Products :: Audio interface :: US-20x20

20-in/20-out USB 3.0 Interface with Mic Pre and Digital Mixer Modes

TASCAM’s Celesonic US-20x20 packs 20 channels of analog and digital I/O into a single rackspace with great sounding preamps and USB 3.0/2.0 connectivity. Eight Ultra-HDDA microphone preamps provide 56dB of gain and high headroom to make microphones sound their best. Up to ten channels of digital I/O are included on ADAT and S/PDIF connectors, with word clock also provided for use with external clocks like TASCAM’s CG-1000. MIDI I/O allows use with controllers and synthesizers, and sample rates up to 192kHz/24-bit are supported.

The TASCAM Celesonic US-20x20 is the first USB 3.0 interface to use class-compliant drivers for future-proof use with computers and tablets. A built-in DSP mixer includes parametric EQ and compression on every channel and a stereo reverb send for great-sounding monitor mixes. The DSP mixer can also be used as a live mixer or submixer with computer control. The US-20x20 has three operation modes – audio interface, digital mixer, and 8-channel digital mic preamp –for maximum flexibility.

Lineup

US-2x2	US-4x4
US-16x08	US-20x20

Main Features

TASCAM's Ultra-HDDA mic preamps provide up to 57dB of gain with the highest headroom in their class. Meaning your tracks won't be distorted before they even hit your computer, resulting in sweeter mids and deep soundstaging. 

Popularized in TASCAM's HS-P82 professional broadcast and film recorders, Ultra HDDA preamps have the performance to handle condenser, dynamic, and ribbon microphones. These versatile preamps also feature line-level inputs for keyboards and other equipment.

Eight Ultra-HDDA Mic Preamps with 20dB of headroom

Ultra-HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) mic preamps, an original TASCAM design, use discrete construction for superior audio quality. TASCAM has achieved an EIN rating of -125 dBu (EIN is a value measurement of the absence of noise). The preamps have over 20dB of headroom, well above competing interfaces. This headroom is especially helpful on high SPL sources like drums and guitars  With other ratings that include a signal-to-noise ratio of 104 dB, we have achieved an extremely high level of audio performance. The key electronic components were selected through extensive listening tests.

Direct Inputs for Guitar and Bass 

Two instrument-level inputs are provided for direct input of guitar or bass. Make the most of guitar effect plug-ins, such as the TH2 effect that is included with Cakewalk SONAR. [Note] Guitar effect plug-ins and DAW software are sold separately.

High-grade Components Selected Through Careful Listening Tests

The TASCAM US Series interfaces have been engineered using the finest components available. Critical electronics such as the Audio4pro ADDA Converter by AKM Corporation enable the interface to boast a 104dB S/N ratio. TASCAM continues the legacy of creating products with professional high-end audio performance.

* Audio4pro is a brand name of AD converter by Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation - utilized in audio mixers and sound reinforcement equipment.

With (8) XLR/TRS inputs, (2) TRS inputs, multi-channel digital inputs via S/PDIF coaxial, and optical digital connectors, the US-20x20 provides a total of twenty simultaneous inputs  when operating at 44.1kHz or 48kHz. Twenty simultaneous outputs are also transmitted from your DAW  at 44.1kHz or 48kHz utilizing the (10) TRS line outputs, S/PDIF coaxial and optical digital outputs. The ADAT optical input/output support SMUX2 and SMUX4 - required for high sampling rates. Using (2) US-20x20 and the optical digital connections, it is possible to configure a (16) microphone recording system.

[Note] When operating at 88.2kHz or 96Khz, up to (16) inputs and (16) outputs are possible.
[Note] When operating at 176.4kHz or 192Khz, up to (12) inputs and (12) outputs are possible.

8 XLR/TRS inputs and 2 TRS inputs

The 8 XLR/TRS mic inputs have switchable +48V phantom power in banks of 4, making it possible to use 8 condenser mics at the same time. The 2 balanced line inputs on the rear of the unit are switchable between -10dBV and +4dBu. The user is able to interface an instrument of any level - balanced or unbalanced.

S/PDIF coaxial input/output 

The product is equipped with S/PDIF coaxial input and output connectors for connection to effects processors, digital synths, or an external AD/DA converter. For a high-quality monitoring environment, the TASCAM DA-3000 Master Recorder / ADDA converter is recommended.

Word input/output enables connection with an external clock generator

With word clock BNC connection, synchronization with word clock BNC connection, with an external digital device is possible. A highly precise generator - such as one from the TASCAM CG Series - is recommended for complex system setups.

The versatile Celesonic US-20x20 is an Interface for multitrack recording using a personal computer and DAW, a standalone mic preamp, or a mixer for live performances or mixing keyboards.

Mic Preamp Mode enabling use as a mic pre with analog & digital output

Mic Preamp Mode enables the use of the product as a standalone mic pre. In this mode, the XLR/TRS signal from the from panel flows through the Ultra-HDDA mic preamp, and is output through the TRS jack and the digital output on the rear panel. This is perfect for use into a mixer for live performances. It is not necessary to connect the interface to a personal computer via USB.

[Note] In Mic Preamp Mode, the sampling rate of the digital output is set to 44.1kHz. To change the sampling rate, a digital connection from a word clock master device must be established to the digital input connector.

[Note] When operating at 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz or 192kHz, the number of channels available from the optical digital connector is limited. At 88.2kHz and 96kHz, the output is limited to (4) channels - only the signals of IN1 through IN4 are available. At 176.4kHz and 192kHz, the output is limited to (2) channels - only the signals of IN1 and IN2 are available. And you can use only Optical or Coaxial. (All analog TRS output channels are available - IN1 through IN8)

Mixer mode enabling use for PA/SR and use as a keyboard mixer

Utilizing a 32-bit processing DSP mixer, the product can be used as a 6-bus mixer for PA/SR. In mixer mode, the US-20x20 provides an output patch bay and reverb effect. In mixer mode, the product is connected to a computer and the mixer is controlled from the computer. When (2) US-20x20 are connected, the result is a (16) channel digital mixer useful for live performances. In digital mixer mode, the motion of solo button provides "pre-fader-listen (PFL)".

[Note] When operating at 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, or 192kHz, the numbers of inputs to and outputs from the optical digital connectors are limited

Interface Mode for recording with a DAW

In Audio Interface Mode, the US-20x20 is used as a general audio interface connected to a personal computer, and used for recording with a DAW. The DSP mixer is enabled, and adjustment of dynamics such as balance, EQ, compression is possible during recording. In digital mixer mode, the motion of solo button provides "solo-in-place (SIP)".

[Note] When using the WDM driver, the number of output channels from an application is limited to less than 8 channels.

An obstacle with computer-based recording is latency (delayed audio signals). New USB 3.0 driver software has been developed to eliminate latency issues and driver set-up problems.

In addition, the built-in mixer provides near-zero latency monitoring while recording. It utilizes the high-performance Dual Core BlackFin DSP making it possible to offer 4-band EQ and compression on each channel. A stereo reverb is also provided for great-sounding headphone mixes. 

[Note] When operating at 176.4kHz or 192kHz, the effects (EQ, compression, phase, and reverb) of the DSP mixer cannot be used.
[Note] USB3.0 connection requires Windows 10 or OSX 10.11.2 (or later).

High resolution recording up to 192Hz/24-bit

Record up to 192kHz/24-bit - which far exceeds CD quality (44.1kHz/16-bit). The product supports not only the increasing 24bit/96kHz recordings but also recordings at higher sampling rates, so it can be used for a long time in the future.

USB 3.0 computer connection, a leading transmission standard

USB 3.0 is used in the US-20x20 for (24) channels transmission at 192kHz/24-bit. This is not possible with USB 2.0. USB OS USB3.0/USB2.0 Windows 10 OSX El Capitan (10.11.2 or later)  USB2.0 Windows 8, Windows 7, OS X Yosemite(10.10), OS X Mavericks(10.9), OS X Mountain Lion(10.8)

Advanced DSP mixer with 4-band equalizer and compressor on each channel

Utilizing an Analog Devices BlackFin processor, the US-20x20 offers an advanced digital mixer. Every input has 4-band EQ, compressor, and low-cut filter. The DSP mixer can store up to (10) snapshots as scenes - making it easy to recall mixer settings

[Note] When operating at 176.4kHz or 192kHz, the effects (EQ, compression, phase, and reverb) of the DSP mixer cannot be used.

Reverb effect to enhance performance and recorded tracks.

The DSP mixer features reverb that can be used to enhance vocal and instrument recordings. The effect can be added to the monitored audio to enhance the performance while recording.

[Note] When operating at 176.4kHz or 192kHz, the effects (EQ, compression, phase, and reverb) of the DSP mixer cannot be used.

Driver software can be installed without connecting the interface

The Windows driver software can be installed without connecting the interface. The installation can be completed by simply following the on-screen instructions. On a Mac, the interfaces can be used without installing a driver, but it is recommend that the Setting Panel software be installed so useful settings can be made.

We have applied the engineering expertise from years of making audio interfaces to create products that are both pioneering and practical. With their distinctive styling, these interfaces fit perfectly on the desktops of musicians and stimulate creativity.

Tascam’s new US series satisfies the needs of musicians from an aesthetic as well as ergonomic perspective. With its unique honeycomb structure on the side panels, the main body has a sense of weight, while also maintaining a delicacy that matches the user’s needs. Honeycomb structures are a feature of modern architecture, but are also a vital resource whose exceptional technical structure we can use in design. As this structure is found in nature, it has a stability and flexibility which comes with being an organic form.
-Axel Hartmann@ designbox

designbox (Official Website) : A German audio design company founded by Axel Hartmann and Stephan Leitl in 1995 which has worked on several design projects for famous music industry products such as synthesizers, effect pedals and amp simulators.

Angled design provides excellent usability on a desktop

The angled design of the US-20x20 makes desktop viewing and operation much easier than a flat box on a table. No more stretching the neck or twisting the wrist to operate an interface.

Built to tough robust full metal body

The durable metal jacket is employed for heavy duty use.

Separate volume controls for headphones and line output

The interfaces are designed with separate headphone and line output volume controls so even when both powered monitors and headphones are connected, the user can set an optimum level for each during operation.

Dual 70mW+70mW Headphone Outputs

The high-output 70mW+70mW (into 32ohms) headphone amplifiers makes headphone monitoring easy, during loud sessions. This assures you enough monitoring volume even while recording in the same room of a rehearsal studio.

You will not need another audio interface if you decide you want to make music using an iPad or other iOS device. The performance of these interfaces has been tested with major DAWs - you can continue to use them even if you change DAW software. Since these units include MIDI inputs and outputs, they can also be used as MIDI interfaces.

Connect with an iPad or another iOS device

Use a genuine Apple Lightning-USB camera adapter to connect the unit to an iPad or other iOS device. [Note] A genuine Apple Lightning-USB camera adapter is not included with this product. [Note] When connected, the US-20x20 will not provide power to the iOS device.

Tested with Sonar, Pro Tools, Cubase, Live, Studio One, and GarageBand

TASCAM has tested the interface operation with popular DAWs.

MIDI input and output enable connection with keyboards and other MIDI devices

MIDI input and output connectors allow connection with keyboards and other sound sources that employ MIDI connectors. The interfaces can also be used for synchronized operation of multitrack recorders and other external recording equipment.

The US-20x20 is supplied with the biocell side panels, but TASCAM also includes rack ears and a hex wrench - making it easy to remove the side panels and rackmount the interface if desired.

• Ultra-HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) mic preamps with −125dBu EIN
• Eight Ultra-HDDA micpres with XLR/TRS and connector, two TRS inputs
• 3 mode switching of Interface/Mic preamp/Mixer
• Up to 192kHz/24-bit recording
• Support for Windows and Mac
• USB 3.0/2.0 computer connection (USB3.0 requires Windows 10 or OSX 10.11.2 (or later))
• Connect with iPads and other iOS devices
• +48V phantom power for all inputs
• High-impedance inputs available
• Input level specifications boast a range of 56 dB for using dynamic mics
• Tough metal casing for durability
• Angled design provides excellent usability on a desktop
• Two standard TRS headphones output jack with 70mW + 70mW output power
• Separate controls for line and headphones output volumes
• MIDI input and output
• Low-latency monitoring via on-board DSP mixer
• DSP mixer with 4-band EQ and compression on each input channel(Can be used in Interface/Mixer mode)
• On-board Reverb effect ideal for monitoring on interface mode or PA/SR on mixer mode
• Patch bay allows outputs to be assigned freely(Can be used in Interface/Mixer mode)
• Scenes can store DSP mixer settings (up to 10+1 scenes can be stored and named）
• Ten TRS analog outputs
• S/PDIF coaxial digital input/output connectors
• TOS LINK optical digital multichannel input/output connectors (supporting SMUX2 and SMUX4)
• BNC word clock input/output connectors
• USB class compliant 2.0 support
• Confirmed operation with major DAW software (SONAR, Pro Tools, Cubase, Live, Studio One, GarageBand）
• RoHS certified
• Rack-mount adapter included
• Dedicated AC adapter included
• USB2.0 cable and USB3.0 cable included