Tascam US-16X08 User manual

D01247020A
US-16x08
USB2.0 Audio Interface/Mic Preamp
Reference Manual
Before connecting this unit to a computer, you must download and install a dedicated driver.

2 TASCAM US-16x08
Contents
1 – Introduction ..............................................3
Features..................................................................................3
Conventions used in this manual..................................3
2 – Names and functions of parts ..................4
Front panel............................................................................4
Rear panel.............................................................................. 5
3 – Installation ................................................6
System requirements.........................................................6
Windows..........................................................................6
Mac OS X..........................................................................6
iOS devices ..................................................................... 6
Supported audio drivers ...........................................6
Installing the driver and Settings Panel...................... 6
Installing the driver and Settings Panel for
Windows..........................................................................6
Installing the Mac OS X Settings Panel................. 7
Uninstalling the driver and Settings Panel .........9
Automatic launching of the Settings Panel........ 9
4 – Preparation..............................................10
Attaching the rackmount angles ................................10
Connecting the power....................................................10
5 – Connections.............................................11
Examples of connections with other equipment.. 11
Computer connections...................................................12
Audio connections ...........................................................12
Microphones................................................................12
Guitar..............................................................................12
Electronic and audio devices and other
equipment....................................................................12
Analog record players ..............................................12
Monitor speakers........................................................12
Headphones.................................................................12
MIDI connections..............................................................12
Connecting with iOS devices........................................12
6 – Using the Settings Panel ........................13
Opening the Settings Panel..........................................13
Settings Panel screen ......................................................13
MIXER page .........................................................................14
INTERFACE page................................................................17
OUTPUT SETTING page...................................................18
Settings Panel pull-down menus................................19
View menu....................................................................19
SceneMemory menu ................................................20
7 – Mic Preamp Mode ...................................22
Using the unit as a standalone mic preamp............22
8 – Application Guide ...................................23
Windows Media Player....................................................23
Windows 8 ....................................................................23
Windows 7 ....................................................................23
Mac OS X and iTunes........................................................24
iOS ..........................................................................................24
9 – MIDI Implementation Chart ...................25
10 – Troubleshooting ...................................26
Troubleshooting................................................................26
11 – Specifications ........................................28
Specifications .....................................................................28
Ratings ...........................................................................28
Analog inputs ..............................................................28
Analog outputs...........................................................28
Control input/output ratings.................................28
Audio performance...................................................29
Computer system requirements .................................29
Windows........................................................................29
Mac OS X........................................................................29
iOS devices ...................................................................29
Supported audio drivers .........................................29
General .................................................................................29
Dimensional drawings ....................................................30
Block diagrams...................................................................31
Level diagrams...................................................................32

TASCAM US-16x08 3
1 – Introduction
Features
• Built-in Ultra-HDDA mic preamps with discrete construction
that achieves −125dBu EIN
• Support for direct guitar input
• Input specifications that can handle the sound pressures of
drum recording easily
• 8 XLR inputs that support +48V phantom power and 6 TRS
inputs that can be switched between −10 dBV and +4 dBu
• Standalone mic preamp use also supported
• Support for high resolution recording formats up to
24-bit/96kHz
• USB 2.0 computer connection
• Advanced DSP mixer with four-band equalizer and
compressor on each channel
• Driver software that can be installed without connecting
the unit
• Angled design provides excellent usability on a desktop
• Tough metal casing can endure even hard use
• Separate controls for line and headphones output volumes
• Supports connection with an iPad or other iOS device
• Operation confirmed with major DAW software (Sonar,
ProTools, Cubase, Live, Studio One, GarageBand)
• MIDI input and output enable connection with keyboards
and other MIDI devices
• Rack mount adapters and hex key included
• Support for Windows and Mac
• High 56dB input level range supports dynamic mic input
• Balanced analog TRS output jacks suitable for connection to
powered monitors
• Standard stereo TRS headphones jack with 70mW per
channel output
• Low latency monitoring through the DSP mixer
• Patch bay allows outputs to be assigned freely
• Scene memories can store DSP mixer settings (up to 10
scenes can be stored and renamed)
• 8 balanced analog TRS output jacks
• AC adapter included
Note about computer operation
If you are unsure about anything related to the basic operation
of a computer when it is mentioned in an explanation in this
manual, please refer to the computer operation manual.
This product incorporates a Blackfin® processor made by
Analog Devices, Inc.
Conventions used in this manual
The following conventions are used in this manual.
• Switches, connectors and other physical parts of this unit
are written using a bold font like this: PHONES knob.
• Information shown on the computer display is written like
this “OK”.
• As necessary, additional information is provided under TIP,
NOTE and CAUTION headings.
TIP
These are tips about how to use the unit.
NOTE
These provide additional explanations and describe special
cases.
CAUTION
Failure to follow these instructions could result in injury,
damage to equipment or lost recording data, for example.

4 TASCAM US-16x08
2 – Names and functions of parts
Front panel
1STANDBY/ON switch and indicator
Press to turn the unit on and to put it into standby. The
STANDBY/ON indicator lights green when the unit is on.
2Phantom power switches
Use these switches to provide +48V phantom power to the
IN 1–4 and IN 5–8 jacks.
These switches each turn phantom power on/off for 4
channels at a time. Phantom power is supplied when a
switch is set to +48V.
CAUTION
• Before using these switches to turn phantom power on
(+48V) or OFF, set the PHONES and LINE OUT 1-2 knobs
to their minimum values. Failure to do so could cause a loud
noise that might damage other equipment or harm people.
• Do not connect or disconnect mics when a switch is set to
+48V.
• Do not supply phantom power to an unbalanced dynamic
mic.
• Supplying phantom power to some ribbon mics will break
them. If you are unsure, do not supply phantom power to a
ribbon mic.
3IN 1-8 (BALANCED) jacks
These are analog XLR input jacks. You can adjust their input
gains with the gain knobs.
(1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
4IN 9-10 (balanced/unbalanced) jacks and LINE/INST
switches
These are standard analog TRS input jacks.
The LINE/INST switches enable support for both line
input, including audio equipment and keyboards, and high
impedance input, including direct input of guitars.
You can adjust their input gains with the gain knobs.
(Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
5Gain knobs and overload indicators
Use the 1–10 gain knobs to adjust the gain of IN 1-10
independently.
These can set the gain for IN 1-8 between −12 dBu and −68
dBu and for IN 9-10 between +4 dBu and −42 dBu (between
−12 dBV and −57 dBV during guitar input).
The overload indicators to the upper left of each of the 1–10
gain knobs light just before an input is about to distort
(when the signal exceeds −1 dBFS).
6LINE OUT 1-2 knob
Use this knob to adjust the output level of the LINE OUT 1-2
jacks on the back of the unit.
7PHONES jack and knob
Use this standard stereo jack to connect stereo headphones.
The sound output is the same as the signals output from the
LINE OUT 1-2 jacks.
Use the PHONES knob to adjust the headphone output
level.
8USB indicator
This lights orange when the USB connection is working.
CAUTION
Before connecting headphones, minimize the volume with
the PHONES knob. Failure to do so might cause sudden loud
noises, which could harm your hearing or result in other
trouble.

TASCAM US-16x08 5
2 – Names and functions of parts
Rear panel
9USB port
Use the included USB cable to connect the unit to a
computer or iOS device (supports USB 2.0).
CAUTION
• USB 1.1 is not supported.
• When connected to a USB 3.0 port, it will function in High
Speed mode equivalent to USB 2.0 (480 Mbps maximum).
0MIDI OUT connector
This 5-pin DIN is a standard MIDI output connector.
This outputs MIDI signals.
qMIDI IN connector
This 5-pin DIN is a standard MIDI input connector.
Use this to input MIDI signals.
wLINE IN 11-16 (balanced) jacks and switches
These are standard TRS line input jacks. Use the LEVEL
switches to set the nominal level to −10 dBV or +4 dBu.
(Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
NOTE
The input gain cannot be adjusted for these jacks.
eCord holder
Attach the cord of the included AC adapter here to prevent
the plug from becoming disconnected.
rLINE OUT 1-8 (balanced) jacks
These are standard TRS analog line output jacks. Their
nominal output levels are +4 dBu.
(Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
tAUTO POWER SAVE switch
This can be set to have the unit turn itself off (start standby)
automatically if no input signal (above −60 dBFS) has been
detected for 30 minutes when operating in mic preamp
mode.
CAUTION
If you want to turn the unit on again after it has turned itself
off (entered standby) automatically using this function, set
the STANDBY/ON switch to STANDBY once, wait at least 8
seconds and then set it to ON again.
yDC IN 12V connector
Connect the included AC adapter (GPE248-120200-Z) here.

6 TASCAM US-16x08
3 – Installation
System requirements
Check the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/) for the
latest information about supported operating systems.
Windows
8Supported operating systems
Windows 8 (including 8.1) 32-bit
Windows 8 (including 8.1) 64-bit
Windows 7 32-bit SP1 or later
Windows 7 64-bit SP1 or later
8Computer hardware requirements
Windows computer with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port
8CPU/processor speed
2 GHz or faster dual core processor (x86)
8Memory
2 GB or more
8Display resolution
Display with 1280x800 resolution
CAUTION
Operation of this unit was confirmed using standard
computers that meet the above requirements. This does
not guarantee operation with all computers that meet the
above requirements. Even computers that meet the same
system requirements might have processing capabilities
that differ according to their settings and other operating
conditions
NOTE
If noise occurs, please set your computer’s power options to
“High Performance”.
Mac OS X
8Supported operating systems
OS X Yosemite (10.10 or later)
OS X Mavericks (10.9.1 or later)
OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4 or later)
8Computer hardware requirements
Apple Mac computer with a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port
8CPU/processor speed
2 GHz or faster dual core processor
8Memory
2 GB or more
8Display resolution
Display with at least 1280x800 resolution
iOS devices
Apple devices running iOS 7 or later
Supported audio drivers
Windows: ASIO2.0, WDM, MIDI
Mac: Core Audio, Core MIDI
Installing the driver and Settings
Panel
To use this unit with a Windows computer, a driver and Settings
Panel must be installed on it. To use this unit with a Mac, a driver
does not need to be installed, but the Settings Panel must be
installed in order to use the DSP mixer functions.
Download the latest driver and Settings Panel for the operating
system you are using from the TEAC Global Site (http://
teac-global.com/).
iWhen you install the driver on a Windows computer, the
Settings Panel will be installed at the same time.
iOnly the Settings Panel needs to be installed on a Mac. This
unit can be operated with the standard Mac OS driver, so
there is no need to install a driver.
iWhen using this unit with an iOS device, the standard OS
driver will be used, so there is no need to install a driver or
Settings Panel.
CAUTION
Restarting the computer might be necessary after instal-
lation or uninstallation completes. Save your data and
conduct other necessary steps in other applications before
quitting them.
Installing the driver and Settings Panel for
Windows
NOTE
iComplete installation of the driver on the computer before
connecting the unit to it with the USB cable. If you already
connected the unit using the USB cable before installing the
driver, and the Found New Hardware Wizard launched on the
computer, close the Wizard and disconnect the USB cable.
8Installation procedures
1. Download the latest driver for the operating system you are
using from the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.com/)
and save it on the computer to be used with the unit.
2. Open the saved driver (zip file) on, for example, the
computer desktop.
3. Double-click the “US-16x08_Installer.exe”file in the folder
that appears after uncompression to automatically launch
the installation software.
CAUTION
If you open a zip file without decompressing it and double-
click the “US-16x08_Installer.exe” file in the folder that
opens, installation will not start. Right-click the zip file and
select “Extract All", for example, to decompress it and then
try again.
4. When a “Security Warning” or “User Account Control” screens
appear, click the “Yes”button.

TASCAM US-16x08 7
3 – Installation
5. Next, select a language and click the “OK”button.
6. When the Setup Wizard screen appears, click the “Next”
button.
7. Read the contents of the License Agreement, and select
“Agree (A)”if you agree to the terms. Then, click the “Next”
button.
8. Next, click the “Install (I)” button.
9. When the Install Wizard screen appears, click the“Next (N)”
button.
10. Next, click the “Install (I)” button to start installation.
11. Click the “Finish” button when the screen below appears.
12. The following screen appears when installation has
completed. Click the“Finish (F)” button.
The installer will quit and the Settings Panel will launch.
CAUTION
• When installing the driver, a warning might appear with a
message such as, “The software you are installing for the
hardware has not passed Windows Logo testing to verify its
compatibility with Windows.” If this message appears, click
“Continue Anyway” to proceed with the installation.
Installing the Mac OS X Settings Panel
NOTE
• Install the Settings Panel on the computer before
connecting the unit to it with the USB cable. If the unit is
connected by the USB cable, cancel driver installation and
disconnect it before starting driver installation again.
• During Settings Panel installation a warning message
like this might appear: “US-16x08.pkg can't be opened
because it was not downloaded from the Mac App Store.”
If a message like this appears, follow the instructions in
“Working with Gatekeeper” on page 8 in this manual
and then proceed with the installation.
8Installation procedures
1. Download the latest Settings Panel for the operating system
you are using from the TEAC Global Site (http://teac-global.
com/) and save it on the computer to be used with the unit.
2. Double-click “US-16x08_X.XX.dmg", which is the saved disk
image file for the Settings Panel, and double-click “US-16x08.
pkg”inside the folder that opens.
NOTE
Depending on the computer’s settings, the downloaded zip
file might not have opened automatically. In this case, open
the zip file first and then double-click the disk image file.

8 TASCAM US-16x08
3 – Installation
3. When the installer starts, click the “Continue” button.
4. Next, select the desired language and click the “Continue”
button.
5. Click the “Read License” button and check the contents
of the Software License Agreement. If you agree to the
contents of the license, click “Agree”.
Then, click the “Next” button.
6. Next, click the “Install” button to start installation.
7. The following screen appears when installation has
completed. Click the“Close” button.
The Settings Panel will launch.
8Working with Gatekeeper
When using Mac OS X, depending on the Gatekeeper security
function setting, a warning message might appear during
installation.
Resolution depends on the warning message shown.
See the following explanations for details.
When the Gatekeeper setting is “Allow applications
downloaded from: the Mac App Store"
The following security warning might be shown:“'US-16x08.
pkg' can't be opened because it was not downloaded from
the Mac App Store."
In this case, click the OK button to close the message. Then,
control-click (or right-click) the file and click “Open”.
Click the “Open” button if the following security warning
message appears: “'US-16x08.pkg' can't be opened because
it was not downloaded from the Mac App Store. Are you
sure you want to open it?"
This message might also appear when the Gatekeeper
setting is something other than “Allow applications
downloaded from: the Mac App Store"
The security warning message “'US-16x08.pkg' can't be
opened because it was not downloaded from the Mac App
Store.” could appear again, and you might not be able to
open the file.
In this case, copy the file from the folder where it is to the
desktop or another folder, and then open it. Alternatively,
change the Gatekeeper settings to “Allow applications
downloaded from: the Mac App Store and identified devel-
opers”and try opening it again.

TASCAM US-16x08 9
3 – Installation
Changing the Gatekeeper setting
The Gatekeeper setting can be changed using the “Allow
applications downloaded from:”item on the “General” page
of the “Security & Privacy” pane of the System Preferences.
To change this, you must click the lock icon ( ) at the
bottom left and enter a password to unlock the settings.
This setting will lock again when you click the“Show All”
button at the top left of the window to close the open pane
or when you quit the System Preferences by, for example,
clicking the round button at the top left corner of the
window ( ) or typing command-Q.
CAUTION
Changing the Gatekeeper settings could result in security
risks.
If you changed the Gatekeeper setting to decrease security
(use one of the lower settings), set it back to the original
setting after updating the driver and/or firmware.
Uninstalling the driver and Settings Panel
NOTE
Normally, there is no need to uninstall the driver or Settings
Panel. Follow these procedures if a problem occurs or you no
longer intend to use the unit with the computer.
8Windows
Uninstall from the “Programs and Features”Control Panel.
1. From the Start menu, open the Control Panel, and then
Programs and Features.
NOTE
In Windows 8, to open the Control Panel, right-click the
Start screen and click the “All apps” button (or click the â
¡
button that appears at the bottom left of the Start screen in
Windows 8.1), then click “Control Panel” on the Apps screen.
2. If “View by:” is set to “Category", click“Uninstall a program”
under the “Program” item.
If “View by:” is set to “Large icons” or “Small icons", click
“Programs and Features”.
3. Double-click “TASCAM US-16x08 version X.XX” ("X.XX” is the
driver version) in the list.
4. Then, follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
8Mac OS X
Delete the “US-16x08” application from the Application folder to
complete uninstallation.
Automatic launching of the Settings Panel
The Settings Panel will automatically launch when the computer
starts up.
This allows the Settings Panel to apply its parameter settings,
for example, to the unit. If you use this unit without starting the
Settings Panel, the unit will use the default Settings Panel values
for parameters. (For information about the default values of the
Settings Panel, see “Initializing the Settings Panel settings” on
page 19.)
If you do not want the Settings Panel to launch automatically
when the computer is started, follow these procedures.
NOTE
• The automatic launching setting for the Settings Panel
applies only to the user account that was logged in when it
was installed.
• The Settings Panel cannot be used on an iPad or other iOS
device.
Windows OS
Windows 8
1. Right-click the Start screen to show the App Bar. In
Windows 8, right-click the Start screen and click the “All
apps”button (or the â
¡button at the bottom left of the
screen in Windows 8.1), and click“Task Manager” to open
it.
2. Right-click “US-16x08” in the “Start-Up” tab and select
“Disable”from the menu.
NOTE
If you want to enable automatic launching of the Settings
Panel again, right-click “US-16x08” and select “Enable”
from the menu.
Windows 7
Click the Start button, select All Programs and then
Startup. Right-click “US-16x08”and select “Delete” from
the menu.
NOTE
If you want to enable automatic launching of the Settings
Panel again, add a shortcut for “US-16x08” to the Startup
menu.
Mac OS X
Open the System Preferences app and open the Users &
Groups pane. Click Login Items, select “US-16x08_Setting-
sPanel”and click the − button.
NOTE
If you want to enable automatic launching of the Settings
Panel again, click the + button and select “US-16x08_
SettingsPanel”.

10 TASCAM US-16x08
Attaching the rackmount angles
In order to mount this unit in a rack, you must remove the
frames and install the included rackmount angles. Follow these
procedures to change them.
(You will need a flat-bladed screwdriver.)
1. Use the hex key included with this product to remove the
four screws on each side from the positions shown below.
2. Remove the frames from both sides of the unit
3. Attach the included rackmount angles using the rackmount
angle attachment screws and the Phillips screwdriver that
you prepared.
4. Reverse these procedures to reinstall the frame pieces origi-
nally attached to the unit.
Connecting the power
Use the included AC adapter to connect a power supply to the
unit as shown below.
GPE248-120200-Z (included)
Power outlet
DC plug
In order to prevent the cord from becoming disconnected
during use, always wrap the cord around the cord holder when
connecting it.
CAUTION
• Always use the AC adapter (GPE248-120200-Z) that was
shipped with the unit. Using a different AC adapter could
cause malfunction, overheating, fire or other problems.
• The AC adapter for this unit includes two types of outlet
plugs. Attach the type of plug that matches the power outlet
that you are using.
8Changing the outlet plug
$%
2
1
5
3
4
1. Move the latch on the AC adapter in the direction of the
arrow.
2. Pull off the outlet plug.
3. Replace it with the other outlet plug (A or B).
4. Move the latch on the AC adapter in the direction of the
arrow again.
5. Attach the outlet plug to the AC adapter.
This completes changing the outlet plug.
After changing the outlet plug, confirm that it is not loose
or crooked and that everything is normal before plugging it
into an outlet.
CAUTION
Do not use the adapter if there is anything abnormal about
the plug after changing it. Use when the plug is abnormal
could cause fire or electric shock. Contact the retailer where
you purchased the unit or a TEAC service center (on the back
cover) to request repair.
4 – Preparation