Review: Tascam US-224
The Tascam U-224 was designed for people who prefer moving real faders and knobs rather than adjusting on-screen versions with the mouse. Ian Waugh fades and fiddles...
| Product | US-224 |
|---|---|
| Company | Tascam |
| Web | www.tascam.co.uk |
| Price | £269 |
| We like | Responsive controls, USB-powered, 24-bit support |
| We don't like | Only two audio inputs, bundled software limited |
| Rating | 7/10 |
| Requirements |
Hardware controller interfaces they're called. External devices for controlling a sequencer using "real" controls as opposed to the virtual equivalents in software. For those musicians who were brought up with hardware mixers there's no denying their appeal. Even users who are quite at home with a mouse and virtual studio may find that the tactile approach adds an enjoyable edge to their work.
The Tascam US-224 is the baby brother of the US-428 which has been around for about a year and a half. Both come in a plasticky box but the faders and controls are very positive and they look neat and hi tech.
The US-224 is not just a controller. It contains an audio and MIDI interface, too, so you don't need a separate soundcard. It has two analogue inputs which can accept Mic, line/guitar or XLR inputs, plus a digital In and Out. You can hear what's going on via a Line out and a Headphone out.
It has four channel faders plus a master fader, a couple of trim knobs, a set of transport buttons for controlling a sequencer, plus several buttons for activating various other features.
Plugging it in
Installation is easy. The unit is USB so when it's plugged into the computer it automatically asks for and installs the drivers. It also takes its power from the USB port so there's no faffing about with a power supply.
It comes bundled with a special version of Steinberg's Cubasis VST sequencer, designed especially for the unit. However, it's based on the older version of Cubasis (which, in turn is based on Cubase 3.7) rather than the newer one (which is based on Cubase 5) so it lacks a few features and although it supports VST and DirectX plug-in effects, it doesn't support virtual instruments.
It is also limited to 8 audio and 16 MIDI tracks which even beginners might soon find limiting. The US-224, however, can be used with virtually any sequencer.
Operation is very easy. The main omission is phantom power (which doubtless keeps the price down) so if you use a capacitor Mic you'll need a pre-amp. Basically, you plug in an audio source, adjust the level and start recording. Input Monitoring lets you hear what you've recorded while recording another tracks.
Fade away
You can then use the faders to mix down the recording and record the moves into the program using Cubasis' mixer automation. Neat. You can also adjust pan positions by holding down a channel's Select button and moving the Data wheel. Not so neat but it works.
You can move through the set of on-screen faders in steps of four by pressing the unit's Bank button so if you're happy to mix in lots of four - no problem. It works with both the audio and MIDI mixer so you can use it to mix all parts of a song.
The US-224 supports 44.1kHz and 48kHz sample rates and 16- and 24-bit recording. Cubasis only supports 16-bit audio but you can use the US-224 with virtually any sequencer, generally selecting it from a Remote Devices menu.
Summary
The main thing to consider is if the US-224's facilities will be adequate should you already use or later upgrade to a more powerful sequencer. It really depends on how big your mixes usually are and how you work.
If you're happy with two audio inputs and four faders, you'll find the US-224 very effective, fun and easy to use. If you carry your studio around in a laptop, then its USB powering means you can take and use it anywhere that you use your laptop without needing another audio or MIDI interface.
