Product: TASCAM US-144
Price Paid: USD 200
Submitted
02/23/2007
at
06:40am
by
Goldfinga
Email: goldfinga888<at>gmail dot com
Ease of Use
:
10
The US-144 is a portable audio/midi interface (external "soundcard"), so it really only acts as a conduit for sounds that one puts it: The unit is completely transparent.
It connects up to a PC/MAC by way of USB.
The "Owner's Manual" is a small pamplet type booklet (25 pages incl. front and back cover!). Basic information about connections, installing the drivers and the additional software that comes with the unit (Cubase 3.0LE, GigaStudio 3.0LE). Other information supplied on the installation CDs.)
The firmware supplied is the latest version - updates easily available at the website.
Sound Quality
:
9
Like I mentioned before, the US-144 does not generate it's own sounds, its a "soundcard inteface" and is completely transparent.
For 'headphone monitoring' I'm using a pair of AKG K141's. I would have prefered an even more powerful output for the headphones (but then that's because my ears have suffered many years of 'guitar stack amps'!)
Reliability
:
No Opinion
I've only had this unit for a few weeks. It's a very sturdy metal case, and the fittings are all veery 'sound' (no pun intended!). However my only 'reserve' is with the 'rubber' buttons/discs used to adjust line/vol/etc levels... they're very soft to the touch and rubber is perishable!. The 'pots' themselves are very, very smooth in action (too smooth for my taste).
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Not applicable (yet)
Overall Rating
:
No Opinion
It certainly is/does what the Company's brochure says! There are many similar items available but a very different prices.
I bought mine through an Ebay authorised seller and saved myself over US$100! (From ordering, I had the unit in my hands within a week).
I'm using the unit with an 'old' ACER laptop (Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz, 1GB RAM). Software: I'm trying the software that came with the unit 'Cubase 3.0LE'.... and it's a DREAM! "ZERO LATENCY" (actually the latency is between 2-4ms - milliseconds but my ears can't hear the delay!)
My only 'problem' came when installing the drivers. I had to repeat the process about 3 times and go through 'deactivate' the internal soundcard about 5 times before XP decided to run smoothly (and recognise the 'new hardware'). I put this down to my OS system and NOT the US-144.
