I’m thinking of purchasing the Tascam Celesonic US-20x20 Audio Interface , but have some questions:
 

1. The Owner’s manual states that you can only use USB 3 if you are running Windows 10 and USB 2 if you use Windows 7. I do not want to upgrade to 10 yet for various reasons. I have a ADK pro Audio Computer with USB 2 and USB 3 input running W7. Can I use USB 3 with this interface if my computer supports USB 3?
2. I’m confused about the “Operation Mode” i.e. Mic Pre, Audio I/F, Mixer. What’s the difference? I just want to record audio sources like a mike, instruments, etc. for use with my Sonar DAW. If I choose “Audio” doesn’t the Mike Preamp still function?
3. Can I send a signal from one of the line outputs that adds reverb, eq, compression to a separate Headphone amp, and send a dry signal to the DAW?

Walt

WallyG
 
I’m thinking of purchasing the Tascam Celesonic US-20x20 Audio Interface , but have some questions:
 

1. The Owner’s manual states that you can only use USB 3 if you are running Windows 10 and USB 2 if you use Windows 7. I do not want to upgrade to 10 yet for various reasons. I have a ADK pro Audio Computer with USB 2 and USB 3 input running W7. Can I use USB 3 with this interface if my computer supports USB 3?
2. I’m confused about the “Operation Mode” i.e. Mic Pre, Audio I/F, Mixer. What’s the difference? I just want to record audio sources like a mike, instruments, etc. for use with my Sonar DAW. If I choose “Audio” doesn’t the Mike Preamp still function?
3. Can I send a signal from one of the line outputs that adds reverb, eq, compression to a separate Headphone amp, and send a dry signal to the DAW?

Walt

1. NO. Different driver.
 
2. The Mic Pre mode is the default IF AND ONLY IF there is no USB connection (the i/f defaults to being an 8-input mic pre, with the 8 XLR mic inputs routed directly to the Line Outs). The other modes refer to its use as an audio interface. The mic pres of course always work. Two different uses of "mic preamp", one as an box serving a function, the other as an electronic signal processing circuit.
 
3. If I understand your question correctly (the "send a signal" occurs solely within the interface, using the on-board DSP for FX for creating a monitoring mix via the Mixer tab): NO. Well, I know of people who have tried. I know of no one who has yet succeeded. The Mixer routes everything to the Master stereo buss (Master L/R, Line Outs 1/2, both headphone amps). One problem is that the i/f sums its Master buss with the DAW's Master buss. Another problem is that the Output tab allows you to reroute the DAW's virtual Line Outs to its physical Line Outs. So, you would need to create your monitoring mix in your DAW, with all the latency involved. As far as the signal TO the DAW goes, its DRY from the i/f.
 
My unsolicited $0.02 would be, unless you specifically required ADAT or S/PDIF connections, save a bunch of money and get a US-16x08. I have one, and it's been very stable under Win10. I ran it on Win7 until last August, and don't recall any issues once past the typical driver v1.00 issues (v1.04 currently).
 
I have the feeling that the Mixer function is best for simple live situation where you want to send a stereo feed to a PA system.
 
One thing I haven't tried is reconfiguring my monitors and Win10 to use a different Line Out pair (say, 3/4) as Windows and my DAWs Master buss outputs. That way, there's nothing coming back from the DAW that would get summed into the i/f's Master buss. You might be able to get it to work that way.

The Maartian nailed most of them, but a couple fine points.
 

WallyG 
The Owner’s manual states that you can only use USB 3 if you are running Windows 10 and USB 2 if you use Windows 7. I do not want to upgrade to 10 yet for various reasons. I have a ADK pro Audio Computer with USB 2 and USB 3 input running W7. Can I use USB 3 with this interface if my computer supports USB 3?

 
Although you'll not obtain the speed benefits of USB 3.0, it is compatible if that's the only free port you have. But I will say...I've already kicked myself because I didn't upgrade to Windows 10 sooner (I did an in-place upgrade over Windows 7 - no clean install required. Also, you have 30 days to roll back Windows 10 if you don't like it). The speed increase alone is worth it.
 

I’m confused about the “Operation Mode” i.e. Mic Pre, Audio I/F, Mixer. What’s the difference? I just want to record audio sources like a mike, instruments, etc. for use with my Sonar DAW. If I choose “Audio” doesn’t the Mike Preamp still function?

 
The mic pres are always functional. The US-20x20 is primarily an audio interface. However the mic pres are very good, so you can use it as a stand-alone unit with eight mic pres. Mixer mode is suitable for live mixing, due to the built-in software with faders, EQ, etc.
 

Can I send a signal from one of the line outputs that adds reverb, eq, compression to a separate Headphone amp, and send a dry signal to the DAW?

 
You can record dry while monitoring with headphones, but I don't think that's what you're asking about. I'm away from my studio but I'll check when I get home to find out if it's possible to do what you want with a non-standard routing.

 
Thank you "The Maartian" and Craig as you have cleared up my confusion.

Anderton
....You can record dry while monitoring with headphones, but I don't think that's what you're asking about. I'm away from my studio but I'll check when I get home to find out if it's possible to do what you want with a non-standard routing.

What I would like to do is record dry to Sonar with maybe a touch of compression to get rid of any gross differences in volume, but like to add effects in Sonar.
 
I think I can do it with the US20x20 by routing a line to an external hardware effects box that I have in my rack and monitor it's HP output. When I sing I like to hear some reverb, but not record it.
 
"The Maartian", I looked at the US 16x8 but think I might get the US20x20 (even though I only need 4 inputs max), since I will probabley succumb to installing Window 10 someday and I'll be able to use USB 3. 
 
Walt

Nice looking little studio in you avatar, Walt! A US-20x20 will fit in nicely. Good luck!

TheMaartian
Nice looking little studio in you avatar, Walt! A US-20x20 will fit in nicely. Good luck!

Thanks! That's my musical Man-Cave. My wife calls it my Play Pen.
 
I just ordered the US-20x20. Once again I appreciate your help and Craigs. BTW one of my good contacts at a major online store stated in an email to me "As you can see Tascam is turning the industry upside down a bit with the Celesonic, it's a boatload of interface for the money, and it sounds good too."
 
Walt

If I may add two more rah-rah TASCAM comments...the USB 3.0 connection is class-compliant, so it will work with just about any chip set you throw at it. Although USB 3.0 isn't quite as fast as Thunderbolt, I think you'll enjoy playing an instrument and hearing the note when you play it, not afterward.

I am probably doing something very wrong but when I use the Tascam US-20x20 in Sonar Platinum I can only see the odd number inputs (in1, in3, in5 etc) both as left right and stereo inputs. I have been studying the documentation but can't seem to figure out what I am doing wrong. Any ideas?
Joe

joebradley62@bellsouth.net
I am probably doing something very wrong but when I use the Tascam US-20x20 in Sonar Platinum I can only see the odd number inputs (in1, in3, in5 etc) both as left right and stereo inputs. I have been studying the documentation but can't seem to figure out what I am doing wrong. Any ideas?
Joe

No worries, Joe! And welcome to the forum!
 
I'll skip the "commentary" and just show you that all Inputs are, in fact, available. I hope you enjoy the US-20x20. I love my US-16x08!
 
The "Left" channel is physical Input 1/3/5/7/etc. The "Right" channel is physical Input 2/4/6/8/etc. The "Stereo" channels are physical Input pairs 1-2/3-4/5-6/7-8/etc. Enjoy the Naming!
 

 
Why doesn't physical input 2 show as "Right US-16x08 ASIO Analog IN 2" ?
Then first stereo as "Stereo US-16x08 ASIO Analog IN 1-2" ?
 
Ah, maybe this is what you wanted to avoid when you said "I'll skip the 'commentary'" ?
 
So it's a Tascam screwup ?