Tascam Digital Workstation Controller US-224 Owners Manual

							 
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TASCAM 
TEAC Professional Division 
US-224
 
 
 
Universal Serial Bus  
Digital Audio Workstation Controller
 
 
OWNER’S MANUAL 
D000640100A 
						

							 
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Important Safety Precautions 
 CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK). NO 
USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. 
 The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important 
operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance. 
 The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the 
presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude 
to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For U.S.A This appliance has a serial number located on the 
rear panel. Please record the model number and 
serial number and retain them for your records. 
Model number ______________________ 
Serial number
WARNING: TO PREVENT FIRE OR
SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPLIANCE TO RAIN OR MOISTURE. 
IMPORTANT (for U.K. Customers) 
DO NOT cut off the mains plug from this equipment. 
 If the plug fitted is not suitable for the power points in your  home orthe cable is too short to reach a power point, then obtain an
appropriate safety approved extension lead or  consult your dealer. 
 
If nonetheless the mains plug is cut off, remove the fuse and dispose 
of the plug immediately, to avoid a possible shock hazard by
inadvertent connection to the mains supply. 
 
If this product is not provided with a mains plug, or one has to be
fitted, then follow the instructions given below:  
 
IMPORTANT: The wires in this mains lead are coloured in 
accordance with the following code: 
GREEN-AND-YELLOW   : EARTH 
BLUE    : NEUTRAL 
BROWN    : LIVE 
 
WARNING: This apparatus must be earthed. 
 
As the colours of the wires in the mains lead of this apparatus  may
not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in
your plug proceed as follows: 
 
The wire which is coloured GREEN-and-YELLOW must be
connected to the terminal in the plug which is marked by the letter E
or by the safety earth symbol ç or coloured GREEN or GREEN-and-
YELLOW. 
 
The wire which is coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal
which is marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK. 
 
The wire which is coloured BROWN must be connected to the
terminal which is marked with the letter L or coloured  RED.  
 
When replacing the fuse only a correctly rated approved type
should be used and be sure to refit the fuse cover.
   
 
IF IN DOUBT — CONSULT A COMPETENT ELECTRICIAN.
For U.S.A
 
TO THE USER 
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with 
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of 
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide 
reasonable protection against harmful interference when 
the equipment is operated in a commercial environment. 
This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio 
frequency energy and, if not installed and used in 
accordance with the instruction manual, may cause 
harmful interference to radio communications. Operation o
f 
this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause 
harmful interference in which case the user will be required 
to correct the interference at his own expense. 
 
CAUTION 
Changes or modifications to this equipment not expressly 
approved by TEAC CORPORATION for compliance could 
void the users authority to operate this equipment. 
For the consumers in Europe 
 
WARNING 
This is a Class A product. In a domestic environment,  this
product may cause radio interference in which case the
user may be required to take adequate measures. 
 
Pour les utilisateurs en Europe 
AVERTISSEMENT 
Il sagit dun produit de Classe A. Dans un  environnemen
tdomes-tique, cet appareil peut provoquer des interférences
radio, dans ce cas lutilisateur peut être amené à prendre
des mesures  appro-priées. 
 
Für Kunden in Europa 
Warnung 
Dies is eine Einrichtung, welche die Funk-Entstörung  nach
Klasse A besitzt. Diese Einrichtung kann im  Wohnbereich
Funkstörungen versursachen ; in diesem  Fall kann vom
Betrieber verlang werden, angemessene  Maßnahmen
durchzuführen und dafür aufzukommen.
  
						

							 
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Read all of these Instructions. 
Save these Instructions for later use. 
Follow all Warnings and Instructions marked on the audio equipment. 
 
1) Read instructions — All the safety and operating  instructions 
should be read before the product is  operated. 
2) Retain instructions — The safety and operating  instructions 
should be retained for future reference. 
3) Heed Warnings — All warnings on the product and  in the 
operating instructions should be adhered to.  
4) Follow instructions — All operating and use  instructions should 
be followed. 
5) Cleaning — Unplug this product from the wall outlet  before 
cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol  cleaners. Use a 
damp cloth for cleaning. 
6) Attachments — Do not use attachments not  recommended by 
the product manufacturer as they may cause hazards.  
7) Water and Moisture — Do not use this product near  water _ for 
example, near a bath tub, wash bowl,  kitchen sink, or laundry tub; in 
a wet basement; or near a swimming pool; and the like.  
8) Accessories — Do not place this product on an  unstable cart, 
stand, tripod, bracket, or table. The  product may fall, causing 
serious injury to a child or adult, and serious damage to the product. 
Use only with  a cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table recommended 
by  the manufacturer, or sold with the product. Any mounting of the 
product should follow the  manufacturer’s instructions, and should 
use a mounting  accessory recommended by the manufacturer. 
9) A product and cart combination should be moved  with care. 
Quick stops, excessive force, and uneven  surfaces may cause the 
product and cart combination  overturn.  
 
 
 
 
10) Ventilation — Slots and openings in the cabinet are provided for 
ventilation and to ensure reliable  operation of the product and to 
protect it from overheating, and these openings must not be blocked  
or covered. The openings should never be blocked by  placing the 
product on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar  surface. This product 
should not be placed in a built-in  installation such as a bookcase or 
rack unless proper  ventilation is provided or the manufacturer’s 
instructions  have been adhered to.  
11) Power Sources — This product should be  operated only from 
the type of power source indicated  on the marking label. If you are 
not sure of the type of power supply to your home, consult your 
product dealer  or local power company. For products intended to  
operate from battery power, or other sources, refer to  the operating 
instructions. 
12) Grounding or Polarization — This product may be equipped 
with a polarized alternating-current line plug  (a plug having one 
blade wider than the other). This  plug will fit into the power outlet 
only one way. This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the 
plug fully  into the outlet, try reversing the plug. If the plug should  
still fail to fit, contact your electrician to replace your  obsolete outlet. 
Do not defeat the safety purpose of the  polarized plug. 
13) Power-Cord Protection — Power-supply cords  should be 
routed so that they are not likely to be walked  on or pinched by 
items placed upon or against them,  paying particular attention to 
cords at plugs,  convenience receptacles, and the point where they 
exit  from the product. 
14) Outdoor Antenna Grounding — If an outside  antenna or cable 
system is connected to the product,  be sure the antenna or cable 
system is grounded so as to provide some protection against voltage 
surges and  built-up static charges. Article 810 of the National  
Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPA 70, provides information  with regard to 
proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of 
the lead-in wire to an  antenna discharge unit, size of grounding 
conductors,   location of antenna-discharge unit, connection to 
grounding electrodes, and requirements for the  grounding 
electrode.  
Note to CATV system installer: 
This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer’s 
attention to 
Section 820-40 of the NEC which provides guidelines for proper 
grounding 
and, in particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected 
to the 
grounding system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry 
as practical. 
 15) Lightning – For added protection for this product during a 
lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long 
periods of time, unplug it from the wall outlet and disconnect the 
antenna or cable system.  This will prevent damage to the product 
due to lightning and power line surges. 
16) Power Lines – An outside antenna system should not be 
located in the vicinity of overhead power lines or other electric light 
or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits.  
When installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be 
taken to keep from touching such power lines or circuits as contact 
with them might be fatal. 
17) Overloading – Do not overload wall outlets, extension cords, or 
integral convenience receptacles as this can result in fire or electric 
shock.  Never spill liquid of any kind on the product.. 
18) Object and Liquid Entry – Never push objects of any kind into 
this product through openings as they may touch dangerous voltage 
points or short out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock.  
Never spill liquid of any kind on the product. 
19) Servicing – Do not attempt to service this product yourself as 
opening or removing covers may expose you to dangerous voltage 
or other hazards.  Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. 
20) Damage Requiring Service – Unplug this product from the wall 
outlet and refer servicing to qualified service personnel under the 
following conditions: 
a) when the power supply cord or plug is damaged 
b) if liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the product 
c) if the product has been exposed to rain or water 
d) if the product does not operate normally by following the 
operating instructions.  Adjust only those controls that are covered 
by the operating instructions as an improper adjustment  of other 
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work 
by a qualified technician to restore the product to its normal 
operation 
e) if the product has been dropped or damaged in any way 
f) when the product exhibits a distinct change in performance – this 
indicates a need for service. 
21) Replacement Parts – W hen replacement parts are required, be 
sure the service technician has used replacement parts specified by 
the manufacturer or have the same characteristics as the original 
part. Unauthorized substitutions may result in fire, electric shock or 
other hazards. 
22) Safety Check – Upon completion of any service or repairs to this 
product, ask the service technician to perform safety checks to 
determine that the product is in proper operating condition. 
23) Wall or Ceiling Mounting – the product should be mounted to a 
wall or ceiling only as recommended by the manufacturer. 
24) Heat – The product should be situated away from heat sources 
such as radiators, heat registers, stoves or other product (including 
amplifiers ) that produce heat. 
  
 
 
 
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
						

							 
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This product is designed to help you record and 
reproduce sound works to which you own the 
copyright, or where you have obtained permission 
from the copyright holder or the rightful licensor.  
Unless you own the copyright, or have obtained 
the appropriate permission from the copyright 
holder or rightful licensor, your unauthorized 
recording, reproduction or distribution thereof may 
result in severe criminal penalties under copyright 
laws and international copyright treaties.  If you 
are uncertain about your rights contact your legal 
advisor.  Under no circumstances will TEAC 
Corporation be responsible for the consequences 
of any illegal copying performed using the US-
224. 
 
TEAC Corporation can take no responsibility for 
any loss of data stored on hard disk, or any other 
media, or on MIDI equipment such as 
sequencers, etc.  In case of such loss, TEAC 
Corporation will in no way be liable for any 
damages, consequential or otherwise, caused by 
such loss of data. 
 

 Microsoft, W indows, W indows NT and 
W indows XP are all registered trademarks 
or trademarks of Microsoft in the US 
and/or other countries. 

 The full name of the product referred to as 
“W indows 98” is “Microsoft® W indows® 
98 operating system.” 

 Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel 
Corporation 

 MIDI is a registered trademark of the 
Association of Manufacturers of Electronic 
Instruments  (AMEI) 

 All other brands or product names are 
trademarks of their respective companies 
or organizations. 
 
Declaration of Conformity 
 
Model Number   :   US-224 
Trade Name  :   TASCAM 
Responsible Party :  
 
TEAC America, Inc 
7733 Telegraph Road 
Montebello, CA 90640 
 
Telephone Number: 
 
 1-323-726-0303 
 
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC rules. 
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
 
1. This device may not cause harmful 
interference, and  
2.  This device must accept any interference 
received, including interference that may cause 
undesired operation.  
						

							 
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Table of Contents 
 
Table of Contents ........................................ 5 
Introduction ................................................. 6 
1.1 Overview............................................ 6 
1.2 Features ............................................ 6 
1.3 What’s in the package ....................... 6 
1.4 Nomenclature used in this manual .... 6 
2. Controls and Indicators ........................... 7 
2.1 Front Panel ........................................ 7 
2.2 Rear Panel ........................................ 8 
2.3 Front Panel Descriptions ................... 9 
2.4 Rear Panel Descriptions.................. 10 
3. Installation ............................................. 11 
3.1 System Requirements ..................... 11 
3.2 Installation ....................................... 12 
3.2.1 W indows ................................... 12 
3.2.2 Macintosh ................................. 14 
3.3 Setting Up OMS (MacOS Only) ...... 14 
3.4 Tuning Your PC ............................... 14 
3.5 Notes on USB interfacing ................ 16 
4. Hooking up Audio and MIDI to the US-224
.................................................................. 17
 
4.1 Hooking up audio ............................ 17 
4.2 Hooking up MIDI.............................. 18 
4.3 Using the Input Monitoring .............. 18 
4.4 Monitor vs. Master Level ................. 19 
5. The US-224 Control Panel .................... 20 
5.1  Main Page ...................................... 20 
5.2  Buffer Size Adjustment ................... 21 
5.3  The Chromatic Tuner ..................... 21 
6. Interfacing with your Audio Software .... 23 
6.1 Selecting the US-224 as your Audio 
Device.................................................... 23
 
6.1.1 Audio Control Panel .................. 23 
6.1.2. ASIO Control Panel ................. 23 
6.1.3 VST Remote ............................. 23 
6.2 Setting the Sample Rate and Bit 
Depth ..................................................... 24
 
6.3 Input Enabling ................................. 24 
6.4 Transport Controls and Locate Points
............................................................... 25
 
6.5 Mute/Solo ........................................ 26 
6.6 Data Wheel...................................... 26 
6.7 BANK Controls and FADER NULL.. 26 
6.8  ASIO2 Direct Monitoring................. 26 
7. A Sample Recording Session in Cubasis
.................................................................. 28
 
7.1 Setting Up ........................................ 28 
7.2 Recording Your Tracks.................... 29 
7.3 Overdubbing .................................... 29 
7.4 Mixdown .......................................... 30 
8. Other Applications and US-428 Emulation 
Mode ......................................................... 31 
  
 
 
8.1 Setting up Sound Manager Support 
(for use with ProTools Free and Other 
MacOS Applications) ............................. 32
 
9. Technical Support ................................. 34 
9.1 Troubleshooting ............................... 34 
9.2 Tech Support Contacts .................... 34 
9.3 Troubleshooting FAQs..................... 35 
Appendix A - MIDI Implementation Chart . 36 
Appendix B – Control Protocol .................. 37 
Appendix C - US-224 Technical 
Specifications ............................................ 42
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
						

							 
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Introduction  
 
1.1 Overview 
 
 
The US-224 is a USB controller designed for 
Cubasis and other Digital Audio W orkstation 
(DAW ) software applications.  Its design 
incorporates a  two-input, two-output 24-bit 
audio interface, a 16-channel MIDI interface, 
and a control surface for your most-used  
mouse functions.   
 
Our goal was to create a device to make  
your DAW  software as easy to use as a  
Portastudio. The transport and other 
controls are designed and laid out to look 
and function just like a Portastudio – if 
you’ve ever used a tape recorder, you know 
how to use the US-224.  
 
Because the US-224 is USB based, it’s the 
ideal companion to any desktop- or laptop-
based digital recording setup. And since it’s 
as compact as a laptop, it can be combined 
with one to create a complete portable 
digital audio workstation solution. 
 
 
1.2 Features 
 
 
The input section comprises a 24-bit audio 
interface, capable of streaming two 
simultaneous tracks of audio into your 
computer. Inputs include two balanced XLR 
mic inputs, two 1/4” unbalanced line inputs 
(switchable to high-impedance, for direct 
input of a guitar, bass or other hi-Z source), 
and an S/PDIF digital input.  Outputs include 
a pair of unbalanced line outputs on RCA 
connectors, S/PDIF output, and separate 
headphone output. 
 
The US-224 also features MIDI Input and 
Output ports, allowing you to send and 
receive data and MIDI Time Code (MTC) 
from your MIDI-based keyboards and other 
devices.   
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
The US-224’s control surface includes a 
variety of controls which make working with 
audio software faster and easier. The 
channel section of the control surface 
consists of four channel faders (plus one 
master fader), four MUTE/SOLO buttons, a 
switch to toggle Solo and Mute functions, 
and individual record-ready and select 
switches. The master section features a 
DATA wheel, PAN control (assigned by 
pressing the channel SELect key) and 
dedicated transport and locate controls, 
offering one-button access to these often-
used functions. 
 
 
1.3 What’s in the package  
 
 
The US-224 package contains the following 
items. W hen opening the package, please 
make certain that all the included items are 
present. If anything is missing, contact the 
dealer where you purchased it. 
 

 US-224 Controller 

 USB Cable 

 CD-ROM containing driver software and 
Cubasis VST 
 
 
1.4 Nomenclature used in 
this manual 
 
 
The following conventions will be used in 
this manual: 

 ALL CAPS will be used to designate 
physical buttons, faders, controllers and 
LED indicators on the US-224. 

 BOLD CAPS will be used to designate 
physical connectors on the US-224 

 Italics will be used to designate software 
dialog messages 

 Underlined Italics will be used to 
designate software menu functions and  
on-screen controllers. 
						

							 
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2. Controls and Indicators 
  
2.1 Front Panel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1. Power LED 
2. USB LED 
3.  MIDI In & Out LEDs 
4.  Mic/Line – Gtr Switches 
5.  Signal and OL LEDs 
6.  A and B Input Trims 
7. Line Out and Phones Output 
Levels 
8. DATA Wheel 
9.  NULL Switch and LED 10.  Input Monitor Switch and LED 
11.  Bank Switches and LEDs 
12. Transport Controls 
13.  Locate and Set Switches 
14.  Channel and Master Faders 
15. SELect  Switches and LEDs, 
RECord Ready Switch 
16. RECord LEDs 
17. MUTE Switches and LEDs, SOLO 
switch and LED 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 2 3 
4
567
8
9
10
11 11
1312 14 15 16  17  
						

							 
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2.2 Rear Panel 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18. PHONES jack 
19. OUTPUT L/R jacks 
20. INPUT A and B 
21. MIC INPUT A and B 
22. Digital In and Out 23. MIDI Out  
24. MIDI In  
25. USB jack 
26. POWER switch 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
18 
19 
20 
21
22
2324 
25 
26 
						

							 
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2.3 Front Panel Descriptions 
 
 
1. Power LED 
Indicates that the unit is powered on when 
lit. 
 
2. USB LED 
Indicates a valid USB connection to the host 
computer when lit. 
 
3. MIDI In LED 
indicates presence of incoming MIDI data at 
MIDI input. 
 
MIDI Out LED 
indicates transmission of MIDI data from 
MIDI output. 
 
4.  Mic/Line / Gtr Switches 
switches inputs between Mic/Line level and 
Hi-Z Level. 
 
5. SIGNAL LED 
indicates the presence of audio signal on the 
respective channel. (Specifically, when input 
level exceeds –42 dBFS.) Only functions on 
analog input. 
 
OL LED 
indicates an overload on the input level to 
the respective channel. (Specifically, a level 
of –2.5dBFS.) Only functions on analog 
input. 
 
6.  A and B Input Trims 
input level adjustment. Rotate clockwise to 
increase input level of analog sources. 
 
7.  Line Out Level 
controls the level to the RCA (analog) 
outputs. 
 
Headphone Out Level 
controls the level to the headphone outputs. 
 
8. DATA Wheel 
sends continuous controller information 
to application.  In Cubasis, functions as 
a shuttle 
wheel if no SELECT switch is held 
down, or as PAN control if a channel 
SELECT switch is pressed and held.)  
 
 
 
 
 
9. Fader NULL Switch and LED  
when pressed, disengages physical faders 
from the application. Used to match US-
224’s faders with those of the software 
application’s internal mixer.  W hen using 
FADER NULL, the selected channel’s REC 
and SEL LED’s indicate the US-224’s fader 
position relative to the associated channel in 
Cubasis’ mixer. 
 
10.  Input Monitor Switch and LED 
toggles Input Monitor adjust mode. W hen 
the associated LED is on, the FADER and 
MUTE switches for channel strips 1 and 2 
control the level of Inputs A and B to the US-
224’s stereo output. 
 
11. Bank Switches and LEDs 
pages between successive banks of four 
faders. 
 
12. Transport Controls: 
REW 
transport rewind. 
 
FFWD 
transport fast forward. 
 
STOP 
transport stop. 
 
PLAY 
transport play. 
 
RECORD 
transport record. 
 
13. LOCATE > 
moves transport to L and R locate points. 
 
SET 
holding SET and pressing > 
buttons sets L or R locate points, either on 
the fly or while stopped 
 
 
  
						

							 
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14.  Channel Faders  
send continuous controller information for 
banks of four faders, as selected by the 
BANK switch 
 
Master Fader 
controls level to the stereo bus output, 
and/or sends MIDI controller information to 
the host. 
 
 
15. SELECT  Switches  
selects channel for editing, recording, etc. 
 
SELECT LEDs  
indicates selected status of channel. 
 
RECord Ready Switch 
when held, pressing the SELECT button 
toggles the selected channel(s)’ record-
ready status. 
 
16. RECord LEDs  
indicates record status of selected channel. 
 
17.  MUTE Switches  
toggles mute or solo status for selected 
channel. 
 
MUTE LEDs  
when illuminated, indicates mute status of 
selected channel. (W hen SOLO LED is on, 
the associated channel’s MUTE LED’s 
indicate solo status when lit) 
 
SOLO switch 
toggles between mute and solo status. 
 
SOLO LED 
when illuminated, indicates MUTE buttons 
and LEDs are toggled to solo status. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
. 
 
 
2.4 Rear Panel Descriptions 
 
 
18. PHONES jack 
standard 1/4” stereo headphone output. 
 
19. OUTPUT L/R jacks 
unbalanced (RCA) analog audio output of 
stereo bus. 
 
20. INPUT A and B 
Analog inputs A and B.  Balanced when 
MIC/LINE-GUITAR switch is set to 
MIC/LINE; unbalanced when set to GUITAR 
 
21. MIC INPUT A and B 
Balanced XLR Inputs A and B. 
 
22. Digital In and Out 
S/PDIF digital input and output. 
 
23. MIDI Out  
MIDI output 
 
24. MIDI In  
MIDI input 
 
25. USB jack 
input for USB connection to host computer. 
 
26. POWER switch 
push on/push off power switch.