The TASCAM Portacapture X8 is a professional six-input, eight-track portable audio recorder designed for field recording, filmmaking, interviews, podcasting, music production, ASMR and content creation.

It records high-resolution WAV audio at up to 192 kHz/32-bit float, providing an extremely wide dynamic range and greater flexibility when adjusting quiet or loud recordings during post-production. The recorder can capture six individual input tracks together with a ready-to-use stereo mix.

Two detachable 14.6 mm condenser microphones can be arranged in A-B or true X-Y stereo configurations. Four professional XLR/TRS combo inputs accommodate external microphones and line-level equipment, with individually selectable 24V or 48V phantom power.

Key Features

• Maximum recording resolution: 192 kHz/32-bit float
• Six input channels
• Eight-track simultaneous recording
• Records six individual tracks plus a stereo mix
• Two detachable 14.6 mm condenser microphones
• Selectable A-B or true X-Y stereo microphone arrangement
• Four locking XLR/TRS mic/line combo inputs
• Individually selectable 24V or 48V phantom power
• 3.5-inch full-colour touchscreen
• Intuitive application-style launcher
• Built-in eight-input/two-output USB audio interface
• WAV/BWF and MP3 recording
• Pre-recording and automatic recording
• Dual-format recording
• Overdub and automatic punch-in/punch-out
• Built-in mixer with EQ, compressor, limiter, low-cut filter, noise gate and reverb
• Camera input and adjustable camera output
• Headphone output and built-in speaker
• Wireless remote control using the optional AK-BT1 Bluetooth adapter
• Wireless timecode synchronisation with compatible Atomos devices
• Supports microSDXC cards up to 512 GB
• Powered by four AA batteries, USB or an optional AC adapter

Recording Applications

The touchscreen launcher provides dedicated recording applications for:

• Manual multi-track recording
• Voice recording
• Interviews and meetings
• Podcasting
• Music recording
• Pocket Studio production
• Field and nature recording
• ASMR recording

Recorder Specifications

Recording media:

• microSD: 64 MB–2 GB
• microSDHC: 4–32 GB
• microSDXC: 48–512 GB

WAV/BWF recording:

• 44.1 kHz
• 48 kHz
• 96 kHz
• 192 kHz
• 16-bit
• 24-bit
• 32-bit float

MP3 recording:

• 44.1 or 48 kHz
• 128, 192, 256 or 320 kbit/s

Maximum input channels: 6

Maximum recording tracks: 8
Six individual tracks plus stereo mix.

Built-In Microphones

• Microphone type: Detachable condenser
• Number of microphones: Two
• Diaphragm diameter: 14.6 mm
• Stereo configurations: A-B or true X-Y
• Microphone connection: 3.5 mm mini jacks
• Plug-in power support: Yes
• Input impedance: 85 kΩ or higher
• Maximum input level: +1 dBV
• Minimum input level: −69 dBV

XLR/TRS Mic Inputs 3–6

• Four locking XLR/TRS combo connectors
• Balanced microphone and line inputs
• Phantom power available through XLR
• Phantom power: 24V or 48V
• Input impedance: 2.2 kΩ or higher
• Maximum microphone input level: +2 dBu
• Minimum microphone input level: −75 dBu

Line Inputs 3–6

• Connector type: Balanced XLR/TRS combo
• Input impedance: 9 kΩ or higher
• Maximum input level: +24 dBu
• Minimum input level: −53 dBu

Camera and External Input

• Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
• Input type: Unbalanced
• Input impedance: 8.5 kΩ or higher
• Maximum input level: +10 dBV
• Minimum input level: −48 dBV

Outputs

Camera/line output:

• Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
• Output impedance: 200 Ω
• Nominal output level: −14 dBV
• Maximum output level: +6 dBV

Headphone output:

• Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack
• Maximum output: 45 mW + 45 mW
• Supported headphone impedance: 16–400 Ω

Built-in speaker:

• 0.4W mono speaker

USB Audio Interface

• Connector: USB Type-C
• USB standard: USB 2.0 High Speed
• Audio interface configuration: Eight inputs and two outputs
• Supported USB resolutions: 24-bit and 32-bit float
• USB sample rates: 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz
• Simultaneous USB operation and internal recording
• Driverless operation with compatible systems
• Mass-storage mode

Audio Performance

• Equivalent input noise: −126 dBu or lower
• Dynamic range: 113 dB or higher
• Frequency response at 48 kHz: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Frequency response at 96 kHz: 20 Hz–20 kHz
• Frequency response at 192 kHz: 20 Hz–60 kHz
• Microphone-input THD+N: 0.006%
• Line-input THD+N: 0.008%

Power Requirements

Power options:

• Four AA alkaline batteries
• Four AA Ni-MH rechargeable batteries
• Four AA lithium batteries
• USB bus power
• Optional TASCAM PS-P520U AC adapter

Maximum power consumption: 7.5W

Approximate battery life with built-in microphones and phantom power switched off:

• Alkaline batteries: Up to 11 hours
• Ni-MH batteries: Up to 9.5 hours
• Lithium batteries: Up to 18 hours

Battery operating time decreases when external microphones and phantom power are used.