TASCAM Series 208i USB Audio Interface

Build your studio around the TASCAM Series 208i, with 4 Ultra-HDDA mic preamps, 2 banks of ADAT optical audio ins, MIDI and word clock I/O, and 8 line outs.

Overview

The TASCAM SERIES 208i 20-In/8-Out USB Audio/MIDI Interface provides professional quality, expandability, both internal and bundled eﬀects processing, internal mixing, external software control, and more for studio, home, and live recording.

Supreme Audio Fidelity

It all starts with the best sound: TEAC and TASCAM have more than 60 years of high grade audio design experience. TASCAM Ultra-HDDA (High Deﬁnition Discrete Ampliﬁer) mic preamp circuitry guarantees transparent natural tone with ultra-low noise. A next-generation TASCAM audio interface engine delivers high-deﬁnition, 24-bit/192 kHz recording and solid stability.

Expandable Input Capability

Easily add more input channels to accommodate future growth by using external microphone preampliﬁers with S/MUX optical inputs to record drums, guitars, keyboards, vocals, and more. SERIES 208i has two S/MUX optical ports that can accept up to 16 channels of audio input from an ADAT- or S/MUX-compatible device.

Built-in DSP Effects and Processing

A DSP input and output mixer is complemented with digital reverb, compressor, phase invert, and 4-band EQ for each channel. Having these processors included internally eliminates all latency issues and takes the load off the computer allowing the PC/Mac to process the audio more efficiently.

Control Software for Matrix Mixing, Effects Processors, and More

Free, easy-to-use TASCAM Control software manages faders, processing, and the ability to route… read more any audio input (analog, optical, and USB) to any audio output. An efficient USB driver offers very high stability, ensuring 100% reliable performance every time.

Well-Designed Interface for Quick Production

TASCAM SERIES audio interfaces feature a large, easy-to-grab Monitor control knob that ensures you can quickly adjust the monitor output level. Their angled tabletop design offers easy access to all front-panel controls. A handy Monitor Balance control enables mixing live input with computer playback for zero-latency monitoring. Each analog input channel is served by an individually switched +48 volt phantom power supply for condenser microphones.

Outputs

The SERIES 208i provides eight individual analog outputs for versatile monitoring (up to four stereo pairs of monitor speakers) and surround audio (up to 7.1) for video production. By using TASCAM Control Software you can control how the outputs are routed and internal processing assignment. Dual headphone outputs are also included.

Mobility

SERIES 208i supports tablets and other mobile devices and is compatible with many applications to meet your recording needs now and in the future.

Start Making Music Immediately with Bundled Software

TASCAM SERIES audio interfaces are bundled with a series of software that allow full operational coverage: at the core of music production is Steinberg's Cubase LE / Cubasis LE; for instrumental recordings comes IK Multimedia's AmpliTube with guitar/bass modeling and colorful effects; newly added to the bundle is iZotope's redesigned Neutron Elements, which includes 4 powerful tools for creating great mixes; last but not least, IK Multimedia's T-RackS mastering software will finish up users' creations into high quality masterpieces.

Features:

- 20-In/8-Out USB Audio/MIDI Interface
- Four XLR/TRS combo mic/line/instrument inputs
- Four transparent, natural-sounding, ultra-low noise TASCAM Ultra-HDDA mic preampliﬁers
- Two optical S/MUX expansion ports that accept up to 16 channels of audio input (20 total -inputs)
- Eight ¼-inch analog line outputs for versatile monitoring and up to 7.1 surround audio
- Built-in eﬀects: reverb, compressor, four-band EQ, phase invert
- Powerful DSP input/output mixer controlled with free TASCAM Control software
- Software control of faders, routing, aux buses, effects, and phase invert
- Flexible I/O routing allows any analog, optical or USB audio input to be user-assigned to any output ports
- Up to 24-bit/192 kHz recording and playback
- Includes Steinberg DAW software and IK Multimedia AmpliTube and T-RackS world-class guitar effects/modeling and mastering software, and iZotope Neutron Elements mixing plug-ins
- MIDI interface
- Word clock in/out
- Dual headphone outputs
- USB 2.0 connection and custom USB driver with high stability
- Easy-to-understand operation

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs

RATINGSSampling frequencies 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHzQuantization bit depth 16/24-bitAnalog audio input ratingsMic inputs (balanced)1-4 (when the input switch is set to MIC/LINE)Connector XLR-3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)Input impedance: 1.5 kohmRated input level -64 dBu (0.0005 Vrms, GAIN knob at MAX)- 6 dBu (0.388 Vrms, GAIN knob at MIN)Maximum input level +10 dBu (2.45 Vrms)Gain range 58 dB1-4 (when the input switch is set to INST)Connectors: 6.3mm (1/4

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 5 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 16 x 9 x 4 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): SERIES 208I

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 323-726-0303
Web: https://tascam.com/us/support/contact

Reviews

(1 ratings)

Submitted May 2, 2021 by a customer from live.com

"Really killer interface"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I was using a really old presonus audiobox and decided to treat myself to something nice. Not disappointed at all. I bought a blemished unit and I think the box was the blemish as it was a tad beat up. Still factory sealed and so was everything in the box. Nothing blemished on the unit at all. Very nice quality and well built. knobs don't feel cheap or wobbly. The switches on the preamps for phantom/line are plastic and could be a touch nicer but still very good.Has more than enough preamps and expandability than I could ever need. As long as it lasts, I have no need to upgrade anytime soon. I plan on adding a subwoofer and a couple of midrange cubes so the extra outputs were a requirement when I was shopping for a new interface. I'm currently using it with a pair of presonus eris e44 monitors. The sides are removeable with screws so I do plan on making it a rackmount to fit right under my screens to free up some desk space.Sounds awesome with my guitars and a condenser mic sounds great also. Lots of clarity and headroom and very quiet. Don't own a dynamic mic yet so can't speak to that. Also pretty great as an all around sound card with my studio monitors with movies and gaming.The software it comes with is pretty decent. A version of amplitube (I already have so just the presets were useful). Of the handful of T-racks plugins, it comes with, I have only messed with the compressor and it's pretty good. I haven't registered the cubase that it comes with since I have reaper and… read more fl studio already and the tascam works just fine with both daws.There are a few gripes though. The knobs are super shiny and the notch isn't colored so it's hard to see in lower light where the levels are. Going to color those in with some nail polish or something. Not a huge deal because it's not likely I'll use both sets of headphones but they share the same volume levels. When you first install it, you have to turn the master up on the tascam mixer software it comes with or no sound at all. I didn't notice it for a long time and thought I had a defective unit. By default it's not turned on.If you can't get a good sound out of this unit, then you are definitely doing something wrong.

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