TASCAM has announced the MiNiSTUDIO Personal US-32 and MiNiSTUDIO Creator US-42, two new personal audio interfaces that make internet broadcasting and production easier.
The TASCAM MiNiSTUDIO Personal US-32 is an easily affordable solution for Internet broadcasting, supplying the key tools you need, while delivering excellent audio quality. The MiNiSTUDIO Creator US-42 has all the podcasting features of the MiNiSTUDIO Personal and adds a number of features that are ideal for more advanced audio and video production.
Both TASCAM MiNiSTUDIOs provide high-resolution recording up to 24-bit, 96 kHz with Windows and Mac computers. The interfaces connect via USB 2.0 and can be USB bus-powered. You can also connect them to iOS devices using an Apple Camera Kit (not included). They are compatible with all major DAW software and work with all major streaming software and services.
But connection is only half the story – effects can make the difference between a good podcast and a great one. TASCAM MiNiSTUDIOs also enable you to easily add sound effects on-the-fly, thanks to three self-lighting PON pads that trigger audio files from the Mac or PC. Three sounds are included, but can be easily replaced with by a .wav or .mp3 file of your choosing. A cool Voice Effects feature lets you alter the sound of your singing or speech, as well; it’s a fun effect that adds color to your podcasts.
At showtime, an illuminated On Air button confirms that you’re live on the air and busses audio to and from the computer by way of the MiNiSTUDIO’s powerful Broadcast mode. This ensures that you are hearing everything your audience hears, making the MiNiSTUDIO a well-integrated and easy-to-use interface that lets you focus on your podcast, rather than your equipment.
To complete the package, both models include free software for Mac, Windows, and iOS that provides extensive control of the MiNiSTUDIO’s features in one of two specially designed modes. In Easy mode, you get software control of most-used EQ, compression, and effects presets, while Expert mode lets you dig in deep to program the four-band parametric EQ, compressor and reverb parameters, as well as advanced parameters for triggered sounds.
“We used the MiNiSTUDIO for over 50 live podcasts direct from the show floor at a recent trade show, and the results were just amazing,” enthuses Johnny Mota, podcaster and reporter for rAVe Publications’ AV Insider. “In a busy, high-traffic setting like that, it’s critical to have tools that are not just dependable, but easy to use and really intuitive. With the MiNiSTUDIO as the hub of our system, we were able to focus our energies on creating a great show, not on engineering.”
The TASCAM MiNiSTUDIO Personal US-32 features a built-in microphone and a combo XLR mic/balanced ¼-inch TRS line input with high-quality mic preamp and 48V phantom power. A 1/8-inch input can connect to a smartphone, tablet, or other consumer audio device so you can fly in prerecorded music and dialog. Separate headphone and headset/mic connections are also available.
The MiNiSTUDIO Creator US-42 extends the features of the MiNiSTUDIO Personal by adding a powerful set of tools for producing, as well as broadcasting your podcasts. Instead of the built-in mic, the MiNiSTUDIO Creator adds a second XLR/TRS mic input so you can mic yourself and a guest with lavalieres or other external microphones and enjoy amazingly crisp and clear audio thanks to TASCAM’s professional-caliber HDDA microphone preamps. In addition to headphone outputs, the MiNiSTUDIO Creator offers stereo RCA line-level outputs with separate level controls for connection to powered monitors.
In addition to supporting the Broadcast mode of the MiNiSTUDIO Personal US-32, the US-42 can be switched into the aptly named Creator mode. In this mode, the MiNiSTUDIO Creator behaves like most USB audio interfaces. This mode is recommended for production with a DAW or video editing software. The loopback feature is turned off, and the mic inputs are routed separately to the computer.
The MiNiSTUDIO Personal US-32 and MiNiSTUDIO Creator US-42 are available for purchase now at a street price of $129.99 USD and $179.99 USD, respectively.
More information: TASCAM