Zoom TAC-2R 2x2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface

OUR PART #: TAC-2R MFR #: TAC-2R

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Zoom's compact, rugged TAC-2R audio interface uses the latest Thunderbolt™ technology for blazingly fast speed, near zero latency and the ultimate in high-quality audio... ...Read more

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Zoom TAC-2R 2x2 Thunderbolt Audio Interface
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Product Overview

Zoom's compact, rugged TAC-2R audio interface uses the latest Thunderbolt™ technology for blazingly fast speed, near zero latency and the ultimate in high-quality audio, up to 24-bit/192kHz. With its easy-to-use design and advanced converters, the TAC-2R is perfect for studio and field recording of mics and instruments, onstage playback, and pristine audio streaming. It can even serve as an ultra-stable MIDI interface.

Onstage - Take your performance to the next level. Use the TAC-2R onstage to get the best sound quality from your laptop. With its Thunderbolt speed, high quality converters, and rugged chassis, you can trust the TAC-2R to deliver superior audio night after night.

In Your Home and Office - Enhance the audio you enjoy everyday. Plug your headphones or speakers into the TAC-2R instead of your computer's audio outputs and enjoy streamed high-resolution audio—all the way up to 24-bit/192kHz—in full fidelity.

In The Studio - The TAC-2R gives you all the tools you need to create great audio. Flexible routing options allow you to use a variety of microphones and instruments, with high-quality preamps to ensure crystal clear sound. There's even Direct Monitoring for zero latency overdubbing.

MIDI - The TAC-2R serves as an ultra-stable MIDI interface too, allowing you to use your electronic keyboards and controllers as well as sound generating devices such as synthesizers and drum machines. The extreme speed and low latency of Thunderbolt ensure that your audio and MIDI tracks line up perfectly, every time.

Thunderbolt Fast. Creator Driven. - More than twice as fast as USB 3.0—not to mention 20x faster than USB 2.0 and 12x faster than Firewire 800 — Thunderbolt is the interconnection technology of the future. Co-developed by Apple and Intel Labs, it allows signal to be transferred at an incredibly fast 10 gigabits per second, which means virtually no latency (4.17msec round-trip latency at 44.1 kHz, 64 sample buffer size). Thunderbolt interfaces such as the TAC-2R are also unaffected by computer jitter (slight variations in timing), so there's no need to connect an external master clock source.

In addition, Thunderbolt carries 10 watts/18 volts of power (as compared to the 2.5 watts/ 5 volts carried by USB 2.0)—enough to provide stable phantom power. This also allows the use of high-end components such as the Burr Brown PCM4202 analog-to-digital converter and AKM AK4396 digital-to-analog converter in the TAC-2R.

The TAC-2R performs 4-times upsampling during both analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion. In other words, when the sampling frequency is set to 44.1kHz or 48kHz, the TAC-2R processes the signal at high resolution 176.4kHz or 192kHz. For A/D conversion, this means less aliasing noise; for D/A conversion, this means increased clarity and fidelity.

The Hardware - The Thunderbolt port on the rear panel carries digital signal to and from your computer in addition to providing power to the TAC-2R—no external power required. Dual front panel combo XLR/TRS inputs allow you to connect a wide variety of microphones as well as line-level signals from electronic keyboards and music players—even passive instruments such as electric guitars and basses. Dual balanced TRS output jacks enable you to connect the TAC-2R to amplifiers or self-powered speakers, and there's an independent ¼" stereo headphone jack with dedicated volume control for private monitoring of the input or output signal. In addition, MIDI In and Out is provided to allow precise synchronization with devices such as electronic keyboards and drum machines.

Dedicated input gain controls and Clip LEDs make it easy to set optimum input levels, and a large Output knob enables fast control over overall output level. A phantom power switch applies +48 volts to the mic inputs, allowing you to use the TAC-2R with studio-quality condenser microphones, and a three-way Direct Monitoring switch enables monitoring of input signal with zero latency in both mono and stereo.

Extend Your Capabilities with Software - TAC-2 MixEfx is a free Macintosh application designed specially by Zoom for the TAC-2R. With TAC-2 MixEfx, you can set mix parameters and add high-quality effects such as reverb and echo. Other features include a low cut filter, phase reverse, AUTO GAIN control for each input. TAC-2 MixEfx even has three memory slots for saving user settings with quick recall. Contact your Sales Pro regarding more information on TAC-2 MixEfx.

Zoom TAC-2R Includes:

  • TAC-2R 2-channel Thunderbolt Audio Interface
  • Thunderbolt Cable (1m)
  • Cubase LE Software Download
  • Operation Manual

Zoom TAC-2R Features:

  • 2-in/2-out high speed Thunderbolt™ audio interface
  • Support for recording and playback up to 24-bit/192kHz
  • Ultra-low latency audio streaming
  • Two combo balanced XLR/TRS input connectors accept both mic- and line-level signal
  • Hi-Z switches allow direct connection of electric guitar or bass
  • Switchable +48V phantom power
  • Two balanced TRS output jacks for connection to amplifiers or self-powered speakers
  • 1/4" headphone jack with dedicated level control
  • Independent gain controls and clip LEDs for each input
  • Large knob output volume control
  • Direct Monitoring switch for zero latency monitoring in mono or stereo
  • MIDI In and Out
  • High-performance mic preamps with up to +60dB of amplification
  • 4x upsampling during A/D and D/A conversion for reduced noise and enhanced fidelity
  • Asynchronous transfer system unaffected by computer jitter
  • Bus powered—no AC power required
  • Robust metal housing ensures road worthiness
  • Works with all Thunderbolt-equipped Macintosh computers running OS X10.8.5 or later

Zoom TAC-2R Specifications:

  • Inputs:
    • Input 1/2 connectors: XLR/TRS combo jacks (XLR: 2 hot / TRS: TIP hot)
    • Input Gain: 0 to 60dB in 1dB steps
    • Input Impedance: 5 kOhms (1 MegaOhm (when Hi-Z ON)
    • Maximum Input Level: +12dBu (@0dBFs)
    • Phantom Power: +48V
  • L/R Output:
    • Type: 1/4" TRS phone jack (Balanced)
    • Maximum Output Level: +14dBu (@0dBFs)
    • Output Impedance: 100 Ohms
  • Phones Output:
    • Type: 1/4" stereo phone jack; 20mW + 20mW (into 32 Ohm load)
    • Maximum Output Level: +8 dBu (@0dBFs)
    • Output Impedance: 33 Ohms
  • MIDI:
    • MIDI Input: 5-pin DIN Jack
    • MIDI Output: 5-pin DIN Jack
  • AD/DA Conversion:
    • Type: 4x upsampling ( at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz)
    • Chipset:
      • Burr Brown PCM4202 (A/D)
      • AKM AK4396 (D/A)
    • Frequency Response:
      • -1.0 dB: 20 Hz - 60 kHz @ 192 kHz
      • -1.0 dB: 20 Hz - 40 kHz @ 96 kHz
      • -1.0 dB: 20 Hz - 20 kHz @ 44.1 kHz
    • A/D Dynamic Range: 118dB typical (IHF-A)
    • D/A Dynamic Range: 120dB typical (IHF-A)
  • Other:
    • Audio channels (recording): 2
    • Audio channels (playback): 2
    • S/N ratio EIN: -125dBu (IHF-A) @ 60dB, 150 Ohm input
    • Sampling frequency: 192 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 96 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 48 kHz, 44.1 kHz
    • Bit depth: 24-bit
    • Latency (typical): 4.17 msec round trip (@ 44.1 kHz sampling / 64 sample buffer size)
    • Interface: Thunderbolt
    • Power: Thunderbolt Bus Power
    • Power consumption: 10 W maximum
    • Dimensions (DxWxH): 113.9 x 176.0 x 46.2 mm
    • Weight: 714g

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

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