@@GrauFPV I wish my older Tascam dp03sd could do that. Was trying to send main outs to my Zoom camera and need to bring main fader down which in turn brings my headphone level too low.
I got the model 12 last July and love it. Was using a Tascam 424 mk iii (cassette 4 tracker) before and the things I miss from my 424 are the pitch control and not having the ability to rewind and punch in when I make a mistake. Going to be experimenting with sending tracks out of the model 12 back into the 424 to give it that special tone (tape compression) and comparing the mixes. I love the clean sound of the model 12 but also miss the way tape analog gave it a little something special.
I’m in the same camp, my porta 4 track just sounds great, even the noise floor isn’t too bad with dbx but not enough channels without bouncing down is limiting my workflow. I might run my stuff back to two stereo tape when mastering cause yeah, all these modern recordings sound like a bad creed record to me, kinda bristle sounding, well i guess thats the opposite to warm. I haven’t found a modern system I like the sound of out of straight except hearing a midas 32 but it sucks to work with, for me anyway. The midas might have been the compressors and or it was just the nuemann U 87 that made it sound good though, didn’t hear anything else on it that sounded specifically good and perhaps I would get tired of the sound without enough time on it. I think I might get one of these tascams
And surely they could bring back the pitch control, i found it essential to find where a mix bounced just perfectly and that you could shift cadence with voice or whatever like the beetles did with their voices on tape (though I thought that sounded crap too lol), sometimes the feeling is near impossible to create without a variable knob at your fingers, if I buy one of these I will prob still mix down to tascam to find the right feel with speed then rerecord everything at the new tempo if I have to, or start on the 4 track, find the speed, copy to a channel on the 24 and play in the other channels, surely someone could invent a solid state magnetic recorder that sounds like tape but is feeding into a digital signal path like cmos cameras do with light, a quantum dot solid state metal sound sensor
Hi, thank you for the review. I know I'm late - you already sold the unit. I'm still figuring out that monitoring issue (don't have unit yet), but for those who just came, here is what I've cut from the manual and might be helpful: "Connecting headphones: Connect headphones to the PHONES jack (standard stereo). The following signals can be monitored according to the SOLO and AFL switch settings. * Signals output from the MAIN OUTPUT connectors * Signals output from the SOLO L/R bus * Signals output from the AUX 1 bus * Signals output from the AUX 2/FX bus" And about monitoring, looks like the SUB output is intended for this: "Monitoring is important when recording and mastering. With this unit, monitoring is possible using an external monitoring system (powered monitor speakers or an amp and speakers) or using stereo headphones. Use the SUB fader and PHONES knob to adjust the level of the monitoring system."
Nice tutorial and thank you very much for your time in pointing out problems and fixes for this Unit. Have a blessed day and don't forget to Enjoy Life
Appreciate your con points - we need more of this type reporting. Thanks. Am wondering if there is input routing? A must feature when using one mic to lay down harmonies in different tracks. Plugging and unplugging not good.
I actually sold this a while back as it kind of was more functionality than I ended up needing, but I have heard that several of the complains have since been fixed! So I’m not sure if it’s current state, but is nice to hear that things were fixed
Gold review. A few other points on the headphone out issue - In the Mixer menu there is an option to toggle AFL/PLF mode. In AFL mode the headphones and the main out get exactly the same output at all time as you state in the video. But in PFL mode that’s not the case... when you hit a solo button the headphones get the solo track while the main mix keeps playing. You can use this to check levels while mixing a band without interrupting what the audience hears. Further FYI, the Model 16 ONLY has a PFL solo mode, no AFL capability. However the solo mix and headphones are strictly via by the Control Room fader not the main. Also the buttons below the headphone volume on the Model 12 do allow the headphones to hear a completely separate mix - the Aux bus, which can be configure and selected as pre or post fader in the menu as you wish. I do wish they had made this button 3 way (main/aux/sub).
You missed the most obvious fix on the headphone issue. I run the sub out to my monitors and only use the main fader for headphones. Works perfectly! Not ideal, I agree but no extra pieces needed.
the headphone vs speaker monitors bums me out. I have a Yamaha mg82cx and the headphone volume is dependent on the monitor speaker output. If you were to use the headphones you need to put the monitor speaker volume to 2-3 and then the headphone volume would work. Of course you need to lower the monitor speaker volume on the speaker itself. The problem is that if you turn on the monitor speaker volume and you have the headphones plugged as well it would blow the headphones speaker if you left it at high enough. You would need to remember to turn whatever you wont be using down.
Model 12 and model 16 have the same issue. Model 24 has independent amps so Headphones and Main out have different amps not shared. Model 24 share headphone and monitor amp but NOT main out. Problem is model 24 is $1k.
Real quick what I use to do with my old mixer is plug my monitors up to one of those smart home wall plugs so I can turn the monitors off from my phone when I didn’t need them.
Compared to the 16 and 24 this model has a feature that High End Audio Equipment has, and no reviewer has spoken about it (yet - that I have seen?). I might have to do my own review after I buy one. And reviwers say Sweepable Mids, but I prefer cause it sounds better 'Quasi Parametric'.
Definitely appreciate the honesty on your negative points, but just curious to hear more about the positive features that gave it such a strong score of 8/10. Thanks for the video, I'm going to keep all of this in mind before purchase.
Great review! I recently grabbed an external headphone amp so I could monitor my main mix while also hearing L + R channels from my computer while streaming on Zoom. There seems to be no other way to get a true stereo mix to headphones while also avoiding sending my viewers voices back into the Zoom call.
my main use for the model 16 is for use with my daw, and it does that beautifully. like you pointed out however, the amount of extra fiddling required to get a stereo mix isolated is cumbersome. atleast there is a solution! thanks and much love!
I'd like to use this board for live shows. Specifically for running open mics. I'd like to bring music in and out from my laptop between performers. But I want to be able to use my headphones to cue a song without that song coming through the main speakers. Is there a way to do this without having to buy an extra amp to go through sub? Can I send my laptop audio to aux and monitor that way?
didn't know a switch could be either digital or analog, i thought they were all mechanical... but nothing to say about latency, jitter, thd+n, bandwidth or routing possibilities ? maybe the haptic feeling of the input switch is more important...
Can you have different FX on different channels? Say I want channel 1 to have "delay 1", channel 2 "chorus" and channel 3 "flanger"? For use in a live rehearsal setting.
Another problem that I am facing is that the sub outs do not work in DAW mode. So in my setup I want to mix down my Ableton mix to my Akai GX-4000D tape deck, but the sub outs do not send signals in DAW mode. Would you happen to know a work around for this? Thanks!
To be totally honest I haven’t used this unit in a couple of years, and sold it. I had other ventures come a long in life and put music on the back burner
Another question if I may, any chance you can demo the way the DAW controller works? How does the system manage non-motorized faders? Do you lose your fader levels in your DAW if they don't match or it locks when the level matches the one in your DAW? TIA
okay, so I actually don't use the daw controller mode until I'm ready to mix, and then you just make sure each track is in its right spot. the faders on the unit will affect the daw faders only when moved on the physical unit. so you open a song and your faders dont match the model 12, as long as you don't adjust them physically they won't affect your daw... conversely as soon as you touch thebfader in daw controller mode it activates it. I hope this helps?
@@GrauFPV thanks for your reply. So when you switch from one bank to another, the levels will keep changing, well, as soon as you need to adjust 1 or 2 db and will mess your mix. Unlike Zoom mixers, where again non-motorized faders, don't trigger change in your DAW until the fedar matchrs the point in your DAW fader. A much useable option. Again, much appreciated 👍
I have Mixcraft and have yet to get the Model 12 to interface correctly with it. Otherworldly sounds or one channel out and so forth. In effect, this unit is pushing me toward DAWlessness.
Easy fix for the headphone problem: Use the Sub outs instead of the Main outs. If you need to see the meter from the Main outs select the main button on the right side of the Sub fader.
absolutely love this..and i only usse it as a multi track pretty much.and yeay i agree with the flaw..the headphone thing still baffles me to no end..why did they do this?? it has to be done totally on purpose..why tascam??? WHY !!??...
Hi great video!! Just bought it and i am trying to find a way to customize some buttons on the console for daw controller mode on studio one. Also, I can't move to the next channels to control them with the faders.. i can control only the first 8 channels. Did you find any way to make this work? Thanks for your time and your video ❤️
Hey! Don’t know if you figured it out already but there is a section of this video where they explain moving over through channels. This is for logic but I believe the same thing should apply for studio one. ua-cam.com/video/wTRVWiajhQI/v-deo.html
This video did answer a couple questions I had but hadn't seen answered elsewhere. The shortcomings you pointed out won't have any effect on what I want to use this for. I do kind of wish you covered the storage cards and more details on the USB interface. I will use this with Reaper, Audacity or Studio One. Thanks for the cool video and I subbed so I can follow your informative stuff in the future.
Thank you, and I didn’t even think to cover the storage side of the unit, as I use it directly with studio one. But yes indeed I should have covered that! I appreciate the sub, and my work is pretty midge posher, so you never know what direction I’ll be going ...it’s a constant shift!
I just bought it, sounds very good, my cubase is reading it but two annoying things: 1) I can’t connect my pedal on the aux, it has only aux out, no returns? 2) the return of my laptop is going only on channels 1 and 2 which is a waste, I can’t use those two channels for my other instruments when im producing If anyone has any tricks and tips for those two issues will be very much appreciated 🙏🏻
I have been in a building process of the new studio for a while now, so the unit is in a box….but, you can indeed use more than just the first 2 channels, but I can’t remember the settings at the moment.
Hello! Am wondering if all the knobs become midi controllers as well? Or just the faders and pan knobs? Would love to use all those extra knobs and assign them to synth vsts basically
What do you think about the Zoom Livetrack L-20 ??? I almost have my mind made up on the Model 24, but now I’m second guessing? Before…I was going for the Dp-24sd but I got cold feet. What should I get ??? The Model 24 or the Zoom Livetrack L20 ??? Please help me with this indecision ??? Did I say please?
I really like the model 24, and it’s capabilities, but I’m on a different path in life now since making this review and have sold my model 12 along with most of my music gear.
great video but I'm confuse on why in DAW control the playback is in mono and not stereo but soon as you take it out of DAW control it return backs to stereo , am I doing something wrong within my set up or I.O. ?
Can you confirm the headphone level is pre or post Main fader? Meaning, you can have the main fader down but still, be able to adjust the headphone level or you need the Main Fader up to hear anything on the headphones?
@@GrauFPV Thanks for the reply. Never thought TASCAM would cut cost for such an important audio route, especially if they are aiming the Model 12 for home studios, where the majority will use headphones while tracking. This not only makes the onboard headphone useless 99% of the time (why listen on headphones when you can hear over the speakers) but also plans to use the sub for other audio gear becomes very limited.
@@GrauFPV Looking at the flow diagram and being digital, I hope the option for phones to be pre or post-fader could be added with the next update. Hoping... Thanks again for the reply.
@@fredflintstone1428 AUX 1 is not only also the FX, also the AUX 1 & 2 are mono feeds. All TASCAM has to do is implement the MAIN fader MUTE to XLR outputs only. Problem solved.
Do these new rascals still skip Eq on the record in . I skipped on this and the korg because I Eq my synths and drums going in so for the most part all I have to do is volume changes when the vox are laid
Unfortunately, the Model 12 has very few buttons that work in DAW mode. It’s the faders, solo, mute, etc. The Model 12 is GREAT but is very limited in DAW mode.
Regarding the MAIN being supplied to the headphones & monitors simultaneously, could you not insert a passive mixer between the main out & the monitors & turn down the volume on the passive mixer when using the headphones. Passive mixers are cheap & can be found aplenty.
I have a deal breaker, and this goes for all the current multi-track units: there are no polarity switches. This is why so many amateurs have a hard time recording and mixing multi-mic recordings. It's imperative and there's no substitution for a polarity switch, yet no one is offering them in their newest models. *face palm*
Valid points brotha! I used this mostly as an interface and it worked well for that, however I downgraded as I just didn’t really need it for my studio
Mr President sir is right. The mixer isn't balanced, so polarity has to be swapped before the signal leaves the mic preamp. "It's imperative and there's no substitution for a polarity switch, yet no one is offering them in their newest models." Actually, there is a substitute for a polarity switch. You can make or buy a cable that switches the 2 signal conductors. Its does the exact same thing a switch does.
@@kensmechanicalaffair In pro environment, balancing is used for noise reduction and long cable runs. For this discussion, a balanced connection has 2 signal conductors and a ground. The 2 signal conductors our out of phase with each other. One is a +, the other is a -. That's its polarity. It's not the same as a hot and a ground that you would normally see. Both signal wires are hot, and the +/- are only used to show the cables polarity. When you need to change polarity, you just swap the signal conductors at one end of the cable. Sometimes the gear you are working with has a switch to do this, but if it doesn't, you can do the same thing with a cable or adaptor. Its exactly the same either way you do it.
@@GrauFPV ah…ok! (You did say you were answering the question “does it POWER the SM7B” so that’s what I found confusing… Do you still use this TASCAM and do you still rate it? I went from an Akai DPS 12 to my current Akai DPS 16 but it’s getting a bit long in the tooth and transferring audio tracks to computer one by one is becoming a chore! & So I’m in the market for something newer that doesn’t need to have any effects or midi but I quite like the fact I can Record on eight and put simultaneously on my Akai and I would miss that so how many simultaneous inputs does this have? Also what does it record on?! Is it an SD card or a hard drive or what? Thanks for your time!
Well, I use the model 12 as an interface and daw controller, so all the audio goes to studio one. When using the phantom power with the sm7b directly it doesn’t do anything as it’s a dynamic mic. The pre amps in the model 12 can get usable sound with the sm7, but for the extra 200 bucks you get the extra clean gain with a cloudlifter. I use a lot of different mics, and the model 12 works great with them all. The sm7 is just known for being an extremely quiet mic. I’d give it a solid 8.5 out of 10 for my use, and see nothing else in the price range that does all this does. My only real complaint is the fact that headphone and main out are not able to be split without a hassle. Otherwise it’s the perfect unit.
@@GrauFPV I'm still searching and the model 12 is still in my list. I already use a seperate Headphone amp with 4 outputs so 1 weakness doesn't bother me :D.
Hey I seriously need help with this Tascam 12, I only have headphones at the moment and computer, and I can’t seem to figure out how to get the audio from the tascam so I can hear what i recorded... i don’t know how to hear what i’m recording
@@GrauFPV Yea that doesn’t seem to be the problem, i made sure i started from the beginning and the record button wasn’t on when i stopped recording, so i need some special equipment in order to hear my recordings? also i’ve noticed i don’t get any movement on the Main meter bars that show the signal coming in.
Are you sure you are actually recording? I made a mistake when I first got it and forgot to put an sd card in it....I generally use it with my computer. The only other thing I can think is that your main mix volume is cut somewhere I would try to turn all the sliders up to an audible level on the first 2 channels and sub/main mixes and switch to meter mode on the channels you want to hear. See if you get sound at all, then you can troubleshoot where your main issue is coming from by deduction
Ok also what daw are you using, and make sure your asio drivers are up to date, then make sure in device settings your input and output are set to the model 12, then you should be good to go as far as connected to the computer. Then in the rascal menu set usb to stereo mix out, and select the tracks you want to use as an interface on the 3 way switches pc or direct, depending on purpose. You should be able to get sound if if any of this makes sense..... if not, I’ll try my best to help ya out!
I just bought it and now I have a big doubt, can it replace my soundcard ? Can it be used as sound interface for MacBook Pro with cubase pro 9.5? Anyone can help me with that ? I still have time to cancel my order lol
I believe it does bypass the sound card but I’m not positive exactly what you’re question is. It’s a great little setup, but it doesn’t fit everyone’s needs
Hi, I'm really interested in this unit. I already own a MOTU M2 for audio interface so I was looking to purchase this to use exclusively as a DAW control surface. Would it be possible to use all tracks for just VST instruments? Will I be able to adjust the knobs while recording the VSTs or only after? Thanks!!
Hey i just want to use the headphone outs as aux mixes to record into samplers or just doing separate submixes which i can feedbackloop back into other tracks It can do that right? "Cleanly"? Heard that the zooml12's headphone outs are too noise for this
Just Bought one and I must say. I’m rather Disappointed in 2024. Set up should be effortless but it’s not in any way shape or form. It’s honestly rather mind numbing.
@@MB-kx5qs I went through 3 of them and they all had different(in some cases multiple) issues. The service was terrible. I could not use any of the three as audio interface on any of my three computers and I have absolutely no problems with many other interfaces(Focusrite, mackie, yamaha and even old digitech). Sliders and knobs are all inconsistently tight and loose, the first Model16 died on day 3 completely. Apart from that EQs are way inferior to Mackie. I
Haha well I guess it’s not technically click bait, since that is a deal breaker for a lot of guys. I made the review mostly because I didn’t know that feature before I bought it
I said my first click would be my last click, becs you click baited me. But, since you asked, you're baiting people BY insinuating with big red letters that there is a ⛔FATAL☣FLAW⛔ with the mixer that we have to watch and find out. But, then all we find out is that you think it's great and you never say the words fatal flaw once during the video. That's click bait and click bait is bs, bro. ☮
I absolutely did explain the fatal flaw with this unit, and I also sold the unit due to the issue of not being able to separate the headphone out from the main mix. It was a fatal flat that I heard was fixed with a firmware update
@@GrauFPV Ok. Fair enough. You did actually say the headphone issue my be a fatal flaw for some people. But then you pointed out a couple of work arounds and at the end of the vid, you said the mixer serves your needs in spite of "knit picking" about a few flaws, gave it an 8/10 and called it a "Must Have." That doesn't mean "Fatal Flaw" to anyone.
@@nodaysback1 wow, the king of butthurt. You obviously commented before you watched the video because he says “fatal flaw” 1:23 into it. This video has obviously helped folks in their decisions and even provided tips to out-maneuver the design flaw before it was fixed with a firmware update. Get a grip, and do something productive instead of pissing on the contributions of others with your bile.
v1.30 sorted out the headphone pre and post fader issue, and also the direct DAW connect to Studio One, Reaper etc. Tascam ARE listening to us 👏
Yup....
It looks like the headphone issue is now fixed in firmware 1.30. You can select headphone out pre or post (default) main fader.
That’s good to hear!
@@GrauFPV I wish my older Tascam dp03sd could do that. Was trying to send main outs to my Zoom camera and need to bring main fader down which in turn brings my headphone level too low.
Honesty is the best policy, and helps me make a better decision about a purchase. I appreciate you.
I got the model 12 last July and love it. Was using a Tascam 424 mk iii (cassette 4 tracker) before and the things I miss from my 424 are the pitch control and not having the ability to rewind and punch in when I make a mistake. Going to be experimenting with sending tracks out of the model 12 back into the 424 to give it that special tone (tape compression) and comparing the mixes. I love the clean sound of the model 12 but also miss the way tape analog gave it a little something special.
The 12 has punch in and out markers.
I’m in the same camp, my porta 4 track just sounds great, even the noise floor isn’t too bad with dbx but not enough channels without bouncing down is limiting my workflow. I might run my stuff back to two stereo tape when mastering cause yeah, all these modern recordings sound like a bad creed record to me, kinda bristle sounding, well i guess thats the opposite to warm. I haven’t found a modern system I like the sound of out of straight except hearing a midas 32 but it sucks to work with, for me anyway. The midas might have been the compressors and or it was just the nuemann U 87 that made it sound good though, didn’t hear anything else on it that sounded specifically good and perhaps I would get tired of the sound without enough time on it. I think I might get one of these tascams
And surely they could bring back the pitch control, i found it essential to find where a mix bounced just perfectly and that you could shift cadence with voice or whatever like the beetles did with their voices on tape (though I thought that sounded crap too lol), sometimes the feeling is near impossible to create without a variable knob at your fingers, if I buy one of these I will prob still mix down to tascam to find the right feel with speed then rerecord everything at the new tempo if I have to, or start on the 4 track, find the speed, copy to a channel on the 24 and play in the other channels, surely someone could invent a solid state magnetic recorder that sounds like tape but is feeding into a digital signal path like cmos cameras do with light, a quantum dot solid state metal sound sensor
Just pass your recordings through a pedal like Ribbons or Generation Loss :)
Hi, thank you for the review. I know I'm late - you already sold the unit. I'm still figuring out that monitoring issue (don't have unit yet), but for those who just came, here is what I've cut from the manual and might be helpful:
"Connecting headphones:
Connect headphones to the PHONES jack (standard stereo).
The following signals can be monitored according to the SOLO
and AFL switch settings.
* Signals output from the MAIN OUTPUT connectors
* Signals output from the SOLO L/R bus
* Signals output from the AUX 1 bus
* Signals output from the AUX 2/FX bus"
And about monitoring, looks like the SUB output is intended for this:
"Monitoring is important when recording and mastering.
With this unit, monitoring is possible using an external
monitoring system (powered monitor speakers or an amp and
speakers) or using stereo headphones.
Use the SUB fader and PHONES knob to adjust the level of the
monitoring system."
Nice tutorial and thank you very much for your time in pointing out problems and fixes for this Unit. Have a blessed day and don't forget to Enjoy Life
Appreciate your con points - we need more of this type reporting. Thanks. Am wondering if there is input routing? A must feature when using one mic to lay down harmonies in different tracks. Plugging and unplugging not good.
I actually sold this a while back as it kind of was more functionality than I ended up needing, but I have heard that several of the complains have since been fixed! So I’m not sure if it’s current state, but is nice to hear that things were fixed
you can just buy a booster for your ribbon mic. It runs off of phantom and doesnt send power to the mic itself.
Gold review.
A few other points on the headphone out issue
- In the Mixer menu there is an option to toggle AFL/PLF mode. In AFL mode the headphones and the main out get exactly the same output at all time as you state in the video. But in PFL mode that’s not the case... when you hit a solo button the headphones get the solo track while the main mix keeps playing.
You can use this to check levels while mixing a band without interrupting what the audience hears.
Further FYI, the Model 16 ONLY has a PFL solo mode, no AFL capability. However the solo mix and headphones are strictly via by the Control Room fader not the main.
Also the buttons below the headphone volume on the Model 12 do allow the headphones to hear a completely separate mix - the Aux bus, which can be configure and selected as pre or post fader in the menu as you wish. I do wish they had made this button 3 way (main/aux/sub).
wow, thanks for this info! I will forsure try the set up with the solo buttons!
You missed the most obvious fix on the headphone issue. I run the sub out to my monitors and only use the main fader for headphones. Works perfectly! Not ideal, I agree but no extra pieces needed.
The only problem with that is the fact that you lose your sub mix and I tend to use that quite often
the headphone vs speaker monitors bums me out. I have a Yamaha mg82cx and the headphone volume is dependent on the monitor speaker output. If you were to use the headphones you need to put the monitor speaker volume to 2-3 and then the headphone volume would work. Of course you need to lower the monitor speaker volume on the speaker itself. The problem is that if you turn on the monitor speaker volume and you have the headphones plugged as well it would blow the headphones speaker if you left it at high enough. You would need to remember to turn whatever you wont be using down.
Model 12 and model 16 have the same issue. Model 24 has independent amps so Headphones and Main out have different amps not shared. Model 24 share headphone and monitor amp but NOT main out. Problem is model 24 is $1k.
Real quick what I use to do with my old mixer is plug my monitors up to one of those smart home wall plugs so I can turn the monitors off from my phone when I didn’t need them.
That’s a good idea!
Compared to the 16 and 24 this model has a feature that High End Audio Equipment has, and no reviewer has spoken about it (yet - that I have seen?). I might have to do my own review after I buy one. And reviwers say Sweepable Mids, but I prefer cause it sounds better 'Quasi Parametric'.
Why should i get this over the bigger options please explain
Care to explain?
Definitely appreciate the honesty on your negative points, but just curious to hear more about the positive features that gave it such a strong score of 8/10. Thanks for the video, I'm going to keep all of this in mind before purchase.
price drop on musician's friend. seeing if it's worth buying now as I watch this video.
Great review! I recently grabbed an external headphone amp so I could monitor my main mix while also hearing L + R channels from my computer while streaming on Zoom. There seems to be no other way to get a true stereo mix to headphones while also avoiding sending my viewers voices back into the Zoom call.
my main use for the model 16 is for use with my daw, and it does that beautifully. like you pointed out however, the amount of extra fiddling required to get a stereo mix isolated is cumbersome. atleast there is a solution! thanks and much love!
Those weaknesses is unreal to see if you ask me. They been producing recorders since forever. Phantom on all mics, really
To be fair, I don’t know of any modern mic that would be hurt by phantom power.
@@GrauFPV Sure??
Many small mixers run phantom on all mics. It’s never been an issue for me in the past. I’ve done live sound for over 20 years.
They updated the headphones pre fader & post fader feature. Works like it should now lol
Too little too late for me, I sold it a few months ago
@@GrauFPV ha! I feel you!
I'd like to use this board for live shows. Specifically for running open mics. I'd like to bring music in and out from my laptop between performers. But I want to be able to use my headphones to cue a song without that song coming through the main speakers. Is there a way to do this without having to buy an extra amp to go through sub? Can I send my laptop audio to aux and monitor that way?
didn't know a switch could be either digital or analog, i thought they were all mechanical...
but nothing to say about latency, jitter, thd+n, bandwidth or routing possibilities ?
maybe the haptic feeling of the input switch is more important...
Thanks for your information pertaining to Studio One.
absolutely! thanks for stopping by
Really good honest review, thank you. This unit won't work for me, thank the universe I watched this first, man, whew!
Really glad I could help, it’s a wonderful piece of gear, but it’s got some deal breaker quirks for some people no doubt!
Any idea if the 16/24 have wood panelling or also the same as this?
Can you have different FX on different channels? Say I want channel 1 to have "delay 1", channel 2 "chorus" and channel 3 "flanger"? For use in a live rehearsal setting.
Only 1 and 2 have send / return...And built in effecte affect ALL channels, so only 1 effect for all.
Extremely helpful. Thank you!
Hello dear, thank you for your video...quick question... can u equalize (treble/mid/bass) the bluetooth input (9/10)? BR
I do not think you can, but I’m not positive. I actually just sold the unit as I needed other gear, so I no longer have it in front of me
Another problem that I am facing is that the sub outs do not work in DAW mode. So in my setup I want to mix down my Ableton mix to my Akai GX-4000D tape deck, but the sub outs do not send signals in DAW mode. Would you happen to know a work around for this? Thanks!
To be totally honest I haven’t used this unit in a couple of years, and sold it. I had other ventures come a long in life and put music on the back burner
@@GrauFPV Life happens! I appreciate you writing me back though. All the best!
What you think about Mackie Onyx 12. What it has that Tascam Model 12 doesnt?
Great review I thought the model 16 and 24 are DAW CONTROLERS too???? They are advertised as such? Please help I’m not sure which to buy. Thanks
Matt
Yes the model 16 and 24 will interface with a DAW, but only the model 12 acts as a daw controller with the sliders and knobs for use within the DAW
They are not advertised as DAW controllers, only the 12 is marketed as such.
No they're not advertised as such....
Question, can you listen to the Windows audio without it being included in the mix?
Another question if I may, any chance you can demo the way the DAW controller works? How does the system manage non-motorized faders? Do you lose your fader levels in your DAW if they don't match or it locks when the level matches the one in your DAW? TIA
okay, so I actually don't use the daw controller mode until I'm ready to mix, and then you just make sure each track is in its right spot. the faders on the unit will affect the daw faders only when moved on the physical unit. so you open a song and your faders dont match the model 12, as long as you don't adjust them physically they won't affect your daw... conversely as soon as you touch thebfader in daw controller mode it activates it. I hope this helps?
@@GrauFPV thanks for your reply.
So when you switch from one bank to another, the levels will keep changing, well, as soon as you need to adjust 1 or 2 db and will mess your mix.
Unlike Zoom mixers, where again non-motorized faders, don't trigger change in your DAW until the fedar matchrs the point in your DAW fader. A much useable option.
Again, much appreciated 👍
My gain knobs are just too loose and even rattle as if there's loose bits in there. Looks great though but still has to go back.
I have Mixcraft and have yet to get the Model 12 to interface correctly with it. Otherworldly sounds or one channel out and so forth. In effect, this unit is pushing me toward DAWlessness.
" please sir but could you spare some change for the DAWless?" :-P
Easy fix for the headphone problem: Use the Sub outs instead of the Main outs. If you need to see the meter from the Main outs select the main button on the right side of the Sub fader.
Then you lose your sub out. I wouldn’t call that a fix so much as a bandaid
absolutely love this..and i only usse it as a multi track pretty much.and yeay i agree with the flaw..the headphone thing still baffles me to no end..why did they do this?? it has to be done totally on purpose..why tascam??? WHY !!??...
Hi great video!! Just bought it and i am trying to find a way to customize some buttons on the console for daw controller mode on studio one. Also, I can't move to the next channels to control them with the faders.. i can control only the first 8 channels. Did you find any way to make this work? Thanks for your time and your video ❤️
Hey! Don’t know if you figured it out already but there is a section of this video where they explain moving over through channels. This is for logic but I believe the same thing should apply for studio one.
ua-cam.com/video/wTRVWiajhQI/v-deo.html
Does someone know, if u use a AUX SEND for a reverb Pedal, does it also work on the tracks from your DAW?
This video did answer a couple questions I had but hadn't seen answered elsewhere. The shortcomings you pointed out won't have any effect on what I want to use this for. I do kind of wish you covered the storage cards and more details on the USB interface. I will use this with Reaper, Audacity or Studio One. Thanks for the cool video and I subbed so I can follow your informative stuff in the future.
Thank you, and I didn’t even think to cover the storage side of the unit, as I use it directly with studio one. But yes indeed I should have covered that! I appreciate the sub, and my work is pretty midge posher, so you never know what direction I’ll be going ...it’s a constant shift!
@@GrauFPV I have an old Fostex VF160 that has several problems that I want to replace with a Model 12 and I think it will fit my needs just right.
Doesn't hurt a ribbon mic unless it is wired wrong
I just bought it, sounds very good, my cubase is reading it but two annoying things:
1) I can’t connect my pedal on the aux, it has only aux out, no returns?
2) the return of my laptop is going only on channels 1 and 2 which is a waste, I can’t use those two channels for my other instruments when im producing
If anyone has any tricks and tips for those two issues will be very much appreciated 🙏🏻
I have been in a building process of the new studio for a while now, so the unit is in a box….but, you can indeed use more than just the first 2 channels, but I can’t remember the settings at the moment.
I think I read somewhere you need to change on the menu from stereo mixdown to multitrack...
Great review. Thanks
Hello! Am wondering if all the knobs become midi controllers as well? Or just the faders and pan knobs?
Would love to use all those extra knobs and assign them to synth vsts basically
It’s been a while since I sold it, but some of the knobs can be assigned I do believe.
Are tracks recorded to the SD card dry when effects have been used to monitor?
I believe you can have it both ways with that, but to be honest, I don’t use it as a stand alone recorder
@@GrauFPV Thanks. I want to be able to record a live gig then mix the dry tracks in my DAW
What do you think about the Zoom Livetrack L-20 ??? I almost have my mind made up on the Model 24, but now I’m second guessing? Before…I was going for the Dp-24sd but I got cold feet. What should I get ??? The Model 24 or the Zoom Livetrack L20 ??? Please help me with this indecision ??? Did I say please?
I really like the model 24, and it’s capabilities, but I’m on a different path in life now since making this review and have sold my model 12 along with most of my music gear.
@@GrauFPV Do you prefer the Model 24 over the Zoom Livetrack L-20 ???
great video but I'm confuse on why in DAW control the playback is in mono and not stereo but soon as you take it out of DAW control it return backs to stereo , am I doing something wrong within my set up or I.O. ?
In the settings menu it has either stereo mix down, I’m in the process of moving so I can’t get to it right now I’d id give a clear answer
@@GrauFPV not a problem i am grateful for any response thank you .side note settings menu in tascam correct ?
Can you confirm the headphone level is pre or post Main fader? Meaning, you can have the main fader down but still, be able to adjust the headphone level or you need the Main Fader up to hear anything on the headphones?
yes, you need the main fader to hear the headphone out, unless you run headphones out of the sub mix with a headphone am0
@@GrauFPV Thanks for the reply.
Never thought TASCAM would cut cost for such an important audio route, especially if they are aiming the Model 12 for home studios, where the majority will use headphones while tracking. This not only makes the onboard headphone useless 99% of the time (why listen on headphones when you can hear over the speakers) but also plans to use the sub for other audio gear becomes very limited.
@@GrauFPV Looking at the flow diagram and being digital, I hope the option for phones to be pre or post-fader could be added with the next update. Hoping...
Thanks again for the reply.
@@fredflintstone1428 AUX 1 is not only also the FX, also the AUX 1 & 2 are mono feeds.
All TASCAM has to do is implement the MAIN fader MUTE to XLR outputs only. Problem solved.
the SM7B isnt a phantom power mic is it? whats the exact issue.
It’s not, but it’s a very vain hungry mic, so you really need a cloud lifter to solve this issue.
Is there anything automated on this board
Not exactly sure what you mean by automated?
@@GrauFPV You know if I'm mixing a beat and I hit some mutes will it record the mutes
Yea you can set it up as a daw controller
Do these new rascals still skip Eq on the record in . I skipped on this and the korg because I Eq my synths and drums going in so for the most part all I have to do is volume changes when the vox are laid
You can change from pre or post eq.
@@kensmechanicalaffair thank you sir I can consider them back on the list
Hey, my understanding is that the 24 also has DAW control functions, what am i missing?
It does not have the in daw slider functionality and button integration that the 12 has
@@GrauFPV thank you for clarifying!
No problem!
This is shocking, in the Tascam's web site they claim that this unit is analog... What a surprise!!!
Yeah it’s definitely not analog, but the model 16 and 24 are analog
@@GrauFPV Thanks mate!!!! I almost got in the trap...Great review!!!!
Nice review, I was wondering can you map all the buttons and knobs (like the eq knobs on the mixer) to anything you want in Ableton or your daw?
I’m not positive about ableton, but I believe you can reprogram knobs in studio one so I’m sure it would also work on other daws.
Unfortunately, the Model 12 has very few buttons that work in DAW mode. It’s the faders, solo, mute, etc. The Model 12 is GREAT but is very limited in DAW mode.
@@AxeRocker88 So the EQ/COMP knobs do no work in DAW mode either?
@@natevirtual No, they do nothing in DAW mode.
@@AxeRocker88 that's very, VERY unfortunate that they would advertise this as a daw controller too and not take advantage of the other knobs...
Regarding the MAIN being supplied to the headphones & monitors simultaneously, could you not insert a passive mixer between the main out & the monitors & turn down the volume on the passive mixer when using the headphones. Passive mixers are cheap & can be found aplenty.
That actually may be a solution, the other is a breakaway cable.
Don’t need either. Use the “Sub” to your monitors and use the main fader for headphones. Works great! 👍
There was a firmware update, the headphone problem is no more.
Can I multitrack straight into pro tools or does it only allow me to record to the sd card
Yes you can multitrack I go your daw of choice
I have a deal breaker, and this goes for all the current multi-track units: there are no polarity switches. This is why so many amateurs have a hard time recording and mixing multi-mic recordings. It's imperative and there's no substitution for a polarity switch, yet no one is offering them in their newest models. *face palm*
Valid points brotha! I used this mostly as an interface and it worked well for that, however I downgraded as I just didn’t really need it for my studio
Pre amps have polarity switches.
Mr President sir is right. The mixer isn't balanced, so polarity has to be swapped before the signal leaves the mic preamp.
"It's imperative and there's no substitution for a polarity switch, yet no one is offering them in their newest models."
Actually, there is a substitute for a polarity switch. You can make or buy a cable that switches the 2 signal conductors. Its does the exact same thing a switch does.
@@AT-wl9yq I was under the impression that balanced and unbalanced cables deal with noise, and not polarity.
@@kensmechanicalaffair In pro environment, balancing is used for noise reduction and long cable runs. For this discussion, a balanced connection has 2 signal conductors and a ground. The 2 signal conductors our out of phase with each other. One is a +, the other is a -. That's its polarity. It's not the same as a hot and a ground that you would normally see. Both signal wires are hot, and the +/- are only used to show the cables polarity.
When you need to change polarity, you just swap the signal conductors at one end of the cable. Sometimes the gear you are working with has a switch to do this, but if it doesn't, you can do the same thing with a cable or adaptor. Its exactly the same either way you do it.
Can you use outboard rack effects when using audio interface?
I have not tried, but I do recall being able to use external effects.
It’s been fixed via update last month
3:17 🤔surely the SM7B mike is NOT phantom powered anyway..? 🤷♂️
It’s a dynamic mic so phantom power does nothing with it unless you run a cloud lifter for the extra clean gain
@@GrauFPV ah…ok! (You did say you were answering the question “does it POWER the SM7B” so that’s what I found confusing…
Do you still use this TASCAM and do you still rate it? I went from an Akai DPS 12 to my current Akai DPS 16 but it’s getting a bit long in the tooth and transferring audio tracks to computer one by one is becoming a chore! & So I’m in the market for something newer that doesn’t need to have any effects or midi but I quite like the fact I can Record on eight and put simultaneously on my Akai and I would miss that so how many simultaneous inputs does this have?
Also what does it record on?! Is it an SD card or a hard drive or what?
Thanks for your time!
Well, I use the model 12 as an interface and daw controller, so all the audio goes to studio one. When using the phantom power with the sm7b directly it doesn’t do anything as it’s a dynamic mic. The pre amps in the model 12 can get usable sound with the sm7, but for the extra 200 bucks you get the extra clean gain with a cloudlifter. I use a lot of different mics, and the model 12 works great with them all. The sm7 is just known for being an extremely quiet mic. I’d give it a solid 8.5 out of 10 for my use, and see nothing else in the price range that does all this does. My only real complaint is the fact that headphone and main out are not able to be split without a hassle. Otherwise it’s the perfect unit.
Thanks for pointing out the weak parts of that hardware.
For sure! It’s a great little piece of gear, but the few little quirks may be enough for someone not to buy it,
@@GrauFPV I'm still searching and the model 12 is still in my list. I already use a seperate Headphone amp with 4 outputs so 1 weakness doesn't bother me :D.
Hey I seriously need help with this Tascam 12, I only have headphones at the moment and computer, and I can’t seem to figure out how to get the audio from the tascam so I can hear what i recorded... i don’t know how to hear what i’m recording
You have to make sure you rewind the track and make sure it isn’t armed to record
@@GrauFPV Yea that doesn’t seem to be the problem, i made sure i started from the beginning and the record button wasn’t on when i stopped recording, so i need some special equipment in order to hear my recordings? also i’ve noticed i don’t get any movement on the Main meter bars that show the signal coming in.
Are you sure you are actually recording? I made a mistake when I first got it and forgot to put an sd card in it....I generally use it with my computer. The only other thing I can think is that your main mix volume is cut somewhere I would try to turn all the sliders up to an audible level on the first 2 channels and sub/main mixes and switch to meter mode on the channels you want to hear. See if you get sound at all, then you can troubleshoot where your main issue is coming from by deduction
Ok also what daw are you using, and make sure your asio drivers are up to date, then make sure in device settings your input and output are set to the model 12, then you should be good to go as far as connected to the computer. Then in the rascal menu set usb to stereo mix out, and select the tracks you want to use as an interface on the 3 way switches pc or direct, depending on purpose. You should be able to get sound if if any of this makes sense..... if not, I’ll try my best to help ya out!
afl/pfl knob
*FATAL FLAW* => *Click Bait* => *Lame* => *1st and LAST Click*
How exactly is this clickbait?
Could u send your PC tracks as aux sends while they're in pc mode?
That is a question I’m not sure the answer to
@@GrauFPV I know that u cannot use them inserts, unless in live mode right
Yes.
Can it record more than 8 inputs simultaneously?
I have not tried, but I believe so yes, if you use the stereo tracks as mono tracks
@@GrauFPV thanks
I just bought it and now I have a big doubt, can it replace my soundcard ? Can it be used as sound interface for MacBook Pro with cubase pro 9.5? Anyone can help me with that ? I still have time to cancel my order lol
I believe it does bypass the sound card but I’m not positive exactly what you’re question is. It’s a great little setup, but it doesn’t fit everyone’s needs
It is an audio interface, so of course it can replace whatever soundcard you are using. I suggest reading the specs on the Tascam website.
Hi, I'm really interested in this unit. I already own a MOTU M2 for audio interface so I was looking to purchase this to use exclusively as a DAW control surface. Would it be possible to use all tracks for just VST instruments? Will I be able to adjust the knobs while recording the VSTs or only after? Thanks!!
I’m actually not sure, I never dug deep enough with it sadly and had to sell it due to financial needs
@@GrauFPV I understand, thanks for the response
Hey i just want to use the headphone outs as aux mixes to record into samplers or just doing separate submixes which i can feedbackloop back into other tracks
It can do that right? "Cleanly"?
Heard that the zooml12's headphone outs are too noise for this
i cant hear myself when recording on da model 12 can u help
Are you talking about monitoring? Or are you not getting recording?
@@GrauFPV in my headphones when recording i cant hear myself
afl/pfl knob
6:00 AND....It doesn't break the bank.....A lot of bang for your buck!
Thank you
That is a deal breaker for sure
It’s been fixed
Just Bought one and I must say. I’m rather Disappointed in 2024. Set up should be effortless but it’s not in any way shape or form. It’s honestly rather mind numbing.
It really was a shame because it looked like such a promising unit
I have Model 16 and after using Mackie for a long time I am very disappointed with Tascam. Tascam quality control is awful.
@@MB-kx5qs I went through 3 of them and they all had different(in some cases multiple) issues. The service was terrible. I could not use any of the three as audio interface on any of my three computers and I have absolutely no problems with many other interfaces(Focusrite, mackie, yamaha and even old digitech). Sliders and knobs are all inconsistently tight and loose, the first Model16 died on day 3 completely. Apart from that EQs are way inferior to Mackie. I
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I will pass - I need that real wood tone (jk) - Great review - looks like a great value for the $
Lmao! It’s a pretty great piece of gear for the price for sure though!
Yo yo
yo yo brotha!
God tier clickbait, made me click. Not even mad.
Haha well I guess it’s not technically click bait, since that is a deal breaker for a lot of guys. I made the review mostly because I didn’t know that feature before I bought it
I said my first click would be my last click, becs you click baited me. But, since you asked, you're baiting people BY insinuating with big red letters that there is a ⛔FATAL☣FLAW⛔ with the mixer that we have to watch and find out. But, then all we find out is that you think it's great and you never say the words fatal flaw once during the video. That's click bait and click bait is bs, bro. ☮
I absolutely did explain the fatal flaw with this unit, and I also sold the unit due to the issue of not being able to separate the headphone out from the main mix. It was a fatal flat that I heard was fixed with a firmware update
@@GrauFPV Ok. Fair enough. You did actually say the headphone issue my be a fatal flaw for some people. But then you pointed out a couple of work arounds and at the end of the vid, you said the mixer serves your needs in spite of "knit picking" about a few flaws, gave it an 8/10 and called it a "Must Have." That doesn't mean "Fatal Flaw" to anyone.
@@nodaysback1 wow, the king of butthurt. You obviously commented before you watched the video because he says “fatal flaw” 1:23 into it. This video has obviously helped folks in their decisions and even provided tips to out-maneuver the design flaw before it was fixed with a firmware update.
Get a grip, and do something productive instead of pissing on the contributions of others with your bile.