Sixteen inputs in one rackspace, imagine that. Tascam makes that fantasy a reality with its new US-2000 audio interface (approximately $500 Street), featuring all those inputs plus eight studio-grade microphone preamps, eight XLR mic inputs with phantom power, six balanced 1/4-inch line inputs, four balanced line outputs, two 1/4-inch instrument inputs, and stereo S/PDIF digital I/O. Have you lost count yet? Moreover, the front panel has a standout 100-LED meter bridge for setting input and output levels.

As for outputs, the US-2000 has your usual 1/4-inch balanced stereo monitor output with its own volume control and a 1/4-inch stereo high-powered headphone output. Clearly inputs stole the show with this unit. Hardware controls are included for zero-latency monitoring during recording.

Moreover, the US-2000 offers USB 2.0 connectivity and comes bundled with Steinberg Cubase LE4 (Mac/Win) recording software. Tascam expects to ship the US-2000 in October, 2009.