rack-mount adapter included
- Dedicated AC adapter included
- Angled industrial design for desktop ease-of-use
New features in Version 2.0
- Simultaneous playback of ASIO and WDM is now possible by selecting an alternative driver.
- Notification function keeps you updated with the latest information for your product
- Automatic update notification helps you to keep your software and firmware up to date (you can install new updates with the press of a button)
New features in Version 2.1
- The internal mixer can be bypassed for situations when using an external microphone preamp
- Select whether to allow the signal to be sent from PC to the stereo bus
Supported Operating Systems
Windows
- Windows 10 (May 2019 Update)
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
Mac
- macOS Catalina (10.15)
- macOS Mojave (10.14)
- macOS High Sierra (10.13)
- macOS Sierra (10.12)
- OS X El Capitan (10.11)
- OS X Yosemite (10.10)
- OS X Mavericks (10.9)
- OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)
iOS
- iOS 13 / iPadOS
- iOS 12
- iOS 11
- iOS 8
- iOS 7
Specifications
| Digital conversion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sampling frequencies | 44.1/48/88.2/96 kHz | |
| Quantization bit depth | 16-bit or 24-bit | |
| Analogue audio inputs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mic inputs 1-8 (balanced) | XLR-3-31 (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD) | |
| Input impedance | 2.4 kΩ | |
| Rated input level | −68 dBu (0.0003 Vrms, gain knob max.) | |
| Rated input level | −12 dBu (0.195 Vrms, gain knob min.) | |
| Maximum input level | +8 dBu (1.947 Vrms) | |
| Maximum gain | 56 dB | |
| Instrument inputs 9–10 (unbalanced, LINE/INST switch set to INST) | 6.3mm standard TS jacks (Tip: Hot, Sleeve: GND) |
|
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ or more | |
| Rated input level | −57 dBV (0.0014 Vrms, gain knob max.) | |
| Rated input level | −12 dBV (0.251 Vrms, gain knob min.) | |
| Maximum input level | +8 dBV (2.512 Vrms) | |
| Maximum gain | 45 dB | |
| Line inputs 9–10 (unbalanced, LINE/INST switch set to LINE) | Standard TRS jack, balanced (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND) |
|
| Input impedance | 10 kΩ | |
| Rated input level | −41 dBu (0.0069 Vrms, gain knob max.) | |
| Rated input level | +4 dBu (1.228 Vrms, gain knob min.) | |
| Maximum input level | +24 dBu (12.282 Vrms) | |
| Maximum gain | 45 dB | |
| Line inputs 11–16 (unbalanced, LEVEL switch set to −10 dBV) | 6.3mm standard TS jacks (Tip: Hot, Sleeve: GND) |
|
| Input impedance | 10 kΩ | |
| Rated input level | −10 dBV (0.3162 Vrms) | |
| Maximum input level | +10 dBV (3.162 Vrms) | |
| Line inputs 11–16 (balanced, LEVEL switch set to +4 dBu) | Standard TRS jack, balanced (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND) |
|
| Input impedance | 10 kΩ | |
| Rated input level | +4 dBu (1.228 Vrms) | |
| Maximum input level | +24 dBu (12.282 Vrms) | |
| Analogue audio outputs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Line outputs 1–8 (balanced) | Standard TRS jack, balanced (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND) |
|
| Output impedance | 100 Ω | |
| Rated output level | +4 dBu (1.228 Vrms) | |
| Maximum output level | +24 dBu (12.277 Vrms) | |
| Headphones output | 6.3-mm standard stereo jack | |
| Maximum output power | 70 mW + 70 mW (THD+N ≤1 %, 32 Ω) | |
| Frequency response (input to headphones output) | At 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±1.0 dB (JEITA) At 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz: 20 Hz – 40 kHz, ±2.0 dB (JEITA) |
|
| Other inputs/outputs | ||
|---|---|---|
| MIDI input | 5-pin DIN connector | |
| Format | Standard MIDI format | |
| MIDI output | 5-pin DIN connector | |
| Format | Standard MIDI format | |
| USB | 4-pin USB B-type | |
| Transfer rate | USB 2.0 High Speed (480 MBit/s) | |
| Audio performance | ||
|---|---|---|
| Mic preamp EIN (equivalent input noise) | −125 dBu or more | |
| Frequency response (input to line output) | ||
| At 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz, ±0.5 dB (JEITA) | |
| At 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz | 20 Hz – 40 kHz, ±0.5 dB (JEITA) | |
| S/N ratio | 100 dB or higher (line input to line output, gain knob at minimum, JEITA) |
|
| Distortion | 0.006% or less (mic/line input to line output, 1 kHz sine wave, nominal input level, maximum output level) |
|
| Crosstalk | 100 dB or higher (mic/line input to line output, 1 kHz) |
|
| Computer system requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Windows | ||
| Computer hardware requirements | Windows computer with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port 2 GHz or faster dual core processor (x86) 2 GB or more memory Display resolution at least 1280 x 800 px |
|
| Supported audio drivers | ASIO 2.0, WDM (MME) | |
| Important: Operation of this unit was confirmed using standard computers that meet the above requirements. This does not guarantee operation with all computers that meet the above requirements. Even computers that meet the same system requirements might have processing capabilities that differ according to their settings and other operating conditions. | ||
| Mac | ||
| Computer hardware requirements | Apple Mac computer with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port 2 GHz or faster dual core processor 2 GB or more memory Display resolution at least 1280 x 800 px |
|
| Supported audio drivers | Core Audio, Core MIDI | |
| Power supply and other specifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| Power supply | Specialized AC adapter (GPE248-120200-Z) | |
| Power consumption | 12 W | |
| External dimensions | 445 mm × 59 mm × 219 mm | |
| Weight | 2.8 kg | |
| Operating temperature range | 5–35 °C | |
Design and specifications subject to change without notice.