Thanks for the APP!

patm300e
Just out of curiosity, can you use matching transformers to get 16 XLR inputs on the 1608?
That would be nice!

Line Inputs 11-16 are switchable (in pairs) between -10 dBV and +4 dBu. Line Inputs 9 and 10 are switchable between +4 dBu (Line) and -42 dBu (Instrument). Assuming those inexpensive Hosa matching transformers provide a standard line level output (I can't find any specs, one way or the other), you should be able to handle 16 XLR inputs.
 
But...no mic pres on 9-16, so I don't know what that buys you. If all you're doing is converting one connector to another, with both at the same level, you don't need a transformer. If you're wanting to plug a mic into it...well, that doesn't sound like too good of an idea to me. Unless I'm recording to 8-bit cassette tape.

Well, I found the answer to 16 channels on Tascam's site:
http://tascam.com/product/us-16x08/getting_started/
 
This guy uses two of them...
 

patm300e
Well, I found the answer to 16 channels on Tascam's site:
http://tascam.com/product/us-16x08/getting_started/
 
This guy uses two of them...

One as an ASIO interface and one as an 8 channel mic pre (no USB) feeding Line Inputs 9-16. Yup. You can see the two cables routed through a hole beneath the 2 interfaces for Inputs 9 and 10. About $30/mic pre. Not bad. And all in a 1U case.

My M-audio Audiophile FW has two nice features I like:
a) mixer, so I can get sound throw it from windows applications while it is in ASIO mode (running Sonar)
b) output and headphone volumes are controllable from software and hardware (controls on device are encoders, not finite knobs)
 
Looking at Tascam units pictures knobs look finite for me. Am I wrong assuming Tascam interfaces do not have these 2 features?

azslow3
My M-audio Audiophile FW has two nice features I like:
a) mixer, so I can get sound throw it from windows applications while it is in ASIO mode (running Sonar)
b) output and headphone volumes are controllable from software and hardware (controls on device are encoders, not finite knobs)
 
Looking at Tascam units pictures knobs look finite for me. Am I wrong assuming Tascam interfaces do not have these 2 features?

Re b): They are finite knobs. The mains and headphones volume controls are separate, though.
 
Re a): I am currently using the US-16x08 as my Windows sound card. All others have been uninstalled (if possible) or disabled. I have NOT put any effort into trying to get audio from another source when I have a DAW or standalone VI loaded that uses ASIO. That would certainly be desirable; for example, it would be nice to be able to play a YouTube training video while having SONAR or a VI running. So, at this point, I can't say whether or not it is possible. I do know that it's NOT as simple as changing the routing via the Output tab in the Settings app.

TheMaartian

azslow3
My M-audio Audiophile FW has two nice features I like:
a) mixer, so I can get sound throw it from windows applications while it is in ASIO mode (running Sonar)
b) output and headphone volumes are controllable from software and hardware (controls on device are encoders, not finite knobs)
 
Looking at Tascam units pictures knobs look finite for me. Am I wrong assuming Tascam interfaces do not have these 2 features?

Re b): They are finite knobs. The mains and headphones volume controls are separate, though.

Thank you for the confirmation. That means it has no software controllable mixer (unlike Audiophile)
 

Re a): I am currently using the US-16x08 as my Windows sound card. All others have been uninstalled (if possible) or disabled. I have NOT put any effort into trying to get audio from another source when I have a DAW or standalone VI loaded that uses ASIO.That would certainly be desirable; for example, it would be nice to be able to play a YouTube training video while having SONAR or a VI running. So, at this point, I can't say whether or not it is possible. I do know that it's NOT as simple as changing the routing via the Output tab in the Settings app.

I mean exactly that use case(with training video). I have started by hardware routing my SB output to M-Audio input. The result was really noisy (coming from SB). And than I have "found" yet another M-Audio "output", usable as Windows default output even when Sonar use ASIO. I have not noticed glitches or latency increase. And I expect the same from my next interface.
 
Unfortunately, I see finite knobs on ALL modern interfaces except RME and MOTU.

azslow3

TheMaartian

azslow3
My M-audio Audiophile FW has two nice features I like:
a) mixer, so I can get sound throw it from windows applications while it is in ASIO mode (running Sonar)
b) output and headphone volumes are controllable from software and hardware (controls on device are encoders, not finite knobs)
 
Looking at Tascam units pictures knobs look finite for me. Am I wrong assuming Tascam interfaces do not have these 2 features?

Re b): They are finite knobs. The mains and headphones volume controls are separate, though.

Thank you for the confirmation. That means it has no software controllable mixer (unlike Audiophile)

I chose not to include the following because I don't think this will do what you want, but on the off chance...
 
Mixer

 
Output Setting (default)

 
Output Setting (alternate routing; not sure it will do what you want)

I was looking at these pictures in US-16x08 reference manual. I do not know what other users think about it (I am not pro musician), for me the only page which explain how it works is 31 with signals schematic. But even that part does not answer on my questions.
 
For (a): page 23 (8 - Application Guide) mention "Line US-16x08" output. I have no found any other place which mention it, including schematics. Where it goes? Can it work in parallel with ASIO mode?
 
For (b): it is more or less clear now, only hardware control for Main and Phones, except "Fader" after "ST BUS" before "Meters" on page 31. Is it in software?
 
In general, it looks like the whole unit is not for me. It has all "features" I do not like:
1) either monitors and phones have the same source or monitor will have no hardware level adjustment (in my noob practice I periodically want them different)
2) it has 2 bus only (1 stereo) mixer, the mixer works with hardware inputs only (no SW return)
3) all DAW outputs have no in unit level adjustment, they go directly to ST bus and can be routed directly to some outputs (stand alone software instruments can be "too loud" since they normally do not have persistent output volume control, the only strait forward solution to use channels 1/2 clash with the problem (1)).
3) looping output to input is not going to help with (2) since all outputs are unavoidably routed to the only stereo bus (am I wrong here?)
 
By comparison, Audiphile (4x6 when counting spdif) has (may be just in software, but I do not care) 8 buses, freely routable with volume adjustment, including software returns. One encoder can be switched to control in/out/aux/return. Phones can be switched (in software) to any from 4 bus pairs (between 2 with hardware button) and have separate encoder.
 
I repeat, I am no way claiming US is bad. It just does not have features I like.

Like I said, I didn't expect it to be your answer. I just wanted to be complete. Your response was a very useful contribution. Thanks for taking the time.