NEW iOS, Mac, & PC interface - TASCAM iXR

[Ultimatetone]

The Tascam iXR USB 2.0 Audio Interface
for MAC, Windows, & iOS (no $29.99 Apple CCK needed) for $159.99!

Some notable specs -

- USB 2.0
- MFi certified
- 57dB of gain on tap (enough for the Heil PR40 & Shure SM-7b mics?)
- 24-bit 96kHz capable (you had me at 24-bit, 44.1kHz, but cool!)
- Separate levels for line outs & headphones
- Only 35mm high, about the same footprint as an iPad Mini!

Official Tascam iXR Product Page

Also includes -
- Cubase LE for Mac & Windows
- Cubasis LE DAW for iPad

YouTube VIDEO: Tascam iXR - Summer NAMM 2016
YouTube VIDEO: Tascam iXR - iOS audio interface - Gearslutz @ Summer NAMM 2016

Tascam will also be offering the "iXR TRACKPACK" kit that includes (adds to?) -
- TM-60 condenser mic (powered by a battery)
- TM-60 accessory kit (case, stand, cable and windscreen)
- Protective silicon case for iXR

Sweetwater Sound and BSW now have the iXR in stock.
BSW has it for $159.99USD with free shipping - Tascam iXR at BSW

The bang-for-the-buck ratio makes this multi-platform interface a no-brainer.
I wonder how its preamps compare to those in my Tascam DR-100mkII...


I am not affiliated with ANY of the aforementioned companies.
All links provided above are legit and affiliate-free.

[Telefunky]

I've noticed that interface, too and it almost reads too good to be true...
57 dB is not much for a Shure SM7b on quiet sources like speach, but will work in a rock song context with a strong voice.
To be safe on acoustic sources with a dynamic mic (including ribbons) 70-80 dB are nice to have, but not very common)

After all it depends on the signal to noise ratio and there's the catch in Tascam's specs:
it's listed as 101 dB or higher (mic/line in to line out, gain knob at minimum, JEITA)
Usually this figure doesn't increase linear with gain, so what you'll get with gain set at 80% will only be revealed on a real world signal.

I have 2 interfaces: the one with 5db better specs delivers a 10db higher (=worse) noise level - measured.
Most preamps show a significant increase of noise in the very final range of the gain dial.
So you may rather end with a usable 54dB of gain if 57dB are max value.
The -125dB equivalent input noise for the Tascam preamp doesn't tell much because the following stages are ignored.
They measured SNR at minimum gain setting for a reason

cheers, Tom

[Ultimatetone]

-
There's one way to find-out...

I'm in the process of acquiring a Tascam iXR to try out with my
Shure SM-7b and my vintage Electro Voice RE-20 (not as gain hungry.)

[pwnified]

Awesome update, thanks! Amazingly it looks like that since the tascam iXR is MFi (Made For iPhone), you can use the regular charging cable to plug into it, and not have to fork over 30 bucks for the Lightning to Camera adapter!

[flyinbryan]

Mine took its maiden voyage at last night's show.
It works and sounds quite good - I'm happy with it.

But MAKE SURE it gets the power it needs! The USB-AC adaptor included with the iphone will work.

I recommend.