TASCAM US-2x2HR audio interface: features and spec-based rating

TASCAM’s US-2x2HR is a USB audio interface with 2 inputs and 2 outputs.

An audio interface is the equipment that brings the sound of microphones and instruments into the computer and sends the computer’s sound out to headphones and speakers.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 23 audio interfaces we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 23 audio interfaces, US-2x2HR is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 3.6.

Strengths

• Ease of streaming (loopback: yes, 5 points): You can stream the computer’s sound and your microphone together.
• Ease of recording guitar and other instruments (2 Hi-Z inputs, 4 points): You can plug in a guitar or bass directly and record.

Who it suits: judging from the specifications, it suits people who want to stream the computer’s sound (BGM and game sound) together with a microphone; people who want to plug in a guitar or bass directly.

Main features of US-2x2HR

TASCAM’s own Ultra HDDA microphone preamps

It has two microphone preamps that the manufacturer describes as highly transparent and ultra low noise. In the specifications, the EIN of the microphone amp is -128 dBu or lower and the gain range is 56 dB.

Loopback and MIDI in and out

It has loopback, which sends the computer’s sound back into streaming software, and the official page says it works with OBS. It also has MIDI in and out, so you can connect keyboards and similar gear.

192 kHz support and zero-latency monitoring

It records at up to 192 kHz and 24-bit. Direct monitoring, which splits the signal before it goes to the computer, lets you monitor with no delay.

Where it is useful

• Recording vocals and guitar at the same time
• Combining the computer’s sound and your voice for streaming or podcasts
• Making music with a MIDI keyboard as well

Rating by criterion

Microphone input quality: 3 / 5

How quietly and how loudly enough it can record a microphone (low noise, gain range and so on).

US-2x2HR: EIN -128dBu / Gain 56dB. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Ease of streaming: 5 / 5

Whether it has a function (loopback) that lets you stream the computer’s sound (BGM and game sound) together with a microphone voice.

US-2x2HR: loopback: yes. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can stream the computer’s sound and your microphone together.

Ease of recording guitar and other instruments: 4 / 5

The number of inputs (Hi-Z) that take a guitar or bass directly.

US-2x2HR: 2 Hi-Z inputs. That is a high rating among the products we compared. You can plug in a guitar or bass directly and record.

Number of inputs and outputs: 3 / 5

The number of inputs for microphones and instruments, and outputs for speakers and the like.

US-2x2HR: 4 analog inputs and outputs. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Features for production: 3 / 5

Features for production such as MIDI ports, built-in effect processing (DSP) and digital I/O.

US-2x2HR: 1 of 3. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 23 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Audio interfaces)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Microphone input quality	Quietness (EIN), gain range and dynamic range	Average 4.5 or more	3.5 or more	2.5 or more	1.5 or more	Under 1.5
Ease of streaming	Loopback (send the computer's sound together with the microphone for streaming or recording)	Yes	—	—	—	No
Ease of recording guitar and other instruments	Number of inputs that take a guitar or bass directly (Hi-Z)	3 or more	2	1	—	None
Number of inputs and outputs	Analog inputs plus outputs (headphones excluded)	≥8	≥6	≥4	≥3	<3
Features for production	Built-in DSP, MIDI ports and digital I/O	All 3	2	1	—	None

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer and the functions listed on the product page. Price and bundled software are not part of the score. "Microphone input quality" is the average of three scores: quietness (EIN: 5 points at -130 dBu or lower, 4 at -129, 3 at -128, 2 at -127), gain range (5 at 72 dB or more, 4 at 65, 3 at 57, 2 at 54) and dynamic range (5 at 118 dB or more, 4 at 116, 3 at 112, 2 at 108). It is scored when two or more numbers are published. "Ease of streaming" depends on whether the interface has loopback, which sends the BGM or game sound playing on the computer to the streaming software together with your voice.

US-2x2HR connection and getting started

Connection	USB Type-C to the computer. It also supports iOS devices such as iPad (a dedicated AC adapter is needed)
Power	USB bus power when connected to a computer
In the box	USB cable (Type-A to Type-C), owner’s manual and more

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 17, 2026.

Compared with other audio interfaces

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It has loopback. When streaming, you can send the computer’s sound and your microphone voice together.
• It has 2 inputs in total for microphones and instruments. Check that the number you want to record at the same time does not exceed the number of inputs.
• It has 2 Hi-Z inputs that take a guitar or bass directly. When you record without effects pedals or an amplifier, you plug into a Hi-Z input.
• It has MIDI ports. You can connect keyboards and gear that have MIDI jacks directly.

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