When the device is plugged back in, the Control Panel reports the new firmware version. This takes the form of a small self-contained updater program and the update process is as simple as running it, clicking a button, and unplugging the device when prompted.
The review unit arrived with firmware version 1.0, so I decided to download the update to version 1.02. The Control Panel also displays the device's current firmware version. Apparently the 'Audio Performance' option is not provided in the Mac Control Panel - although most audio applications provide their own buffer settings with which to adjust latency. Installing the device drivers also installs the Control Panel software, which allows access to a few basic settings, such as Audio Performance (basic latency adjustments can be made between 'lowest' and 'highest'), Sample Clock Source ('automatic' means that the device will follow an external clock signal if one is connected, while 'internal' means that external clocks are ignored), Digital Output Channels (the US1641's digital output can have 'line out 1&2' or 'line out 3&4' routed to it), and Digital Output Format (S/PDIF or AES/EBU). The manual recommends checking the Tascam web site for updates to both the device drivers and the device's firmware, and this was the first thing I did. Windows XP and Vista are supported (although only the 32-bit versions so far), as is Mac OS X (Tiger and Leopard, on both Intel and Power PC architectures). Setting up the US1641 is simple enough - the first step is to install the device drivers. A printed copy of the manual is also provided, along with another CD, containing a copy of Tascam's CV Piano plug-in instrument and a DVD-ROM including Steinberg's Cubase LE 4 (see the 'Bundled Software' box for more details). Supplied with the US1641 is a standard 'kettle' lead, a USB cable and a CD-ROM containing drivers and documentation. The unit is housed within a solidly constructed 1U, 19-inch rackmount case and enjoys its own built-in power supply - something of a rarity in 1U rack interfaces at this price point. The Tascam US1641 is a flexible, 16-input, 24-bit/96kHz audio interface, with basic MIDI I/O and the connection to the host computer provided via USB. Put simply, if you want to send lots of audio inputs into your computer simultaneously, but don't want to pay too much for the privilege, the US1641 could be exactly what you're looking for.
0 kommentar(er)
