Tascam US-800 and Lion

Question

Level 2

255 points

Tascam US-800 and Lion

I bought a Tascam US-800 audio/MIDI interface to replace the US-122 that quit working when I installed Lion (it only has 32-bit drivers).

I'm using it with Garageband. It works fine when I first start up/restart the computer, but when I go back to it after a time, it doesn't work. Neither the MIDI nor audio work, though the US-800 shows up both in System preferences and GB prefs. The signal light for the audio channel I'm using lights up, so the US-800 is getting signal, but it does not seem to be passing it on. If I unplug the USB and plug it back in, the US-800 disappears from both prefs (after a warning from GB) and doesn't return until a complete system restart.

Anyone else having this issue? Any thoughts on resolving it?

Thanks.

Mac Pro (Early 2008) 2.8 mhz single core, Mac OS X (10.5.2)

Posted on Aug 1, 2011 5:57 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Aug 4, 2011 10:13 AM in response to Dan Radmacher

Anybody else seeing this? If I power the US-800 down and back up, I can get MIDI back, but not audio. Having to restart the computer before I use the interface is a real drag.

Reply

Answer 2

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Aug 4, 2011 5:58 PM in response to Dan Radmacher

It isn't the sleep incompatibility issue. I disabled sleep this afternoon. It took longer for the issue to arise, but it is back. This is getting very frustrating. Am I the only one having this problem?

Reply

Answer 3

Aug 23, 2011 3:43 PM in response to Dan Radmacher

No, you are not the only one! I am in the exact same situation. It's not a problem with Garageband, it's a problem with OS X not seeing it as an audio device.

Suggestions anyone? I just got it, and though it's a big upgrade from the US-122, I don't like not being able to rely on it working anytime I need it...

Reply

Answer 4

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Aug 23, 2011 5:09 PM in response to osxuser93

I've heard nothing back from Tascam. Maybe I should just send the unit back and get a new one. As you say, it's frustrating to be able to rely on it.

Anyone else come across this, or a solution?

Reply

Answer 5

Aug 23, 2011 5:26 PM in response to Dan Radmacher

Well, I'm not sure that getting another of the same model would solve the problem. I'm pretty sure it's a driver issue...

When it's connected but not working, the control panel has the "Digital Lock" illuminated. It's not illuminated when it's working normally. I'm not using any of the digital ins or outs, and I've played with the clock settings, but with no success. Maybe I'll write to Tascam too...

Reply

Answer 6

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Aug 23, 2011 5:31 PM in response to osxuser93

Agreed. It seems like a driver issue. Though I'd think if it were a driver issue there'd be more people complaining. Surely, you and I aren't the only two using Lion and the US-800.

Reply

Answer 7

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Aug 29, 2011 4:38 AM in response to Dan Radmacher

Here's an update: I should have thought of this before. At Tascam tech support's suggestion, I hooked up the Tascam to a Macbook running Lion and could not replicate the issue. I'm not sure where that leaves me. I'll call tech support back today and see if they have any thoughts. I've reinstalled the driver, but am still having the same issue on the Mac Pro. Beyond that, I'm not sure what to do.

Reply

Answer 8

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Aug 30, 2011 8:43 AM in response to Dan Radmacher

Success, finally! Something else I should have thought to do before: I repaired permissions, rebooted, and so far the US-800 is working flawlessly, even after sitting overnight. Give that a shot, osxuser93, and let me know if it works for you, too.

Reply

Answer 9

Aug 30, 2011 5:44 PM in response to Dan Radmacher

I just tried repairing permissions, and it said this:

Warning: SUID file “System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/ARDAg ent” has been modified and will not be repaired.

I've had to repair permissions before, and I've always gotten that warning. I wonder if that has something to do with it. I'm on a late 2009 iMac (27 inch, i7). I also tried booting in 32 bit, just to make sure, but that didn't fix it either.

I wonder if I should reinstall Lion, restore from Time Machine, and try it again...

Reply

Answer 10

Sep 17, 2011 6:16 AM in response to Dan Radmacher

I'm running a 27" iMac core i73.4Ghz with Lion 10.7.1 and jsut got my US-800 yesterday and am having the same problem. It works fine sometimes, othertimes its totally unrecognized by the system.

Reply

Answer 11

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Sep 17, 2011 7:09 AM in response to christopherfromflor

My success was short lived. It worked correctly for a couple of days, then started the same behavior. I corrected permissions again, but no dice.

This is very frustrating, but it seems to be happen only in very rare instances. I wish we could narrow down the cause.

Reply

Answer 12

paolee

Level 1

0 points

Oct 24, 2011 2:02 AM in response to Dan Radmacher

Hi,

I just wanted to buy the Tascam US 800, cause I am looking for an interface with 5 or more mic inputs and I thought I found the right one.

Now I’m a bit confused reading this reviews.

Did you have any problems with OSX 10.6?

Have you been able to solve the problems with 10.7?

Thanks for your help.

Reply

Answer 13

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Nov 3, 2011 5:51 AM in response to paolee

I bought it to use for Lion. My previous interface (US-122) didn't work with Lion. The problem has persisted. I just tried a reinstall of Lion to see if that would help and so far, so good. I won't know for sure for a couple of days because the problem is so variable. If that doesn't work, I'm going to try a clean install, though I dread the time and inconvenience of that.

I wouldn't let my experience turn you off the US-800, though. I think it's a quirky and rare issue that has something to do with my system configuration or something. I've only found one other person with the same problem, so I don't think it's widespread at all.

And when the US-800 works, it works very well. Almost zero latency. Plenty of inputs. It's a great unit, when it works.

Reply

Answer 14

Nov 3, 2011 3:36 PM in response to Dan Radmacher

I'll be interested to hear if the reinstall of Lion works.

As of the 10.7.2 update, I've isolated the problem (at least on my system). When I turn on the iMac, the interface will work with it as long as the computer does not go to sleep. If I allow the computer to sleep, even with the US-800 not plugged in, it won't recognize the interface again until I restart it. Since I put my computer to sleep every night, rather than shutting it down, this is inconvenient. But at least it's predictable.

And I'll agree with Dan - it's a great interface. Sound quality is better than the US-122 in my opinion too.

Reply

Answer 15

Dan Radmacher Author

Level 2

255 points

Nov 3, 2011 8:01 PM in response to osxuser93

The reinstall did not work. I'm in the midst of the clean install right now. Big PITA, but hopefully it will solve the problem.

For what it's worth, the sleep issue is a known incompatibility (read: bug) with the US-800 driver.

That is not my issue. I disabled sleep near the beginning of this ordeal.

Reply