Tascam Portacapture x8 High Resolution Adaptive Multi-Recorder

Tascam Portacapture x8 High-Resolution Adaptive Multi-Recorder.

If you're a creator on the go, who doesn't want to give up on audio quality, Tascam Portacapture x8 is the ultimate tool to get high-quality recordings anywhere. This portable field recorder can capture up to 6 audio signals plus a stereo mix with impressive 32-bit floating-point resolution and a sampling rate of up to 192 kHz. Thanks to the intuitive, colour touch screen, operations will be a breeze. Despite the small footprint, The Portacapture X8 features a built-in mixer with EQ, dynamic processing and effects. You can either transfer your audio to your laptop via USB and post-produce it or stream your show directly to the Internet!

Key Features

• Next-generation, high-resolution PCM recorder
• 3.5-inch colour touchscreen for easy operation and perfect readability
• High-quality audio with sample rates up to 192 kHz and 32-bit floating-point
• Two detachable large-diaphragm condenser microphones (can be set for A-B or X-Y configuration)
• Built-in USB audio interface with 8 inputs and two outputs
• Four mic/line inputs via XLR/TRS locking combo jacks
• Built-in mixer with audio processing including low-cut filter, compressor, limiter, auto gain control, noise gate and more
• Wireless remote control from a smartphone/tablet using an optional Bluetooth dongle (Tascam AK-BT1) and a dedicated remote control app (not included with the product)

Innovative, powerful, yet simple

Once you turn on your Tascam Portacapture X8, the interactive coloured screen lets you choose the setting that best represents your need. You can choose between:

• Manual: the standard setting for multi-tracking up to 6 inputs and 1 stereo input,
• Voice: ideal for capturing interviews, lectures and meetings,
• Podcast: allows you to record a podcast with up to 4 people,
• Music: designed for instrumental and vocal performances,
• Field: to record natural sounds,
• ASMR: the screen visual effects change according to the input sound.

Set your levels with ease

Portacapture X8 provides a preset level setting to achieve a wide dynamic range, thanks to top-quality A/D converters and recording technology with 32 floating-point resolution. The result is impeccable audio content, even with low-level recordings. When editing the audio data later, you can increase the level without deteriorating the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). Also, the internal normalize function can automatically align the level of the stereo mix file after recording.

USB Audio Interface for your Computer

You can easily connect your Portacapture X8 to your laptop via USB. So, it can be used as a compact mixer with built-in microphones to stream via OBS or similar platforms. You can stream up to eight tracks as well as power any external microphones with Phantom Power.

Your Portacapture X8 also comes with two high-quality condenser microphones, each with a diameter of 14.6 mm. Both can be detached from and attached to the unit to form A-B (for stereo field) or Y-X (for extra clear reproduction between both channels) mic patterns.

Four XLR/TRS jacks plus in and out for your camera and other equipment

With four professional, locking XLR/TRS combo inputs for mic- and line-level signals, the Portacapture X8 is prepared for most of your daily recording challenges. Additional mini-jack input and output enable you to hook up your camera or other audio devices.

When creating video footage, for example, you can record a guiding track with slate tones on your camera to simplify synchronisation during post-editing of the video material. The level of the camera output is adjustable and can thus be adapted to virtually any camera model.

Of course, there is also a headphones output, which is powerful enough to keep you in control even in noisy environments.

Specifications

• Audio channels/tracks: 6 input channels, 8 recording tracks (6 + stereo mix)
• Microphone inputs: 4 × XLR/TRS (24 V or 48 V phantom power can be selected individually)
• 2 × Detachable large-diaphragm condenser mics (can be set to A-B or X-Y position)
• Line inputs: 4 × 6.3-mm TRS jacks (balanced) / Additional stereo input 1 × 3.5-mm mini-jack (CAMERA/EXT IN)
• Line output: 1 × stereo mini-jack (CAMERA/LINE OUT)
• Headphones output: 1 × stereo mini-jack, 45 mW + 45 mW, with level control
• Built-in speaker: 0.4 W (mono)
• USB audio interface mode: 8 inputs, 2 outputs
• Recording format: WAV (BWF): 44.1/48/96/192kHz, 16/24 bit or 32-bit floating-point
• MP3: 44.1/48kHz, 128/192/256/320 kbit/s
• Frequency response (mic inputs 1–4): Fs 48 kHz: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +0/−0.3 dB (JEITA) / Fs 192 kHz, 20 Hz – 60 kHz, +0.5/–2.5 dB (JEITA)
• S/N ratio: up to 109 dB
• Distortion (THD+N, 1 kHz): 0.005 % (mic inputs 1–2), 0.006 % (mic inputs 3–6)
• Bluetooth dongle slot: For optional Bluetooth adapter (AK-BT1)
• Power supply: 4 × AA batteries (alkaline, Ni-MH or lithium-ion), USB bus power from a computer,
• AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P520U, sold separately)
• Power consumption: 7.5 W (maximum)
• Approx. battery operation time (Alkaline/Lithium): 11 hours / 18 hours (Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit)
• Dimensions (W × H × D, overall): 83 mm × 206 mm × 42 mm
• Weight: 472 g (with batteries) / 381 g (without batteries)