Just like buses, you wait so long for a high track count USB 3 interface and 2 come along at once. Following hot on the heels of last weeks Presonus Studio 192 interface, Tascam get in on the act with their new flagship interface in the shape of the US-20X20 USB 3 interface.
Utilizing a high-performance Blackfin processor, the US-20×20 offers an advanced DSP mixer including EQ, compression and reverb effects on each channel. The inputs on the Tascam US-20×20 include eight Tascam Ultra-HDDA mic preamps have an equivalent input noise (EIN) of –125 dBu. And 20 dB of headroom on the microphone and line inputs allow to easily handle high SPL transients from percussion and instruments. With a total of eight XLR/TRS inputs, two TRS inputs, multi-channel digital inputs via S/PDIF coaxial, and optical digital connectors, a total of 20 simultaneous inputs is possible when operating at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz. As with the inputs, 20 simultaneous outputs is possible at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz utilizing the ten TRS outputs, S/PDIF coaxial and optical digital outputs. The optical input/output support S/MUX2 and S/MUX4 – required for high sampling rates. Using two US-20×20 and the optical digital connections, it is possible to configure a 16-microphone recording system.
The US-20×20 features mode switching which provides the options of using the US-20×20 as a standalone mic preamp, an audio interface, or as a mixer for sound reinforcement applications and complete connectivity to various types of audio equipment is achieved by utilizing the analogue inputs and outputs, digital input and output via coaxial and optical connectors, MIDI, and word clock BNC connectors.
Tascam US-20×20 Key Features
- High-quality Ultra-HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) microphone pre-amps with ultra-low noise (EIN: –125 dBu)
- Recording at up to 192 kHz/24 bit
- Support for Windows and Mac operating systems
- USB 3.0 computer connection for 40-channel audio transmission at 44.1/48 kHz or 24-channel audio transmission at 176.4/192 kHz
- 20 inputs/20 outputs available at 44.1/48 kHz/24 bit (10 analogue channels + 2 digital S/PDIF channels + 8 optical channels)
- 16 inputs/16 outputs available at 88.2/96 kHz/24 bit (10 analogue channels + 2 digital S/PDIF channels + 4 S/MUX optical channels)
- 12 inputs/12 outputs available at 176.4/192 kHz/24 bit (10 analogue channels + 2 digital S/PDIF channels)
- Three selectable operation modes: audio interface, standalone micpreamp, digital mixer
- DSP mixer with 4-band EQ and compression on each input channel (can be used in
- Interface/Mixer mode)
- Patch bay allows outputs to be assigned freely (can be used in Interface/Mixer mode)
- DSP mixer settings can be stored in up to 10 scenes
- USB Audio Compliance 2.0 for iPads and other iOS devices
- Reverb effect can be added to the monitored audio
- Low-latency monitoring via the DSP mixer
Inputs and outputs
- Eight XLR/TRS combo jack analogue inputs with switchable phantom power (48 V)
- Inputs 1 and 2 can be used for direct guitar input
- Two TRS (balanced) inputs on rear panel
- Input level range of 56 dB for using dynamic mics
- Ten TRS (balanced) analogue outputs
- TOS LINK optical digital multi-channel input and output (8 channels at 44.1/48 kHz, supporting S/MUX2 and S/MUX4)
- S/PDIF coaxial digital input and output
- BNC word clock input and output
- Two standard TRS headphones outputs with 2 x 70 mW output power
- MIDI input/output