US-1641

OWNER'S MANUAL

D01002220A

16x4 96k/24-bit USB Audio/MIDI Interface
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 lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage within the products enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons. 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.
This appliance has a se rial numbe r 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.

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 of 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 exp re s sly a pp rove d by TE AC COR POR ATION for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
For the customers 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 I l s'a g i t d 'u n p r o d u i t d e C l a s s e A. D a n s u n environnement domestique, cet appareil peut provoquer des interfrences radio, dans ce cas l'utilisateur peut tre amen prendre des mesures appropries. Fr Kunden in Europa Warnung Dies ist eine Einrichtung, welche die Funk-Entstrung nach Klasse A besitzt. Diese Einrichtung kann im Wohnbereich Funkstrungen versursachen ; in diesem Fall kann vom Betrieber verlang werden, angemessene Manahmen durchzufhren und dafr aufzukommen.
CE Marking Information a) Applicable electromagnetic environment: E4 b) Peak inrush current: 8.0 A
In North America use only on 120V supply.

TASCAM

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
1 Read these instructions. 2 Keep these instructions. 3 Heed all warnings. 4 Follow all instructions. 5 Do not use this apparatus near water. 6 Clean only with dry cloth. 7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 8 D o not install nea r any heat source s such a s radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding p rong. T he wide blade or the third prong a re provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 0 Protect the power cord from being walked on 1 or pinched par ticularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. 11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12 Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over. Do not expose this apparatus to drips or splashes. Do not place any objects filled with liquids, such as vases, on the apparatus. Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as a book case or similar unit. The apparatus should be located close enough to the AC outlet so that you can easily grasp the power cord plug at any time. An apparatus with Class I construction shall be connected to an AC outlet with a protective grounding connection. Batteries (battery pack or batteries installed) should not be exposed to excessive heat such as sunshine, fire or the like. Excessive sound pressure from earphones and headphones can cause hearing loss. The apparatus draws nominal non-operating power from the AC outlet with its STANDBY/ON in the Standby position.

13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

TASCAM US-1641

Safety Information

Rack-mounting the Unit

Use the supplied rack-mounting kit to mount the unit in a standard 19-inch rack, as shown below. Remove the feet of the unit before mounting.
Leave 1U of space above the unit for ventilation. Allow at least 10 cm (4 in) at the rear of the unit for ventilation.

Contents

1 Introduction.. 6
Features...6. Supplied accessories..6. Manual conventions..6 Precautions for placement and use.6.
Beware of condensation..7

5 Connections. 18

USB connections..18 Audio connections..18. MIDI connections.19.
6 Recording with Cubase LE 4.. 20
Input setting..20 Recording..21 Mixdown...22
2 Features of the US-1641. 8
Front Panel..8 Rear Panel...9
7 Troubleshooting. Specifications.. 24.
Inputs and outputs..24. General specifications..25 Audio performance..26 Host computer compatibility.26 Dimensions..27

3 Installation.. 10

System requirements.10
Windows...10 Mac OS X...10
Installing the drivers.. 11
Installing the drivers for Windows.11 Installing the drivers for Mac OS X.12 Updating the firmware for the US-1641.13.
Installing Cubase LE 4..14 Settings on your computer..16
4 Control Panel settings. 17.
Overview..17. Driver settings..17
Audio Performance (Windows PC case).17 Sample Clock Source..17 Digital Output Format.17. Digital Output Channels..17
IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 1 Introduction
Thank you very much for purchasing the TASCAM US-1641 16xkHz/24 bit USB2.0 Audio/MIDI interface. Please read this owners manual carefully before using the unit in order to maximize your use of all its features. We hope that you will enjoy using this product, for many years to come.
TASCAM accepts no responsibility for the loss of any
data that may arise from your use or inability to use this product to record onto MIDI equipment in your system or onto storage devices such as hard disks. The US-1641 is a USB-based audio interface designed for use with Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, such as Cubase LE 4. It provides abundant analog and digital inputs and outputs, and 16-channel MIDI inputs and outputs. It is the ideal companion to any computer-based digital recording setup.

If you are uncertain how to perform the basic computer
operations explained in this manual, please refer to the owners manual that came with your computer. For information on the operation of Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software, please refer to the owners manual for the corresponding DAW.

Features

24-bit/96 kHz audio interface Analog inputs (1-14) and digital inputs (L & R) can be
used simultaneously, providing 16 audio inputs for your computer via USB Eight XLR mic inputs (balanced), two line/guitar inputs (balanced/unbalanced), and four line inputs (balanced)
Stereo digital input jack (S/PDIF) and stereo digital Balanced stereo line output and headphone output MIDI IN/OUT Direct Monitor function allows zero-latency monitoring
of the input. output jack (selectable between S/PDIF and AES/EBU)

Supplied accessories

In addition to this manual, the following accessories are supplied. Please contact your TASCAM supplier if any of these accessories are missing.
USB cable...1 CD-ROM (containing drivers and manuals)..1 DVD-ROM (Cubase LE 4)..1 CD-ROM (TASCAM Continuous Velocity Piano)..1 Warranty card..1
We recommend that you keep the original box and packing materials for transportation of this unit.

Manual conventions

In this manual, we use the following conventions:
This typeface is used to designate on-screen controllers Except above, this typeface is used to designate any text
displayed by the software: New project or buttons: Cancel
Controls and keys on the US-1641 are written like this: We use the term key to describe the push-button

controls on the US-1641.

Precautions for placement and use
The US-1641 may be used in most areas, but to maintain top performance, and prolong operating life, observe the following notes, precautions and environmental conditions:
Relative humidity should be 30 to 90 percent. As the unit may become hot during operation, always
leave sufficient space above the unit for ventilation. Do not install this unit in a confined space such as a bookcase, and do not put anything on top of the unit. Avoid installing this unit on top of any heat-generating electrical device such as a power amplifier. The voltage supplied to the unit should match the voltage as printed on the rear panel. If you are in any doubt regarding this matter, consult an electrician.
Avoid exposing it to extremes of temperature and Keep the unit away from strong magnetic fields (TV

sets, computer monitors, large electric motors, etc.). 35C (41F and 95F). humidity and avoid mechanical shocks and vibration.
The nominal temperature should be between 5C and
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 1 Introduction

Beware of condensation

If the unit is moved from a cold to a warm place, or used after a sudden temperature change, there is a danger of condensation; vapor in the air could condense on the internal mechanism, making correct operation impossible. To prevent this, or if this occurs, let the player sit for one or two hours at the new room temperature before using.
2 Features of the US-1641 IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Front Panel

1 POWER switch and indicator Turns the power to
the unit on or off. The POWER indicator lights up red when the power is on.
5 LINE IN/GUITAR [9/10] jacks and select switches
These stereo 1/4 phone jacks function as unbalanced guitar input jacks when the select switches are set to the GUITAR position, and function as balanced line input jacks when the switches are set to the LINE IN position. (The wiring is as follows: sleeve = ground, tip = hot, ring = cold.) Use the Gain knobs to adjust the input gain level.
2 USB indicator Lights up green to indicate a valid
USB connection to the host computer.
3 PHANTOM [1-4/5-8] switches Turn on the +48V
phantom power supplied to the MIC IN [1-8] jacks. Each switch turns on the phantom power for four input channels as a group. The phantom power is on when the switches are pushed in.

CAUTION

6 Gain knobs and indicators [1-10] Adjust the gain
level for Inputs 1-10 individually. The adjustable range is from 2dBu to 58dBu for Mic Inputs 1-8, and from +4dBu to +42dBu for Line Inputs 9-10. The Gain indicators will light green when a signal at a certain level (30dBFS) or higher is present. However, if the signal level exceeds 2dBFS, the indicators will light red.
Turn this switch on only if you are using condenser microphones that require phantom power. Do not connect or disconnect microphones from the US-1641 while phantom power is on. Never supply phantom power to unbalanced dynamic microphones. Some ribbon microphones can be damaged by phantom power. If you are not sure about your ribbon microphone, do not supply phantom power to the ribbon microphone.
7 MONITOR knob Adjusts the level of signals output
from the MONITOR OUTPUTS [L/R] jacks on the rear panel.
8 MIX knob Controls the balance of the signal sources
being output from the MONITOR OUTPUTS [L/R] jacks and the PHONES jack. With this knob turned to the far left, the US-1641 will output the signal input from the MIC IN [1-8] jacks and LINE IN [9-14] jacks. With this knob turned to the far right, the US-1641 will output the signal received from the computer via USB.
4 MIC IN [1-8] jacks These are XLR balanced analog
mic input jacks. Use the Gain knobs to adjust the input gain level. The wiring is as follows: pin 1 = ground, pin 2 = hot, pin 3 = cold.

CPU: Pentium4 or Athlon 1.4 GHz or faster (or equiva RAM: 512 MB or more memory HDD: 1 GB or more free space USB 2.0 port DVD-ROM drive to install Cubase LE 4 Internet connection to activate Cubase LE 4
These requirements must be satisfied if you plan to use Cubase LE 4 (bundled with the US-1641). If you are planning to use other application software, please consult its technical documentation for operating requirements specific to that software. lent processor)

Mac OS X

Mac OS X version 10.4 or later
USB 2.0 port Audio device that supports Core Audio DVD-ROM drive to install Cubase LE 4 Internet connection to activate Cubase LE 4
For Macintosh systems as well, additional memory and a faster hard disk drive will facilitate smoother and easier operation of digital audio application software.
CPU: Power PC G4 1GHz or higher, Core Solo 1.5GHz RAM: 512 MB HDD: 1 GB or more free space

or higher

10 TASCAM
IMPORTANT SAFETY 3 Installation INSTRUCTIONS

Installing the drivers

Before you can use the US-1641, you must install the appropriate drivers on your computer. As described below, this is a simple process that uses the CD-ROM included with the US-1641. Drivers are updated from time to time. You can download the latest version of the drivers from the TASCAM website <http://www.tascam.com/>. Do not connect the US-1641 to your computer before you install the drivers.
Handle the enclosed CD-ROM with care. If the disc becomes scratched or dirty, your computer may be unable to read it and you may be unable to install the software. If the disc becomes unreadable, you can request a replacement disc for a fee.

WARNING

Never attempt to play the enclosed CD-ROM in an audio CD player. The resulting noise could damage your speakers or your hearing.
Installing the drivers for Windows
The US-1641s drivers are provided on the CD-ROM as an executable installer. You can download the latest version of the drivers from the TASCAM website <http://www.tascam.com/>. If the drivers on the CD-ROM are not the latest version, TASCAM recommends that you download the latest version of the drivers from the website and install them.

Installation procedure

This section provides detailed procedures for installing the Windows XP driver software from the included CD-ROM and updating the firmware for the US-1641.
During installation, you must connect, disconnect, then reconnect the USB cable to the unit as described in steps 7, 8, and 9.
4 When the language selection screen (below) appears,
select the language you prefer, then click the OK button.

Complete each installation step within one minute of the display of the corresponding instruction. If you take too much time, the installer may report an error and quit. If this occurs, simply run the installer again.
Installing the drivers 1 Make sure that the US-1641 is not connected to your
computer via a USB cable.
2 Insert the included driver installation CD-ROM
into the CD-ROM drive on your computer.
5 When the screen below appears, click the
Install the driver button.
3 Click the Install US-1641 Driver button when the
menu screen below appears. If this screen does not appear automatically, find and open the Autorun Menu.exe program on the driver CD-ROM.
6 Read the contents of the License Agreement, then
select I accept the agreement if you agree to the terms. Click the Install button to start installation.
9 When the screen below appears, reconnect the
US-1641 to the computer with the USB cable.
7 When the screen below appears, use the supplied
USB cable to connect the US-1641 to the computer.
10When the screen below appears, the installation is
complete. Click the Reboot now button to restart the computer.
8 When the screen below appears, unplug the connecting USB cable from the US-1641 or the computer.
11After the computer has restarted, select Start >
Settings > Control Panel, then click TASCAM US1641 Control Panel to open the US-1641 Control Panel. If the driver version, device name and other data appear to be correct, the installation was successful.
Installing the drivers for Mac OS X
1 Insert the included driver installation CD-ROM
into your computers DVD-ROM drive, then doubleclick US-1641 Drivers.mpkg on the CD-ROM to start the installer.
2 Follow the instructions on screen. 3 Restart the computer, then use the USB cable to
connect the US-1641 to the computer.

12 TASCAM

Updating the firmware for the US-1641
TASCAM may release updates for the software that runs on the microchip inside the US-1641. This is commonly called firmware. When your US-1641 is plugged into the computer, the US-1641 Control Panel shows what firmware version the unit is currently running. Visit TASCAMs website (http://www.tascam.com) to see if a newer version of the firmware is available. If so, you can download a firmware updater program for you computer that will update your US-1641s firmware.

Preparation Step 1:

4 When the update process is complete, the system
displays the following screen:

Install the latest driver on your PC or Mac computer.

Preparation Step 2:

5 Disconnect the USB cable from the US-1641.
The system displays the following screen:
Connect the US-1641 (for which firmware will be updated) to the computer via a USB cable.
* The firmware updater varies with the firmware version

of the unit.

For PC (Windows XP) users 1 Connect the US-1641 to the computer via a USB

cable.

2 Run the firmware updater file (for PC) for the
version to which you wish to update. The system displays the following screen:
6 Click the Exit button to complete the update operation.
For Mac (OS X) users 1 Connect the US-1641 to the computer via a USB
2 Run the firmware updater file (for Mac) for the
version to which you wish to update.
3 Follow the steps for Windows PCs as described
above. The screens displayed may appear slightly different from those shown above, but their content is essentially the same.
3 Click the write firmware button.

Installing Cubase LE 4

1 Insert the Cubase LE 4 DVD-ROM into the
DVD-ROM drive on your computer. The system displays the language selection screen (below). Select the language you prefer. If this language screen does not appear automatically, run the Setup.exe program in the \Cubase LE 4 for Windows directory on the DVD-ROM.
4 The system displays the installation destination
screen. Browse and specify the destination for installation, then click the Next button.
5 The system displays a screen indicating that it is
ready to install the application. Click the Install button.
6 Syncro Soft installer starts. Select a language for the

installation process.

2 Click the Install button.
7 The system displays the Syncro Soft Welcome
screen. Click the Next button to start the installation.
3 The system displays the License Agreement for end
users. Read the contents, then select I accept the tems in the License Agreement if you agree to the terms. Click the Next button.

14 TASCAM

8 The system displays the License Agreement for end
users. Read the contents, then select I accept the license agreement if you agree to the terms. Click the Next button.
9 The system displays a screen indicating that the

Macs control panel does not have Audio Performance on it. Instead of Audio Performance, each DAW has audio buffer setting which is based on sample step. That works as the same as Audio Performance.

For Mac computer users:

Sample Clock Source
You can set the clock source to Automatic or Internal.
Automatic (default): If a signal is being input to the Internal: The US-1641s internal clock will always be used.
DIGITAL IN jack, its clock will be used. If no signal is being input to the DIGITAL IN jack, the US-1641s internal clock will be used.

Digital Output Format

This setting enables you to choose either AES/EBU or S/PDIF as the digital output format.

Digital Output Channels

The DIGITAL OUT jack outputs signals from either Line out 1 and 2 or Line out 3 and 4. This setting enables you to select one of these output channel pairs.
5 Connections IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Drums Guitar Headphones

Vocal microphone

Bass guitar Microphones

External mic amp Sound module, CD player, etc.
Powered speakers, or amp and speakers

Computer Keyboard

Microphones

USB connections

Using the included cable, connect the US-1641 to your computer as shown in the illustration.
connect other USB devices to the USB bus used by the US-1641. USB keyboards and mouse are exceptions to this, and will probably not cause problems.
Some USB devices access the USB bus frequently. To avoid dropouts and clicks in the audio signal, do not

Audio connections

Connect the output signal of your mic, guitar, keyboard, or other audio device to the US-1641, which will convert the signal into digital audio and send it via USB to your computer. Connect the output of the US-1641 to your speakers (via an amp) or headphones, so you will be able to monitor the audio signals coming into the US-1641 or signals being output from your computer.
You can use more than eight microphones by connecting them via an external mic pre-amp. In this case, connect the output of the mic pre-amp to the LINE IN [11-14] jacks on the rear panel.

Guitar

Connect your electric guitar and base guitar to the LINE IN/GUITAR [9-10] jacks and set the GUITAR-LINE IN switch to GUITAR.
Connect your microphones to the MIC IN [1-8] jacks (XLR). If you are using a condenser microphone that requires phantom power, turn on the phantom power.

3 From the Devices menu, choose VST Connection.
6 From the File menu, choose New Project.
The system displays the VST Connections window, which features two tabs: Input and Output.
4 Select the Inputs tab, then set the input bus.
When you set the input bus, a device port is automatically selected. If necessary, you can change the device port. The device port pull-down list indicates all available input ports for the US-1641.
The system displays a window that enables you to select a template for your new project. Select the desired template and press the OK button. The system displays the Select directly window. Specify the directory in which you wish to save the project, then click the OK button. The new project will be created.
If you have selected an Empty template, add audio tracks to the project by selecting Add Tracks from the Project menu.
You are now ready to begin recording.

20 TASCAM

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 6 Recording with Cubase LE 4

Recording

1 Click the Edit Channel Settings button for the track
you want to record to open the Channel Setting window. Then, specify the desired input bus in the Input field located in the upper-right corner.

3 Press the

(REC) button in the transport section to start recording.
4 When you finish recording, press the
(STOP) button, then click the REC FUNCTION button to turn it off (the button indicator will turn off). Rewind if necessary. tracks.
5 Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 to overdub additional
2 Click the REC FUNCTION button to turn it on (the
button indicator will light).

Mixdown

1 Move the left and right locators to specify the region
that you want to mix down.
3 In the Export Audio Mixdown dialog box, make the
desired settings, then press the Export button.
2 From the File menu, choose Export > Audio

Mixdown.

22 TASCAM
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 7 Troubleshooting
This chapter answers frequently asked questions related to recording with Cubase LE 4.
Q6. I burned a CD using the WAV file I mixed down, but the speed is obviously different. A6. Could the sampling rate of your project be set to
48 kHz? If your ultimate objective is to create a CD, TASCAM recommends that the sampling rate be set to 44.1 kHz from the beginning. To specify the sampling rate, choose Project Settings from the Project menu, then set the sampling rate to 44.100 kHz.

Q1. I think I have configured the input settings properly, but I see no activity on the audio track's meter. A1. Make sure that the Monitor button of the track is

enabled.

Q2. I would like to record two channels simultaneously in stereo. A2. Before you record, choose Stereo track(s) or add
Audio track(s) as Stereo. In this case, the track input is indicated as Stereo in or something similar.
Q3. I am trying to use the EQ, but it does not seem to do anything. A3. Check the VST channel setting or other settings to
make sure that EQ bypass is disabled.
Q7. I have connected an audio source to the US-1641, but cannot hear anything. A7. Make sure that the input level is raised appropriately.
When a signal is being input, the Gain indicator will light up green. Make sure that the monitor (or headphone) level is raised, and that the connections are correct.
Q4. I tried to mix down a three-minute song, but could mix only ten seconds. A4. Make sure that the region specified by the left and
right locators is set to three minutes or longer.
Q8. The sound is distorted. A8. Make sure that the signal is not overloading. If the
signal is analog, the ideal level is when the Gain indicator lights up red occasionally.
Q5. I cannot set the locator region to more than ten minutes. A5. The default setting is ten minutes. From the Project
menu, choose Project Setup and then change the Length field.
Q9. I tried to change the sample rate in the Control Panel, but could not. A9. If a valid signal is plugged into the US-1641s digital
input, and the Sample Clock Source menu has been set to Automatic, the US-1641 will always run at the sample rate received at its digital input. To run at a different sample rate while continuing to receive digital audio, you must change the sample rate of the device that is sending the digital signal. If you do not need to continue to receive digital audio, you can set the Sample Clock Source menu to Internal or simply unplug the cable connected to the digital input.
8 Specifications IMPORTANT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Inputs and outputs

MIC IN [1-8] jacks (analog)
Connector Type and wiring Input impedance Input level (with the Gain knobs set at maximum) Input level (with the Gain knobs set at minimum) Headroom XLR-3-31 Balanced (1: ground, 2: hot, 3: cold) 2.2k 58dBu 2dBu 16dB
LINE IN/GUITAR [9-10] jacks (analog)
Connector [With the LINE IN-GUITAR switch set to LINE IN] Type and wiring Input impedance Balanced (Tip: hot, Ring: cold, Sleeve: ground) 10k 1/4 phone jack
Nominal input level (with the Gain knobs set at maximum) 42dBu Nominal input level (with the Gain knobs set at minimum) Headroom [With the LINE IN-GUITAR switch set to GUITAR] Type Input impedance Unbalanced 700k +4dBu 16dB

Nominal input level (with the Gain knobs set at maximum) 52dBv Nominal input level (with the Gain knobs set at minimum) Headroom 6dBv 6dB
INPUTS [11-14] jacks (analog)
Connector Type and wiring Input impedance Nominal input level (selectable with the LEVEL switch) Headroom 1/4 phone jack Balanced (Tip: hot, Ring: cold, Sleeve: ground) 10k +4dBu or 10dBv 16dB
DIGITAL IN jack (digital)
Connector Signal format Level RCA pin jack IEC958 Consumer (S/PDIF) 0.5Vpp/75

24 TASCAM

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS 8 Specifications
DIGITAL OUT jack (digital)
Connector Signal format Level RCA pin jack Selectable in the Control Panel between IEC958 Consumer (S/PDIF) and IEC958 Professional (AES/EBU) 0.5Vpp/75
LINE OUT [1-4] jacks (analog)
Connector Type and wiring Output impedance Nominal output level Maximum output level 1/4 phone jack Balanced (Tip: hot, Ring: cold, Sleeve: ground) 100 +4dBu +20dBu
MONITOR OUTPUTS [L/R] jacks (analog)
Connector Type and wiring Output impedance Nominal output level Maximum output level 1/4 phone jack Balanced (Tip: hot, Ring: cold, Sleeve: ground) 100 +4dBu +24dBu

PHONES jack (analog)

Connector Maximum output level 1/4 stereo phone jack (Tip: L, Ring: R, Sleeve: ground) 50mW + 50mW (32 /1% distortion)

MIDI IN connector

Connector 5-pin Din [Standard MIDI format]

MIDI OUT connector

USB connector
Connector Format USB Series B connector USB 2.0

General specifications

Sampling rate (internal clock) Sample width External dimensions (W x D x H) Weight Power 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz 24-bit 482.6 x 280 x 44 (mm) / 19 x 11.1 x 1.74 (in) 3.2kg / 7.1lb U.S.A./Canada U.K./Europe Australia 10W 120V AC, 60Hz 230V AC, 50Hz 240V AC, 50Hz

Power consumption

Audio performance
0.63ms (ADC), 0.44ms (DAC) (at Fs 44.1kHz) 0.29ms (ADC), 0.20ms (DAC) (at Fs 96kHz)

Signal-to-noise ratio

[With MIX knob set to COMPUTER]
MIC IN [1-8] -> LINE OUT [1-4] LINE IN [9-10] -> LINE OUT [1-4] INPUTS (11-14) -> MONITOR OUT (L/R)
[With MIX knob set to INPUT ] All inputs -> MONITOR OUT (L/R)
60dBu (with Gain knob set to maximum) 55dBu (with Gain knob set to maximum) 70dBu (with MONITOR knob set to maximum)
60dBu (with Gain knobs and MONITOR knob set to maximum)
Frequency response (LINE OUT, 10dBV)
Normal sampling rate High sampling rate 20Hz - 20kHz, +1/1dB 20Hz - 40kHz, +1/3dB
Total harmonic distortion (20Hz - 20kHz)
0.01% (All outputs, minimum gain, maximum input level, excluding GUITAR IN)

Crosstalk (1kHz)

Host computer compatibility

Operating system

Windows 32-bit Windows XP SP2 or 32-bit Vista Mac OS X version 10.4 or later

Macintosh

Drivers
WDM (KS), ASIO/ASIO2 and GSIF2 interface (Windows XP, Vista) Core Audio and MIDI interface (Macintosh OS X)
* Microsoft, Windows, and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States of America and in other countries. * Athlon is a registered trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. in the United States of America. * Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation in the United States of America. * MIDI is a registered trademark of Association of Musical Electronics Industry (AMEI) and the MIDI Manufacturers Association (MMA). * The name of companies and products described in this manual are trademarks or registered trademarks of the corresponding owners.

26 TASCAM

Dimensions

US-1641

TEAC CORPORATION

TEAC AMERICA, INC.

Phone: +81-422-52-5082 3-7-3, Nakacho, Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-8550, Japan Phone: +1-323-726-Telegraph Road, Montebello, California 90640

www.tascam.com

TEAC CANADA LTD.
Phone: +1905-890-Wallace Street, Mississauga, Ontario L4Z 1Z8, Canada www.tascam.com

TEAC MEXICO, S.A. De C.V

Phone: +52-555-581-5500 Campesinos No. 184, Colonia Granjes Esmeralda, Delegacion Iztapalapa CP 09810, Mexico DF www.tascam.com

TEAC UK LIMITED

Phone: +44-8451-302511 Unit 19 & 20, The Courtyards Hatters Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire. WD18 8TE, U.K. www.tascam.co.uk

TEAC EUROPE GmbH

Phone: +49-611-71580 Bahnstrasse 12, 65205 Wiesbaden-Erbenheim, Germany www.tascam.de

Printed in China

Updates
Always ensure that you are running the latest driver software and US-1641 firmware by visiting TASCAMs web site (http://www.tascam.com).

US-1641 Release Notes

Installation FAQs

For Windows

When I plug in my US-1641, the Windows Hardware Wizard appears but is unable to install the drivers. How do I install the drivers? The driver installation must be started before plugging in your US-1641. If you have already plugged it in without the drivers being installed, simply unplug the unit, exit all hardware wizard windows, and insert the CD-ROM that came with your unit. The CD-ROM should automatically launch a menu that gives you the option to install the drivers. Select Install US-1641 Drivers and follow the on-screen instructions. When I insert the installation CD-ROM into my Windows computer, it does not automatically launch a menu. How can I launch this menu? It is possible that the CD-ROM autorun feature has been
disabled on your computer. You can launch the installation menu manually by opening the CD-ROM in Windows Explorer and double clicking the file: Autorun Menu.exe.

For Windows and Mac OS X

Which should I update first, the firmware or the driver? It is best to update to the latest driver first, and then update the firmware. How do I update my unit's firmware? Simply download the latest firmware updater application from TASCAMs web site, launch it, plug your US-1641 into your computer, turn it on and wait for the unit to be detected by the updater application, and then press the write firmware button.
Installation for Windows Vista 32 users
Do not use autorun feature when insert the installation CD-ROM into the Windows computer. Because the driver installer may not finish even after waiting a very long time. You can launch the installation menu manually by opening the CD-ROM in Windows Explorer and double clicking the file: Autorun Menu.exe. After the driver installation, if Found new hardware appears, then Windows hardware Wizard also may appears on the screen. In this case, please turn the power off on the US-1641 and then turn it on, so that the US-1641 can be found.

Owners Manual Addendum

Multi-client Operation
On Windows, the US-1641 has the ability to mix the outputs of simultaneously running audio applications that are using different driver protocols. For example, the following configurations are possible: ASIO App (Ableton Live) + WDM App (SONAR) + GSIF2 App (GigaStudio) ASIO App (Ableton Live) + MME App (iTunes) + GSIF2 App (GigaStudio)

Release Notes

Windows

Version 1.00

PCs with nVIDIA USB controller chips may not offer
optimum performance for audio streaming over USB 2.0, resulting in audio artifacts. A higher latency setting or the addition of a non-nVIDIA USB 2.0 card is required. To find out what controller chip your PC uses:
333 Click the + (plus) sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers 444 You will see the chip manufacturer of all installed USB controllers
If a WDM audio app (iTunes / Windows Media Player)
111 Go to START > Control Panel > System 222 Click on the Hardware tab, then the Device Manager button.
is running and a US-1641 unit changes its sample rate, the audio will play at the wrong pitch. The workaround is to quit the WDM audio app and launch it again. The app should now play audio at the correct pitch.
In order to use a US-1641 reliably with Windows
Media Player, select the US-1641 as the Sound playback Default Device in the Audio tab of the Sounds and Audio Devices control panel. Do not configure the audio interface from within Windows Media Player. The US-1641 Windows drivers do not currently support 64-bit Windows.
In some rare cases, we have found that built-in mother-
board audio devices can interfere with SONAR when it in ASIO mode, causing SONAR to report an error each time it is launched. To work around this, disable the built-in motherboard audio using your computers BIOS setup screen.

Mac OS X

GarageBand may not work properly at sample rates
When switching from 44.1/48 kHz to 88.2/96 kHz, you
may find you need to increase the audio buffer size to eliminate audio artifacts. Not all audio applications permit the user to adjust the buffer size, but most Digital Audio Workstations offer this feature. Some Macs may refuse to use the US-1641 for system sounds.
other than 44.1 kHz. The buffer size slider of a Native Instruments soft synth (B4, Pro-53, etc) does not operate properly when running as a standalone synth (not hosed in a DAW).

Version 1.01

This version adds support for Leopard (10.5.1).

Cubase LE 4 (4.0.3)

When installing Cubase LE 4 on Windows XP, the
Cubase LE 4 installer may not give you the opportunity to select a language. When installing Cubase LE 4 on Windows Vista, the language selection window can be completely obscured by the main window. If the installer seems to have stalled, it may be waiting for you to select a language. If this has happened, you will see a Select Language button in the Windows task bar. Click the Select Language button to bring the language selection window into view.

On OS X, Cubase LE 4s Control Panel does not
launch the US-1641s control panel. Instead, use Finder to launch the TASCAM US-1641 Control Panel from the Applications folder. Cubase LE 4 allows their ASIO ports to be renamed. In the event it becomes necessary to reset the port names, perform the following steps:
111 From the Devices menu, select Device Setup. 222 Click on ASIO driver name that exists under VST Audio System. 333 Click on Reset that exists in the Port System Name.

Miscellaneous

When no signal is connected to the digital input, the US-1641 internally loops back the signal going to the digital output. Cubase and Nuendo allow their ASIO ports to be renamed. In the event it becomes necessary to reset the port names, perform the following steps:
1. From the Devices menu, select Device Setup. 2. Click on VST Inputs, then click the Reset button. 3. Click on VST Outputs, then click the Reset button.

Maintenance Items

Version 1.01 for Mac OS X Driver Version 1.02 for Windows and Mac OS X
This version fixes an issue with the previous driver where switching the sample rate did not work.

Firmware

When using Digital Performer (DP) 5.1x, always select the project sample rate via the Audio MIDI setup utility.
Corrected a problem where starting Mac applications would take a long time when the system is set to 88.2 or 96 kHz and has MIDI ports. Corrected a problem where some machines would develop a periodic noise after more than an hour of use.

TEAC CORPORATION

Phone: +81-42-356-9143 D01012200B
1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8530, Japan Printed in China