Audio interface: replacement for a Tascam US-1800

[Inconnu]

It seems that the Tascam US-1800 doesn’t work with the latest Mac OS… unless someone here has a solution, I think I need a new audio interface for my new computer.

I’d like to have recommendations for a new interface. I regularly record at least 2 tracks at once and I really enjoy the convenience of recording at least 6 (preferably 8) tracks at once independently (1 track by instrument in GarageBand). Suggestions?

Of course, the cheaper the better.

 

[Inconnu]

I’ll ad info on what I need.

It’s simple : at least 4 XLR and 4 1/4 inputs and the possibility to record at least 4 independent tracks at once through the usb out into the daw. I guess they call that 8x4 (not sure).

 

[Krisfield]

What’s your actual budget? When you say cheaper the better, there’s a huge selection of brands at that entry level. But the specs you’ve quoted and your budget might narrow down the possibilities.

I see on the Tascam website that the last driver update for the US 1800 was 2016, which is unfair I think. Could be another consideration when deciding on an interface. How well does the brand update their drivers/firmware. I haven’t updated my MacBook to the newer OS in over two years. I get the security updates. I’m worried if I update the OS that stuff will stop working.

 

[EvilJ]

Arturia Audiofuse has the 4 mic inputs plus line in on the back.
SSL Big Six but not cheap at all.

 

[Inconnu]

In terms of budget, after looking around I realize I won’t be able to get what I need unless I spend around $500.

The candidates I’ve been looking into are Focusrite 18i8 and Presonus 1824c. There’s the M-Audio Air 192 14 that is quite cheaper and seems to do the trick.


I have another question now… To record bass, I use a SansAmp RBI mixed with an ART tube preamp and compressor. Both have XLR outs. Is there a contradiction to plug those in inputs that have mic preamps on the interface? I’ve been doing this with the Tascam and it worked well without overloading the interface’s preamps, but since I have to change, I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing!

 

[DirtDog]

In terms of budget, after looking around I realize I won’t be able to get what I need unless I spend around $500.

The candidates I’ve been looking into are Focusrite 18i8 and Presonus 1824c. There’s the M-Audio Air 192 14 that is quite cheaper and seems to do the trick.


I have another question now… To record bass, I use a SansAmp RBI mixed with an ART tube preamp and compressor. Both have XLR outs. Is there a contradiction to plug those in inputs that have mic preamps on the interface? I’ve been doing this with the Tascam and it worked well without overloading the interface’s preamps, but since I have to change, I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing!

I have the 1824c and use it daily with my Mac Studio. Dead simple and reliable. More inputs than I can use at once but I set it up so I have each inputs assigned for vocals, bass, guitar and keys so I’m not messing around with patching things when I could be recording.

My only niggle is that the main volume pot is noisy. No amount of DeOxit seems to help. Fortunately I’m not using that pot very often as I’m on headphones most of the time. Having two headphone jacks is helpful when I’m working with someone else (eg my daughter doing vocals while I’m manning the “board”).

You’re good to go with running the RBI into your interface using XLR. Or any other preamp for that matter.

Channels 1 and 2 are combo with instrument level inputs so you can plug right into those if you use a VST for tone shaping. The other channels are mic/line level inputs only and would be good for the RBI.

 

[seamonkey]

There are a lot of choices for interfaces with lower channel counts. I could say what I've bought, but it's been a couple of years and many new interfaces have been released in the last years. I've been mulling around a Behringer Flow-8 digital mixer.

But ...
On MacOS you can create an Aggregate Device to combine several interfaces to work with a single DAW
Create an Aggregate Device to combine multiple audio devices
And there are many YouTube tutorials on using Aggregate in MacOS.

Get what you need now, and add more interfaces later as you need more I/O

 

[Inconnu]

I have the 1824c and use it daily with my Mac Studio. Dead simple and reliable. More inputs than I can use at once but I set it up so I have each inputs assigned for vocals, bass, guitar and keys so I’m not messing around with patching things when I could be recording.

My only niggle is that the main volume pot is noisy. No amount of DeOxit seems to help. Fortunately I’m not using that pot very often as I’m on headphones most of the time. Having two headphone jacks is helpful when I’m working with someone else (eg my daughter doing vocals while I’m manning the “board”).

You’re good to go with running the RBI into your interface using XLR. Or any other preamp for that matter.

Channels 1 and 2 are combo with instrument level inputs so you can plug right into those if you use a VST for tone shaping. The other channels are mic/line level inputs only and would be good for the RBI.

Thanks for the info on that one. I’ve found a great deal on an open box 1824c yesterday and I’m very satisfied with my purchase.

Problem solved!

 

[And I]

how about the tascam us-1608?