Audio drops Model 12 HELP

[Troy Bowditch]

I noticed right out of the box after a day of reading the manual and setting everything up, my audio playback would just completely cut out and drop. I can get it to work again by going into the DAW preferences and re-selecting the Model 12 as my audio interface. Then audio once again comes through my speakers as it should.

I called Tascam support the first week after this annoying inconvenience was no longer tolerable. They walked me through a firmware update (which I already did) and a factory reset (which I also already did) and then discovered that I was running Reaper as my DAW and said, we’ll thats your problem. I put this problem aside for a couple months thinking that I’ll eventually just switch to another DAW or wait for Reaper to fix this error. No big.

Then yesterday I wanted to play a video game using my studio speakers through my tascam instead of my computer speakers. Opened up System Preferences in my iMac and in sound selected Model 12. After a minute of play, THE AUDIO DROPS! I am now panicing. I go to system prefs and just click Model 12 again and the audio comes back on... This means Reaper is not the culprit and I have wasted my time of easy return swap of a lemon based on Tascam’s wonderful tech support.

So I call back Tascam today and describe what now is clearly a software issue on the Model 12. They have me update and reset again. Still does the same thing. I even video the drop out happing just trying to play a .wav file off my desktop. The tech tells me that all the can do is cover any part replacements for my nearest Tascam certified repair shop to do the work. Problem is, I describe my issue to every repair shop in my state and they say that they don't do software repairs. So... I call back Tascam and the tech, Brian, says there’s really nothing he can do. Nothing. He. Can. Do.

Im supposed to find some repair shop in the world to fix a software issue on my own. Covering shipping, shipping insurance, hourly repair costs, return shipping, and Brian tells me he can cover any replacement parts on a problem that is completely unknown and documented to be a happening since unboxing at day one?!

Someone please tell me there is a super easy solution that Brian has overlooked.

Yes I am using the factory usb cable.
I have a late 2009 iMac running High Sierra.
I have 16 gb of memory and 400 gb of empty storage on the hard drive. Every single application I use including Reaper runs great with the apple sound card. I even had to mix this last project with the stock sound card and wasnt able to use the Model 12 as planned.

So far, a major disappointment in this product

 

[Troy Bowditch]

I can upload the video of this problem happening in real time but for some reason it says I do not have the permission to do so.

 

[Morgelec]

What do you have your buffer settings at in Reaper? When in your DAW are you running the the Model 12 ASIO driver?

 

[Logrinn]

If you have access to another computer, I'd recommend trying out the Model 12 with that one.
My reasoning is that the probability of a problem with a computer is far greater than a problem with the mixer. This way you'd get some confirmation where the problem originates.

 

[Troy Bowditch]

Morgelec, this is confirmed no longer an issue with Reaper although I have gone through and double checked all buffer sizes. Also, I’m using a i Mac.

Logrinn, I will run tests tomorrow on another computer. But what would you suspect that could be wrong with my computer? I only ask because I would really like to keep this one running as it has been great previously with my Tascam US-1800 audio interface. I upgraded to the Model 12 but it still has yet to prove to be an upgrade with only this hiccup.

 

[BazzBass]

most likely you have not properly configured your input and output devices on your mac and or in Reaper. Or your mac is not configured correctly. For Windows there is a 20 page document on all the tweaks and things to switch off, I doubt the mac needs this many tweaks but there will be some.

 

[Troy Bowditch]

Bazzbass, Ive ruled out Reaper as the culprit but have not done any audio configuring in the osx. Do you have any idea where to begin?

 

[lash]

Any solution? Having the same issue in Win 10, drop outs were once a week are now several times a day. Faulty USB hardware on the Model 12?

 

[-mjk-]

Check out this topic: https://www.tascamforums.com/thread...tputting-audio-from-computer.8492/#post-42224

 

[midinerdguy]

This is still an issue in 2025... on Windows 10, multiple times per day. Requires me to flick the console on and off. Curiously, the console still sends output over USB but I either lose input over USB (from Windows) or the headphone out stops working, not sure which.

 

[-mjk-]

@midinerdguy, did you review the document referenced in the post directly before your post, and implement the changes to your computer?

 

[midinerdguy]

@-mjk- do you mean the 75-page deep-dive manual about tuning windows? Because no I didn’t read that. The Windows computer I’m using belong to the company I work for and I’m locked out of any admin ability like installing stuff or making massive changes to system settings etc. Whereas my personal laptop is a MacBook Pro, and my Tascam Model 12 works flawlessly so far on that one.

 

[shredd]

 

[midinerdguy]

You go ahead and facepalm. I shouldn’t have to read some bloke’s tech-writing passion project in order to get my cute little mixer to work well.

This is why I would never buy a Windows machine. Plug into Mac? Works perfectly. Plug into Windows? Throws random errors unless you read deep dive manual that’s not even written by Tascam and spend a week of your life running diagnostics and troubleshooting.

Clearly Tascam isn’t the problem. Microsoft hasn’t made a good stable OS since Windows XP (SP2).

 

[Mark Richards]

...multiple times per day. Requires me to flick the console on and off...Windows computer I’m using belong to the company I work for and I’m locked out of any admin ability like installing stuff or making massive changes to system settings etc....my personal laptop is a MacBook Pro, and my Tascam Model 12 works flawlessly

I'm confused.

If your job requires you to use your employer's Windows-based computer with the Model 12, wouldn't your employer want to assure the computer works effectively and efficiently with the Model 12?

Is it possible your employer has unwittingly custom configured your Win10 work computer in such a way that is actually causing the issues you're reporting here?

In either case, perhaps the IT dept would be interested in the Win10 Tweaks document, yes?

And of course there's always the standard issues too, like Model 12 firmware versions; audio driver versions/compatibility; using unpowered usb hubs, and/or cheap USB cables, and so on.

Good thing you own a Mac so you don't have compatibility issues at home.

 

[shredd]

You go ahead and facepalm. I shouldn’t have to read some bloke’s tech-writing passion project in order to get my cute little mixer to work well.

Not that it matters what I think - or what you think of me...but it's my perception that most people aren't interested in helping someone who's not willing to help themselves.

I'm "face-palming" because of your apparent aversion to doing your own research, instead expecting others to provide you answers - and haughtily scoff off the notion of pursuing suggestions from others that have worked and might lead you to a solution.

Good luck with that.

 

[-mjk-]

The Windows computer I’m using belong to the company I work for

My mistake, sorry. I misinterpreted your complaint as a request for help solving the problem. You posted that knowing you can't make any changes to the Windows computer. You came here to complain about it.

do you mean the 75-page deep-dive manual about tuning windows? Because no I didn’t read that.

I shouldn’t have to read some bloke’s tech-writing passion project in order to get my cute little mixer to work well.

It's so easy to berate the person who wrote the document that very likely holds the solution you need (for free), because it's so much easier to complain than to actually do something.

Now that you've revealed your true intent (complain and berate) don't expect any more help with anything.

 

[Max Relic]

He's the same person who wrote these lines:

As a former Technical Writer (8 years total for 3 different global enterprise companies), I too miss the era of solid documentation for technical products. But times have changed, and that’s largely led by how people consume information now.
But, A) most people won’t read the manual these days, they want to google, search a forum, or Reddit, ask ChatGPT, or watch a video [...]

 

[midinerdguy]

My goodness everyone is super easily-offended in here. Good on ya, you’re clearly passionate people, but maybe take a second and a breath and read again what I wrote. I was not trying to be facetious but perhaps I needed to pepper each sentence with emojis for you to hear the smirk? I don’t know. I’d say I don’t care but I actually do care about offending people and try not to.

I only posted in this stale thread because I’m having the same issue that kicked off this discussion. The only complaint I made was about Windows, not Tascam. I have no issues with the Model 12 mixer. It’s flippin great.

So I’m sorry if I ruffled your feathers, but any berating or crap attitude you’re hearing is a filter you’re plopping in front of your own brain’s camera lens, and that’s beyond my control.

To the points made:

I love deep dive manuals. And I worked for many years as a Technical Writer, authoring some of the nerdiest ones you can imagine. But, no, apologies to the author who I’m sure has helped many, but my Windows machine isn’t mine and I’m locked out by InfoSec. So I’m not going to diligently read that many pages of instructional content for a fix that I cannot implement.

I don’t own a personal windows machine. I own three Apple computers, and they all flawlessly interface with the Model 12. Tascam clearly made a great mini-desk.

So no, I’m not going to read it. If you have enough free time that you’re reading instruction manuals for things you can’t do or can’t use, just for fun, then I envy you. I’m working to support a family of six and barely find time to use the gear, let alone chase glitches.

But, I did glance through long enough to see that the author’s solution would require changes that I’m locked-out of making on the company laptop. I’m lucky that they even let me install the Tascam drivers. My company is thankful that I can use my home studio stuff to make interactive materials for projects, it they’re not going to give exemptions to IT policy for me. Anyone who’s currently working for a huge company will know what I mean.

So the entire point of my first comment here was: hey, this is still an issue. I don’t think that I’m being petulant for thinking that the Windows machine should function the same as the OSX machines, without you or me needing to engineer our own solutions. At every turn I am thoroughly gobsmacked by the continuing success and profitability of Microsoft because it’s so hard to get working.

And for anyone who might think I just don’t know enough techie stuff to figure it out, I don’t think that’s it at all. I grew up in the pre-GUI era, navigating MS-DOS from the command prompt. Fifteen years on Linux as well, from the command line exclusively, using vi as an editor for all my writing. Using git, SVN, or PRCS for version control. So I’m not a Mac person because they’re easy. It’s because they are dependable. And because I’m quite fond of Logic.

So, up to y’all if you wanna continue the mounting “can you believe this guy?!” commentary but I assure you there are way worse things to actually be upset about. Like how the orange covfefe kook is bringing the end times, smiling at our peril whilst chasing his unbridled desire to win at the expense of humanity.

But you know, you do you. If you want to block me for some posts on a gear forum, then I’m happy for you that your life is going so well that reading my comment was the worst part of your day. Peace.

Oh and to that Shreddy Guy, I wasn’t scoffing. Certainly not haughtily. And I never asked for help, nor for anyone to do anything. No expectations. Maybe go outside, have a strum. More guitar, less sanctimony.

 

[shredd]

He's the same person who wrote these lines:

Now that pretty much sums it up…
Bottom line - none of this has anything to do with Tascam gear.

The one thing I can agree with is the specter of “Cheetos“, the Great Orange Menace. But this is certainly not the arena for that topic….