Tascam US-800From real comments

Verdict distilled from 29 mentions across 12 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment35%
PROS 35%
CONS 65%

Rank based on 29 mentions across 12 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want a budget-friendly 6-input interface for band/drum recording
  • You mainly use it with Cubase on a stable, older Windows setup
  • You want an interface that doubles as a decent headphone amp

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need guaranteed compatibility with Pro Tools or the latest Windows 10/11 drivers
  • You're on a Mac, since OS X compatibility has been unreliable
  • You can't tolerate occasional driver crashes or recognition issues

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Budget
IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo~$230 · 1.3× cheaper
Bundled software and pluginsFlexible input optionsImpedance control (Z-Tone)High price relative to competitorsDriver issuesDynamic and gain range limitations
IK Multimedia AXE I/O Solo~$230 · 1.3× cheaper
Bundled software and plugins
Flexible input options
Impedance control (Z-Tone)
High price relative to competitors
Driver issues
Dynamic and gain range limitations
Best value
2Budget
Universal Audio Volt 4~$279 · similar price
Fast, hassle-free setupStrong value for the priceGenerous bundled softwareNo ADAT or expansion for more channelsMissing loopback and mix knobNo included power adapter
Universal Audio Volt 4~$279 · similar price
Fast, hassle-free setup
Strong value for the price
Generous bundled software
No ADAT or expansion for more channels
Missing loopback and mix knob
No included power adapter
3Budget
Yamaha AG06~$199 · 1.5× cheaper
Useful companion app for tone shapingVersatile for many use casesFlexible bus/portable power optionsWeak or noisy preampsBuild quality feels lighter than predecessorLimited multitrack DAW output
Yamaha AG06~$199 · 1.5× cheaper
Useful companion app for tone shaping
Versatile for many use cases
Flexible bus/portable power options
Weak or noisy preamps
Build quality feels lighter than predecessor
Limited multitrack DAW output
4Budget
PreSonus Revelator io24~$199 · 1.5× cheaper
Powerful onboard DSP
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Powerful onboard DSP
5Budget
Roland QUAD-CAPTURE~$399 · 1.3× pricier
Long-term reliabilityGood value for priceAuto sensitivity buttonDigital coax output problemsDriver complaintsDriver latency in DAW
Roland QUAD-CAPTURE~$399 · 1.3× pricier
Long-term reliability
Good value for price
Auto sensitivity button
Digital coax output problems
Driver complaints
Driver latency in DAW
6Budget
MOTU M4~$270 · similar price
Clean, transparent soundExcellent value for priceLoopback featurePops, clicks, and cracklingUSB-C cable sensitivityMixed sound quality opinions versus competitors
MOTU M4~$270 · similar price
Clean, transparent sound
Excellent value for price
Loopback feature
Pops, clicks, and crackling
USB-C cable sensitivity
Mixed sound quality opinions versus competitors
7Budget
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio~$299 · similar price
Low latency achievable with buffer tuningGreat value bundle for beginnersReliable long-term useNoticeable latency out of the boxBundled mic has thin low-end for some voicesDriver software compatibility issues
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Studio~$299 · similar price
Low latency achievable with buffer tuning
Great value bundle for beginners
Reliable long-term use
Noticeable latency out of the box
Bundled mic has thin low-end for some voices
Driver software compatibility issues
You are here
8Budget
Tascam US-800~$299
Good recording qualityStrong value for moneyDoubles as headphone ampPersistent driver bugsWindows 10 compatibility issuesUSB recognition on boot
Tascam US-800~$299
Good recording quality
Strong value for money
Doubles as headphone amp
Persistent driver bugs
Windows 10 compatibility issues
USB recognition on boot

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Solid recording quality and value for the price. Multiple users highlight the US-800 as a great deal, found for $175-249, sometimes bundled with cables and headphones. One user recorded a full drum kit across all six inputs with great results in Cubase, and another used it successfully for drums, percussion, guitars, and bass. It's also praised as a capable headphone amp for everyday music listening, outperforming onboard PC sound.

Driver instability is a widespread and unresolved problem. Many comments describe buggy, crash-prone drivers, including random crashes, Windows 10 blue screens, and failures to update. One user was told by Tascam the driver issue wouldn't be fixed and returned the unit; another says it still doesn't work reliably with Cubase or MIDI. Pro Tools 9 compatibility fails due to nonstandard buffer sizes, and a dealer refused a return. Several ask whether newer Windows versions are even supported.

iPad and mobile recording works but with quirks. Users successfully recorded 6-8 tracks directly to iPad via Camera Connection Kit, with one testing sync issues finding only a very small, likely negligible gap between tracks. However, questions persist about which iPad models are supported, whether jailbreak is needed, USB hub power requirements, and whether an iPhone 4 with CCK works at all, suggesting inconsistent or unclear compatibility.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?