Dropout Problems with the Tascam US-122

[Ronnie Cremer]

I am running Windows XP Pro with SP1. I am using a AVERATEC laptop
with a AMD xp-1600 CPU with 256 MB ram. I installed the Tascam
drivers successfully, and the unit seems to connect without a problem.
Where I run into problems is when I try to play an audio file (mp3,
etc.) using any audio player (winamp/windows media player, etc.). The
audio will skip uncontrollably. I have tried many different files
with the same results, which by the way, ALL of there files play fine
using the laptops built-in sound card. It does seem to play a little
better, with only a few skips when playing through an audio editor
like Soundforge, however as soon as I try to move the mouse to select
anything, it will start to skip again. Almost as if it is not getting
enough power from the USB port. I have tried installing this unit on
3 different computers with the same results. I have since purchased a
M-Audio 410 firewire and LOVE IT, but I would like to get the US-122
working for portability, Any ideas ????

[Mike Rivers]

In article > writes:

> Where I run into problems is when I try to play an audio file (mp3,
> etc.) using any audio player (winamp/windows media player, etc.). The
> audio will skip uncontrollably.

I had the same problem with the US-122 on two different computers.
Open up the driver (you'll find an icon in the Windows Control Panel)
and REDUCE the latency setting (I think I told someone else to reduce
the "buffer size" but the slider is labeled "latency.") I think as
installed it's 1024. I reduced it to 256 (the minimum) with no ill
effects, and no skipping.

> as soon as I try to move the mouse to select
> anything, it will start to skip again. Almost as if it is not getting
> enough power from the USB port.

It's not a matter of power, it's that the computer isn't accessing it
often enough to keep the data flowing smoothly. There are a number of
things you can do to optimize your system for audio. Some are in the
manual for the US-122, there are others on TASCAM's web site (I guess.
They've removed the forums, hopefully they haven't removed the tech
support section), and Cakewalk's web site also has some tips. They
apply to any program and hardware, not just TASCAM or Cakewalk
products. Just wave a white flag and several people will jump in with
other web sites with optimization tips. You might not like all of them
and you don't have to do every one, but you should be able to find a
compromise that works with your system.

The only "power" issue I ran into with my laptop is that whenever I
switch the phantom power of the US-122 on, it knocks it off line and I
have to unplug and re-connect it (with the phantom power switch on) in
order to get it back to life. There's some question about the maximum
current draw specified for the USB port. My laptop (a Dell 2650) says
500 mA maximum), and the US-122 draws less than that normally, but
more than 300 mA with the phantom power switched on. I was talking
with Dan Lavry at the AES show - he has a new USB input-only interface
- and he told me that the official USB spec is 200 mA maximum. I
dunno. I don't have phantom power problem on my desktop computer, so I
guess it can take the transient load better.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )