The rack-mountable Zoom TAC-8 audio interface is designed to act as the central hub in both professional and home environments. It provides 8 analog inputs and 10 analog outputs, as well as 10 digital inputs and outputs (in both S/PDIF and ADAT Optical formats), plus Word Clock and MIDI I/O.

Whether you want to record large multi-channel 24-bit/192k sessions in your studio without worrying about latency or you want to bring your onstage performance to new heights, the TAC-8 allows you to take advantage of today's latest technology.

Recording

With 8 analog inputs and additional digital options, the TAC-8 allows you to record what you want, when you want. Record drums, bass, guitar, and vocals all at once, or go big with a 8 mic drum setup: or anything in-between. Thunderbolt speeds will ensure you won't have to deal with latency issues. The software mixer and output options let you customize your session to your needs.

On stage

The TAC-8 allows you to use your laptop onstage with high quality sound. Simply connect it to your computer with a Thunderbolt cable and then connect the rear panel TRS outputs to your mixing board or PA system. Whether you're a one-man band with an epic onstage rig or your TAC-8 + computer is the central hub for a band leveraging software effects and instruments, with 10 analog outs you can customize your rig to your needs.

Comprehensive connectivity at Thunderbolt speed.

Thunderbolt technology opens up doors for audio engineers.… read more With Thunderbolt, the TAC-8 provides 8 high-quality analog inputs, as well as up to 10 additional digital input options, at near-zero latency speeds. This gives creators of all kinds the best technology available in an easy to use interface, taking their work to new heights.

Thunderbolt: There's no quicker way to get from here to there

More than twice as fast as USB 3.0--not to mention twenty times faster than USB 2.0 and twelve times faster than Firewire 800--Thunderbolt is the interconnection technology of the future. Co-developed by Apple and Intel Labs, it allows signal to be transferred at an incredibly fast 10 gigabits-per-second, which means virtually no latency. Thunderbolt interfaces such as the TAC-8 are also unaffected by computer jitter (slight variations in timing).

Analog I/O

The TAC-8 provides a wide variety of both analog and digital connectors. Eight front panel combo XLR/TRS inputs accept mic- and line-level signals. Inputs 1 and 2 can also accept instrument-level signal from guitars and basses. Dedicated input gain controls and Clip LED's make it easy to set optimum input levels, and the selectable multi-channel Phantom Power feature allows for the use of condenser microphones.

Dual balanced analog TRS output jacks enable you to connect the TAC-8 to amplifiers or self-powered speakers, and there are also 8 discrete balanced TRS analog line outputs for multichannel monitoring or connection to external effects devices.

A large front-panel Output knob offers fast control of main output level, and there are two independent stereo headphone jacks, each with its own dedicated volume control for private monitoring.

Digital I/O

ADAT and S/PDIF digital inputs/outputs allow for the use of up to 10 inputs from external interfaces as well as 10 outputs, providing a combined total of 18 inputs and 20 outputs through the TAC-8 device. Built-in Word Clock allows for syncing between devices, and MIDI In/Out allow electronic keyboards, sequencers, and drum machines to be connected through the TAC-8. Thunderbolt speeds ensure precise audio and MIDI sync.

Additional Features

In standalone mode, the TAC-8 can be used as an 8-channel mic preamp and analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converter without being connected to a computer.
The TAC-8 performs 4-times up-sampling during both analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. In other words, when the sampling frequency is set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz, the TAC-8 processes the signal at high resolution 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz respectively. For A/D conversion, this means less aliasing noise; for D/A conversion, this means increased clarity and fidelity.

Extend your capabilities with software

TAC-8 MixEfx is a free Macintosh application designed specially by Zoom for the TAC-8. It provides a comprehensive onscreen mixer, with independent level, phase reversal, and panning control for each channel. TAC-8 MixEfx also allows you to freely route all inputs to all outputs and to create custom mixes for each pair of outputs. In addition, a variety of reverb and echo effects can be used as a send/return effect. Complete mixes can then be stored in three different memory slots, allowing instant total recall.

Features:

- 18-in/20-out high speed Thunderbolt audio interface
- Record and play back 8 tracks simultaneously
- Support for up to 24-bit/192kHz high-definition audio
- Ultra-low latency audio streaming
- 8 combo balanced XLR/TRS analog input connectors accept both mic and line-level signal
- High-performance mic preamps with up to +60dB of amplification
- Hi-Z switches allow direct connection of electric guitar or bass (INPUT1, INPUT2)
- Independent gain controls and clip LEDs for each input
- Switchable +48V phantom power (INPUTS 14, INPUTS 58)
- 10 balanced TRS output jacks for connection to mixers, amplifiers, self-powered speakers, or effects devices
- Dual front-panel 1/4" headphone outputs with dedicated volume controls
- Large knob output volume control
- 4x up-sampling during A/D and D/A conversion for reduced noise and enhanced fidelity
- Asynchronous transfer system unaffected by computer jitter
- Robust metal housing ensures roadworthiness
- S/PDIF IN/OUT: 2IN / 2OUT, up to 24bit/192kHz audio resolution
- ADAT Optical IN/OUT: 2 IN / 2 OUT at 192/176.4kHz (S/MUX4 compatible), 4 IN/4 OUT at 96/88.2kHz (S/MUX compatible), 8 IN / 8 OUT at 48/44.1kHz
- Word Clock in/out
- Clock source indicator
- MIDI in/out
- Rack-mountable (1U space)
- Works with all Thunderbolt-equipped Macintosh computers running OS X 10.8.5 or later
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