Issues with Tascam Model 12

[doppelsmoker]

Hello


I've had the T12 for months now, hoping it would fix my issues with workflow. I had the Komplete Audio 1 and it didn't have enough inputs to put in my Octatrack, route it to my speakers and headphones, etc.

Since I wanted to have an interface to listen to what I am doing, while being able to plug my Octatrack, mic, instruments into the same thing, I chose the Model 12. But, probably because I don't know that much about the topic, I couldn't do anything at all, that I wanted to do, yet. Btw, I use Windows 10.

I can't find any great tutorials on anything I want to do, practically nothings answers my queastions.

I want to start using Ableton, or record in Audacity: Nothing shows up in Audacity as I put the switch from the Input channel 7/8 to PC. I can hear my Octatrack through my headphones when switched to LIVE, but nothing gets to my PC.

In tutorials where people select channels beyond 1 and 2 in Ableton or elesewhere, they see a list of all the T12 channels - I only get 1/2.

When I switch my T12 into DAW controller mode, I only get audio in the left side of my headphones from pc.

ChatGPT tells me to route the channels into my PC through the T12 Interface, obviously it doesn't work, ChatGPT only gives instructions that don't work.

I also tried to route channel 6 to pc, in order to use my microphone - I wasted close to 3 hours trying to download drivers and whatelse and looking at my settings (which also are like a desert on windows 10 compared to what I see in MAC tutorials for example) etc etc, only to then just plug it into Channel 2 and use it from there.


Like that, as I can't figure out how to use any of the channels except for 1 and 2 on my PC (while channel 1 plays back pc audio), the thing is basically completely useless for what I actually want to do. I don't give it the fault, maybe it's design, but I think I just don't know what I'm doing, or at least it feels like it. I can't pinpoint the error. But for what I am doing, i basically have a 12 channel mixer where I can only use 2 channels, which I use for the basics of an audio interface... Please help me

 

[Mark Richards]

Welcome to the forum.
Unfortunately, I have no idea what 'Komplete Audio 1" or "Octatrack" or a "T12" are or do. So perhaps you'd like to share that?

(Going forward, please use the precise Model 12 owner manual's terminology when describing the various knobs, buttons, buses, switches etc. associated with your Model 12 mixer, e.g., when you write "switch", the precise description is "Channel Mode Switch", yes? While anything less may be crystal clear to you, it will only serve to delay obtaining a resolution while we obtain clarifications. It will also allow members unfamiliar with the Model 12 to use the Model 12 owner manual to follow the discussion.)

That you can't find any information addressing the particular workflow you want to use suggests your desired workflow may be unique to you.

If so, there are likely several unknown variables that would make guessing at solutions non-productive if not impossible. These are:
The status of your Win 10 updates and your DAW version;
The details of the configurations of Win10 audio and the DAW;
The status of your Model 12 firmware and your use of TASCAM tested/approved SD cards; and
The details of your workflow choices.

The Model series mixers are complex professional tools, not even close to being plug 'n play. It's absolutely essential that you understand how signals flow through and can be routed in the mixer both physically and using menu settings; and there's a learning curve to get there.

TASCAM's support page has available for download the most recent documents for using your Model 12:
The Owner Manual, an Addendum to the Owner Manual, and a DAW Control Mode Manual.

So if your firmware is up to date and the SD card is on the tested/approved list, if you haven't yet done so, you might first want to take the time to learn the basics of using your Model 12 as a stand-alone mixer by reading, understanding, and applying all of the owner manual chapters in sequence, and then making some test recordings using only the mixer as your multitrack recorder.

Once you've internalized the basics and how signals flow through the mixer, then you have a foundation for using the Model 12 effectively and adapting the Model 12 to your unique workflow requirements.

In the meantime, a review of the sticky threads at the top of this forum may help. The "Tutorial and Informational Videos For Model 24/16/12" sticky thread has a number of instructional videos that address interfacing with various DAWs. Many of these are relevant to all of the mixers in the Model series.

A search of this forum will turn up a number of threads and post that address issues associated with interfacing with Ableton, Audacity, Reaper, LogicPro, and DAWs in general. Many of these too will be applicable to all of the mixers in the Model series.