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Tascam Portacapture X8 6-Input / 8-Track Handheld Adaptive Multitrack Recorder
£639.23 £415.50
In stock
| Title | Range | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Sale / Bulk discount | 1 - 2 | 35% |
| Sale / Bulk discount | 3 - 5 | 40% |
| Sale / Bulk discount | 6 - 99 | 45% |
Noir Original Mix (verified owner) –
If you know you would get the benefit from a 32bit audio recorder, this is a good choice, with a very clear and large screen making it easy to see what is going on with VU display etc. But I can only give it four stars as: – The Bluetooth adapter and app is flakey and needs access to your phones GPS for some reason. – Despite the HUGE size of the recorder, it uses the most stupid and smallest of size memory – micro SD cards. “Easy” to change inside, now try it outside, and then if it’s winter! – The microphones are made of plastic, not metal. – The microphones need unscrewing from the unit to change from AB to XY pattern, the cheaper recorders from Tascam allow you to flick the microphones to do that without taking the microphones out. – Lots of “user modes” for recording, all complete waste of time, learn to record in manual mode. – This recorder does not have a record Line-In, it would have been useful for some 3.5mm jack microphones, especially stereo ones that people buy for DSLR video recording. Other than those points, it’s a great recorder, the touch screen is very good, and as it’s 32Bit recording the recorder is able to deal with sudden loud bangs like a very very very close lightning strike (as I recorded), and fireworks unexpectedly close and loud – all recoverable in post. It’d be nice if it was cheaper. One person found this helpful
Mrs. J. Bulmer –
I constantly stumble upon some negative reviews on this device across the internet, and typically people are nitpicking or possibly can drop thousands of pounds/dollars on generally “better” equipment. I am primarily under the impression that “old dogs” are leaving these reviews that used old versions of Tascam or Zoom, and suddenly, they are experiencing something new and modern – probably, it feels unusual. 1. Firstly, I would like to mention that Portacapture x8 has its phone app and onboard software, which is a huge benefit because the developers will come up with new fixes, patches and improvements and make the device even better over time. You can go to the official Tascam website and download the latest patch for the device. 2. People complain about plastic design. Honestly, once you plug the batteries, the device isn’t “light”; you feel it in your hand. I would imagine that metal design would weigh a ton, and people would probably complain about that too. I bet the same people admire the aluminium design of their new shiny iPhones, which shatters in pieces from a 10-inch drop (haha). Overall it reminds me of the traditional camera plastic design, and as with the camera equipment, you probably mustn’t drop it on the floor. 3. You can make an entire audio rig with this, plug in extra shotgun microphones and record on-the-go VR 360 sounds if you put a few thoughts on “how”. 4. Professionals would probably use the device in manual mode, but the Portacapture x8 has a user-friendly touch-screen interface, and even a beginner can use it hassle-free. It has various presets for the Field, ASMR, Voice and Music recordings; basically, plug and play (ish). You can plug up to four microphones and record simultaneously. You can plug musical instruments too, and it has a USB-C connection, so you can connect it to your computer and record directly from your PC. You can plug cameras (some even wirelessly – check the official website) and record sound/video. I have tested it even with a phone USB-C to USB-C sound/video recording – it works. 5. The sound is excellent. I have no complaints; it comes with everything you need from a handheld device, and I am speaking from my five months of experience with it, and I never had any issues or desired to “have something better”. It records sound perfectly, and then I edit it as necessary – simples. 6. People complain about batteries. From time to time, I have long recording sessions, 5-6+ hours, and it works just fine on my Duracell rechargeable batteries, and I make sure to have extra. However, that’s not all. You can plug it into your power bank, and it will work, and you don’t need batteries if you plug the device into your PC. You can also plug it into your mains via a USB-C phone charger, and there you have it. 7. You do need a Mini-SD card, and you also need to remember to take your mini-SD card with you when you go on a sound venture. I remember once I went to record some forest sounds only to realise that I had left my SD card at home. 8. There are already plenty of YouTube videos on setup, overviews and optimal settings, so feel free to explore. Portacapture is compatible with Windows and Mac, Android and iOS apps. Disadvantages to me are in the extra accessories: 1. You need to buy a special Bluetooth stick for it separately, which was somewhat around £30. You don’t need it, but it makes it easier to control it via the phone app – it has no delays, by the way. You click record on your phone, and it starts instantly. 2. You need to buy rechargeable batteries and an SD card, which you probably have if you use cameras. 3. You will probably want a suitable shoulder bag or case, but it’s pretty compact. 4. The Windshields – I am not sure whether companies started manufacturing proper windshields. I had to come up with suitable alternatives and a little DIY altering. I successfully used the H6 Windscreen Muff and Foam for Zoom H6. The foam in the X microphones position for the voice and muff for the wind for the Y or X position. You can also get “FEPITO 20 Pack Mini Size Microphone Windscreen for Lapel Lavalier” if, for whatever reason, you need a small windscreen on each mic separately (only for the Y position) – full disclaimer you will need to make the mini foam bigger with your thumb :D. (Edit: a Windshield from “Gutmann” for Portacapture x8 is available for £22/$24). 5. Out of the box, the device is set to 24-bit audio; make sure to manually switch it to 32-bit (you only have to do it once). Why should you buy it? Of course, you can settle on an old version of Tascam or Zoom. However, keep in mind that old versions are already old enough. Even though they can do the job, they will only get older and older. Typically, the old devices are not user-friendly and require getting used to them and a lot of Googling. The functionality on Portacapture x8 is excellent, and I am not sure what else you possibly need from a portable recorder. Let’s not forget about the important part – the software. I have a massive trust in Tascam that they will develop software updates and improve the device even more over time. Thus, my logic is it’s simply pointless to throw money on old versions of Tascam or Zoom and go for the latest ones because old-used recorders are like a cat in the bag. It might be working long and well until it’s not. The “new” old devices beg the question “, why would you do that?” You can save up a little extra and get the latest model, and no, they will not come up with a new Tascam every year like iPhone.
Ultimately, the decision is yours, but I am happy with it. 44 people found this helpful
Mandy Trussler –
After using my Tascam X8 for a while now, I can definitely say that I am very pleased with the sound quality of my recordings. It’s super easy to use, and I admire the 32‑bit recording, balanced mic/line inputs and the phantom power feature. So far, it performed really well for recording vocals, piano, and stringed instruments. The build quality seems good, but, in reality, it is mixed with cheap parts. I also like the quick response of the 3.5‑inch colour touchscreen, and the included condenser microphones can capture a flat sound with good dynamics. Still, the microphones are extremely cheaply made, poorly designed and tend to break quite easily. Overall, it does the job as described, and when paired with professional microphones, the Tascam X8 will not disappoint. 2 people found this helpful
Miss M Gupta –
October 2024 Pattern Name: Single style: Portacapture X8 Much easier to use than other Tascam devices. I have confidence that when it says it’s recording it is. 32bit float is a life saver when you can’t monitor input levels constantly
Michael Roth-Seeliger (verified owner) –
This recorder has more features than probably its competitors. However, not having Bluetooth as a default feature is not a very pleasant experience. Today even the cheapest mobile phone has Bluetooth built in. Second con is its built quality. It feels cheap and ready to break even with a slight fall. As I said, feature-wise it is terrific but only those two things are a downside. Thanks. 3 people found this helpful
Tosha (verified owner) –
The build quality is ok, it’s made of plastic with a splattered texture which gives a nice grippy feel. The design offers a decent grip around the device which makes it feel secure in the hand. The attachable mics are also made from plastic but don’t feel particularly robust. The mics can be set in an A/B pattern or X/Y pattern, but you’ll need to pop them out and turn them around as you cannot swivel and rotate them. The sound quality is excellent with quiet preamps which meassure approx 127dBu. Even though the attachable mics are good, you’ll get better results with external XLR mics, nevertheless, the onboard mics are more than adequate. Also note that as the mics are 3.5mm, you can unplug them to use other 3.5mm mics that require plugin power. The XLR ports are your standard, robust dual Amphenol ports. The screen is a nice size which is also bright and responsive to touch, the inbuilt recording apps are good for quickly getting a recording session underway and also features a manual mode so you can have finer control over everything. With the device I’ve got, I’ve not seen any phantom frequency issues in the 40+Hz range when running in 96k / 32bit float mode. As a field recordist, I’m very satisfied with this recorder and I’d definitely recommend it for anyone that needs good quality audio with the option of using multi channel recording with high quality 32bit float audio in an easy to use and intuitive device. I’m Very happy. The physical buttons feel stable and do not have any loose rattles, the jog wheel to fine tune your gain feels very robust also. 8 people found this helpful
Donniou Batrice –
I struggled to achieve the clear recordings promised in promotional material for this device. Instead of the pristine environments showcased, I often encountered noisy surroundings. In one instance, I placed the recorder in a room with an open window to have some birdsong, aiming to capture the creaking of a wardrobe door. Despite positioning the microphone away from the window, it unexpectedly picked up a conversation between two people happening outside but I personally could not hear or make out whatever was being said. So on that note the microphones are powerful. But considering I only wanted to get the sound of the door creaking, with birdsong in the background, I got far more which made the recording unusable. While the 32-bit float feature is commendable, and very impressive, my actual recordings lacked the clarity and cleanliness I desired, resembling those from my Sony dictaphone which sometimes did the job of cutting out the noise. My expectation was for clarity and targeted sound isolation at the price point. However, I don’t intend to dissuade others from purchasing it. I had hoped to explore soundproofing techniques and create ASMR-style recordings without the need for additional microphones, but I couldn’t figure out how to achieve that, and justify buying this unit at this price. A significant inconvenience is the lack of folder organization. All files are saved in a single location, which could become cumbersome over time. It feels as though the device encourages users to utilize its advanced features, yet fails to provide a simple way to organize recordings. Exporting files is necessary to maintain order, reducing the device to little more than a fancy microphone with a touchscreen interface. Regrettably, I couldn’t overlook these shortcomings for the purposes I had in mind. I’ll wait for the next model, hoping for improvements that acknowledge the limitations of this device. Additionally, comprehensive video tutorials covering every aspect of recording would greatly benefit users. That was missing, and I might have kept the device, if I knew how it improves the recording experience.