Topic: Tascam Portacapture X8

[WiFiJeff]

Tascam released firmware 1.20 last week.  It enables timecode, clearing up the mystery reports I got (see above) from loading files into iZotope Rx, no longer get error messages but haven't tried any timecode systems.  They claim: "Support has been added for wireless timecode synchronized recording with Atomos Pty Ltd’s AtomX SYNC, UltraSync BLUE and other compatible products such as ATOMOS CONNECT and SHOGUN CONNECT. Video and audio files recorded with timecode data on multiple devices using synchronized recording can be aligned easily on editing software."

The hum lines (now at 36.5 kHz and 73 kHz) are almost gone on the left channel internal mics but still present on the right, will test with external mics later. 

Jeff

[hoserama]

Tascam released firmware 1.20 last week.  It enables timecode, clearing up the mystery reports I got (see above) from loading files into iZotope Rx, no longer get error messages but haven't tried any timecode systems.  They claim: "Support has been added for wireless timecode synchronized recording with Atomos Pty Ltd’s AtomX SYNC, UltraSync BLUE and other compatible products such as ATOMOS CONNECT and SHOGUN CONNECT. Video and audio files recorded with timecode data on multiple devices using synchronized recording can be aligned easily on editing software."

The hum lines (now at 36.5 kHz and 73 kHz) are almost gone on the left channel internal mics but still present on the right, will test with external mics later. 

Jeff

Still no way to record 6 external sources, right? Using the side 1/8" input bypasses the 3/4 combo inputs on the side still?

[WiFiJeff]

The "built-in mics" (channels 1&2) can be removed and 1/8" plug-in mics used there (or a single 1/8" stereo plug with the correct cable to split L/R).

[hoserama]

Yeah, I don't think the plug-in power was defeatable.

I wanted basically a more advanced Zoom H6 where I could put six external line inputs. X8 just wasn't that.

[Blakeq]

Any other recent updates from users of this thing? 

The reported noise and the fact that it is not a true 6 channel recorder are bummers.

See that another firmware has been released with the following updates:

Firmware V1.30
Audio interface functions now support the 32 bit float format.
The 32 bit float function, which enables the preservation of audio resolution even after adjusting levels, can now also be used when recording to a DAW using this unit as an audio interface.
Note: For use with Windows, download the latest ASIO driver (V1.10).
The USB MIX MINUS function can now be used in the PODCAST app.
This can suppress the occurrence of echoes in audio from remote participants when capturing podcasts.
INPUT SETTINGS, including for the low-cut filter, compressor, limiter, auto gain control, noise gate and other effect functions can now be saved in up to 3 presets and loaded in each recording app.
Unit settings and recording app settings can now be saved in up to 3 USER SETTINGS and recalled with a single tap from the LAUNCHER screen.
The start up time has been shortened.
Operation stability has been improved in other ways.

[metro_cubo]

Nice comparison video (Tascam vs Zoom)

ldb

[Ozpeter]

At risk of posting something already posted - (it's 1.30am here, I need to sleep not read!) - here's a really interesting teardown of the innards of the X8.  Essential viewing by owners and prospective owners.  No mention of the HF hum / RF breakthrough issue though.

https://youtu.be/ryWlHvm3rk4

[justme]

@Ozpeter

Thank you for that link. Very interesting and a bit surprising that he didn’t know of Asahi Kasei.

[gmm6797]

Not sure if everyone has seen this, the X6..... smaller (better to stealth?) and the only thing I really noticed, is the XLR inputs lack 1/4" and there is no 192k in 32 bit float
https://tascam.com/us/product/portacapture_x6/top

[Niels]

What is the June 2024 status for the Portacapture X8?
Any users who care to share personal experiences from practical use regarding what works well and what flaws hasn't been addressed by the latest firmware updates (and probably never will with 2.5 years into the product cycle) ?

I am still to take the 32 bit float leap, and I imagine the X8's ability to provide both XLR and 3.5mm input simultaneously would suit me well as it will have to double as a cine sound recorder where I need both.

Also the ability to do some basic post recording mixing on the unit with possible use of an iPad/iphone for control would be a nice feature - if it actually works in real life.

Any experiences?

[VibrationOfLife]

I would never mix with it, but I have absolutely no complaints about it.  This summer has already been busy.  I've probably recorded around 30 shows with it just in the last few months.  In fact, 2 bands last night, 1 singer/songwriter tonight, and 2 bands this weekend.  It gets a lot of use.  I really don't know what I would change about it as it does the job I need it to pretty flawlessly.  The 32 bit float, what I think are great pre-amps, and the USB are game changers.  Picked mine up here off the board.

[seethreepo]

Not sure if everyone has seen this, the X6..... smaller (better to stealth?) and the only thing I really noticed, is the XLR inputs lack 1/4" and there is no 192k in 32 bit float
https://tascam.com/us/product/portacapture_x6/top

while smaller than the x8 you can’t remove the onboard mic’s unlike the x8.

[phil_er_up]

I would never mix with it, but I have absolutely no complaints about it.  This summer has already been busy.  I've probably recorded around 30 shows with it just in the last few months.  In fact, 2 bands last night, 1 singer/songwriter tonight, and 2 bands this weekend.  It gets a lot of use.  I really don't know what I would change about it as it does the job I need it to pretty flawlessly.  The 32 bit float, what I think are great pre-amps, and the USB are game changers.  Picked mine up here off the board.

Checked specs on this and the recording time does not look great.

Recording Time   
MP3 320 kb/s:
6 Hrs 56 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 44.1 kHz/16-Bit:
1 Hr 34 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 96 kHz/24-Bit:
28 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 192 kHz/24-Bit:
14 Mins per GB (Stereo)
=============================
VibrationOfLife - What is battery run time for you and what type of battery are you using?

[Niels]

Checked specs on this and the recording time does not look great.

Recording Time   
MP3 320 kb/s:
6 Hrs 56 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 44.1 kHz/16-Bit:
1 Hr 34 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 96 kHz/24-Bit:
28 Mins per GB (Stereo)
WAV 192 kHz/24-Bit:
14 Mins per GB (Stereo)
=============================
VibrationOfLife - What is battery run time for you and what type of battery are you using?

Those numbers just say how many minutes at a given sample rate/bit depth you get per gigabyte of storage space.

Those numbers are standard and exactly the same on all other recorders:
https://www.omnicalculator.com/other/audio-file-size

[Ozpeter]

Indeed - if that was battery life, it would be not much different, at worst, from my first portable recorder, made by EMI, which had reels, valves, and a 7 minute battery...