Tascam US144 MK2 USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface

The US-144MKII seamlessly continues the worldwide success of its predecessor US-144 offering better recording quality from a unit further reduced in size. Since it doesn’t require an additional power supply, this portable audio/MIDI interface is perfect for creating 4-channel recordings from analogue and digital sources with a laptop computer.

XLR microphone inputs with switchable phantom power and high-quality preamps are the basis for good-sounding recordings, while input signals can be listened to by headphones with zero latency. Line-level and digital sources or an instrument can be connected as well. And there are separate level controls for the line and headphones outputs, a mono switch, MIDI input and MIDI output, as well as a coaxial SPDIF output.

The US-144MKII supports sample rates up to 96 kHz at 24-bit resolution. While commercial audio CDs are produced at 44.1 kHz/16-bit, this interface offers you more than double the sample rate which means more detail for your recordings. (If you’re fine with two audio channels and you don’t need a digital I/O, have a look at the Tascam US-122MKII.)

Features:

• Provides four audio inputs and four audio outputs (two analogue, two digital) for a Windows or Macintosh computer
• Two XLR mic inputs
• Switchable phantom power (48 volt)
• High-quality, low-noise mic preamps
• Two analogue line inputs (one switchable to high impedance for use with guitars, basses, etc.)
• Stereo digital audio input and output (input: SPDIF, output: selectable SPDIF or AES/EBU)
• MIDI input, MIDI output
• Up to 96-kHz/24-bit for high quality recordings
• Zero-latency hardware monitoring with level control and mono switch
• Separate controls for output level and headphones volume
• USB 2.0 equipped (also supports USB 1.1)
• USB-powered, no AC adapter required
• Solid aluminum side panels
• Cubase LE4 included

Analogue audio inputs and outputs:

Mic input XLR, balanced

• Nominal input level –58 dBu (INPUT control set to MIC) –14 dBu (INPUT control set to LINE)
• Maximum input level +2 dBu (INPUT control set to LINE)
• Headroom 16 dB
• Input impedance 2.2 kOhm

Line input 6.3-mm jack, unbalanced

• Nominal input level –40 dBu (INPUT control set to MIC) +4 dBu (INPUT control set to LINE)
• Maximum input level +20 dBu (INPUT control set to LINE)
• Headroom 16 dB
• Input impedance 15 kOhm

Guitar input (LINE/GUITAR IN R, GUITAR position) 6.3-mm jack, unbalanced

• Nominal input level –51 dBu (INPUT control set to MIC) –7 dBu (INPUT control set to LINE)
• Maximum input level +9 dBV (INPUT control set to LINE)
• Headroom 16 dB
• Input impedance 1 MOhm

Line output (LINE OUT) RCA, unbalanced

• Nominal output level –10 dBV
• Maximum output level +6 dBV
• Output impedance 200 Ohm
• Phones output (PHONES) 6.3-mm stereo jack
• Maximum output power 18 mW + 18 mW (32 Ohm)

Digital audio input and output:

• Digital input (DIGITAL IN) RCA (coaxial): Format IEC 60958-3 (SPDIF)
• Digital output (DIGITAL OUT): RCA (coaxial) Format IEC 60958-3 (SPDIF) or IEC 60958-4 (AES/EBU), selectable via the software control panel

Other inputs and outputs

• MIDI IN and MIDI OUT 5-pin DIN connector (conform to MIDI specification)
• USB port USB series B connector (4-pin): Format USB 2.0 High speed (480 MHz) USB 2.0 Full speed (12 MHz, USB 1.1 equivalent)

Audio performance

• Sampling rate 44.1 kHz / 48 kHz / 88.2 kHz / 96 kHz (USB 2.0, High-speed only)
• Bit depth 16/24 bit

Frequency response (MIC IN to LINE OUT)

• 44.1/48 kHz sampling rate: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +0.5 dB/–1 dB
• 88.2/96 kHz sampling rate: 20 Hz – 40 kHz, +0.5/–1.5 dB

Signal-to-noise ratio (LINE IN to LINE OUT, INPUT control set to LINE, 20 kHz LPF)

• Through ADC and DAC 98 dB(A)
• Through direct monitor 107 dB(A)

Total harmonic distortion (LINE IN to LINE OUT, INPUT control set to LINE, 1 kHz, +20 dBu input, 20 kHz LPF)

• Through ADC and DAC 0.0045%
• Through direct monitor 0.002%

Host computer compatibility Windows

• Operating systems Windows XP 32 bit SP2/SP3
• Windows XP 64 bit SP2
• Windows Vista 32 bit SP2
• Windows Vista 64 bit SP2 or later
• Windows® compatible computer with a USB port (USB 2.0 is recommended)
• CPU/clock Pentium 4 1.4 GHz or faster
• AMD Athlon 1.4 GHz or faster (or equivalent processor)
• Memory 512 MB or more for Windows XP 32-bit and Windows Vista 32-bit
• 1 GB or more for Windows XP 64-bit and Windows Vista 64-bit

Host computer compatibility Macintosh

• Operating systems Mac OS X 10.4.11
• Mac OS X 10.5.6 or later
• Apple® Macintosh® series equipped with a USB port as standard equipment
• CPU/clock Power PC G4, 1 GHz or faster, or Intel processor
• Memory 512 MB or more

Power supply and other specifications

• Power supply via USB (5 V, max. 500 mA)
• Operating temperature 5–35 °C
• Dimensions (L x W x H) 179 mm x 136 mm x 47 mm
• Weight 0.7 kg
• Included accessories: USB cable, Cubase LE4