Applications Guide
US-122
US-122 Compact USB Audio/MIDI Interface
he TASCAM US-122 creates a compact,
On the output side, the US-122
˘ USB audio/MIDI computer
Tportable bridge between your music includes line outs and a W" headphone out
and your computer, whether you’re record- – each with individual level controls – so
ing using microphones, guitars or MIDI you don’t need to switch off your speak-
synthesizers. Two great-sounding, high- ers to work on headphones. Synthesizers
headroom Tascam microphone inputs and samplers can be patched in using
allow you to record the most challenging the MIDI input and output. And you’ll
vocal or musical sources. These mic inputs want to connect your MIDI gear with the
feature professional Neutrik® XLR con- included GigaStudio™ 24 software, the
nectors and switchable phantom power, world’s biggest, best-sounding sampler,
which means they’re ready for any micro- and a special copy of Steinberg’s® Cubasis™
interfacing
˘ Mac and Windows
compatible
˘ Two XLR-fed phantom-
powered mic inputs
with inserts
˘ Two line/guitar level
phone you can throw at it.
software. The included drivers
work with Mac® or PC com-
puters, and add support
for ASIO, WDM, GSF,
Sound Manager
and Apple Core
Audio (OSX)
inputs
˘ 16 channels of MIDI I/O
˘ Adjustable zero-latency
direct monitoring
˘ Two line outputs with
s o f t wa r e
level control
s t a n -
dards.
˘ Headphone output with
I n
level control
addition,
˘ Self-powered via USB:
perfect for both studio and
location recording
you get W"
balanced
line inputs,
with select-
able guitar level,
˘ Includes ASIO, WDM,
GSIF and Apple Core Audio
(OS X) drivers
˘ Includes Cubasis VST
8-track audio recording/
MIDI sequencing software
˘ Includes GigaStudio 24
sampling workstation
software
for compatibility
with anything in
your studio from
guitars and basses to
VCRs and drum machines.
Each channel gives you
a hefty level knob, signal
and overload lights to make setting lev-
els a snap. You also get an insert point
on each channel for patching in hardware
gear such as compressors, gates and EQs.
For better performances when overdub-
bing, the US-122 features zero-latency
Direct Monitoring. (See the sidebar on
Direct Monitoring for more informa-
tion). Twenty-four-bit resolution at
44.1kHz or 48kHz ensures better-than-
CD-quality recording.
Since the US-122 is
powered through the USB cable,
you wont need a wall-wart power supply
to use it with a laptop when inspiration
strikes on the road. And if you hit any
bumps in the road, you’ll appreciate the
US-122’s solid, steel chassis and robust con-
struction. With exceptional sound qual-
ity, professional analog inserts, 16-channel
MIDI I/O and zero latency direct monitor-
ing, it’s clear the US-122 is the ideal tool for
capturing your creative musical ideas into
your computer.
˘ Compact and rugged
die cast aluminum
construction
˘ Dimensions: 149mm(H) x
60mm(W) x 196mm(D)
˘ Weight: 925g
Applications Guide
US-122
Video Editing and Multimedia Production
ure it’s called Motion Picture, but good storytell-
Sing often comes from unique sound design. This is
where the US-122 can make the perfect addition to your
video editing or multimedia creation suite. Just plug it
into a free USB port to add high-quality, low noise sound
playback to any editing system. Its tiny footprint fits on
even the most cluttered video production workspace.
Monitors
Line Out
USB
Phones
The pro studio mic preamps are ideal for recording a
strong voiceover, whether it’s just for the rough cut or
for your final product. You’ll also appreciate having a
mic available to add a sound effect, or even to record a
musical soundtrack. The built-in insert jack allows you
to plug in outboard processing like compressors and EQ
so you won’t need to re-record your voiceover in post
production.
Computer
Headphones
Compressor
Microphone
Mic Input L Insert L
What is Direct Monitoring?
hen you record a signal into your computer, it goes when you’re “overdubbing”, punching in changes to a
Wthrough a few steps. First you set the mic or line segment, or recording another layer over what you’ve
inputlevel.Thenit’sconvertedintodigitalaudio,whichgets already recorded.
sent through the USB connection to your computer, where
it needs processing before it reaches the recording soft-
It’s because of this delay that we added Direct Monitor-
ware.When this signal is played back, it has to go through ing to the US-122. This feature allows you to hear what
the whole journey in reverse. (See Figure 1.) And as fast as your recording before the signal makes it’s journey to the
modern computers are, this process isn’t instantaneous.
computer and back. (See Figure 2) Since you’re bypassing
the computer, there’s no delay in your headphones. You
even get a separate level control for the Direct Monitor,
and a Mono switch to sum the two channels together.
Even if you’re still unclear about Direct Monitoring, you’ll
understand the first time you try to record without it.
Figure 1.
Speaker
Computer
Figure 2.
Microphone
Speaker
US-122
Computer
This means that anything you record would have a
slight delay before it reaches your headphones or speak-
ers. Even though it’s only a few thousandths of a second,
this delay (also called latency) can be distracting when
you’re making music. This delay is even more apparent
Microphone
US-122
Applications Guide
US-122
US-122 Connections
˘ Two Mic Inputs with Neutrik® XLR connectors
˘ MIDI Input
˘ MIDI Output
˘ USB Jack
˘ Switchable Phantom Power
˘ Two W" TRS Balanced Line Inputs
˘ Guitar/Line level switch per channel
˘ W" Stereo Headphone Jack
˘ Two W" TRS Insert Jacks
˘ Two RCA Line Outputs
System Requirements
Mac:
Windows:
˘ Mac with built-in USB port
˘ Available USB port
˘ PowerMac 604e 200MHz processor (PowerMac
˘ Intel Pentium II, AMD Duron or better
˘ 128MB RAM, 192MB for Windows 2000 or XP
G3 266 MHz recommended)
˘ 128MB RAM (192MB recommended)
˘ Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME,
˘ Mac OS 8.6 through X (Cubasis is not Mac OS X
Windows 2000, Windows XP
compatible)
© 2003 TEAC Corporation All trademarks are the property of their respective holders. All rights reserved. Design and specifications
subject to change without notice. Product photographs are shown only to illustrate the types of product which are compatible with
the TASCAM US-122 Computer Interface. These products are not manufactured by the TASCAM Division of TEAC Corporation.
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