CORRECTIONS: The one-knob compressor is digital, not analog. Fooled me! It sounds incredible. Also, when I said "analog" in reference to the board itself, what I meant was physical, visceral board with faders, knobs, and buttons as opposed to another virtual mixer software you have to navigate with a mouse. The board itself is of course digital.
Great video. I've been googling for a mixer/interface for years and astounded that no company really put this combo of features together in an affordable unit with a decent converter. Looks like Tascam really figured it out and I hope all the companies compete to fill the need for this kind of product.
Thanks for the awesome video. I just got the model 16 and after watching this video I feel so much better about the purchase. Im going to plug it in for the 1st time tonight and your video gave me exactly what I needed to know. I loved your messaging at the end of the video about how every person is important. Thanks for closing with such positivity
The info that you brushed over is SO HELPFUL! Thank you for that! However, your energy about everything…...... SPOT ON! You sir, know how to sell. You sir, know how to express your feelings on this product & well. I can taste your passion, truly, and it was fun to watch too 👍 Got to the end & was a bit sad. 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks man!
Great video, I'm getting this for music so initially I didn't watch, but many of the other videos were so scattered I came back. Very clear explanation of things. Please make a video for musicians focusing on the use of effects, especially on vocals and interacting with the DAW. I have Studio One and am excited beyond words about the ability of this unit to take the signal from the DAW and mix it before sending it back to the computer. That's one thing in particular and you'd be a great guy to explain it. I liked and subscribed! No Pressure! LOL
Same, here. I run a home studio (isn’t that oversaid now). I do music mainly but others are coming for all kinds of content. And yes the other videos are scattered. Nice vid.
I have the TASCAM Model 12, thanks for your presentation, having someone talking to you as you learn keeps your attention better than the words on the page. Looking forward to more. Songwriter/singer-guitarist ( engineer?) Muriel
Excellent overview, Brian! Logically done covering the main features. I also like your passion in your delivery. I've got to get me one of these. Thanks!
Me too. I didn‘t Unterstand exactly, how you splitt the incoming signal from the computer (other persons) that you don‘t have a loop signal with their voices...
High. I watched the whole video. I'm looking for a mixer that will complement an SM7B mic. Will the preamps of this mixer be enough without the aid of a cloudlifter? Currently I have a soundcraft mixer and I find the preamps a bit noisy. Is this way better than a Rodecaster pro in terms of preamp power and noise? Hope you notice this. Thanks.
Well, the SM7B requires 60db to get it up to line level. The Model 12 provides a max of 50db. Which means maxed out you're still looking at a -12 to -15db recording, which will need to be boosted quite a bit in post. The preamps in the Model 12 are excellent but you are sure to introduce some noise by maxing out the gain.
An awesome review ad video as per usual, Brian. 😁 👍 👍 I've just now added this mixer to my wishlist based upon your recommendation. 🎤 Cheers to you, my man! 🍻
I just bought one of these as well. I love it. The pre's are excellent, and it actually has that feeling of having a high head room when recording my amp. I would have loved to be in that meeting when they thought that it was an awesome idea to take up 2 of those channels there just for PC return. Honestly I had the thing operational for 1 hour and immediately facepalmed. The other thing I found problematic was creating a headphone mix, where I can easily mute my main speakers and just hear audio from my headphones. When I am recording this is something you do every few minutes. Thanks for the in depth review, I have watched a few of these so far
The PC Return setup is a complete oversight and truly disruptive feature. And I agree about switching between headphones and mains. A single push button to switch would be fantastic. Instead I'm routing the subs to the Mackie Big Knob and using that to switch. So yeah, some quirks. But I love this thing.
Content creation was the whole reason I bought this thing, the sending the computer audio to sub outs trick is amazing, I’m on a double interface setup, I’m dying to turn this into my master control center for all things audio. This video is a Godsend.
@@AudioforContentCreators So I'm curious how exactly you have that setup - do you have a dedicated separate headphone amp/another mixer that takes the Model 12's headphone output and sub outputs, and have your headphones plugged into that? If so, I'd like to know what you're specifically using for that.
Great video! The one on the mix-minus setup recommending the Mackie Big Knob Passive and the Behringer HA400 was also great. Love your stuff. A level above the other videos on the Model 12 on RU-vid. Hope the wife and baby are doing well!
By the way, got the Tascam, as well as all the stuff you recommended. Very good stuff! @Audio For Content Creators what would you recommend as a real pro-grade voice-over mic? Budget is up to ~$1500 USD approximately. We were thinking of the Neumann TLM-103... Would you recommend a dynamic mic or a condenser mic? Would be great to be able to do both singing vocals (as a baritone) as well as movie voice-overs.
Good stuff, I’m definitely thinking about the model 12, but had a couple of questions? 1. Would this have enough gain to power an RE20 without needing a cloudlifter or maxing the gain knob? 2. Could I use this for teams meetings, where I can either have found coming from my studio monitors, then I can move the mix to only headphone monitoring vs speaker mix, or mute the speakers in essence, and only have full mix sound coming through my headphones? I’ve heard the latter is not possible but wanted to check.
Very good video..you answered my biggest question which was multi channel recording into d.a.w.. Cool vid !! I ordered the model 12..after many reviews..and i now know also that its not fully analog..but the sound quality is excellent which is my major decido factor.
love the demo, i would love to ask the same question im still on for a while. Is there a way, as musician, to have the livestream active with the effects on vox etc.
Great advice and overview. Just in the process of purchasing a Tascam Model 24 since my main use is for music production and I have several keyboards requiring dedicated inputs etc. Very much looking forward to receiving it.
Fantastic video! One of the best videos I've ever seen about this product Thanks Unfortunately the usb pc return problem and the general phantom power issue, otherwise it would be the perfect desk for musicians
@@Rightly_Divided only two stereo channels unfortunately! You could of course use two mono channels to create a stereo track, so a total of five stereo hardware synths/drum machines etc
engage solo and disengage main on the 1/2 usb return. the pfl/afl knob will now control the volume in the headphones. you will also have to engage solo on anything else you want to hear in the head phones.
My band has the model24...we love it, its truly an awesome piece of gear.. live off the floor jam recordings, mix, post, done! ( I have two vids showing how we use the unit if you're looking to see how a full band uses it)
Dude. You’re awesome. I love the positive vibes and honesty both ways during the critique. I’ve been looking for this type of interface. Been debating the Audient ID Steinberg URRT Audiofuse etc and this has everything I’m looking for. Much appreciated.
Hey there, been trying to find an answer to this question maybe you can help. Can the model 12 use bluetooth for phone calls or is that limited to the TRRS port. Second question, it appears that not all lightning to 3.5 mm adapters are built the same. Can you shed any insight into what works? Ideally I'd like to split lightning coming off of my iphone so I can charge and transmit phone calls to my model 12.
Pardon my ignorance, I usually sing in my home studio with backing tracks (karaoke’s), can I apply multiple effects to my singing using this mixer? For eg: I play karaoke in one input and a microphone in the second input, can I apply only one effct out of the 16 at a time to the mic imput, or I can apply more than one at a time (for eg: delay 1 + studio)? Thanks
Hey, thanks for this video. Very helpful. And, congrats on your new baby! Future videos. For livestreaming. If I'm using a midi keyboard controller connected via USB into my computer and the Model 12 as an interface connected via USB into my computer, can I bring the sounds from the computer/midi back into one of the Model 12 channels with the switch set to PC instead of Live or Mtk? Would it just route into channels 1 & 2 without opening a DAW? I learned I can play my midi keyboard thru my computer and computer sound card without a DAW. I just tested it out thru the TRS headphone jack, which worked. Or, would I have to set it up in a DAW in the computer to route the midi back into a specific channel(s)? Then, could I mix the midi sounds with other inputs so they go out thru the mains? I also have a looper and need to determine how to connect that too. Also, do you use the Mackie Big Knob passive monitor controller- $69.99? I've read about the headphone issue and need to fix that. Thanks!!!
Hey Jon. Unfortunately midi is not something I have much experience with, apart from using a digital piano as a midi controller a few times over the years. So I can't help with how to route midi via the Model 12. Regarding the Big Knob, yes that is what I'm using to handle headphone routing. I run Sub Outs and Main Outs to the Big Knob and use the input toggle to switch between my monitors and headphones. It should have been built into the Model 12. Just an a/b switch would have done it. Having the headphone jacks tied to the main fader is really silly.
Great vid! If I am using this as a multi track DAW interface, when I play it back on my computer, will it send the audio back to the board so the board will send it to my studio monitors?
Super video! What’s the difference between the Model series and the dp series? I’m buying one of them next week but can’t determine a difference! Thanks again!
Considering upgrading my audio interface and setup for recording/playback. I sort of have a complicated audio routing pathway that will take more than a RU-vid comment to explain. Is there a way I could dm or email you and get some insight on whether or not this board would be a viable option?
Bluetooth question: When the phone is paired, Can the person on the phone hear you talk on the mic? Can you hear the caller through the speakers? Can you record the two-way conversation?
I have a question, over on top of the red main volume knob is a "Post Record Button". Can you tell me just what it means, and do i have to us it when i'm recording on the SD Card?
When it is clicked in, any audio recorded directly to the SD card will be captured post the Main fader. In other words, the Main fader will affect the level of any captured audio. You would almost never want to do this. It's really just for doing master fader automation during tracking of a full mix. I'd imagine a band using this Model 12 for capturing their live performance, and the audio engineer fading in or out the songs in real-time. Not something I'd ever use as a content creator.
Great tutorial thank you. Curious if all of these instructions would help one utilize the Model 16? Hoping there is some overlap and it doesn't look like there is much out there yet on the Model 16. Thanks!
Hello there, i have a simple question as i see you are using this board and also the software Audio Hijack in another video. Basically i am hosting radio shows online, and i've been doing the capture+mixing+streaming with only Audio Hijack to get audio from iTunes/Zoom/studio mics (with a Focusrite audio interface). It is a bit complicated as my Audio Hijack sessions become very complex and there is no easy way to tweak audio and levels on each input on the fly as i have no physical control surface. (so it's all done with my mouse and keyboard and it gets tricky) I would like to buy the Tascam model 12 to upgrade my studio and make my show better. The idea is to use few analog mic inputs for the hosts in the studio + having audio hijack get audio from softwares on my computer (such as zoom, itunes, spotify, internet browser) and bring them into the board in different slices (one slice per virtual source/software) so i can manipulate them, eq them, use the faders and create a final mix. Would the tascam model 12 allow me to do that? mix analog audio inputs (mics+instruments) with various audio sources from my computer, ripped by audio hijack and brought into the table for final mixing? I am a bit new in the world of audio engineering so i am usure if i understand the PC function of the tascam model 12 correctly, if you could enlighten me on that topic it would be awesome. Thanks for you videos they're very helpful, and sorry if my question has been answered somewhere, again i'm a bit of a newbie in the field. Thank you, and have a good day.
Channels 1&2 are just for playback via PC switch. Can still be used for recording. Your not loosing 2 channels. Plus you can route your play back channels to be what ever you want in your DAW. Dont have to be 1 & 2.
This is true for recording as a portable studio. But if you're using it as an audio interface, you permanently lose both channels for PC playback. Otherwise you couldn't monitor previously recorded tracks while recording a new track, not to mention you couldn't hear anybody on a video call. And even if you were willing to constantly switch back and forth, any channel strip settings you used for recording would now affect your PC playback. I don't want my PC playback affected by compression or EQ.
@@AudioforContentCreators just saying I usually route my stereo output from my DAW to 7/8 the manual is a little misleading saying only 1&2 can be used for playback. 1&2 will double as inputs when recording and faders then become volume control on play back. You can have 1&2 acting as both input and out put. Controlling the send of 1&2 from the daw, but then you dont use it much like that anyway. Thanks.
Thanks for the enthusiasm, I'm in the musician camp and recently got the Model 12. It's not the ultimate device but there's enough possibilities to keep me going for years. I started recording using SoS on a reel-to-reel deck way back, this device is beyond Star Trek in comparison. Oh, and you didn't mention it is also a hardware DAW-controller compatible with all major DAW-suites for PC/Mac.
I didn't mention the DAW controller capability because the average content creator, non musician, would never use it for that. But yes this thing is a marvel. Any tutorials you'd like to see me do on this unit?
Fantastic video, thank you for sharing it! I’m a musician and I’ve been on the fence about the model 12 because I don’t want to lose the two input channels for playback. I might save up and get the model 16 instead. Do you know if you are able to record the built in effects, or if they are just for playback? Also I was wondering if there’s a way to record several tracks on the unit, and then play them back while recording a main mix. It would be nice not to have to commit to a final volume until all tracks are recorded separately... finally, what kind of stand do you have your mixer sitting on? That’s exactly how I would like to use it instead of sitting it on a desk. Thanks again, and congratulations on the baby!
Yes! You can record the built-in effects with them on or to a separate aux track for mixing later. And yes, it's a fully functional multitrack portable studio, like the old days. You can mix and produce an entire track without ever touching a computer. And finally, the stand I'm using is this: amzn.to/36YlRlq
Just a correction: You don’t lose two channels on playback from within a DAW. The DAW will let you assign any channel for audio. I tested this with Studio One and with Reason. When you watch Netflix, RU-vid, etc, that’s when it uses channel 1 and 2, by default. As for recording multiple tracks to a main mix, yes....you can mix down the first 10 channels to tracks 11 and 12 and then swap them to one of the stereo tracks (let’s just say 9 and 10). This frees up 1 - 8 to record all new tracks, mix all of them with 9 and 10 to another stereo mix down on 11 and 12. Wash, rinse, repeat until your SD card is full. Fantastic board!!
Thank you for the input! I ended up going with a different mixer (Mackie Pro12fx). I realized I just needed the mixer to jam, but would eventually record one track at a time. So for me it made sense to go with a simpler mixer / interface and save a few hundred dollars. But for what the Tascam is intended to be, it is amazing and I will keep my eye on it for the future. Cheers!
Thanks for posting this :^) What brand of stand are you using for the model 12 in this video? Due to limited desk space, I'd like to get mine off my desk.
Great review! Thanks for this. QUESTION: While using the DAW Controller, I want to be able to record the audio from the computer return on it's own channel and be able to edit it separately in Logic (my podcast has guest that tune in virtually). Is this possible to MTR with the computer audio and my own mic and instrument mix from the board?
On 7/8 and 9/10 these channels are stereo. Now my question is these channels have left and right. Now can these be recorded in mono x two? If so how do you do that because I tried this using a MXR on the top and a 1/4 on the bottom of this connection and I got a deadline at the bottom. So does it need to be both, needing to be both 1/4 for it to record?
When using the model 12 as a daw interface, is it possible to use another usb output driver (from another device, other than the model 12) and thus avoid using channels 1 and 2 of the console?
Hey mate. Love the video. I was about to buy the Tascam Mixcast 4 or Rodecaster Pro, then I found out about this machine. As far as I can tell, you can do anything on this as you can on the two afore mention machines and a lot more and all for around the same price. It even has mix minus for calls. I’m getting this. EDIT: Sorry, I forgot. I have a Focusrite 4i4 for my XLR mic and the preamp is pretty good. Are the pre amps in this better and can i run this through my 4i4? Cheers man.
Can you control the volume of the main outs without distorting the signal. For example, I push up the volume on the main fader to get more volume to my monitors, but its driving the internal signal of the board to distortion.
Could this push a dynamic mic like the Shure SM7b or something similar? I'm debating between this and the Mixcast 4 for mainly podcasting. I know the Mixcaster gives 66dB of gain but not sure if the Model 12 competes in this area.
Great overview, very helpful. I'm primarily a musician/writer, mostly focused on audio creation. I've been using a Tascam portastudio dp-03sd to record/mix/master. Recently I started mastering on my pc with Ozone 9, but that's really the only thing I want to do on a computer. With this model 12, would I be able to mix with fade ins and fade outs, like on my portastudio? Or maybe would I export the model 12 recording into my portastudio for fade ins and outs?
Great vid, had brought the model 12 before seeing this video and like you said when you open the box it will be a learning curve. But so far has been a great one! I use mine for producing in ableton and connecting some hardware synths to my DAW so mainly as an interface. Was great till I realised that a panning plugin didn't work properly because the output was in mono, but all works fine when switching to DAW mode on the model 12, just have to work my routings properly. But that's the fun part! Looking forward to seeing more videos from yourself in the future about it. :)
@@AudioforContentCreators not sure really, maybe about the interface side of the unit, with some routing ideas for electronic producers? A lot of other videos are aboit using it for a band, which I totally get.
Can this board send the same audio to USB ISO track post EQ and Master output at the same time from the individual channels? So I can record Multiple tracks post EQ and control the USB send to PC and Main Mix output from the same fader at the same time?...or is it USB or Main Mix?
hi Brian.. the asio driver on the soundcraft signature 12 lets you choose what channel you can play back from pc.it would be great if you could mention that to Tascam .they could possibly look at their asio drivers.. also my concern ..i just bought the Tascam model 12. receiving it next week ..replacing souncraft...with Tascam..Thanks Louis..South Africa
I know this is really old, But i was wondering if tascam ever did a firmware update to move the USB return from 1/2 over to 9/10? I seen people doing it a weird way with loopback software, But im hoping by now tascam just added an option to move the return to 9/10. I personally love to apply eq to my usb return channel strip. a nice V curve for media. add in a little highs, remove a bit of mids, add in some lows for explosions in games or movies, or good bass extension in music. you know, fun stuff lol, then i typically flatten it back out when im mixing and mastering. Is this something the tascam can do?
I love this product but i'm undecided between the model 12 and the Presonus Ar12c which is very similar i think and at the same price, a comparison between them would be excellent
I have the Model 12 but not the Presonus. However, I can tell you that the Model 12 is a phenomenal board with all that it can do. There is a LOT of misunderstandings / misinformation on a lot of the RU-vid videos on its capabilities. The on-board multi-track capabilities on the Model 12, that the Presonus doesn’t have, is enough to choose the Tascam over any other similar board. Until there is an update on the features that have been addressed by Tascam, I highly recommend reading the manual. For example, while it appears there are 10 “tracks”, due to its internal Track Swap feature, you are only limited by SD card size. Any headphone complaint is addressed by, appropriately, using the Sub output and not the main. The Model 12 is NOT limited to channel 1 and 2 when used as an audio interface. Any DAW can assign ANY channel on the board to output your audio. When listening to music, watching RU-vid, etc., that’s when channel 1 and 2 are utilized. I think Brian did a fantastic on on this review but he fell into the same traps that other reviewers have, as well. Maybe Tascam has made firmware updates since this review and my purchase. To answer your question, I was shopping as well and read the Tascam manual. This Model 12 is a BEAST of a board with capabilities the Presonus doesn’t have.
@@AxeRocker88 Woow thank you very much really, you helped me a lot in my decision with that recommendation and I really appreciate it. thanks for your answer bro
Nice review. I had bought this last night but have yet to pick it up. I am worried about the sound cards latency with the 24/48k card-considering my current cards are 24/96. Normally I would go to 24/192 card-but this device has so many features. Do you ever use vst's? Multiple? what do you have your buffer set to?
Hey Nick! Welcome. Are you asking about using the Model 12 as an audio interface with a DAW, and tracking with VSTs like eq, compression, guitar amp sims, reverb etc?
I almost never use VSTs during tracking when recording music. I use in-line effects that are recorded and monitor with reverb. Unfortunately I haven't really tested it the way you're asking. I'll see if I can work something out!
For all that may be interested, I get 5 milliseconds @ 48000 / 24 bit on Windows. Latency is not an issue with this board. 256 samples. I track with Brainworx SSL and reverb / delay on the way in. No issues at all.
Greetings brother, just got the Tascam 12. Very happy 😃 until I picked up the user’s Manual and the language is in Germany 😂😂😂 I can’t read or speak Germany. Please can you help, do I have to download drivers from the Computer to use the Tascam to work with the Computer, and my MPC one . I have no instructions to show me what to do. I would be very grateful if you could help, I’m new to this music production, and would to learn this Music creation, and be creative as I love music. Big your self you are doing a great job.
I have a question, can I live stream with the stereo mix and multitrack recording on the SD card or the daw at the same time??? Thanks great video!! 👍🏼
@@AudioforContentCreators Hi, if you want to mix tracks coming back from a DAW do you have to use channel 1 and 2 for monitoring the main DAW output? I'd like to be able to output 10 mono tracks, mix them on the board and record the stereo mix back to the DAW.
Biggest difference are the preamps and intended use cases. The Model 12 is a pro-grade unit with excellent preamps. But it has a high learning curve, being intended for professionals and serious amateurs. Zoom makes user friendly, intuitive products with mediocre, plasticy sounding preamps designed for amateurs and general consumers.
Fantastic Review - I'm Sold :) I have spent the last couple months looking at the Rhode Podcaster and Yamaha MG etc. but watching your review made my final decision a No Brainer so THANK YOU!! I'll keep an eye out for the firmware update regarding PC Return on 1&2! but for 600 bucks I feel it's a bargain for all you get much like the Atem Mini both game changers, Also huge thanks for the Headphone hack on the Sub Outs! This thing is like a Swiss Army Knife :)
Hey Brian, Just got my Model 12 off and running one little hiccup is I'm trying to use it in Zoom Meeting for audio source not much luck did all the firmware updates etc. My Mac shows the model 12 as well as Zoom when I go in to choose Audio source but I'm not getting the sound in or out have channels 1&2 set to PC no luck so I bet there is a simple connection I'm just not figuring out in the mean time I did a work around with my IRig Stream if you are familiar with that device and problem solved ran the output of the IRig back into Channels 1&2 (Setting the channels to Live) I guess any would do with using that device but really would prefer to just use the Model 12 alone and ditch the IRig if possible :P (Side Note I did go into USB and chose the Stereo Mix out but still no luck just for extra info) Sorry it's a lot to try and explain on a post but any tips I might be missing Very Appreciated :))
Noob here, so apologies... but I have a condenser mic (MXL 990) and was wondering about the phantom power button feeding every channel. Does that mean it isn't possible to use the MXL and/or other mics of varying impedance?
It's a great question. You can definitely use condensers and dynamics simultaneously with phantom power on. Just don't use a ribbon mic with phantom power on. And ALWAYS turn phantom power off when plugging in or unplugging mics.
