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Integrated Production Suite for Music and Multimedia Creators

Tascam Model 12 – Integrated production suite for music and multimedia creators

Tascam Model 12 is a compact all-in-one integrated mixing and recording suite designed for music and multimedia creators, songwriters and performers. It consists of a 10-input mixer, a 12-track version of the highly acclaimed Tascam multi-track audio recorder, USB audio interface, MIDI connectivity, DAW control functions, and unique podcasting capability including mix-minus and smartphone input.

Combining the feel of an analogue user interface with the efficient workflow and pristine quality associated with digital recording and production, the compact and affordable Model 12 supports your creative process from start to finish.

Videos

Model 12 Promotion Video

Model 12 Vamping Function

What’s new in v1.30

Learn about the new features introduced with firmware version 1.30

DAW controller for Cubasis

How to use the Model 12 as a DAW controller with Steinberg Cubasis.

DAW controller for Reaper

How to use the Model 12 as DAW controller with Reaper.

DAW controller for Studio One

How to use the Model 12 as DAW controller with Presonus Studio One.

Details

12-Track Recording and 10-Track Playback

Tascam Model 12 – 12-track recording and 10-track playback

The Model 12’s intuitive internal 12-track recorder creates WAV files of up to 24-bit/48 kHz audio quality directly to an SD card. Up to ten tracks can be played back simultaneously. Supporting metronome, punch-in/out, and overdubbing functions, the internal recorder also allows WAV files to be imported from another Tascam Model Series mixer like the Model 12, Model 16 or Model 24. And, of course, it is possible to export tracks in WAV file format which can then be imported directly into a DAW for further editing or production.

Tascam Model 12 – Settings panel

A USB connector facilitates connecting a computer to the Model 12 for playback and recording utilizing a wide range of popular DAWs. Sounds can be recorded in a DAW to create precise and original tracks, and then played back during live performances using Model 12 only. The USB audio interface can be used simultaneously with the built-in multi-track recorder. Model 12 also supports class compliant mode and can be connected to Apple iOS devices using an optional adapter.

DAW Control Integration
Logic / Cubase / Pro Tools / Ableton Live (external links to Youtube)

Basic control for an external DAW using HUI/MCU protocol emulation is integrated for tactile control of most major DAWs. Controllable parameters include Faders, Mutes, Pans, Solos, Record Arm, Play, Record, Stop, FF/Rew, Jog.

Tascam Model 12 – Live Performance

A dedicated click output with TAP TEMPO allows the tempo to be controlled and monitored in both live or recording environments. This allows live performers to play with tracks using the built-in multi-track engine or music creators to keep track of the tempo when recording. The click sound can also be assigned to each MAIN, SUB or AUX output, or, with individual volume setting, to headphones outputs 1 and 2.

Tascam Model 12 – MIDI functionality

Standard MIDI input and output make it possible to use keyboards, drum machines, controllers, and other sources that employ MIDI technology with the Model 12. This also allows playback-start commands to be triggered or external multi-track recorders and other external MIDI devices to be synchronized with the Model 12.

Tascam Model 12 – Podcasting

The Model 12 incorporates several features for podcasting and internet streaming like mix-minus, smartphone input, multiple mic-ready channels, Bluetooth pairing, dual headphone monitoring, and internal multi-track recording. Use the Model 12 as a versatile live production recorder, USB audio interface and live streaming tool.

Tascam Model 12 – All-in-One Audio Production

The Model 12’s seamless integrated workflow facilitates less focus on the technical and more on the creative part. The built-in multi-track recorder allows one-button recording and playback. And the comfortable, familiar feel of the 60-mm faders, one-knob compressor, three-band EQ, and high-quality Tascam effects enable fast and intuitive tweaking of mixes and tones.

Tascam Model 12

Tascam Ultra-HDDA mic preamps with an Equivalent Input Noise (EIN) of –128 dB ensure low noise and natural, high-grade sound quality. Apart from microphones and line-level sources, all inputs can also be used for direct connection of guitars, basses, and other high-impedance (Hi-Z) sound sources.

The compact Model 12 packs eight XLR microphone inputs (with switchable +48V phantom power), ten TRS line inputs, a 3.5-mm TRRS input (for a smartphone) and a Bluetooth 5.0 input to handle any small-format recording or live production environment.

Tascam Model 12 – Compact size with plenty of inputs
Tascam Model 12 – Dual headphones

The Model 12 offers two independant headphone busses with output jacks on the top panel to allow monitoring of two discrete mixes from AUX 1/2 and/or the main stereo bus simultaneously for performers and engineers alike.

Selectable PFL/AFL modes and solo-in-place (SIP) allow for flexible monitoring of individual channels, eliminating the need to mute each single channel when dialing in the perfect mix.

Synchronise Your Sound to Your Video Image During Streaming

Tascam Model 12 – Output delay can compensate for offset between sound and video image

An adjustable output delay, added with firmware v1.20, allows to compensate for the annoying time offset between video image and sound signal which often occurs during live streaming to the Internet. In the menu, you can select a suitable time, by which the audio signal is delayed before reaching the computer via USB, so that image and sound arrive at the audience synchronously.

Output delay can be set in a range from one to 2000 milliseconds (ms) – wide enough for all network types and camera systems. In addition to the USB output signal, the delay can be set to also affect the hardware outputs and thus the monitoring signal or a connected video encoder such as the Tascam VS-R265.

Features at a glance

  • 10-channel mixer with built-in 12-track recorder and USB audio interface

Mixer features

  • Ten analogue inputs on six mono and two stereo channels
    • Eight mono mic inputs on XLR connectors with switchable phantom power (48 V)
    • Ultra-HDDA microphone preamps on inputs 1–6
    • Eight channels can be used with high-impedance instruments like electric guitars/basses
    • Ten balanced line inputs (six mono, two stereo)
    • Multi-purpose stereo channel for input from mobile devices via Bluetooth or TRRS smartphone connector (CH 9/10)
    • Inserts on input channels 1 and 2
    • Mix-minus function on smartphone mini-jack input
  • Two Aux outputs (monitor, effects) and two stereo outputs with independent master faders (Main, Sub)
  • Monitoring can be selected between PFL (pre-fader), AFL (after-fader) and SIP (solo-in-place)
  • Dedicated click output with tap tempo feature
  • One-knob compressor for all input channels
  • Three-band equalizer with sweepable mids for all input channels
  • Switchable low-cut filter (100 Hz) on each channel
  • Semi-parametric EQ with sweepable mid band for aux or main outputs
  • Built-in Bluetooth receiver for wireless playback
  • On-board effects processor
    • 16 effects types
    • Can be used on all input channels, aux busses, sub and main stereo bus
    • Can be turned on/off by an optional footswitch (Tascam RC-1F)
  • Compact 60-mm faders
  • 12-segment LED output level meters
  • XLR balanced outputs for main stereo bus
  • TRS balanced outputs for sub and aux outputs
  • Two headphones outputs with separate level controls

Recorder features

  • Tascam multi-track recording engine, uses SD cards as storage media (up to 512 GB)
  • Up to 12 tracks (10 input channels + stereo mix) can be recorded without the need for a computer
  • Recording/playback format: Linear PCM (WAV format, 44.1/48 kHz, 16/24 Bit)
  • Overdubbing, punch in/out recording
  • Multi-track playback for advanced live performance
  • Illuminated Play/Record/Stop buttons for better legibility in poorly lit environments

Audio interface features

  • USB audio interface for use with Windows (ASIO) and Mac (Core Audio) computers
  • Transfer to computer: 12 channels (all 10 inputs + stereo mix)
  • Transfer from computer: 10 channels, assignable to each channel input
  • Audio resolution 44.1/48 kHz, 16/24 bit
  • USB MIDI interface function
  • Simple DAW control support via HUI/MCU protocol emulation
    • Avid Pro Tools
    • Apple Logic Pro
    • MOTU Digital Performer
    • Steinberg Cubase
    • Ableton Live
    • Cakewalk by BandLab
    • PreSonus Studio One (since firmware v1.30)
    • Cockos Reaper (since firmware v1.30)
    • Steinberg Cubasis 3.3 (since firmware v1.30)

Other features

  • MIDI input and output
  • Support for MIDI timecode (MTC) and MIDI clock output with song position pointer (SPP)
  • Simple and quick menu operation with multi-jog dial

New in firmware version 1.10

  • Vamp playback allows to automatically or manually repeat up to ten previously marked intervals per song
  • Metronome tempo can now also be changed with an audible click
  • Three volume options available for the accented note of the metronome click
  • New sound pattern with four bars for the count-in

New in firmware version 1.20

  • Adjustable time delay for the output signal
    • Allows to compensate for a time offset between image and sound signal, which can occur, for example, during live streaming to the Internet
    • As a result, image and sound reach the audience synchronously
    • In addition to the signal output via USB, the signal from the output connectors can also be delayed (for monitoring or in conjunction with a hardware encoder such as the Tascam VS-R264 or VS-R265)
    • Setting range: 1–2000 milliseconds in steps of 1 ms or 100 ms

New in firmware version 1.30

  • Additional DAW software that can be controlled using HUI/MCU protocol (see above)
  • In addition to the post-fader master signal, the pre-fader master signal can be selected for monitoring by headphones. As a result, the master signal can still be monitored when the main channel is muted
  • The SUB and MAIN output levels can each be attenuated by up to 40 dB, to allow small speakers to be used for monitoring without overloading their inputs.

New in firmware version 1.40

  • USB returns 1 and 2 are no longer fixed to mixer inputs 1-2, but can now also be assigned to mixer inputs 9 and 10 or to the stereo master.
  • A normalisation function now makes it possible to recalculate the level of audio tracks and mixes. The target value for the maximum level is selectable between 0 dB and –20 dB.
  • Input signals can now be amplified by an additional 6 or 12 dB (Gain Boost).

Supported Operating Systems

Windows

  • Windows 11 (version 23H2)
  • Windows 11 (version 22H2)
  • Windows 11 (version 22H1)
  • Windows 10 (version 22H2)
  • Windows 10 (November 2021, version 21H2)
  • Windows 10 (May 2021, version 21H1)
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows 7

Mac

  • macOS Sonoma (14.0)
  • macOS Ventura (13.0)
  • macOS Monterey (12.0)
  • macOS Big Sur (11.0)
  • macOS Catalina (10.15)
  • macOS Mojave (10.14)
  • macOS High Sierra (10.13)

iOS

  • iOS 17 / iPadOS 17
  • iOS 16 / iPadOS 16
  • iOS 15 / iPadOS 15
  • iOS 14 / iPadOS 14
  • iOS 13 / iPadOS 13
  • iOS 12
  • iOS 11

Options

Tascam CS-MODEL12 | Carrying Bag for Model 12
CS-MODEL12: Carrying Bag for Model 12
Tascam RC-1F | Footswitch
RC-1F: Footswitch
Tascam TH-06 | Bass XL Monitoring Headphones
TH-06: Bass XL Monitoring Headphones

Specifications

Recorder
Recording media SD (512 MB – 2 GB)
SDHC (4–32 GB)
SDXC (64–512 GB)
Class 10 or higher required
File system FAT16 (SD), FAT32 (SDHC), exFAT (SDXC)
Recording file format WAV (BWF, maximum file size: 2 GB)
Playback formats WAV (BWF)
Sampling frequency 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
Bit depth 16 bit, 24 bit
Recordable channels 12 channels max. (10 inputs + stereo mix)
Audio inputs and outputs
Microphone inputs (CH 1–6, 7/8, 9/10) XLR-3-31, balanced
(1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
  Nominal input level –8 dBu
  Maximum input level +10 dBu
  Minimum input level –58 dBu
  Gain adjustable range 0–50 dB
  Input impedance 1.8 kΩ
Line inputs (CH 1–10) 6.3-mm TRS phone jack, balanced
(Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
  Nominal input level +4 dBu
  Maximum input level +22 dBu
  Gain adjustable range –10 dB to +40 dB (CH 1–6)
–20 dB to +30 dB (CH 7/8, 9/10)
  Input impedance 22 kΩ
Instrument inputs (CH 1–6, 7, 9) 6.3-mm TS phone jack, unbalanced
(Tip: HOT, Ring: GND, Sleeve: GND)
  Nominal input level –4.2 dBV
  Maximum input level +13.8 dBV
  Gain adjustable range –10 dB to +40 dB (CH 1–6)
–20 dB to +30 dB (CH 7, 9)
  Input impedance 1 MΩ
Inserts (CH 1–2) 6.3-mm TRS phone jack
(Tip: SEND, Ring: RETURN, Sleeve: GND)
  Nominal input level 0 dBu
  Maximum input level +18 dBu
  Input impedance 5 kΩ
  Nominal output level 0 dBu
  Maximum output level +18 dBu
  Output impedance 100 Ω
Music/Talk input (CH 9/10) 3.5-mm TRRS mini jack, unbalanced
  Maximum input level +8 dBV
  Nominal input level –10 dBV
  Input impedance 10 kΩ
Main output XLR-3-32, balanced
(1: GND, 2: HOT, 3:COLD)
  Nominal output level +4 dBu
  Maximum output level +22 dBu
  Output impedance 200 Ω
Sub output, Aux output 6.3-mm TRS, balanced
(Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
  Nominal output level –2 dBu
  Maximum output level +16 dBu
  Output impedance 200 Ω
Phones output 1/2 6.3-mm stereo phone jack
  Maximum output power 45 mW + 45 mW (at 32 Ω)
  Working impedance 16–600 Ω
Other inputs and outputs
Footswitch connector 6.3-mm TRS phone jack (Tascam genuine footswitch RC-1F recommended)
Metronome click output 6.3-mm TS phone jack
USB specifications
Connector USB Type-C
Transfer format USB 2.0 High-Speed
Device class Mass-storage class
USB Audio Class 2.0 (USB class-compliant)
USB audio specifications  
  Sampling rate 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz
  Bit depth 16 bit / 24 bit
  Inputs 12 audio channels (output from Model 12)
  Outputs 10 audio channels (input to Model 12)
Computer hardware requirements
Windows Windows-compatible computer with a USB 2.0 port
  CPU type/speed Dual core, 2 GHz or faster
  Memory 2 GB or more
  Drivers USB Audio Class 2.0, ASIO 2.0, WDM (MME)
  Screen resolution 1280 px × 800 px or more
Macintosh Apple Mac computer with a USB 2.0 port
  CPU type/speed Dual core, 2 GHz or faster (operation confirmed with Intel and Apple Silicon M1 or M2)
  Memory 2 GB or more
  Driver Core Audio
  Screen resolution 1280 px × 800 px or more
EQ
Channel EQ  
  Low cut 100 Hz, –12 dB/Oct.
  High (shelving) 10 kHz, ±15 dB
  Mid (peaking) variable 100 Hz to 8 kHz, ±15 dB (Mono)
fixed 600 Hz, ±15 dB (Stereo)
Q = 0.5
  Low (shelving) 80 Hz, ±15 dB
Master EQ  
  High (shelving) 10 kHz, ±15 dB
  Mid (peaking) variable 100 Hz to 8 kHz, ±15 dB, Q = 0.5/5
Audio performance
Residual output noise –103 dBu
(MAIN OUT, MAIN fader at nom.)
Equivalent input noise (EIN) –128 dBu
(Mono input channel at 150 Ω, GAIN at max.)
Total harmonic distortion (THD+N) <0.003 % (MIC IN-> MAIN OUT, 1 kHz, GAIN at min., +2 dBu)
Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz, +0.1/–0.15 dB (MIC IN-> MAIN OUT)
Channel crosstalk 95 dB
(1 kHz, PAN fully counter-clockwise / fully clockwise)
Maximum gain 74 dB (MIC to MAIN OUT)
50 dB (MIC to INSERT OUT)
74 dB (MIC to SUB OUT)
75 dB (MIC to AUX 1/2 OUT)
24 dB (USB/SD to MAIN OUT)
(all EQs flat, PAN fully counter-clockwise / fully clockwise)
Phantom Power DC 48 V
Power supply and other specifications
Power supply Tascam AC adapter (included, input voltage AC 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz)
Power consumption 16 W
Dimensions (W × D × H, overall) 343 mm × 360 mm × 99 mm
Weight 4.3 kg
Permissible operating temperature range 5–35 °C
Included items AC adapter (Tascam PS-M1524), USB Type-C to A cable, TRRS cable, Owner’s manual incl. warranty, TASCAM ID registration guide

Design and specifications subject to change without notice.

Page last modified: 2023-12-04 12:55:45 UTC