TASCAM FW1082 Firewire DAW Controller

10-in/4-out audio interface at 96kHz/24-bit resolution. Nine 60mm touch-sensitive moving faders.

Overall User Ratings (based on 99 ratings)
  • Overall:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Sound:
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Features:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Ease of Use:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Quality:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Value:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Manufacturer Support:
    3 out of 5 stars
  • The Wow Factor:
    4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(99) (see rating details)
Submitted October 26, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.ca

"Everything You Need for a Great Price!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
As I've said, this is an amazing unit for the price. I managed to find it used for a little less, but even the new price is great for what you get. It works perfectly with Sonar 7 and I've read it works just as well with most of the major recording software. I would recommend this unit to anyone!
Sound
It sounds great! Crisp and clear.
Features
I love the features on this thing. It has everything I need and they all work perfectly with Sonar 7.
Ease of Use
Very easy to use! After installing the drivers, I hooked it up and I had most of the features figured out and working with Sonar 7 within about 15 minutes.
Quality
It's very solid! The drivers are great too. They don't cause errors on my computer...unlike the drivers for some other interfaces I've used in the past. This is a top quality product for the money.
Value
As far as I can tell, there is nothing better for the price. It has everything you need for a home studio interface and control surface in one package.
Manufacturer Support
I haven't needed them.
The Wow Factor
It definitely makes my home studio look cooler!

Musical Background:

Active Musician, Aspiring Recording Engineer, Composer

Musical Style:

Soul, Rock, R&B, Jazz, Motown, Acoustic, Folk
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Submitted July 22, 2008 by a customer from bellsouth.net

"STREAM LINES THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF BEING IN STUDIO"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Basically this product will be the backbone of my setup until i can afford the Euphonix MC-5 or other Euphonix setup. Those Muthaz got LCD scenes on all the buttons. That is hot... HA. But yea this product is very good for the money it definately competes and out performs most other units. This product definately is an all around solution for me and my studio. It gives me those 4 Xlr inputs. I only have 3 mic so i dont even use em all. And my talkback mic is on my PreSonus so i have more than enough inputs to handle my needs for at least a little while...
Sound
I have routed all my sound to come thru this device. It performs flawlessly doesnt distort or alter my sound at all. Love it.
Features
I got this product with the recording package. Man it come equipt right out of the box to start making music. It totally stream lined my entire operation the Transport controls and touch sensitive motorized faders and gold. It was 2 MIDI I/O's. There isnt a device out that has that feature alone under a thousand. I only wish it had more that one Headphone output and surround mixer outputs. But thats what my Presonus is for... LOL.
Ease of Use
It is easy to take it out the box connect it and play but if you really wanna know your product take time to thoroughly look over the manual. Practice usuing the functions. It took me about 30 minutes to look over it and i learned so many ways to configure this device. Everything is assignable stupid easy...
Quality
Full metal body. the buttons are plastic but i cant think of too many that arent these days... LOL. but Solid as a rock. Feels like you could drop it, pick it up, dust it off and keep moving, without breaking a sweat.
Value
Got this with the recording package. So it was well worth the money. And the more that i use it the more i am convinced that even if i didnt get it with the recording package it is well worth it and its the only device of its kind under 600 dollars. Cant beat it. Only wishes it had a LCD on the device it would eliminate me having to scroll up on the screne to remember what sound is in what channel.
Manufacturer Support
havent had to use them.
The Wow Factor
Yo i bring buddies in the studio and they instantly want one. it is nice and well layed out...

Musical Background:

Musician, Recording engineer

Musical Style:

Hip-Hop, Rap, R&B, Soul
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Submitted May 4, 2006 by a customer from cox.net

"Depending on what you need this could be a homerun"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Great for the flow!! The Free version of Cubase (LE) only records 4 tracks at a time, Tascam should follow Mackie's lead and develop thier own software DAW.
Sound
Both Nuendo (pc) and DP5 (osx) work well and sound good with this item -- mic pres are adequate for instruments and limited vox -- of course @ this price point stellar conversion & dynamic range would be a waste. It's a lot more of a software controlling midi interface with 10 very decent inputs instead of a pro front-end.
Features
The 60mm faders have good response and come in real handy for automating a quick 8 track session, not the smoothest control surface around but it is the only item of its type avail @ this price point with motorized automation. If you were looking to use a master clock you'd have to route it through the SPDIF but your interface should cost more than your clock. Transport controls work as needed with no problems. It's super easy to level check your audio and the DAW levels.
Ease of Use
This is what this thing was built to do - be easy to use and get real results, If you haven't used alot of computer based music gear then it could be daunting task to get it all fully functional.(it'll take you an hour to really get it online)
Quality
well built -- not a tank, it can do a decent monitor mix for live but the house would easier. leave it (& your laptop) in the car. jacks seem sturdy, cool software based LCD read out always works without a hitch.
Value
there is not a single item @ this price point that does what this does.
Manufacturer Support
Cubase LE 1.07 doesn't work with OSX but 1.08 does, so I called to get a copy of 1.08 and the girl was super nice and told me it was back ordered for 2 weeks, they sent me the new one in 5 days. Under promise and over deliver -- you got love that!!
The Wow Factor
ooooooooo you like it like that!!

Musical Background:

Producer

Musical Style:

Hard Rock
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Submitted February 22, 2006 by a customer from verizon.net

"Good value/Good features/Good investment"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I'll definitely keep it until I wear it out or break it. It's completely compatible with the way I work (audio studio work for video and broadcast).
Sound
I've experimented with a variety of mixers, including top-of-the-line PCI audio cards. I think this model is a good competitor.
Features
Great features. No problems with this at all.
Ease of Use
As close to plug-and-play as you can get! Easy to install and set-up, works intuitively and solidly. The manual is well written (honestly, many companies don't produce decent manuals).
Quality
Solidly made except that I wish the channel controls were metal instead of plastic. You'll need to take a little care transporting it.
Value
Good value/features ratio. I'm pleased with it.
Manufacturer Support
Never tried to reach tech support so I can't comment.

Musical Background:

Recording Engineer
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Submitted October 30, 2009 by a customer from aol.com

"Buy it while it lasts. This thing Rocks!! If your recording music with your PC this thing is a must have!!!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Overall if your recording music with your PC This unit is a must have . You will also need a few other things , Like a bunch of great recording mics like AKG C214 & Heil Pr30 & Heil pr20. Just to name a few. Also get a good set of mic pres and some good monitors You will be blown away with the sound you are getting .
Sound
Sound is great . Mic pres could be better but i use stand alone mic pres anyway. Sound is better than most units that cost alot more. Just make sure you have some good monitors ,you will really hear some high end sounds.
Features
Loads of features ,Read the product book and after a few hours no more mouse clicks .
Ease of Use
This thing works perfect with cubase LE . Not one problom
Quality
Unit is made very well , I have been using mine for over a year and no probloms . Great inputs and solid faders . You might want to get a mixer cover to protect your unit from dust & smoke .
Value
Value is what most people look at ,but this unit should cost a crap load of more money than it does . So go buy it right now before there all gone.
Manufacturer Support
Never used there support , You really should not need to . Just read the product book & make sure your PC is up to speed.
The Wow Factor
Very sexy if you know how to use it . Like most DAW Control unit. the people that buy them should really get to know the unit before rating the product.

Musical Background:

Recording Engineer

Musical Style:

Heavy rock , Indust rock
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Submitted May 10, 2007 by a customer from cox.net

"Good mixer"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Overall its a good mixer and control surface and audio interface
Sound
Good Sounding mic Pre for the money
Features
It has the capability to become a generic controller for plugins and works well with logic
Ease of Use
Unit is Very easy to setup and use
Quality
The only con is the faders vibrate after a while
Value
Nothing compares to this product for the money
Manufacturer Support
Its kkinda hard to get in touch with tech support but when you get them they are very helpful
The Wow Factor
Its a nic elooking unit

Musical Background:

music Producer

Musical Style:

hip Hop R&B and POP
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Submitted January 12, 2011 by a customer from xtra.co.nz

"Excellent value in any one of its modes"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
I have upgraded my studio to more industry comparable pre amps etc, but this unit continues to be just as valuable as my DAW controller. I don't see any need to replace it in the near future. If it was stolen I would probably replace it as it is useful for taking to live gigs rather than lugging my studio rack.
Sound
I have to confess that as an amateur I am not really qualified to assess the sound quality. It seems to give an unaltered signal in and out, and thet is all I want!
Features
A great set of features for the money. It takes a bit of getting used to what looks like a mixer without the input attenuation, EQ etc, so it needs a bit different thinking.
Ease of Use
It can take a little trial and error and apparent rocket science to congigure the software, which can lead the newbie to thinking that the unit isn't working properly. (I took ages to find out that my Intel Mac needed a later version of the driver!)
Quality
Good solid unit. Gives a feeling of confidence that it will stand up to normal hard use! I don't particularly like the "hard" click of the buttons, but they seem to work fine.
Value
Awsome capability in the price range
Manufacturer Support
Tascam seems to avoid after sales service directly, but I have used their local agent and been very happy with their service
The Wow Factor
It looks very nice and impressive / professional on my desk. Sex appeal I reserve for animate objects!!

Musical Background:

Project Studio / musician

Musical Style:

Folk, Rock, Alternative
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Submitted March 10, 2009 by a customer from inoworks.com

"WARNING IF YOU WANT TO USE TASCAM FW-1082 WITH WINDOWS VISTA 64 BIT"

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I own this product since some time already. First it was used on Windows Vista 32 bit with 3 GB RAM and Sonar 7 Producer Edition. All worked perfectly. Then I switched to Windows Vista 64 bit and 8 GB RAM and this is where the problems began. Tascam insures that the driver works with 64 bit Vista. However, this isn't entirely true. I experienced what many other users have reported before: if you have more then 2 GB RAM the current driver will produce a horrible sound full of cracks that you cannot fix by any means. It looks like to be a driver error. This has been reported to Tascam and numerous peoples wrote them, me included, but never received a reply from them. SO BEWARE: if you do not expect to use Windows Vista 64 bit with more then 2 GB RAM, then this mixer is perfectly suited for you. If you want to use it with Vista 64 bit and more then 2 GB RAM, BEWARE - excepted if Tascam updates the driver. However, I noticed that the error only happens when you PLAY audio on Vista 64 bit with more then 2 GB RAM. Recording is NOT AFFECTED. Also you can continue to use the mixer as remote control for your software or virtual instruments. But you can forget about playing audio. For that reason I got an Edirol UA-25EX, that audio card works perfectly with Vista 64 bit and 8 GB RAM. All audio is routed via Edirol and I use now the Tascam mixer as remote control. However, the intent would be that I do not need a second audio interface...
Sound
The Sound is excellent, both recording and playing... if the driver works correctly with the operating system READ OVERALL REVIEW
Features
The mixer can work in computer mode for computer recording as well as work in independent audio mode. It is also perfectly suited to control your software (Sonar, Cubase, etc.) as well as virtual instruments.
Ease of Use
The manual is quite small and it takes maybe 2 hours to know how the mixer works.
Quality
The product is excellent and covers exactly what is expected... if the audio driver works with your operating system. READ OVERALL REVIEW
Value
If you have a compatible operating system and do not need support, then this product is absolutely perfect. READ OVERALL REVIEW
Manufacturer Support
Wrote to Tascam support, got never any reply. Similar experiences posted throughout the net. Do better not count on Tascam support. READ OVERALL REVIEW
The Wow Factor
If you are on Windows XP or Vista 32 bit, then this is the mixer to go. If you have on Windows Vista 64 bit you may run into troubles if you have more then 2 GB RAM. READ OVERALL REVIEW

Musical Background:

Home Recording

Musical Style:

Smooth Jazz, New Age, Symphonic Rock
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Submitted January 21, 2010 by a customer from aurorax.com

"Good price for 9 touch sensitive faders."

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Overall good quality product that will help you to eliminate a lot of mouse clicks. I don't need so many inputs now, so there's room to grow. I'm thinking to add something like BCF or BCR 2000 for a dedicated plugin control. In this price range there's nothing like FW1082. Sure there are better control boards and better interfaces, but not for the price with touch sensitive controls.
Sound
Good sound. I below 4 ms round trip latency at 128 samples without tweaking around.
Features
Works as advertised, but you always want more features. You can download PDFs from TASCAM website that will tell you exactly how it will work with your DAW. I doubt you can have more features without raising the price, but more assignable controls, more outs, LED display.
Ease of Use
Easy to use, but there's no quick way to reset rotary encoders to zero. Pan would not center at all it goes from 1L to 1R skipping zero. Faders work very good though.
Quality
Good. Very solid. Could of been smaller. Faders feel a little flimsy.
Value
It does a lot of things for a good price. There isn't anything else with more then one touch sensitive fader for this price. Alesis Master Control is getting close but also no Win 7 drivers yet.
Manufacturer Support
Read a lot of concerns that there won't be any Win 7 drivers. The current 1.70 driver works with Win 7 x64 though. Spent 20 min on hold to find out that there is an official Win 7 driver is being worked on.
The Wow Factor
Looks OK. Doesn't have sex appeal to me beyond it's design. Size shrinking, more controls, more LEDs here and there or maybe even LED display could help with sex appeal, but I bought it for what it does and for the price and not for the looks.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist

Musical Style:

Rock/Metal
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Submitted February 22, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com

"Best bang for buck if you need 8 audio ins and want a mobile solution with faders+transport"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
sweet
Sound
clean, clear and crisp inputs. line in's have enough gain for use with mics too if you need 8 mic in's.
Features
works with both my windows XP cubase setup and Mac OSX Logic setup. no problems. The moving faders and transport are a lifesaver.
Ease of Use
Did i mention the transport?
Quality
i got mine used and it's been holding up well. get a mixer bag for it for mobile use and you'll be up and running.
Value
excellent bang for buck
Manufacturer Support
drivers are good...contacting teac/tascam is a little difficult though.
The Wow Factor
moving faders baby

Musical Background:

hobby

Musical Style:

alt
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Submitted December 9, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Windows 7 will not be supported for this device."

Overall: 0.5 out of 5 stars
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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Tascam, Develope the friggen Windows 7 drivers before you drive your customers somewhere else. In this day and age you would think a company such as Tascam would understand demand and treat their customers with some respect and support those who want to upgrade to the latest operating systems.
Sound
For Windows Vista users I do recommend this product. Windows 7 users are getting dumped on. Tascam will not be supporting this device in Windows 7. If enough of us complain maybe Tascam will pull their heads out and get the 32 and 64 bit drivers developed for Windows 7 users and save the world!
Features
Again, Windows Vista users, this is an awesome product. Windows 7....forget it and find something else.
Ease of Use
Ditto, Windows Vista users, this is an awesome product. Windows 7....forget it and find something else.
Quality
This is a well built unit and fully functional with all versions of Windows except Windows 7.
Value
With Windows 7, it's worthless.
Manufacturer Support
Their support really does suck. Anyone who will not develope drivers for a product they still sell is out of touch with music professionals. Again no drivers planned for this product for Windows 7.
The Wow Factor
A beautiful unit under Windows Vista. A POS with Windows 7. I used to want it but now I want to upgrade to Windows 7 and this is the only component holding me back.

Musical Background:

Semi Professional Recording Artist

Musical Style:

Adult alternative, electronic
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Submitted October 4, 2005 by a customer from netzero.com

"pppfffftttttttttt!!!!!!!!!"

Overall: 1.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
maybe 3.5 if the problem is fixed i will revise this review,check out user forum if thinking about buying i wish i had
Sound
I've had this piece of s**? for about a week and it just sounds bad.The guitar input (channel 8)has a design flaw or something;static,hissing,popping,white noise
Features
features are great at least the ones that work (SEE SOUND!)
Quality
would be a definate 8 if everything worked
Value
again if it worked properly it would be a 10
Manufacturer Support
support sucks,ie;there is no support only user forums
The Wow Factor
looks cool,but still a pile of crap,if you want something that will make people think you know what you're doing this is for you

Musical Background:

Active Musician

Musical Style:

rock,blues,country,or anything with lotsa guitars
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Submitted July 16, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com

"Fantastic Price for the Quality/features! Go for it!!!"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Don't plan on replacing it. If it wears-out, then I will not have a choice. Would consider it again!
Sound
Sound quality is being produced (generally) as well as the sound is being delivered through it (quality of your mic's, instrument pick-ups, outputs, etc...).
Features
can't beat it for the price. Keep in mind- if you're going to use the Cubase on a 64-bit, you'll have to upgrade your Cubase (this is per Steinberg, who created Cubase)...
Ease of Use
Fantastic- again you can NOT beat the price!
Quality
Not too bad. The mute/selection keys seem a little "cheap", but are holding-up well.
Value
Absolutely! Anyone starting out with this (home studio, etc).... Go for it! I am truly impressed. (Read the manual, so that you do things CORRECTLY when setting it up)!
The Wow Factor
GREAT!

Musical Background:

active musician/home studio

Musical Style:

Rock, Country, Jazz, Contemporary Christian, etc.
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Submitted May 11, 2006

TASCAM FW1082 Customer Review

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
This is enough for what I do now. I may eventually want more inputs.
Sound
Sounds great 24/96 converters are good enough for what I do (and for most people I bet) Preamps sound clean. If you want better sound, buy preamps.
Features
Motorized faders are cool, except they move funny since I caught my cat sleeping on it. Heads up: If you have cats, close the door to that room. 8 inputs is great, especially for recording drums. Knobs are good quality rubber (better than the US 428 I used to own.)
Ease of Use
Really good manual- was up and running with no trouble on Cubase SX 3, midi syncing and all. Really clear to understand. Very simple to use compared to a Yamaha 01x (they have the worst instructions ever by the way)
Quality
I think everything is high enough quality for what I paid for it. I wouldn't take it on the road unless you have a good case (as with any mixer I guess)
Value
Best bargain I could find compared to others including Digi 002, Yamaha 01x...
Manufacturer Support
I dealt with them 2 years ago when I had a US 428. They were great to deal with, and I wasn't put on hold at all.

Musical Background:

active musician

Musical Style:

punk/metal and hiphop with rock vibe
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