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Average Price: $25

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$150

$501+

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Description

The Tascam US-144 mkII is a compact yet powerful USB audio interface designed to meet the needs of musicians and producers on the go. Building on the success of its predecessor, this updated model offers a sleek design and enhanced electronics, making it a reliable choice for both home studios and mobile recording setups. Its bus-powered USB 2.0 connection eliminates the need for cumbersome power supplies, providing true portability for those spontaneous recording sessions.

With dual XLR microphone preamps that offer phantom power, the US-144 mkII supports a range of microphones, from dynamic to condenser. This versatile interface is equipped with a switchable guitar level input, allowing you to plug in your instrument directly and take advantage of the included Steinberg Cubase LE5 software. This software gives you the capability to record up to 48 tracks seamlessly. Additionally, its MIDI input and output make it easy to integrate MIDI controllers and add virtual instruments to your projects.

Designed for pristine audio quality, the US-144 mkII supports up to 96kHz/24-bit resolution, ensuring your recordings capture every detail. Its zero-latency hardware monitoring feature means you can perform and record without any annoying delays, making it ideal for capturing those perfect takes. Whether you're an aspiring musician or a seasoned pro, the US-144 mkII provides the tools you need to bring your creative visions to life.

Key Features:

  • Bus-powered via USB 2.0
  • 2 x XLR microphone inputs with phantom power
  • Switchable guitar level input
  • MIDI input and output
  • Up to 96kHz/24-bit audio resolution
  • Zero-latency hardware monitoring
  • Includes Steinberg Cubase LE5 software
  • Aluminum case construction

Product specs

Brand TASCAM
Model US-144 MKII USB Audio Interface
Finish Black
Year 2010s
Categories Audio Interfaces
Bit Depth 24-bit
Bus-Powered Yes
Compatibility Windows, macOS
Computer Connectivity USB
Digital Input Format S/PIDF
Digital Output Format S/PIDF
Electronics Analog, Digital, Solid State
Format Desktop Standalone
Number of Analog Inputs 4
Number of Analog Outputs 2
Number of Channels 8
Number of Digital Inputs 2
Number of Digital Outputs 2
Number of Headphone Outputs 1
Number of MIDI Inputs 1
Number of MIDI Outputs 1
Number of Mic Preamps 2
Sample Rate 96 khz

FAQs

What are the main connectivity options for the Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface?

The Tascam US-144 mkII offers USB connectivity for easy integration with both Windows and macOS systems. It includes analog inputs and outputs, digital S/PDIF input and output, and MIDI input and output, making it versatile for various recording setups.

Is the Tascam US-144 mkII suitable for recording high-quality audio?

Yes, the Tascam US-144 mkII supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio resolution, providing high-quality audio recording capabilities. It also features two mic preamps for capturing clear and detailed sound.

Does the Tascam US-144 mkII require an external power supply?

No, the Tascam US-144 mkII is bus-powered via USB, which means it draws power directly from your computer, eliminating the need for an external power supply.

How many channels does the Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface support?

The Tascam US-144 mkII supports a total of 8 channels, including 4 analog inputs, 2 analog outputs, 2 digital inputs, and 2 digital outputs, providing flexibility for various recording and playback needs.

Is the Tascam US-144 mkII compatible with popular DAWs?

Yes, the Tascam US-144 mkII is compatible with most major DAWs on both Windows and macOS platforms, making it a versatile choice for music production and recording projects.

This Does Not Compute

This Does Not Compute

Tascam US-144mkII USB Audio Interface Review

Video thumbnail for Tascam US-144mkII USB Audio Interface Review by This Does Not Compute

Tascam US-144mkII USB Audio Interface Review

This Does Not Compute

This Does Not Compute

Video thumbnail for Tascam US 144 MK II USB 2.0 AUDIO INTERFACE REVIEW-BY The J.Hexx Project by thejhexxproject

Tascam US 144 MK II USB 2.0 AUDIO INTERFACE REVIEW-BY The J.Hexx Project

thejhexxproject

thejhexxproject

Video thumbnail for Test US-144 mkII by Khantipol Kasemsant

Test US-144 mkII

Khantipol Kasemsant

Khantipol Kasemsant

Video thumbnail for Tascam US-144 mkII USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Unboxing - MindPower009 by MindPower009

Tascam US-144 mkII USB 2.0 Audio/MIDI Interface Unboxing - MindPower009

MindPower009

MindPower009

Reviews

PROS

  • Great for MIDI sequencing and audio recording

  • No need for separate MIDI USB interface cable

  • Small, light, and USB powered

  • Top mounted knobs convenient for live use

  • Can be used as four independent inputs

  • Clean recordings and decent preamps

  • New driver released in 2014 improved performance

CONS

  • Does not work with Windows Vista

  • Noisy phantom power

  • Tone from inputs considered subpar

  • Build feels cheap despite solid performance

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface.

Features and functionality

  • The Tascam US-144 mkII has two inputs per channel, accommodating both XLR and 1/4" plugs; balancing levels with only two gain knobs can be challenging.

    Source
  • The Tascam US-144 mkII does not support Sysex data or MIDI note transfer, requiring an additional USB > MIDI cable for these functions.

    Source
  • The interface struggles with sample rates above 48kHz, causing crackling and distortion, and requires a driver reinstall to switch back to 24-bit depth from 16-bit.

    Source
  • The interface supports ALSA for low-latency operation in Reaper, with a 64 buffer and 1 period achieving 1.3ms latency, though stability may require adjustments.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • This interface is not supported on macOS Big Sur, with compatibility confirmed only up to macOS Catalina.

    Source
  • Some users experienced temporary relief by disabling USB Selective Suspend in Windows 10, although this solution was not universally effective.

    Source
  • A user developed a Linux kernel module enabling the Tascam US-144 mkII to function with low-latency audio on Linux, though digital in/out features remain untested.

    Source
  • It's advised to use plain JACK instead of PipeWire-JACK for this interface to maintain low latency, especially during streaming tasks.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Despite being dated, the Tascam US-144 mkII allows for zero-latency playback, ideal for playing instruments like bass guitar alongside PC tracks.

    Source
  • The device works effectively for low-latency piano VSTs on Linux when using JACK, with a recommended buffer size of 64 with 2-3 periods for stability.

    Source

Build quality

  • Owners report recurring hardware issues, particularly with the USB port, leading to persistent disconnects and distortion in audio output.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Users who switched to the Steinberg UR44 found it significantly more reliable, highlighting its superiority over the Tascam US-144 mkII.

    Source

User experience

  • The Tascam US-144 mkII may become intermittently functional after periods of disuse, but reliability issues often persist long-term.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Tascam US144 & US122L

soundonsound.com

The Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface offers rugged build quality and is USB-powered, making it convenient for mobile setups. It features a straightforward design with essential controls and provides good audio quality for its price range. However, it has larger than average hidden playback buffers, which result in higher latency, potentially impacting real-time performance, especially for soft synth users. The unique flat rotary knobs might not be to everyone's taste. Overall, it is a solid choice for budget-conscious musicians who value portability and ease of use, but those needing low latency for live applications might need to look elsewhere.

Add

4.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
andrewd39

Decent for the Price, the phantom power is crap

The noisiest phantom power I've heard from an interface. The tone from all the imputs isnt great either. Then again i am using a version about 6-8 years old. Spend the extra money and get a Scarlett-Series Focusrite

ozthehummingbird

As a gift of no cost to me, this thing is great!!

was gifted this interface and have loved how it works given that it landed in my lap for free! Extremely useful that I can record two signals at once. Haven't quite explored its use in a live setting yet but I certainly intend to. Despite my skewed perception of value, I'd recommend this thing. (I've seen that the rapper Milo uses it in his home studio as well)

punch

Driver dependant

This thing started out will all kinds of issues, but in 2014 Tascam released a new driver that made it just work. Solid but cheap feeling knobs.

A

4+

cool audio interface

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Grimes uses Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface

Grimes

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Tumblr

In a tumblr post describing her music process and equipment, Grimes shows a Tascam US-144 USB 2.0 as her audio interface.

See how Jay Hardway uses Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface

Jay Hardway

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Photo

The US-144 can be seen in the lower-right-hand corner of Jay Hardway's Instagram photo, just to the right of what appears to be a pencil. "New year, new music! Let's gooooo!"

See how jasmine thompson uses Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface

jasmine thompson

Singer

...
Verified via YouTube

At 1.57 in this video of jasmine thompson she answer on the question what for record setup she use she answer "i use Rode NT1-A Microphone on a Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface"

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Tascam US-144 mkII USB Audio Interface, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Rode NT1-A
Rode NT1-A Condenser Microphones
1
Shure SM58
Shure SM58 Dynamic Microphones
1

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