Tascam Portacapture X8 High Resolution Adaptive Multi-Recorder
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Free & Next-Day Delivery Available
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Hassle-Free Returns Within 30 Days
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1 Year Warranty for Peaceful Ownership
Free & Next-Day Delivery Available
Hassle-Free Returns Within 30 Days
1 Year Warranty for Peaceful Ownership
Right after start-up, the large colour touch screen of the Portacapture X8 shows the Launcher which lets you easily select the best audio settings that match your application. Taking advantage of these presets, you have more time to focus on the actual recording without having to struggle with complicated settings.
Should you, however, prefer to set everything yourself, the MANUAL app offers you all the possibilities to do so – including a Recording Guide that leads you through the required settings screens, if you like.
MANUAL | This is the main app for multi-track recording of up to six audio sources and a stereo mix (2-mix). | |
VOICE | This recording app is ideal for capturing interviews, dictation and meetings. | |
PODCAST | Use this for podcast creation with up to four people. | |
MUSIC | Choose this app for capturing instrumental and vocal performances. | |
FIELD | Ideal for recording nature sounds outdoors. | |
ASMR | The screen visual effect changes in response to the input sound. |
The Portacapture X8 provides a preset level setting to achieve a wide dynamic range utilizing premium dual A/D converters and recording technology with 32-bit floating point resolution. The result is content with uncompromised audio quality 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.
Combining these features, there’s no need to use valuable creative time finding the right audio level that matches the recording.
Utilizing plug-and-go driverless functionality, the Portacapture X8 can be used as a compact mixer with built-in microphones for live streaming via OBS or similar platforms, and also offers direct recording of video narration and dialogue directly to DAW and editing software.
The Portacapture X8 streams up to eight tracks (six inputs plus stereo mix) through USB. By supporting the USB Type-C Power Delivery standard, the unit can simultaneously supply any external microphone with phantom power via the USB bus. For video or audio conferencing, use the Portacapture X8 as your USB stereo microphone and even record the audio simultaneously.
The Portacapture X8 comes with two high-quality condenser microphones, each with a diameter of 14.6 mm – the largest in our lineup. Employing a detachable mechanism, both L and R mics can be flexibly attached to and detached from the main unit to form A-B or X-Y mic patterns.
Combined with the dual A/D converter, 32-bit floating point processing and sampling rates up to 192 kHz, these microphones capture everything from the quietest rustle to the loudest spectacle.
The Portacapture X8 can be remote-controlled via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets (iPad and Android devices) using the optional AK-BT1 Bluetooth adapter and the Portacapture Control app, which can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple Store or Google Play.
In this way, you can, for example, record nature sounds in the wild without affecting the result with your own direct presence or your own noises.
The Portacapture X8 can simultaneously record up to eight audio tracks in total (six individual tracks + stereo mix). Select which inputs are recorded on which tracks, apply noise-gate, compression, EQ and reverb like you would do on a mixing console.
The MANUAL app allows you to set levels and stereo positions for each of the six input tracks and create a stereo mix ready to be published as a podcast, vlog, song or other content.
For the XLR/TRS inputs, Tascam know-how utilizing the in-house-developed HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) mic preamps enables high-quality audio recording.
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. An additional mini-jack input and output each 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.
The Portacapture X8 weighs less than 500 grams including batteries and can be mounted directly on a DSLR or camera or combined with AV rigs thanks to its rear cold shoe adapter. You can also attach it to mic stands or wireless receivers.
Fastened this way, your Portacapture X8 is less susceptible to handling noise and your recordings turn out even better.
Recorder specifications | |
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Recording media | microSD card (64 MB – 2 GB) microSDHC card (4–32 GB) microSDXC card (48–512 GB) |
Recording/playback formats | WAV (BWF): 44.1/48/96/192kHz, 16/24 bit or 32 bit float MP3: 44.1/48kHz, 128/192/256/320 kbit/s |
Input channels | 6 (maximum) |
Recording tracks | 8 (6 tracks + stereo mix) |
Analogue audio inputs | |
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Mic inputs 3–6 (balanced) | XLR-3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD) 6.3-mm TRS jacks (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND) (phantom power over XLR only) |
Input impedance | ≥2.2 kΩ |
Maximum input level | +2 dBu |
Minimum input level | −75 dBu |
Line inputs 3/4/5/6 | XLR-3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD) 6.3-mm TRS jacks (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND) |
Input impedance | ≥9 kΩ |
Maximum input level | +24 dBu |
Minimum input level | −53 dBu |
Mic inputs 1/2 (unbalanced) | 3.5-mm TRS mini jacks (plug-in power support) (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND) |
Input impedance | ≥85 kΩ |
Maximum input level | +1 dBV |
Minimum input level | −69 dBV |
Line input (EXT IN, unbalanced) | 3.5-mm stereo mini jack |
Input impedance | ≥8.5 kΩ |
Maximum input level | +10 dBV |
Minimum input level | −48 dBV |
Analogue audio outputs | |
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Line output (LINE OUT, unbalanced) | 3.5-mm stereo mini jack |
Output impedance | 200 Ω |
Nominal output level | −14 dBV |
Maximum output level | +6 dBV |
Headphones output | 3.5-mm stereo mini jack |
Maximum output | 45 mW + 45 mW (THD+N: ≤0.1%, 32 Ω load) |
Built-in speaker | 0.4 W (mono) |
Control inputs/outputs | |
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USB port | USB Type-C connector |
Format | USB 2.0 High Speed mass storage class |
Bluetooth device connector | For Bluetooth adapter (AK-BT1) only |
Audio performance | |
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Frequency response | 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 (20 kHz SPCL LPF, A-weighted) | |
Inputs 1–2 | 48 kHz: 101 dB |
Inputs 3–6, EXT IN | 48 kHz: 102 dB |
Total harmonic distortion ratio (THD+N, 1 kHz sine wave, –5 dBFS at input, GAIN at minimum, 20 kHz SPCL LPF) | |
Inputs 1–2 | 0.005 % |
Inputs 3–6 (LINE IN) | 0.008 % |
Inputs 3–6 (MIC IN) | 0.006 % |
EXT IN | 0.006 % |
LINE OUT | 0.007 % |
Note: JEITA indicates conformance to JEITA CP-2150 |
Power supply and other specifications | |
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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) |
Display | 3.5-inch full-colour LCD touchscreen |
Dimensions (W × H × D) | 77 mm × 40 mm × 206 mm (excluding protrusions) |
Weight | 472 g (with batteries) 381 g (without batteries) |
Operating temperature range | 0–40 °C |
Approximate battery operation time (continuous operation in hours:minutes) | |
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Using alkaline batteries (Evolta) | |
Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit | 11:00 |
Included mics plus inputs 5/6, phantom power on, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit | 5:30 |
Using NiMH batteries (eneloop) | |
Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit | 9:30 |
Included mics plus inputs 5/6, phantom power on, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit | 5:30 |
Using lithium-ion batteries (Energizer Ultimate Lithium) | |
Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit | 18:00 |
Included mics plus inputs 5/6, phantom power on, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit | 10:00 |
Delivery is made by common carrier next working day. Delivery is FREE for orders in-stock and over £100 or £9.99 for orders less than £100 or special delivery items.
Statutory Cancellation Right
You have the statutory right to cancel your order for any reason within 14 days beginning with the day you receive the item (please see clause 2 of our Conditions of Sale for the full instructions on cancellation and further information on your right of cancellation). We only accept cancellations via phone - 0115 975 8613, email - sales@superfi.co.uk or post - Superfi Returns, DB House, Rani Drive, Nottingham, NG5 1RF, United Kingdom.
Our Voluntary Returns Policy
As well as your statutory cancellation rights described above, you can return most products within 30 days of receipt of the products if the products are complete and are in an unused and undamaged condition. We only accept returns via phone - 0115 975 8613 or post - Superfi Returns, DB House, Rani Drive, Nottingham, NG5 1RF, United Kingdom.
Please note that this returns policy doesn't affect your statutory rights and therefore doesn't affect your right of cancellation as described above.
Please note that you must return each item in the same condition in which you received it. This means that new items must be returned new, unused and complete (including all accessories). Refunds for returned items that are not received in this condition, may be reduced.