On
track.
We've
featured many USB microphones in the past, capable of capturing great
quality audio for your digital projects. However, we've never
featured a home recording set up quite so comprehensive as this.
Filled with everything you need to record professional quality music
and vocals, we take a look (and listen) at the Tascam Trackpack 2x2.
If
you've been wanting to get your band, audio book, or podcast project
off the ground, and have been busily hunting around for a decent
microphone, a sound pair of headphones, and high-quality audio
software, look no further. The Trackpack 2x2 contains everything you
need, including both a mic and headphones, as well as an audio
interface and even recording and editing software.
If
all this sounds a tad intimidating, trust us; it really isn't. The
interface unit, the Tascam US 2x2 connects to you Mac or PC via good
ol' USB just like a stand-alone USB microphone, and then you connect
the microphone and headphones to that, giving you full and –
crucially – tactile control over both. The US 2x2 is nicely crafted
as well, with solid aluminium sides that not only make it
exceptionally sturdy and rugged (good for lugging around in your bag
to your next recording location) but they also serve to angle the
unit upwards, making easier and more comfortable to operate on a
desktop.
The
2x2 gets its name simply because it possess two mic inputs on the
front, meaning that as well as the mic included in the pack, you can
add further units as you expand your projects
The
business end of the set has to be the TM-80 Condenser Microphone.
This gorgeous looking bit of kit is fully metal, has been designed to
be small and sleek, and includes a shock-mount on mini tripod, as
well as a six-foot mic cable. The TM-80 is perfect for capturing
vocals and instrumental music, but can also be exposed to far louder
sounds thanks to the
maximum
sound pressure rating of 136dB SPL. So grab your axe and turn it up
to 11.
Finally
in the hardware line-up is the TH-02 Headphones. These are very
comfortable over-ear headphones with a good flexible band and cans
that can rotate all the way up (making them easier to pack up and
carry). These are studio-grade 'phones, so feature the large-size
phone jack (which doesn't therefore plug into your phone) and
soundproof cushion muffs to stop bleed from the cans leaking into the
mic.
Also
included, and available as two separate downloads, are Cakewalk SONAR
X3 LE and Ableton Live Lite 9 DAW software packages. You simply get
two small cards included in the Trackpack which give you download
details and a redemption code. Both downloads are 'lite' versions of
the full programmes, but offer enough functionality to get you
started, recording, and editing.
Hooking
everything together was a cinch, and we're not joking when we say
that using this kit is just as easy as a single microphone. The
immediate benefits that we found was the ability to listen to what
was being recorded as it was recording, as this is not a feature that
most USB mics offer. Gain control over the input was also great, and
its nice to be able to alter things like this as it happens, and not
have to worry about fixing it during editing – a time consuming
task indeed.
Once
free of the chunky packaging, where each individual element is
packaged separately, the whole kit is actually very mobile. Even the
US 2x2 interface device is small and light enough not to be a drag in
a bag, so taking the lot, along with your laptop (or indeed iPad –
it's iOS compatible), is extremely doable.
Great
for aspiring musicians and podcasters, there's a lot of value in this
set so do check it out.
£169
