Feature:
All about the 8 mic ins. I didn't bother with the Cubase LE; use FL Studio and it conncted up no problems at all.

Quality:
Plastic control knobs look a bit cheap, the metering is very basic; but the overall look is nice. Bang for the buck is awesome.

Value:
8 mics, nice sounding unit (equivalent to Focusrite Saffire LE) for 300+ delivered! Awesome value.

Sound:
Great bang for the buck. I don't own expensive pres, so I'm sure there is bette rout there, but it sounds great -- expected to be somewhat idsappointed on sound quality given the great price, and was leasantly surprised by the musicality of the sound.

Ease of Use:
I decided to experiment with this as a USB2.0 after a really hard time getting FW units working with my laptop (never got Firebox to work; Saffire LE does wrok, but took a lot of time and effort to get going). I'm told the FW problems arise if you don't have the TI chipset for FW. I don't care -- that should not be my problem to deal with. This was like butter, installed in minutes, no drops or pops, have done 4 simultaneous channels so far with ease.

Support:
no opinion

Overall:
I may eventually trade up to the Echo line someday, but only if I can truly hear a diference in the AD/DA. I don't own any separate pres, and perhaps will outgrow this if those reveal weaknesses not apparent with my current set-up. I had nothing but problems with FW (Presonus and Focusrite); very happy this USB2.0 unit works with ease.

• Submitted: 4/8/2008

Feature:
Happy with the units features.

Quality:
I would give it a 10 but the latency issue (trying to hear effects while recording guitar) is still an issue for me. Even if I don't figure it out, this unit is worth what I paid for it.

Value:
Definitely worth the price. ZZounds beat the price of a little known competitor and I got this for dirt cheap (less then open box price). ZZounds really came through on the price.

Desirability:
I like the fact that it is a rack mount interface. Pretty straight forward set up.

Sound:
This unit sounds great. I had a delta 44 previously which was a very solid interface but there is a definite increase in sound quality now that I am using the US1641. I had issues with my on board USB2 when installing this unit and installation failed the first time. I disabled the on board USB and installed a cheap USB card and the installation went fine. So far I have recorded 5 tracks (drums) at one time with no dropout or any other issues. The sound quality is great! My only issue is latency/delay when recording a guitar track and trying to hear the plugin effects while recording. I have made every adjustment that I can think of (I have read everything I can find about it also) and I still have a slight delay. I have also tweaked my PC for optimum audio performance. I'm thinking that I will eventually figure it out. Other then that, I am loving this unit. For the price you can't beat the number of inputs (and 8 of them XLR's!).

Ease of Use:
If you are computer illiterate you may need assistance in the event of USB conflict or latency issues. Don't give up though...this unit is worth the effort. Look to online forums (see tweakheadz site for instance) for help if needed or find a computer savy friend.

Support:
Haven't dealt with them yet.

Overall:
I expect to have this for a long time. It is perfect for my home studio. I did a lot of research before buying this and I'm glad that I chose this unit. Thanks to Tweakheadz.com for all of the valuable information regarding this product.

• User: a customer from comcast.net
• Submitted: 3/23/2008
• Style of Music: Acoustic, Rock, Alternative Vanilla
• Location: Auburn, WA

Feature:
It includes Cubase LE4 which I thought was an upgrade. When I installed it blew up my license for my CubaseSX3 and would not import any of my SX3 song files, and would not allow me to run SX3 any longer. It took me an hour to remove it and reinstall.

Quality:
Piece of CRAP - I have a Quad 2.8 processor, USB 2.0, 4gb ram, XP sp2, multiple SATA drives, and my recording drive is not the same and programs. I am running Sonar 6.1 Producer edition, and Cubase 3SX. I used to use RCP-1 card and never had these issues. I needed more inputs so I “upgraded” to your unit. But since purchase it has been a technical nightmare. I am spending more time troubleshooting than recording. 1 - when recording audio or playback, it would stall, or skip a bit, causing timing issues. This is very bad as I have lost many good takes and makes it impossible to complete assignments. 2 – In Sonar I cannot get it to work with ADSO only WHM in which case I can only use 8 channels, although Cubase works fine in ADSO? 3 - Sonar does not even playback, as soon as it starts it freezes up and gives a DROP OUT error. 4 - Every so often the sound would be distorted or shill, and I have to reset the unit by turning it off and on. 5 - In both Cubase and Sonar while recording a audio track the Midi tracks would either play in only one channel (left or right) or stop, stall, slow, speed up, and generally act erratic.

Value:
Worthless.....

Desirability:
Looks great, but does not work!

Sound:
It keeps failing

Ease of Use:
The software that controls this is a total joke, almost no settings.

Support:
I have called Tascam at least 10 times, and never got anyone on the phone. I tried in the morning, noon and night, weekdays. Nothing but perma hold. I tried emailing, but they dont answer that either. I sent over 5 and yet to get a reply. I even paid $4 to join a user sponsered Tascam Forum, since the company does not offer one. But after joining I found that they have no info on this unit No customer support AT ALL. Dont expect any.

Overall:
Sucks DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT

• User: a customer from onlinecorp.com
• Submitted: 3/8/2008
• Style of Music: All
• Location: Milford PA USA

Feature:
The unit is a little slim, but minor complaint. Nicely laid out and built overall though. Like the input/computer level mixer feature.

Quality:
This is my second Tascam USB interface, the first being the US-122. This new unit is a smart/no brainer upgrade if you need more inputs. I knew I was getting a quality product since I have had no troubles with the US-122 for years now. Again probably garners a higher rating but I haven't used "higher end" components to compare it with.

Value:
16 inputs for this price! Has worked flawlessly so far.

Desirability:
Very practical addition to my set-up.

Sound:
Very nice! Had this for a month and done a few simultaneous full band recordings...4 drum tracks, bass, two guitars and keys. Single track recordings have gone very well too. Paired with Sony Acid Pro 6 it has worked like a charm. We are all impress how quite the ground noise level is. Also, have tried some tests with external tube pre-amps and Di boxes, pre mixer and everything has worked like a charm so far. I might give it a ten but I've never used "higher end" interfaces before.

Ease of Use:
Got it talking to Sony Acid Pro 6 with little effort. Just read the recommended procedures.

Support:
Can't really rate it...Haven't needed it.

Overall:
If you're looking for a USB multi-track interface that has great value for the buck...get it! Just make sure your computer is up to the challenge.

• User: a customer from aol.com
• Submitted: 2/12/2008
• Style of Music: Progressive Rock, electronic
• Location: Denver, CO, USA

Feature:
It's ok. Average. Onboard VU's are tiny little LEDs. Multicolor, so one per each front channel. Central control hub(software) is pathetic, with hardly any controls or features.

Quality:
Cosmetics are descent. Software part of it should've never even left the lab - and that's what matters most. Looks are shallow anyways.

Value:
Paying even one dollar is too much for a product you can't and won't use.

Desirability:
This product is a like a blow up doll filled with raw sewage. Many folks I've contacted, have used it with many difficulties and problems, such as dropouts, clicks snaps, and poor latency. Again looks and low price mean nothing if you can't use it.

Sound:
Sound is descent. The A/Dc's and D/A'c are decent. But sound levels going into the DAW are surprisingly low. We have to nearly max out the input trim pot. This can't be good for sound. Thought it was just our unit, sent it in to Tascam, they sent us a new one - same thing: at three quarters of the way up on the gain, you hardly get 10-15db's into your DAW. This is with the singer singing at his loudest comfortable levels, directly into the mic, almost touching it. To get the desired -6dbs, I have to max out the trim. That sucks. Condensers give slightly better signal, but not much. I've tried various mics, dynamic and condenser - same result.

Ease of Use:
Drivers installation is kind of silly, requiring plugging and unplugging several times within set time windows. Latency only has five set increments - no user programmable parameters to fine tune. Central control hub is useless and feels very unprofessional, especially when compared to other products from 7 years ago in the same price range, with excellent software controls for fine tuning, patching, and routing.

Support:
The worst I have ever experienced with any pro audio. I could expect this from some flight-by-night infomercial "weight-loss miracle" company. Each time I called (and I had to call at least 5 times because of this product) I was made to wait an average of 10-15 minutes, was told that tech support is on lunch and to call back later, and worst of all I got yelled at by a very impatient and irritable tech support rep. And all I did was try to tell him my side of the problem. He just kept reading off silly elementary questions like "was the power button on", and wanted yes or no answers. Treated me like he was doin ME, THE CUSTOMER, a favor. Didn't apologize, didn't thank for calling, didn't even say "have a good day" before hanging up.

Overall:
We have a couple of tracks to finish, and we'll be selling/trading this disposable piece of technological brain-cramp for something better like a Firepod or an 8pre. and get a Motu 8pre - now you'll sound like a million $$$ studio.

• Submitted: 2/5/2008
• Style of Music: Classical, Rock, Electronica
• Location: Vancouver, WA - USA

Feature:
It would have been nice to see a unit with all the goodies on the front face; 2 rack space perhaps? I don't know if that would make it cost prohibitive.

Quality:
The quality is superb. China really wants to be the world's manufacturing ground...And it shows. Nicely put together, paint and silkscreening is clean and the english is real english. Not chinglish!

Value:
Definitively well priced. Perfect for a home based studio or even semi pro studio. I defy anyone to find something as extensive in features and sound for the same cash.

Desirability:
It appealled to me because of the amount of extras in has for the price point. I may even order a second one.

Sound:
Great unit for the price. Can't beat the sound you get for the money and added features. That's a norm I find with Tascam; Very generous for the money.

Ease of Use:
Real easy to set-up. Everything is there in the box. READ the INSTRUCTIONS properly and you're running in no time.

Support:
Not had to use their services yet. Don't think I will need to either.

Overall:
I will probably use this unit for a long time to come. The only other thing that may appeal to me is a controller of some sort. Also, those new Controller/ mixers like the Yamaha n12 are most likely the way things are going to go. For now, I'm happy

• User: a customer from bbmusic.bc.ca
• Submitted: 1/10/2008
• Style of Music: Rock, country, gospel etc...
• Location: Prince George, BC. Canada

Feature:
Usual

Quality:
just got it no issues yet so far so good

Value:
14 inputs for this price ..... wow

Desirability:
this is a must for any home studio.

Sound:
Good sound for the price

Ease of Use:
It setup quick and was ready to use in 20 min.

Support:
did not have to use yet

Overall:
everything is great. I went from a 6 input sound card that could only run on win 98 to finally being able to use win xp or even vista.

• User: a customer from comcast.net
• Submitted: 11/11/2007
• Style of Music: rock
• Location: mercersburg, PA, USA