TASCAM 16X08

The TASCAM 16X08 is one of the few Linux compatible audio interfaces with onboard DSP. Let’s plug it in and see how it performs.

DRIVERS

Plug it in. You’re done. Linux is cool like that… sometimes.

ALSA

You can control the TASCAM 16X08 directly with alsamixer.

JACK

In Cadence/QjackCtl select the ALSA driver to connect your TASCAM 16X08 to the Jack server. 

PULSEAUDIO

The TASCAM 16X08 will function like any other sound device in pavucontrol.

TASCAM DSP Mixer

The Tascam US-16×08 DSP mixer allows you to control the 280 elements available in the DSP.

Install dependencies

Debian

sudo apt install build-essential git libgtkmm-3.0-dev libxml++2.6-dev liblo-dev libasound2-dev

Arch

sudo pacman -S base-devel git gtkmm3 libxml++2.6 liblo alsa-lib

Clone the github repository

git clone https://github.com/onkelDead/tascam-gtk.git

Change into the tascam-gtk directory and build the project

cd tascam-gtk
autoreconf 
./configure 
make 

You will now have a tascamgtk binary that can be launched from the directory.

./tascamgtk

If you want to install tascamgtk system wide run the following

sudo make install

ROUND-TRIP LATENCY

While many kinds of audio latency metrics exist, one useful and well-understood metric is round-trip latency; the time it takes for an audio signal to enter the input of a device, get processed, and exit the output.

The following measurements were taken using jack_iodelay.

TESTBENCH

VERDICT

The Tascam US-16×08 is a deal if you’re looking for a Linux compatible audio interface with 16 physical inputs. It’s a no-frills block of metal designed to get sh*t done. I’m a fan of that.

Have questions about your Linux setup? Ask in our forums.

Tascam US-16×08

8.9 out of 10

The TASCAM US-16×08 captures 16 mic and line inputs to your computer with clear sound quality and advanced features to manage big sessions.

Stability

8.5 out of 10

Ease of Use

10 out of 10

Look & Feel

8 out of 10

Price

9 out of 10

Pros

16 physical inputs

Onboard DSP

Hardware MIDI

Cons

No digital I/O

Inputs 1-8 are XLR only

Spartan front panel

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