Tascam US-428

The Tascam US-428 is a USB 1.1-based digital audio workstation controller and audio interface introduced in 2001 by Tascam. The device resembles a blue 4 or 8-track Portastudio with 8 faders, a master fader, four inputs (two of the inputs can accept either XLR or 1/4" instrument cables, the other accept 1/4" instrument cables and can be switched to "mic" or "hi-z" setting), MIDI in/out, several audio outputs (line out, headphone out), and a USB 1.1 port. The device is meant to be connected to a computer (PC or Mac) via USB and functions as both a sound card (it contains 24-bit A/D converters), mixer and monitor. Up to 4 separate tracks can be recorded simultaneously (as long as the computer and software can handle it). The US-428 was one of the first low cost consoles that allowed recording on a computer without having to "mouse mix". The 428 was discontinued sometime in 2004/05, and was succeeded by a number of Firewire (IEEE1394) based consoles.