In the past I've heard concerns expressed about the reliability of USB audio and MIDI devices, and about whether the USB 1 protocol in general is capable of reliably handling the simultaneous transfer of audio and MIDI data. Mac OS X users are slightly less well catered-for, but a proper Core Audio driver is very welcome nonetheless. A limited but usable build of Steinberg's Cubasis VST is provided for Windows and Mac OS 9 users, while Windows users also get a version of Tascam's Gigastudio 24 package to play with. A reasonable selection of software is also supplied with the bundle. The ASIO (16 and 24-bit drivers are supplied), MME and WDM standards are supported under Windows (98SE to XP), while ASIO, Sound Manager and Core Audio are supported under Mac OS (8.6 to 9 and 10.2.3 or later). The US122 supports just about every computing platform in common use. The back panel features a standard USB connector, MIDI In and Out ports, stereo analogue RCA connectors and a quarter-inch headphone jack. Set in the front panel are a pair of balanced XLR connectors, a pair of quarter-inch jack inputs for guitar or line signals, and another pair of inserts which can be used to hook up an external compressor or limiter across the inputs. Also on the top panel are various LEDs, which light up to indicate a successful USB host connection, MIDI activity in both directions, and the presence of an input signal (with a clip warning). There are also switches to activate a high-impedance mode on both inputs so that guitars and basses can be DI'd, and a switch to supply phantom power to any mics that may require it - which is impressive given that the US122 is fully host-powered and requires no mains adaptor of its own.

The top panel is home to five chunky knobs controlling headphone and line out levels, 'direct monitor' volume (for very low-latency monitoring of input signals), and input gain (trimmable from line to mic level) for the left and right channels. Measuring just 196mm by 149mm and weighing in at less than a kilogram, it's a solid, pleasing little box, which gives the impression of being sturdy and well built. To this end, it offers two-channel audio I/O at up to 24-bit, 48kHz with phantom-powered mic preamps, plus single MIDI In and Out ports. The US122 is the newest addition to Tascam's increasingly comprehensive range of USB audio interfaces, and aims to provide 'portable, easy to use, professional recording capabilities for Mac and Windows laptop or desktop recording/production systems'. The baby of Tascam's US range of interfaces dispenses with its big brothers' control faders, but does boast stereo audio I/O with phantom power supplied over USB, as well as MIDI I/O.

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