The rack-mountable ZOOM TAC-8 audio interface is designed to act as the central hub in both professional and home environments. It provides 8 analog inputs and 10 analog outputs, 10 digital inputs and outputs (in both S/PDIF and ADAT Optical formats), Word Clock and MIDI I/O.
Whether you want to record large multi-channel 24-bit/192k sessions in your studio without worrying about latency, or you want to bring your onstage performance to new heights, the TAC-8 allows you to take full advantage of today's latest technology.
Recording In The Studio
With 8 analog inputs and additional digital options, the TAC-8 allows you to record what you want, when you want. Record drums, bass, guitar, and vocals all at once, or go big with an 8 mic drum setup: or anything bigger, smaller, or in-between. Thunderbolt speeds will ensure you won't have to deal with latency issues. The software mixer and output options let you customize your session to your needs.
Onstage Playback
The TAC-8 allows you to use your laptop onstage with high quality sound. Simply connect it to your computer with a Thunderbolt cable and then connect the rear panel TRS outputs to your mixing board or PA system. With 10 analog outs you can customize your rig to your needs.
Thunderbolt: Speed. Revolutionary Recording.
Thunderbolt technology opens up new doors for creators. More than twice as fast as USB 3.0-not to mention twenty times faster than USB 2.0 and twelve times 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. Thunderbolt interfaces such as the TAC-8 are also unaffected by computer jitter (slight variations in timing).
Analog
The TAC-8 provides a wide variety of both analog and digital connectors. Eight front panel combo XLR/TRS inputs accept mic- and line-level signals. Inputs 1 and 2 can also accept instrument-level signal from electric guitars and basses. Dedicated input gain controls and Clip LEDs make it easy to set optimum input levels, and a Phantom Power switch enables the use of condenser microphones.
Dual balanced analog TRS output jacks enable you to connect the TAC-8 to amplifiers or self-powered speakers, and there are also 8 discrete balanced TRS analog line outputs for multichannel monitoring or connection to external effects devices. A large front-panel Output knob offers fast control over output level, and there are two independent 1/4" stereo headphone jacks, each with its own dedicated volume control, for private monitoring.
Digital I/O
ADAT and S/PDIF digital inputs/outputs allow for the connection of external devices, and built-in Word Clock enables easy integration into any system. ADAT allows for an additional 8 in and 8 out from the TAC-8, and S/PDIF allows for and addition 2 in a nd 2 out on top of that.
In addition, MIDI In and Out allow electronic keyboards, sequencers, and drum machines to be connected to the TAC-8, with Thunderbolt speed ensuring precise audio and MIDI sync.