Tascam US-16x08 – USB Audio/MIDI Interface (16 in/8 out)

Product Information

The Tascam Model 16 all-in-one music studio is a professional tool that combines recording, mixing and recording effects in one simple box. This versatile audio interface makes it possible to process any recording through various methods, and save it as a WAV or AIFF file. With a single control panel, you can record, mix and control any application through its 16 audio interface destinations. A bright LED meter ensures you set your gain at the optimum levels for any instrument or vocal. This helps tread the line between sweet saturation and harsh clipping. In the end, the best audio interface for you will at least partly come down to price, so you’ll be pleased to know that our list of recommendations in this guide covers a broad range from beginner to pro. We’d also recommend reading our guide focused specifically on the best budget audio interfaces if you have less to spend. The Clarett+ 2Pre is a reasonably simple interface with some very handy features, that offer subtle yet welcome improvements over its predecessor.

All that said, this model from Tascam is one of the best value USB audio interfaces your money can buy if you're after a multi-input model. You're not going to get the sound quality of Abbey Road, but on the other hand that album was recorded using way fewer channels of audio. Bundled Software: ME TotalMix FX, Total Mix Remote (iOS, Mac, PC), Brainworx Plug-ins, Scuffham S-Gear Amp Collection But as always, which interface you choose depends on a) your budget; and b) your needs. Not all audio interfaces are made the same, and some of the above will work for your studio, while others won't. Inputs: 2 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/Hi-Z), 6 x XLR-1/4" combo (mic/line), 1 x Coax (S/PDIF), 2 x Optical (ADAT)

The I/O section is placed in the rear with two combo XLR/TRS inputs for the XMAX preamps, Main L/R outs, Headphone Out, Power Button, and USB connection. The Clarett+ 2Pre on test has two mic pres with combo mic/line/instrument inputs, four balanced outputs, MIDI I/O, and ADAT for a total of 10 ins and 4 outs. It is USB 2.0 compatible, with a connection via a USB-C port that supports bus powering but from a device that provides 15W (or use the included PSU instead). Focusrite's Control software is easy to use and also available as a simplified iOS app, so you can control levels, including your low latency monitoring mix from your phone. EVO 16 works straight away on macOS, without the need to install any drivers. If you’re a Windows user, you’ll have to install the drivers. We suggest utilizing the user manual for this purpose. We also recommending installing the EVO software app as it allows for deep control of the unit and full utilization of the outputs.

Thankfully, manufacturers rarely skimp on the quality of their preamps, often equipping their entire range of audio interfaces with the same preamp found on their flagship model. Not all inputs will have a preamp, so it is crucial to consider the actual number of preamps available, particularly for recording with condenser microphones. The Volt range has the affordable market in its sights, and here we're looking at the Volt 176 and 276. These look very different from other UA interfaces and have a very different remit. There’s no plugin hosting, onboard software processing, or Console software. These are plug-and-play, with UA’s excellent preamps and, in the case of the two units here, the benefit of onboard analogue processing. A digital signal processor is essentially a microprocessor chip that is mostly used to create systems for digital audio signal processing and telecommunication. A digital signal processor’s job is to take real-world signals—in this example, audio signals—and digitally process them.Before we dive headfirst into the features of each one, it's worth noting that some interfaces are described as having 16, 24, or more, simultaneous inputs. While the blurb isn't an outright lie, often the total number includes an ADAT or other digital audio input, as well as the analog connections. Audient EVO 16 too, has a very similar profile to 16R and while it isn’t a flagbearer for the best sound, it does have a new and intuitive display/interface as well as a higher number of inputs/outputs. This actually makes EVO 16 a premium option if you don’t want mixer features, have a limited budget but still want a reliable unit with smart features. It even looks the best! Granted, system latency isn’t an issue with the MOTU 16A’s lightning-fast Thunderbolt connection, but the onboard DSP mixer still has a lot of advantages you’ll find handy in a variety of situations, such as when you’re connected through USB. For starters, this digital mixer can handle up to 48 inputs (through AVB expansion) and 12 stereo buses, allowing you to create incredibly complicated routing schemes without the need for a computer. In fact, if you connect a wifi network to your 16A, you can use an app on your iOS smartphone to access all of its internal mixing functions, including effects and processing, thus turning this powerful audio interface into a standalone mixer. When it comes to onboard processing and effects, the 16A’s DSP EQ, compression, gate, and reverb will come in handy whether you’re in the studio or onstage. The MOTU 16A (I assume this stands for 16 analog inputs), is another interface with 16 analog inputs, which is honestly pretty rare these days.