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US-122
Applications Guide
US-122 Compact USB Audio/MIDI Interface
06/30/03
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˘ USB audio/MIDI computer
interfacing
˘ Mac and Windows
compatible
˘ Two XLR-fed phantom-
powered mic inputs
with inserts
˘ Two line/guitar level
inputs
˘ 16 channels of MIDI I/O
˘ Adjustable zero-latency
direct monitoring
˘ Two line outputs with
level control
˘ Headphone output with
level control
˘ Self-powered via USB:
perfect for both studio and
location recording
˘ Includes ASIO, WDM,
GSIF and Apple Core Audio
(OS X) drivers
˘ Includes Cubasis VST
8-track audio recording/
MIDI sequencing software
˘ Includes GigaStudio 24
sampling workstation
software
˘ Compact and rugged
die cast aluminum
construction
˘ Dimensions: 149mm(H) x
60mm(W) x 196mm(D)
he TASCAM US-122 creates a compact,
portable bridge between your music
T
and your computer, whether you’re recording using microphones, guitars or MIDI
synthesizers. Two great-sounding, highheadroom Tascam microphone inputs
allow you to record the most challenging
vocal or musical sources. These mic inputs
feature professional Neutrik® XLR connectors and switchable phantom power,
which means they’re ready for any microphone you can throw at it.
In
addition,
you get W"
balanced
line inputs,
with selectable guitar level,
for compatibility
with anything in
your studio from
guitars and basses to
VCRs and drum machines.
Each channel gives you
a hefty level knob, signal
and overload lights to make setting levels a snap. You also get an insert point
on each channel for patching in hardware
gear such as compressors, gates and EQs.
For better performances when overdubbing, the US-122 features zero-latency
Direct Monitoring. (See the sidebar on
Direct Monitoring for more information). Twenty-four-bit resolution at
44.1kHz or 48kHz ensures better-thanCD-quality recording.
On the output side, the US-122
includes line outs and a W" headphone out
– each with individual level controls – so
you don’t need to switch off your speakers to work on headphones. Synthesizers
and samplers can be patched in using
the MIDI input and output. And you’ll
want to connect your MIDI gear with the
included GigaStudio™ 24 software, the
world’s biggest, best-sounding sampler,
and a special copy of Steinberg’s® Cubasis™
software. The included drivers
work with Mac® or PC com-
puters, and add support
for ASIO, WDM, GSF,
Sound Manager
and Apple Core
Audio (OSX)
software
stan-
dards.
Since the US-122 is
powered through the USB cable,
you wont need a wall-wart power supply
to use it with a laptop when inspiration
strikes on the road. And if you hit any
bumps in the road, you’ll appreciate the
US-122’s solid, steel chassis and robust construction. With exceptional sound quality, professional analog inserts, 16-channel
MIDI I/O and zero latency direct monitoring, it’s clear the US-122 is the ideal tool for
capturing your creative musical ideas into
your computer.
˘ Weight: 925g
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US-122
Home Recording
Applications Guide
06/30/03
Page 2 of 4
simple USB cable and the US-122 transform any
A
desktop Mac or PC into a recording workstation.
You don’t need to crack open your computer and wrestle
with PCI cards to add audio and MIDI recording hardware and software to your computer anymore. And the
controls are all on the top panel for quick, easy adjustments.
The US-122 has switchable phantom power and XLR
microphone inputs, allowing you to record using highquality condenser microphones. In the studio pictured
above, a pair of condenser mics are set up to record vocals and guitar while monitoring through headphones.
When you’re fi nished recording, you can easily switch
back to speakers thanks to the individual headphone
and line controls.
The MIDI inputs and outputs allow you to connect
synthesizers, drum machines, synchronizers, lighting
controllers, and hundreds of other musical tools. By
plugging a synthesizer into the MIDI input, you’ll be
able to use GigaStudio, the world’s most powerful and,
best-sounding sampler. In fact, since the US-122 is GSIFcompatible, it’s your best solution for using GigaStudio
on a laptop. The US-122 also includes Steinberg’s Cubasis VST software, so you’ll be ready to record in minutes
without buying extra software.
Monitors
USB
Computer
Microphone
Mic Input L Mic Input R
Line Out
Synthesizer
MIDI
Phones
Headphones
Microphone
Recording on the Road
he US-122’s design makes it ideal for use with
T
laptop computers, so you can carry your professional studio around in a backpack. With its rocksolid, die-cast aluminum chassis and robust, compact
design, you instantly know that the US-122 was
built for the road. And since it’s powered by the USB
connection, that’s one less wall-wart power supply you
need to cart around or lose.
The US-122’s Direct Monitor feature gives you the
fl exibility to record and overdub without suffering with
latency delay. You’ll easily record layer after layer into
the bundled Cubasis VST software, crafting your musical
ideas into fi nished productions. (See the sidebar on Direct
Monitoring for more information.) The line inputs of the
US-122 can be switched to guitar level, so you can plug in
direct without any extra baggage. And with 24-bit, 48kHz
recording quality, your late night motel room sketches
might just make it on to your next album.
USB
Computer
Microphone
Mic Input L Guitar Input R
Phones
Headphone
Guitar
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US-122
Video Editing and Multimedia Production
ure it’s called Motion Picture, but good storytell-
S
ing often comes from unique sound design. This is
where the US-122 can make the perfect addition to your
video editing or multimedia creation suite. Just plug it
into a free USB port to add high-quality, low noise sound
playback to any editing system. Its tiny footprint fi ts on
even the most cluttered video production workspace.
Applications Guide
Monitors
USB
Line Out
06/30/03
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The pro studio mic preamps are ideal for recording a
strong voiceover, whether it’s just for the rough cut or
for your fi nal product. You’ll also appreciate having a
mic available to add a sound effect, or even to record a
musical soundtrack. The built-in insert jack allows you
to plug in outboard processing like compressors and EQ
so you won’t need to re-record your voiceover in post
production.
What is Direct Monitoring?
hen you record a signal into your computer, it goes
W
through a few steps. First you set the mic or line
input level. Then it’s converted into digital audio, which gets
sent through the USB connection to your computer, where
it needs processing before it reaches the recording software. When this signal is played back, it has to go through
the whole journey in reverse. (See Figure 1.) And as fast as
modern computers are, this process isn’t instantaneous.
Figure 1.
Speaker
Computer
Microphone
Mic Input L Insert L
when you’re “overdubbing”, punching in changes to a
segment, or recording another layer over what you’ve
already recorded.
It’s because of this delay that we added Direct Monitor-
ing to the US-122. This feature allows you to hear what
your recording before the signal makes it’s journey to the
computer and back. (See Figure 2) Since you’re bypassing
the computer, there’s no delay in your headphones. You
even get a separate level control for the Direct Monitor,
and a Mono switch to sum the two channels together.
Even if you’re still unclear about Direct Monitoring, you’ll
understand the fi rst time you try to record without it.
Phones
Headphone
Compressor
Computer
Microphone
122
US-
This means that anything you record would have a
slight delay before it reaches your headphones or speakers. Even though it’s only a few thousandths of a second,
this delay (also called latency) can be distracting when
you’re making music. This delay is even more apparent
Figure 2.
Computer
US-
Speaker
Microphone
122
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US-122
US-122 Connections
Applications Guide
06/30/03
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˘ Two Mic Inputs with Neutrik® XLR connectors
˘ Switchable Phantom Power
˘ Two W" TRS Balanced Line Inputs
˘ Guitar/Line level switch per channel
˘ Two W" TRS Insert Jacks
˘ Two RCA Line Outputs
System Requirements
Mac:
˘ Mac with built-in USB port
˘ PowerMac 604e 200MHz processor (PowerMac
G3 266 MHz recommended)
˘ 128MB RAM (192MB recommended)
˘ Mac OS 8.6 through X (Cubasis is not Mac OS X
compatible)
˘ MIDI Input
˘ MIDI Output
˘ USB Jack
˘ W" Stereo Headphone Jack
Windows:
˘ Available USB port
˘ Intel Pentium II, AMD Duron or better
˘ 128MB RAM, 192MB for Windows 2000 or XP
˘ Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows ME,
Windows 2000, Windows XP
7733 Telegraph Rd • Montebello, CA • 90640 • phone 323.726.0303 • www.tascam.com
© 2003 TEAC Corporation All trademarks are the property of their respective holders. All rights reserved. Design and specifi cations
subject to change without notice. Product photographs are shown only to illustrate the types of product which are compatible with
the TASCAM US-122 Computer Interface. These products are not manufactured by the TASCAM Division of TEAC Corporation.
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