In this video review for Production Expert, Technical Editor James Ivey takes a look at the Tascam iXR portable USB audio and MIDI interface for Windows, Mac OS and iOS. 

Tascam iXR

The Tascam iXR is a small buss powered 2 channel USB audio and MIDI interface. The front panel is well laid out and all the controls are very clear. The master volume control has a nice feel to it and all the other controls are where you would expect them to be.  James particularly likes the fact that this has much of the same feel and usability of the old Avid (then Digidesign) M-Box range with its monitor fade pot allowing you to blend between the input signal and the returning signals from your DAW. 

James tried the iXR with Pro Tools 12 running on his Mac Book Pro and his Windows 10 workstation PC. He also tried it on 2 different series of iPad running Garageband and the amazing Wavemachine Labs Audia DAW software for iOS.

The 2 mic pres sound good and the signal path shows no signs of interfering with anything you are recording but where the iXR really scores is that it is able to be totally buss powered or used in conjunction with an iOS device such are your iPhone or iPad making this a truly portable recording solution for those on the go. If you are recording an interview the iXR can slip into your bag along with your iPad and a pair of mics and give you significantly better recording results that recording on your phone with some kind of plugged in iMic type device. 

The iXR is not going to win any awards for originality, but it is a rugged little device that does what it sets out to do, and that is, give those on the go the option to use professional tools for a recording job even when their location may prohibit "professional" gear. 

At a street price of around £120 UK pounds the iXR is the right end of the market to give the competition a run for its audio money in this very crowded sector of the audio interface market.