Tascam US-144

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Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member Since: Oct 23, 2007

So I finally ordered an interface and a couple OK mikes, I didn't get what I wanted, but you gotta live within your means. I figured 2 condensers, headphones, pair of monitors, interface, all cables and chords, mike stands and pop filter for 280$ was a steal.

I got a Tascam US-144 and I was wondering if anyone who has/ had one had any tips on its use or troubleshoots; it's a pro-active question I suppose. I'm a little apprehensive I guess you could say.
I was also wondering if you can record both mike inputs and the guitar input all at the same time (the manual is really vague on alot of things.) I'd rather know now then have to post a bunch of times later for random issues. Thanks in advance for your help/ advice.

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Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 30, 2007 09:21 pm

Ya, I'll say its vague. I had a quick once over of the pdf of the manual and that is silly. I may have missed it but I did not see anything either.

From a quick read on the page it states 4 in 4 out capability. But it also states that it will only record 2 tracks at once. So even if you can use both the XLR's and the quarter inch ins at the same time it will still only record to 2 separate tracks.

And I would check to be sure you can use phantom power without a power supply. I know Line 6 UX units can do it without much drain, but I have also seen others that can't. So be sure to check that out.

And ya, that is a good price for that much stuff.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Nov 30, 2007 10:10 pm

Well, the monitors and headphones are a gift, but still; I figured they'd be useless without at least some starter gift.

On the subject of the phantom power, it has it, but what's this 'drain' you're talking about? I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. The 144 is supposedly able to accommodate the 2 mic channels, but we'll see.

As for the 4 in 4 out, I think they're including the midi if they're speaking of simultaneous in/out in that equation. I can't tell what they mean though, because their manual is so sketchy.
But if it doesn't work out I'll just send it back and get a Toneport UX-2. That's what I wanted in the first place, but I simply can't afford it right now. The toneport UX-1 doesn't have phantom power, does it?

I'm a little worried, but hopeful. Thanks for your thoughts and input Noize, always good getting your side of things.




Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Nov 30, 2007 10:11 pm

Edit:

Not a starter gift, lol, I meant a starter kit.

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Nov 30, 2007 10:34 pm

I thought that was what you meant. :-)

By drain I mean the amount of power it consumes from the USB buss power. Some devices seem to work better then others in that respect. I actually hooked up 2 of my LDC's and brought up the moniter to see how much juice it sucked when both mic's were using the phantom power and was surprised to see it was pretty minimal. However a buddy using a different interface of which I cannot recall at the moment said his took a pretty heavy toll on the USB power.

But I am guessing the 144 is past that type of thing happening. Most newer devices if designed properly should be able to use the current wisely.

On the 4 in 4 out thing, I am wondering as well. But it really points directly at the audio section in the way it is phrased.

But indeed you will find out once it is there and in your grasp.

Mans reach exceeds his grasp
Member
Since: Oct 23, 2007


Dec 01, 2007 05:01 am

Yeah, only time will tell. My buddy gave me a 19" flat screen monitor yesterday, so I hooked it up to my cpu and used it as a secondary. About 10 minutes ago, as I was reading this post, is crapped out; I think it might be a sign, lol.

I hope it turns out to be good, but all I have is hope right now.

On a side topic, Page File. Since you mentioned the drain, I figured I'd ask. Would it hurt to allocate a big number to this? I have it set at 2123MB right now, but would increasing the number make a difference in performance and what are the pros and cons? I figure if anyone knew the answer to this it'd be you or dB.


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Dec 01, 2007 04:30 pm

I used to go with 2 times the amount of ram in the PC. dB does 2 1/2 which I started doing and it does make a difference. So ya, go ahead and up it.

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