KVR Audio

kpsychedelic · Post by **kpsychedelic** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 6:12 am

Hey Brendon, thanks for posting the video.
Pretty neat setup.

So what are your impressions so far on the little gadget (it's not as small as I expected it haha, not that I cared to check the measurements before, that is).

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:13 pm

my impressions of the IU2 are:

1. sounds good
2. midi implementation superb
3. docking cable ridiculously short. about a foot in length.

glad I sent back the IOdock and waited for this.

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:41 pm

OK, am taking back my positive feedback. this morning I plugged my device into the ipad and get a "device not supported" message.

HMMMM.... just wrote tascam tech support.

will keep u posted

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 12:56 pm

OK, seems the unit is sensitive to what devices u plug the usb charging cable into. the unit seems to function fine on its own. gonna order the Tascam PS-P515U AC to USB Power Adapter

J.C · Post by **J.C** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:27 pm

So it can't be powered by your iPad?

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:28 pm

yes, the ipad powers it just fine

sonicflux · Post by **sonicflux** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:35 pm

Then could you explain why you were powering it via usb?

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:37 pm

wasnt powering it via usb, was trying to see if I could charge the ipad via usb

DrApostropheX · Post by **DrApostropheX** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 1:41 pm

echologist wrote:wasnt powering it via usb, was trying to see if I could charge the ipad via usb

That's a big selling point for me, to save wear on the iPad's docking connector more than anything else (all that cable tugging and swapping can't be good for it). I just got a 2.1 amp AC to USB charger which could charge two iPads simultaneously (if I had two iPads) so hopefully that's beefy enough for the IU2 (someday!).

jjmcjj · Post by **jjmcjj** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:49 pm

One of the reviews on Amazon ripped this product due to poor build quality:

I opened up the package and saw that the two main gain knobs barely turned because they rubbed against the case. All of the knobs were wobbly and I know they will break.

These problems were not because of the seller, or poor packaging... these problems are from extremely poor product design. Every single corner was cut to make this...

I wonder if it's really that bad? I have the Tascam IXZ and it's limited, but reasonably well made. That said, if the build quality of the IU2 is similar to the IXZ, I would be disappointed, given the $100+ price difference between them.

edit: removed link due to low-post count restriction--search Amazon if you're curious.

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 2:56 pm

it's not the best designed device, that is for sure, but am not having any issues with the knobs at this point. so far I am glad I now have a means to utilize my ipad apps and integrate the ipad into my studio and live rig.

jjmcjj · Post by **jjmcjj** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:22 pm

echologist wrote:it's not the best designed device, that is for sure, but am not having any issues with the knobs at this point. so far I am glad I now have a means to utilize my ipad apps and integrate the ipad into my studio and live rig.

Thanks for the feedback. I really enjoyed your video. Very helpful to those of us interested in this product.

mbncp · Post by **mbncp** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:35 pm

echologist wrote:wasnt powering it via usb, was trying to see if I could charge the ipad via usb

Does this work ?

echologist · Post by **echologist** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 3:49 pm

not with the belkin powered usb hub I was using. me thinks one has to buy this dedicated tascam usb power adapter. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control ... &A=details

Storms · Post by **Storms** » Wed Apr 11, 2012 4:26 pm

DrApostropheX wrote:
echologist wrote:wasnt powering it via usb, was trying to see if I could charge the ipad via usb
That's a big selling point for me, to save wear on the iPad's docking connector more than anything else (all that cable tugging and swapping can't be good for it). I just got a 2.1 amp AC to USB charger which could charge two iPads simultaneously (if I had two iPads) so hopefully that's beefy enough for the IU2 (someday!).

I've had an iPad 1 for 2 years now and charge it every night religiously. That's over 700 connects/disconnects and no issues with the dock connector. Also, since I use it in the studio with the camera connection kit quite frequently, I would guess my actual number of connect/disconnect is well over 1000.

The actual port the dock connector plugs into is solid aluminum with a PCB in the middle. I think you're much more likely to have the dock cable itself fail, since it's only plastic.

Tascam iU2 mobile interface