Capture Audio Easily in any Scenario with the Tascam Portacapture X8

0Share

With its large touchscreen, 32-bit float resolution to avoid clipping, and tailored modes for podcast, voice, field, and music recording applications, the Tascam Portacapture X8 portable handheld multitrack recorder makes it incredibly easy to capture up to six tracks of detailed, high-resolution audio for common production scenarios. Its detachable condenser mics can be set for a wide or tight stereo image and may be used simultaneously with the mic/line combo inputs. Equally adept as a handheld device or when used in stand- or camera-mounted setups, the Portacapture X8 can handle anything from sampling sessions and interviews to podcasts, live concerts, and multi-mic setups.

Tascam Portacapture X8
Tascam Portacapture X8

Flexible powering methods—batteries, USB bus power, or an AC adapter—make the Portacapture X8 well suited to on-the-go recording, all-day video shoots, and computer-based audio production. Need to patch in external mics or an outboard mixer? The Portacapture X8's four balanced XLR-1/4" inputs accommodate mic- or line-level signals and can supply phantom power if needed.

Plus, there’s a 3.5mm input with plug-in power for lapel mics and a dedicated 3.5mm input for monitoring the return from a camera. Whether you use the built-in mics or an external source, selectable options such as dual recording, low-cut filtering, limiting, gating, and auto level give you options for achieving a clean, undistorted recording. Separate line and headphone outputs are provided for real-time headphone monitoring while recording to a camera, and there’s a built-in speaker for fast audio checks.

The Portacapture X8 supports microSD cards up to 512GB to allow plenty of recording time even at the 192 kHz / 32-bit float maximum resolution it offers. Record uncompressed Broadcast WAV files or use the space-saving MP3 format for situations in which time is more important than audio fidelity. Since the Portacapture X8 can print six input channels and a stereo mix at the same time, it can record eight tracks, technically. There’s also a dual recording mode that lets you record each track in a different file format.

Extra noteworthy features include support for wireless control from a smartphone or tablet using the optional AK-BT1 Bluetooth dongle, which also opens up the opportunity for timecode sync! As if that weren’t enough, the Portacapture X8 can even function as an 8-input / 2-output USB audio interface for your favorite DAW.

With all the Portacapture X8 can do, it’s up to you to put it to good use. Let us know in the Comments section, below, where you’d use it to make your productions easier.

0 Comments