Is the Tascam US-122 really that bad?

[Acoustic_Daddy]

I'm looking at a Tascam US-122, and after reading the forums thoroughly, I've seen that there are about 5 happy customers throughout the whole site..

But, the users that are happy seem to have a decent computer, and know not to have background processes running, other software open, etc...

My question is, can the us-122 run effectively and efficiently if you treat it with respect?

Or, should i spend the extra money on a Delta 44 soundcard and DMP3 preamp?

[utsman]

My US122 runs perfectly (touch wood). I don't have any other USB except mouse and keyboard. Oh and I do download from my camera but never when using 122. I have never unplugged the Us122 though since I installed it, but I don't know if that means anything. I think a big thing is that I don't and will not have internet on my audio computer. I don't know whether this can effect us122 directly but it seems to be a good thing for keeping a computer running properly. My P.C is 2 years old and never has any problems, but at my work a brand new P.C continually connected to the net will have problems within months.

I am very happy with mu US122, but I think the preamps are average but not bad.

Utsman

[Acoustic_Daddy]

Yeah, i agree on the internet side of things.. Although, I'm behind a router, so it's a little safer than a usb internet conenction, or modem.. cos i'm using an ethernet connection.

I saw in your other thread, that you were going from guitar > effects > guitar amp > tascam. and that it sounded good.. Any problems so far?

I think i may go for the tascam us-122, as my computer is brand new, got a 2ghz amd 64-bit athlon 3000, 512mb RAM, and a 80gb HDD.

If i get good at mixing and recording, i may upgrade to the delta/DMP3..

[scrubs]

I am happy with my US-122. IMO, much of the frustration new owners experience with this product stems from the included Cubasis VST software, which is horrible and should be burned immediately after you remove it from the box. I've heard that you can upgrade to Cubase LE for free now, which would be a great improvement.

Both songs in my sig were recorded using the 122 interface (although I did use external preamps for most parts). I've dropped it on the floor many times without any serious trouble (though one time it landed on the headphone jack while phones were plugged in - the plastic part of the jack broke, but was easily repaired with crazyglue). It has done just what I expected it to. When I need more inputs, I'll probably go with the delta 1010 or firepod, but that is a ways off.

If it makes any difference, I use internet on my recording computer. The computer itself has occasional problems (I'm thinking they're Windows SP2 issues), but they have never affected me during tracking or mixing or impacted the performance of the US-122 in any way.

[arjoll]

I have used the US-122 on a number of non-dedicated Centrino laptops with no problems - Toshiba Tecra S1, two different nx7010's and about to try it on my temporary nx6120.

In all cases I've used either Cool Edit Pro 2.0 or Audition 1.5. Because I am an IT consultant every machine has all kinds of other crap loaded and the US122 has always performed admirably.

I agree that software is a major issue - I loaded the bundled Cubasis and it lasted less than an hour before I uninstalled it - but if you get some decent recording software the unit runs nicely.

Have only used it for recording either mic or line level, haven't done any MIDI through it.

Cya
Andrew

[utsman]

Originally Posted by Acoustic_Daddy

I saw in your other thread, that you were going from guitar > effects > guitar amp > tascam. and that it sounded good.. Any problems so far?


If i get good at mixing and recording, i may upgrade to the delta/DMP3..

No problems. It really boosted the guitar sound. Don't use the headphone jack on your amp though, use preamp out. As I said in the other thread, the us122 is a good unit and the pres a very clean but they sometimes need a little boost.

[Acoustic_Daddy]

Ah ok.. I'm using a Peavy Bandit 112 (Transtube) amp for my electric, and it has the pre-amp out on it.. I really like the distortion this amp offers, so i could run from the peavy to the us-122 without too many issues?

Whats the chance of blowing it up? Like, is there any chance of it?

[apl]

All the music at the link 'cept the instruments in My World were recorded with a US122. I have never had any trouble with it. I have one computer, a 750MHz Duron. Most of the recording were made when it had 256 MB RAM and 98SE. Now it's 1GB RAM and XP Pro. I have the mobo onboard soundcard disabled and the US122 is my fulltime all the time soundcard. And this is my internet computer, too.

I think it's great.

I got mine a year ago so it had a stripped down Cubasis. I already had another version of Cubasis so I've been using that. If I needed to get software again it'd be ntracks.

[thane1200]

I'm glad to hear people are happy with the tascam USB interfaces...I'm planning on buying a US-428 in the next week or so.

[XLR]

I've used one. It's simple, flexible, good sounding.

Here's a Recording mag review of it in PDF form, if you haven't seen it already.

http://mysite.verizon.net/mikerivers...eview_Full.PDF

Tim

[Acoustic_Daddy]

Hmm, that review is neither good, nor bad..

I dunno, i think i may give the us-122 a try for starting out, and if i get good at the whole process, out comes the big gun m-audio stuff

[Sampler]

Those of you who bought the US-122 and recieved the Cubasis VST software should certainly consider getting the free upgrade to Cubase LE (see the Tascam website). I got the US-122 a few weeks ago, so it came with Cubase LE, and I must say that it's a really nice piece of software, great for starting out.

[guttapercha]

My US-122 works perfectly with Cubase SE. Cubasis VST, on the other hand sucked wind - lots of crashes. I'm using it with a centrino 1.3 Ghz laptop with 512 RAM and no other USB devices plugged in to it. No crashes or weirdness since getting my free copy of Cubase SE. The only limitation is the two input factor with the US-122. Had I known that I was going to record drums, I would have gone with something with more inputs like a firepod or bigger tascam product. Also, it looks like Alesis is coming out with a firewire-based product in late April for around $500, that looks cool. That being said...it's $500, and you can get a US-122 for $200, or $169 if you are a student through various websites.

Good luck,

JD

[Monkey Allen]

Apologies for exhuming this thread.

Does the us122 have good latency?

I have heard that you can direct monitor recordings without having to route through your PC. Is this true? And does it actually work well?

thanks

[apl]

I don't have any latency issues with mine, and the direct monitor routes the inputs to the line outs and the phones.

[Acoustic_Daddy]

I ended up buying a Roland Edirol UA-25 for my home recording, and it works pretty well..

I haven't tried the Tascam yet..

[mjareo]

I (like thane1200) am also glad to hear positive things about Tascam and this unit in particular. I was looking at this one because it seems to be one of the only units in its price range that has XLR inputs. Are there others that I am not aware of?

Thanks!

[chuckthe68]

Just got my US-122, installed per manual instructions, but I am having latency problems and not able to hear playback through head phone, but able to hear windows sounds (dings & alerts). dunno what's going on.

help

Have a new box (p4 HT 3 ghz, windows media center, c-Media audio)

[eyeprod]

i have no problems with my 122 on my dell laptop, which is also my internet computer. latency is not an issue, and midi works fine for me. i run my instruments and mics through a mixer preamp then into the us122. it makes a world of difference when recording vocals, but for guitars/keyboards not as necessary, as plugging in direct produces decent results. one cool thing about it is that it is an audio interface that basically replaces your onboard soundcard. hook it up, tell windows that it's your new audio brain, and you then have this nicely sized volume knob on your desk, not to mention some other useful knobs. i use it with cubase sx and reason with no problems. considering i'm recording as a hobby, i think this unit is great. i sure wouldn't use it if i had alot more money to spend or needed to produce pro quality material, but bottom line for me is that this little box made my dream of a portable studio a reality.

[EgoProfit]

Hi I just wanted to add my .2 cents...

I love my US-122, the sound is flawless. It runs perfectly without hiss, pop, or anything. Plus, it's portable. I run it off a 1972 Peavy 12-track mixer.

My PC really isn't that powerful, I use it on a spare laptop I have:
Compaq n400c, Pentium 3 500MHz, 350Ram <- runs good
on my Compaq Nw800 P4 laptop it runs even better.

I use Cubase SX, and I love my US-122. I recommend.

[EizingerIsGod]

I have only had my US-122 for two weeks or so but I have had no problems running it into my Dell laptop which is also my internet computer. My only complaint is that there is only one stereo channel output. I would have liked to have each drum mic on its own channel, but thats not the fault of Tascam, that was simply a cost issue. I would have to say for the price and the quality I am very pleased.