TASCAM US16X08

I didn't realize it was available yet...

Got here Monday. So far, so good!  Working great with Windows 8.1 x64 and Sonar Platinum.

A few notes:
- The 16x08 is disabled in Windows Sound options.
- So far with small projects performance is great with 8.8ms RTL @ 48K/64 sample buffer
- Very stable with one exception so far ... futzing about with Output Settings in the Settings Panel while an audio app has the 16x08 selected has caused a couple of driver crashes. It is VERY easy to remember to NOT do this.  Exit Sonar (or whatever), make changes, restart Sonar.  No reboots required.

- The transient overhead is great.  Amps via DO and Red Box 5 are working much better - much easier to get levels set compared to my ex-Delta66 and a Behringer USB mixer.  Pres are clean with DI guitars via INST (IN9 & IN10). 
 
I haven't fed it via mic yet.  I haven't tried the internal EQs or COMPs either. 
 
Sweet so far.  I can't believe how much interface this thing provides for $300.

Thanks for posting BobF! I have been waiting to read the reviews and check one out at my local shop.
I am hoping to hear from Craig about it, though I suppose he has to actually get one, first! LOL
 
Michael

I'll keep posting my experiences here.

I haven't posted any updates because nothing has changed.  It continues to work great.  I've had zero problems with Sonar or any other app using it.
 
I have done some loopback tests.  The results are that the driver is overestimating latency by 28 samples.  So the real latency is actually a shave better this

A quick (I hope) overview of how I use this.  Prior to getting the 16x08, I used a Delta66 (4x4 analog) and a mixer.  The mixer fed the Delta so I could have levels set for different pieces of gear without having to recable and reset levels when devices were changed.
 
The 16x08 has enabled me to remove the mixer from the chain.  *Today* I have inputs feeding the 16x08 as follows:
 
(16x08 mic IN1-4 +48 phantom ON)
IRT Studio spkr out -> Red Box 5 -> 16x08 IN1
AT2035 cond mic -> 16x08 IN2
 
(16x08 mic IN5-8 +48 phantom OFF)
IRT Studio direct out (no emulation) -> 16x08 IN5
Direct Box -> 16x08 IN6
Dynamic mics -> 16x08 IN7-8
 
16x08 IN9-10, line or inst
 
(Line INs)
GT-001 -> 16x08 IN11/12
THR10 -> 16x08 IN13/14
 
Outputs 1/2 and 3/4 are connected to two different input pairs on a Samson C-Control.
 
16x08 OUT1/2 are the output of the internal mixer.  These allows direct monitoring of any inputs, combined with DAW outputs.  The Tascam Settings app gives control of the internal 16x08 mixer.

 
16x08 OUT3/4 are the computer outputs.  These allow monitoring of DAW outputs.

 
Having the outputs set this way allows switching between direct and DAW monitoring with pushbuttons on the C-Control.
 
Having additional outputs allows me to reamp to any physical amp I have, feeding the amp output back thru whatever input makes sense, whether I'm using a non-emulated direct out from the IRT Studio (to feed a spker/cab sim), the Red Box 5 being fed by the IRT Studio, a Bugera V22 or the Blackstar HT5RH, or the Blackstar's own direct output. 
 
There are lotsa ways to use this thing.  I use more inputs to keep from moving cables around more than I need simultaneous recording capability.  The preamps are sweet, with plenty of overhead for high level transients.  It has a good mix of input types (for me).
 
If there is one thing I don't like, it's getting used to having the mixer represented by software instead of physical knobs & sliders.  I'm slowly but surely getting over it :)
 
Performance is as good as any interface I've used, and it's Rock Solid - not a single crash.
 

For recording, I set levels according to the meters in Sonar.  For live play and direct monitoring, I use the Tascam app meters to make sure I'm not clipping, but the Samson sets the actual volume level.
 
INs 9 & 10 are switchable between line and instrument and have adjustable gain via front panel controls.  11 - 16 are fixed line inputs, although they can be set for -10 or +4 levels.  These are perfect for other devices that have their own level controls.
 
For me, this thing does it all great.  The only thing I can add is that B&H and GC/MF give you 30 days to kick the tires  :)
 
Before finding this, I was looking at 4x4 USB interfaces that were $200+, and I would still have the xtra mixer hardware inline.  I love being able to get something connected, tweaked and left alone.

UPDATE:  After using the 16x08 quite a bit, I happened to notice a high percentage for System Interrupts in Task Manager.  In the 10+% range.  I could get this below 1% by simply powering off the 16x08.  Note that there were no real symptoms or problems to mention.  Just a bunch of CPU tied up.
 
Long story short, it came down to whether or not the USB port it is connected to supports mass storage; a new spec to me.
 

 
This got me digging into USB port specs for my machine.  The only ports in my system specs that mention mass storage are USB3.0.  I connected the 16x08 to one of these and everything still works great, but System Interrupts in my system are now mostly under 1%.
 
Apparently it takes special handling to move data for this many INs & OUTs.  :)
 
I'm still a happy camper that never realized there was something to consider, but now maybe I can add a few more Rap Pro instances to projects with the extra CPU cycles I now have available.  :)
 

I gave up on getting one, as my shop wouldn't have one till July at the soonest. I bought a Scarlett 18i20 demo for a good price and will sell my us1641 to recoup some of that.
I see the 18i20 as a good interim I/O, while I save up for a higher end one, like RME UFX or whatever else might show up "then".
Michael

Thanks for the heads up on the us 20X20. That is one of the first usb3 units I've heard about!
http://www.tascam.eu/en/us-20x20.html
Looks like an excellent model, with ADAT in/out and S/PDIF in/out. It does say it works usb3 or usb2, so I wonder what that actually means...    I don't see a price on that page. Perhaps their working that out.
Michael
I got my 18i20 last night and will be pulling out the us1641 after some errands. Looks nice! LOL
 

Question: Has anyone been able to successfully (reliably) use an iLok with the Tascam US-nnXnn audio interfaces? The driver for my PreSonus AudioBox 44VSL keeps rendering my iLok unrecognizable. I am considering the US-4x4. I've got the Slate Digital plugins that I'd like to use in SONAR. I also (don't ask) keyed my Melodyne polyphonic app to it. Doh.

Cactus MusicThis is on sale today for $199 Stupid Deal of the Day at MF. 

Thank you, Johnny V!!! That's $50 cheaper than the US-4x4, for which I've been waiting on a sale. They were still in stock, so I ordered a US-16x8. What a deal. The extra i/o can never hurt. Will definitely save me some cable swapping.
 
Made my day!
 
Well, it is early. Maybe I'll get lucky later at Hullabaloo? Ha.
=====
Follow-up:
 
MF have already shipped my 16x8! Holy woot!
 
Oh, and I didn't get lucky at Hullabaloo. But I had a great time!

Cactus Music
I find once a year something worth buying from MS Stupid Deal. If your in the States it's much better. They add an unreasonable exchange rate and handling fees for Canada which I refuse to pay.  Sweetwater or Amazon is better for us as they don't add on handling fees and the shipping is not inflated. I also deal with a lot of small companies like Guitar Fetish. Great deals on parts and pick ups. I just bought a Blues Driver stomp box for only $50. It's worth a lot more. 
 
 http://www.guitarfetish.com/
 

Yeah, I saw the .ca in your sig. I typically NEVER buy from MF, because they're owned by GC. Sweetwater is my go-to. You have to be careful on Amazon. I always click on the New link (which Amazon is constantly moving around) instead of taking their default offer. Better control of from whom exactly you're buying and from where it's coming.
 
This was just too good of a deal to pass up.

I'd never heard of them and found the web site when looking for some soapbar sized humbuckers for my G&L Tribute. $32 each!!`It was like dropping a V8 in my 4 cylinder Korean guitar. I also bought a Sound Hole Magnetic PU for an Acoustic I have that I want a different sound than the boring old under saddle pezio. It was another great bargain and works as planned.
Anyhow this thread is about Tascam interfaces and I'm glad they are becoming good competition. I like Tascam stuff. If my us1641 wasn't working so well now with the new drivers I would have jumped on the deal myself. 
 
 

Make sure your MB/USB drivers are up to date and try different USB ports.  The specs call for a "storage class" USB port.
 
Mine is working great plugged into a USB3 port, but I did have to hunt down drivers for the MB ports.
 
I can run all day at 64 samples, but my typical projects are modest.  64 samples @48K gives me a measured 8.3ms RTL.  There other general audio considerations that Anderton has posted about well, such as disabling unused integrated HD audio ports.
 
My system is an i5 quad, 16G memory running Win8.1x64.  I went straight from XP to 8, so I can't speak (type?) to anything specific for in-between versions.