Before calling support, always make sure you have the latest drivers and firmware installed. Check the TASCAM web site periodically for updates.

Check out the FAQ to find some useful troubleshooting tips.

This control panel is used to control the TASCAM US-1641 Audio/MIDI interface.  The left side of the control panel shows status information.  The right side of the control panel displays several menus when the US-1641 is connected.  An explanation of each item in the control panel follows:


ITEMS THAT ARE ALWAYS VISIBLE

Driver Version:  This displays the version of the TASCAM US-1641 driver that is currently installed on your computer.  Consult TASCAM's web site to ensure you are running the most recently released driver.

Device:  This indicates whether a US-1641 is currently connected.  If a US-1641 is not detected, it will display "none found".


ITEMS ONLY VISIBLE WHEN A US-1641 IS CONNECTED

Connection Type:  The US-1641 must be connected to a computer's USB 2.0 host port in order to function.  When properly connected, this status indicator will report "USB 2.0".  If the US-1641 has been plugged into a USB 1.1 host port, this status indicator will report "USB 1.1 (unsupported)" and audio and MIDI will not function.

Firmware Version:  This shows the version of the firmware inside the connected US-1641. Consult TASCAM's web site to ensure you are running the most recently released firmware.

Sample Width:  The US-1641 always operates at a 24-bit sample width.

Sample Rate:  This shows the current digital audio sample rate being used by the US-1641.  When connected to a USB 2.0 port, this can be 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, or 96 kHz.


Sample Clock Source:  This displays the current source of the US-1641's digital audio clock.  If it says "internal", it means that the US-1641 is generating its own digital audio sample clock.  If it says "digital", it means that the US-1641 is locked to a digital audio signal present at its digital input.

Digital Input Status:  This shows the status of the US-1641's digital input.  If there is no cable connected to the digital input, or if there is a cable connected but the signal cannot be recognized, it will report "no valid signal".  If there is a cable connected and the signal is good, it will report "valid signal" and its sample rate.  If the Sample Clock Source Menu is set to "internal", the digital input status will report "unavailable" because the digital input cannot be used when the device is using its internal digital audio clock.

Audio Performance Menu:  This menu is only available on Windows.  It controls how much time it takes for audio to get into and out of the computer.  This is known as latency.  There are five choices of latency.  On slower computers, lower latency settings may cause the audio to be interrupted by pops, clicks, or noise.  If this occurs, try using a higher latency setting.

The OSX control panel does not have an Audio Performance menu.  In OSX, the audio latency is adjusted by changing the buffer size from within the audio application that is being run.  Not all OSX audio applications permit the buffer size to be adjusted.  Please consult the documentation for your audio application.

Digital Output Channels Menu:  There are four audio channels streaming from the computer to the US-1641.  This menu determines which channels are routed to the digital output.  The choices are "channels 1 & 2" or "channels 3 & 4".

Sample Clock Source Menu:  This menu determines which digital audio clock source will be used.  If "automatic" is selected, the digital input will be used, provided there is a valid signal connected to it; otherwise, the internal clock will be used.  If "internal" is selected, the internal sample clock will always be used, regardless of what is connected to the US-1641's digital input.

Digital Output Format Menu:  This menu controls what type of digital audio format will be transmitted by the US-1641.  "S/PDIF" is the format used by many consumer products and professional products.  S/PDIF is typically carried on an RCA connector.  "AES/EBU" is the format used by many professional products.  Most devices that support the AES/EBU format use XLR connectors, though some can use RCA connectors.  In order to support such devices, the US-1641 can be set to transmit the AES/EBU format on its RCA digital output connector.  It is also possible to obtain an RCA to XLR adapter that can be used when the US-1641 is set to AES/EBU and the other device being connected to has an XLR connector.