Tascam Model 12

The Lounge Other Gear
395

Uh been a while :slight_smile:

I’ve got several instruments going into my Model 12:
Mono channels 3-6: bass guitar, electric guitar, two vocal mics.
Stereo channel 7/8: Elektron gear; that is, DNKEYS going into DT going into AH - so all baked into one single stereo channel.

back then, my idea was to simultaneously multitrack the Model 12 channels + the individual Elektron machines each with their individual tracks.
Never did it though (apart from maybe a test run) as I simply cannot be bothered to 1.) bring my laptop to my “studio” and 2.) spend the time on my laptop after a jam to remix everything. Just not my workflow.

396

Ahhhh, gotcha. I’m still working out the logistics of my own workflow, and probably was considering something along those lines - trying to work out if DT+DNKeys to DAW via OB would complement capturing dubbing/jams to the multitrack.

Trying to find that balance between being fast and intuitive away from the computer, but also wanting to catch things to develop further in DAW.

I gather all of this was a bit OTT for you in the end - did you end up pursuing a simpler workflow, or not using the DAW at all?

397

Quick Q on this, if you sent all signals Pre Comp+EQ, would this be of any difference to them passing through the Comp at zero, and all EQs at 12 o clock?

1 Like
398

Theoretically—yes.

In practice—hard to say without testing it and hearing the results. I suppose those pots etc. could still affect the signal somehow since they’re still in the path.

(Someone else please correct me here if that’s not true.)

399

That sounds really interesting. I don’t suppose you have recorded any videos of your workflow in action?

Would be really intrigued to see how this works in practice. Still trying to hone in on my own optimal workflow, so this thread has been a goldmine.

400

Is it possible to do overdubs that are synced via midi clock?

401

I ended up basically staying with my old and simple DAWless workflow. I.e. I play and record everything live. If it was a good take, I put the main stereo mix through some mastering and that’s it.
It’s just the way I personally prefer making music - playing live instead of perfecting things on a screen.
I do, in fact, still multitrack record as mentioned earlier (bass, guitar, vocals, Elektron machines - and Moog machines - each separately) but I never use these stems. Maybe very rarely to create samples out of them later.

3 Likes
402

Awesome. Sounds like a fun way to work - I still can’t get away from the need to tweak things, but I might let go of that in the future.

404

Maybe posted here already, but super interesting analysis of the one knob compressor.
At lower levels acts as a limiter with a high or no threshold
As you turn the knob the threshold lowers, the ratio reduces, and the makeup gain increases.
Attack/decay seem pretty much fixed?

4 Likes
405

I’m considering picking one of these up in the next few months. Are people still happy with them? I haven’t been following closely but sounds like there have been some nice updates since its release.

406

I’ve had some issues develop on my Model 12 over time. At some point the power switch stopped working, which seems to be fairly common (and might be easily fixable, though I haven’t opened mine up — I just turn it on/off from the wall switch where it’s plugged in).

More recently I’ve had instances where I turn on the mixer and run some audio into it but nothing comes out. In some cases I can see the meters jumping to reflect the audio I’m sending in, and other times I don’t even see anything on the meters. But in any case, a quick power cycle seems to fix it and it works just fine.

So these are relatively minor issues, but I figured I’d share them for full transparency. I mentioned in a previous post in this thread that I got the Model 12 knowing it was more of a budget mixer rather than a high-end piece of gear, so I’m not too miffed about it, and that viewpoint still holds even as I run into more speedbumps here and there. It still gets the job done, even if it takes a janky workaround or two.

4 Likes
407

The updates have been nice, but mostly bug fixes and quality of life stuff. I definitely wouldn’t buy one expecting it to get any new features.

But the features it has are still great and surprisingly still unmatched. There are other mixers, MTRs, and audio interfaces that do just the mixing, MTR, or interface/MIDI clock/transport part of the Model 12, of course. But nothing else that does all of them together, I think, and that’s a very valuable combination for me.

You can go DAWless, record stems direct to card, and ride faders on playback. You can treat it like tape, track and punch in using MIDI to keep everything aligned. You can record multi-channel to your DAW and use those faders like a HUI controller while you do it. You can send out to your DAW for VSTs and get it back on whatever channel you like (with latency, of course). All while having a full TASCAM style mixer with EQ, comp, mute, solo, submix, auxes, and FX. It’s just a very flexible workhorse that fits right between “portable” and “no way am I lugging that to a show”.

I’ve been using mine consistently for years now, and the only problems I have are my gain pots have always been a little jumpy. And once, the MIDI in just, like, scrambled every message I sent for some reason (power cycle fixed it).

Other downsides include, compared to “arranger-style” MTRs, it’s pretty feature-poor. No takes. No moving tracks forward or backward in time (or in relation to each other). It really is like recording to tape with an old TEAC. Also, it’s a cheap digital mixer. None of that magic “summing” or EQ or pres sound you might hear in a more expensive desk. I also really desperately wish it had returns so I didn’t have to take up channels to get my sends back in.

But as an honest-to-goodness, hands-on mixer with tons of modern digital interop (to DAW or card) to keep things fresh and flexible, it really can’t be beat!

9 Likes
408

I was going to make a post but this pretty much sums up everything I had to say.

The Model 12 is great but it’s not a “DAW in a box” if that’s what you’re looking for.

But if you already have a DAW, or don’t really need or want one, it’s a very nice piece of kit and extremely flexible.

The power switch issue is real though, and not user-serviceable unless you have a lot of time and patience. I use my power strip to turn it on and off it and it works well, so long as the Model 12 is stopped and not playing or processing.

4 Likes
409

This all sounds good. Any issues using it as an audio interface to record into the DAW? I’m using Logic.

Basically, I need a new audio interface. And while I’m not looking for a DAW in a box, I came up on multitrack recorders, so it’s quite appealing to have a bit of that experience in addition to being able to record into the DAW. For years there were a lack of multitracks with midi, so I’ve had my eye on this since it came out, but I wasn’t in the market for an interface at the time. I don’t even have a mixer at the moment so this can fill a lot of roles. I also like the idea of being able to use the faders with the DAW for mixing.

3 Likes
410

It works well for me as an audio interface. Nice to get the separate channels captured directly in the DAW.

Also works decently as a control surface when integrated, although I think it’s just the faders that map to the DAW.

3 Likes
411

It’s always been very stable for me (usb-c to usb-c on an M1 mac running Logic using the class-compliant driver).

The only downside is, compared to rack mount mixer/multi-track interface like a Presonus StudioLive, the Model 12 is larger, has fewer channels, and is less expandable (no ADAT or anything) for the same price. If you know for sure you’re going to be purely ITB, you’ll get more bang for your buck from a rack interface.

But if you really want the HUI control (or want the flexibility to sometimes mix and/or track without your PC) then the Model 12 still comes out on top, IMHO.

4 Likes
412

Here’s the compatability list. For Logic, it maps faders, pan, arm, mute, solo, transport and jog.

3 Likes
414

It’s great for recording automation in a DAW, but I personally find switching between using it as a HUI controller and using it as a standalone multitrack kind of tedious. So I tend not to use it only in standalone multitrack mode.

But that might just be my own mental block.

It’s not a particularly deep menu dive to switch it over to DAW control mode and back, but I wish it was a physical button. That little encoder on it is very fiddly.

Actually, that is my one real complaint about the Model 12. You use that little encoder knob a LOT and it is TINY and fiddly as heyull, and mine suffers a bit of knob jitter (I got mine used).

Still, I wish they’d invested in something bigger and sturdier.

3 Likes
415

Thanks for all of the info! Yeah, there are of course a few things I wish it had (more of the functionality built into older multitracks) and send/returns, for instance, but it seems like the best fit for my needs. I have to say that I find the old Portastudio layout appealing. Seems like it will be easy to get up and running, and like it could inspire some creativity beyond what I could get from other basic audio interfaces, such as bringing it around to mic different spaces, or even just setting it up on my kitchen table to record on the weekends, etc.

I appreciate everyone giving the pros and cons. I have a better feel for what I’d be getting into.

1 Like
416

I keep wondering if I should’ve bought the latest Portastudio, which is $90 cheaper than the M12 for twice as many channels. Far more of a real DAW replacement, but less of the “feel” of using a mixing desk with those little throws.

The thing that stops me from the DP-24, other than the hilariously obsolete USB Mini B connector which might not even work with my new Macbook, is the much more cramped interface, the endless encoders and that tiny screen.

I’m just not sure how much serious editing you can really do on that screen.

1 Like