Tascam’s US series of USB 2.0 recording interfaces has been expanded with the addition of the US-1x2.
Offering 96kHz, 24-bit desktop recording, the unit is aimed at singer/songwriters, podcasters and personal studios. It is highly portable and can be USB bus-powered for mobile operation with a Mac or Windows laptop. A secondary 5V DC mini-USB power input is provided for iOS devices and for standalone operation in practice sessions.
The US-1x2 can record from virtually any source thanks to its selection of inputs. The unit’s XLR microphone input employs Tascam’s Ultra-HDDA mic preamp, which uses discrete components and delivers -125dBu EIN and 101dB signal-to-noise ratio. The Ultra-HDDA preamp’s 57dB gain range and the interface’s switchable +48V phantom power make the US-1x2 suitable for use with almost any type of microphone, including dynamic, condenser and ribbons.
Input 2 can be switched between front- and rear-panel jacks. The front panel sports a switchable, quarter-inch line/instrument input that enables recording a mono line-level signal (synth or mixer) or capturing a guitar or electric bass without needing a DI box. On the unit’s rear, a pair of RCA line inputs admit signals from stereo consumer audio devices, such as tape decks and media players.
Stereo line-level outputs are provided on RCA connectors, and the line outputs and quarter-inch stereo headphone output have independent output level controls. The headphone output is fed by an 18 mW/channel amplifier. Front-panel LEDs indicate signal present, peak/clip, phantom power active and USB active. Zero-latency direct monitoring can be enabled with a rear-panel switch or Settings Panel software (Mac and Windows), whichl also accesses the stereo/mono input monitor, input mute, and audio source output.
The new interface is housed in a black powder-coated metal chassis with Tascam’s unique, detachable Bio-Cell side panels, which angle the interface from the desktop for simple access.
The US-1x2 is class compliant for macOS and is compatible with Windows PCs using an easily installed ASIO driver. You also can record and play back with iOS devices such as an iPhone or iPad, using an Apple Camera Connection Kit. Steinberg’s Cubase LE DAW for macOS and Windows and Cubasis LE DAW for iOS are included free so you can start recording immediately.
The US-1x2 USB audio interface is available now for a MAP/street price of US$99.
More: www.tascam.com
