Tascam iU2 Audio Midi Interface for iOS Devices

[Solar]

Yes titles says it all!!

Tascam has announced the iU2, a premium sound quality audio interface for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. It includes all of the features of Tascam's best-selling USB audio interfaces, including a pair of great-sounding microphone inputs. The XLR inputs have phantom power for use with high-quality condenser microphones. These feed an onboard microphone preamp and A/D converter for better sound performance than those built into iPhone and iPad – true stereo recording with low noise and less tendency to distort. The inputs also accept line-level signals or you can plug a guitar or bass directly into your device.

In addition to compatibility with iOS devices, the iU2 also works with Mac and Windows computers. A zero-latency monitoring path allows musicians to hear themselves directly through the unit, without any distracting delay. MIDI in and out are provided to interface with synths and drum machines, and a digital output connects to digital mixers or recorders.

Features:
Audio/MIDI Interface for Mac, Windows and iOS devices.
Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
Two XLR mic inputs with phantom power.
Two balanced line inputs.
Instrument-level input for guitar or bass.
MIDI in and out.
Onboard A/D conversion for low-noise and distortion when recording with iOS devices.
Zero-latency direct monitoring.
S/PDIF Digital Output.
Includes USB cable, iOS dock connection cable, XLR to ¼” conversion cables.






http://tascam.com/product/iu2/overview/

[clonewar]

Looks cool.. I like that it doesn't force you to use the iPad in landscape view like the IODock.

One thing I can't find so far is whether or not it will charge the iPad when it's plugged in to a power outlet. I really hope they didn't overlook that..

[SBX-80]

Originally Posted by clonewar

One thing I can't find so far is whether or not it will charge the iPad when it's plugged in to a power outlet. I really hope they didn't overlook that..

There's mention of an AC adaptor which is an accessory, but there's no info on if that will also provide power to the iPhone/Ipod Touch/iPad.

[clonewar]

Originally Posted by SBX-80

There's mention of an AC adaptor which is an accessory, but there's no info on if that will also provide power to the iPhone/Ipod Touch/iPad.

I saw the same thing.. Since it has the optional power adapter and plugs directly into the iPad (as opposed to USB with the CCC) it should be able to provide power.

[madehumble]

Very nice.

[CAW]

Does this thing have its own converters and feed digital audio to the iOS device? The problem with most of these iOS audio interfaces is they all feed an analog signal to iOS device and let it do the AD, and the AD in iOS devices is pretty noisy.

[Silver Sonya]

Smartest aspect of this: when Apple changes the iPad form again --- which will happen soon, I imagine --- this will still work.

- c

[t_d]

this looks like the best interface for the iPad out there.... is it? (i'm not 100% up on all the ipad accessories)... might actually start making me use my ipad for music.

when's the release date, and what's the competition?

[kahin]

Originally Posted by clonewar

Looks cool.. I like that it doesn't force you to use the iPad in landscape view like the IODock.

One thing I can't find so far is whether or not it will charge the iPad when it's plugged in to a power outlet. I really hope they didn't overlook that..

I found this info for you.. "Supplies power to the iOS unit when connected to a USB bus"

on this page: http://www.tascam.de/en/iu2.html

[stmfp]

This sounds awesome.. Any idea when it might be available?

[Electrolegs]

So do i need an adaptor or is this usb bus powered?

[parlopower]

Originally Posted by CAW

Does this thing have its own converters and feed digital audio to the iOS device? The problem with most of these iOS audio interfaces is they all feed an analog signal to iOS device and let it do the AD, and the AD in iOS devices is pretty noisy.

Since it's going in through the dock connector, it must be digital already, hence have its own AD/DA. That's my perception at least.

[sdesign75]

Originally Posted by t_d

what's the competition?

Take a look at iDesignSound.com ...they list all of the iOS accessories for musicians including audio docks and audio/MIDI interfaces. Look in the hardware section.

[junior]

No spdif in?

[undertone]

Originally Posted by junior

No spdif in?

+1

[t_d]

i got my iU2 in yesterday and am hooking it up today but i can't get any sound to go through it. the sound of the apps still goes to the iPad built in speaker.. and not through the iU2

anyone else have one of these yet and can get it to work?

[cuby]

if connected to IOS device, you have to change the host switch to IOS devices. If connected to PC/Mac via USB, then switch to COMPUTER. I have tested, it will not be recognized if this switch is in wrong position, but otherwise works quite well. Also I think this depth at 16 or 24 bit, but sampling fixed at 44.1KHz? Think this is iOS limit, but same on Mac with Pro Tools or Logic.

[GoldenOne]

How do you feel about this so far? Sound? Functionality?

[cuby]

haven't really done any thing serious with it yet. But it works with my Mac, iPhone with consistency. I always like Tascam for it's sound and ease of use and I think this is a very good package for the features and size and price.

[yoyoboy]

hi there! i am considering to get one of this audio interface instead of an alesis IOdock. i was wondering if i can do this with the TASCAM iU2:

can i connect the tascam iU2 to my laptop to use it as a standard audio interface and connect my ipad to the dock connector to use it to send MIDI data? Or, do I need to connect the iPad to the MIDI IN to use it as a midi controller while i am using th iU2 as a standard usb audio interface on my laptop?

I red something like that is possible with IOdock form alesis. I know the two interfaces my be different in construction but since they both have usb and midi connector, i am asking.

even if, i know that selecting HOST to COMPUTER it should deactivate the DOCK Connector in some way. Just trying to figure out!

thank you!

cheers

[albystarvation]

Not to hijack this thread, but i've tried a strange thing with my iPad (3rd gen) and Iu2....
Connected Camera Connector Kit to iPad, then to an USB powered hub.
From the hub i had an ESI master keyboard and a pad controller.... insofar nothing unusual, BUT..
Then I switched my IU2 to 'Computer (USB)' mode,
AND
plugged into the powered USB hub.
Audio I/O worked flawlessly!!!
As of today, I haven't done any stress test, but it seems like a nice configuration for mobile composing/recording!
'Course you can't pretend to have the Iu2 supply phantom power to condenser mics, with this arrangement, but ....

[xv1700]

Got mine last week and connected it up to my iPad 3. Had a spot of bother with latency and madness until I closed all the other 50 running apps ... doh, fool.

Sound quality so far seems really nice and clean so far with my PRS guitar with plenty of gain available. Love the ability to monitor input/output or mix them, great for trouble shooting. Seems to cover most options in the studio that I want it for and it's great being able to use the left and right channel independently for 2 channels. Biggest annoyances so far are:

- stupidly short lead to connect to the iPad, might have to wire in a much longer lead.
- headphone output is 10mw+10mw which isn't enough when you are trying to drive some 80ohm Beyer studio headphones, hardly any volume.
- where can I put it? The format of the box is fine if you have a table in front of you with lots of space but crammed into a real world band room it's a bit of a problem: still scratching my head of where to put it.