Setting the input level ..................43 4 - 7 Adjusting the playback volume ............... 25 4 - 8 Connecting computers and smartphones ........... 25 Setting the filter (LOW CUT) ................43 Recording ......................43 Starting playback ....................43 TASCAM Portacapture X8...
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12 - 5 Using as an audio interface ..............66 7 - 13 Recording times (in hours: minutes) ............ 51 Portacapture X8 USB audio channel assignments ........ 66 12 - 6 Using the unit as a USB mic ..............67 8 - Playing files ..................
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Audio performance ..................82 Recording times (in hours: minutes) ............83 Computer system requirements ..............83 Other ........................83 18 - 2 Dimensional drawings ................84 18 - 3 Block diagram ....................85 18 - 4 Level diagram ....................86 TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Supports micro SD/micro SDHC/micro SDXC (up to 512GB) recording METRONOME app media This app provides metronome functions. o Equipped with a USB Type-C port that supports USB bus power o Equipped with Mark function, slate tone function, etc. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
1 - 3 Conventions used in this manual 1 - 4 Trademarks and copyrights The following conventions are used in this manual. o TASCAM is a registered trademark of TEAC Corporation. o “microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC memory card” is sometimes abbre- o microSDXC Logo is a trademark of SD-3C, LLC.
A USB cable must be prepared to connect this unit to a computer (Win- A list of microSD cards that have been confirmed for use with this unit dows/Mac) or smartphone. can be found on the TASCAM website (https://tascam.jp/int/product/ This unit has a USB Type-C port. portacapture_x8/docs). Alternatively, please contact TASCAM customer Prepare a USB cable suitable for the USB port of the computer or smart- support service.
Screws that are longer than 4.5 mm cannot be used for attachment. This shows a variety of information. q Battery compartment (AA batteries) Tap it and swipe it to make settings and operate the unit. (page 10) Install four AA batteries in this compartment to power the unit. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
GENERAL SETTINGS screen > I/O SETTINGS page > SPEAKER item Connect an AK-BT1 Bluetooth adapter (sold separately) here. set to OFF d REC indicator o When not playing back This blinks when in recording standby and lights when recording. o When headphones are connected TASCAM Portacapture X8...
The Shortcut Menu will open at the bottom of the screen. Tap the LAUNCHER icon in the Shortcut Menu. Tap an icon to launch its app. LAUNCHER icon Shortcut Menu This reopens the LAUNCHER screen. The recording app HOME screen will open. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
This recording app is good for recording audio for inter- views and video blogs. (2-channel recording app) FIELD This app is good for recording outdoors. (2-channel recording app) PODCAST This app is good for recording podcasts with up to four people. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
See “Using the INPUT SELECT function” on page 26 for details. NOTE o Input jacks 5/6 and the EXT IN jack cannot be used at the same time. o Input selections are saved independently for each app. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Recording Recording time/recordable time According to recording settings Recording paused Recording time/recordable time According to recording settings Playing Playback position/remaining playback time According to the playback file Paused Playback position/remaining playback time According to the playback file TASCAM Portacapture X8...
INPUT SETTINGS This opens the INPUT screen. RECORDING GUIDE This turns the RECORDING GUIDE function on and off. MIX DOWN Mix recordings down. PUNCH I/O Use punch in/out functions. GENERAL SETTINGS Use this to make specific unit settings. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Number/symbol input screen Tap the Shift button to switch between upper and lower case letters. The following symbols can be input. @ # & $ % ' ~ ( ) _ - + = ! . , TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Notes about power supplies Insert a microSD card into the microSD card slot on the right side to This unit can be powered by 4 AA batteries, a TASCAM PS-P520U AC enable playback and recording by this unit. adapter (sold separately) or the included USB cable (USB bus power).
If trouble should occur, stop using the unit and contact the retailer where you purchased it or a TASCAM customer support service to request repair. o Noise may occur when recording with a microphone if the unit is too close to the AC adapter.
NOTE o After the date and time are set, the format confirmation screen will open if a microSD card that requires formatting is loaded. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
” or “Card speed reduced. Check BOF mark. ” appears during recording, format the card using the ERASE FORMAT option. o ERASE FORMAT checks the memory for errors while formatting, so it takes more time than QUICK FORMAT. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Turn their locking rings to fix them in place. Lock ring Input jacks 3/4 Input jacks 5/6 (headphone) jack USB Type-C port Lock ring Headphones Computer NOTE To use multiple headphones, use a commercially-available multi- channel headphone amp, for example. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
After connecting them, select the tracks assigned to the jacks they are connected to using the GENERAL SETTINGS screen > I/O SETTINGS > MS DECODE> SOURCE item. See “Mid-side decoding function” on page 70 for details about record- ing with mid-side mics. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Example connecting to input jacks 3–4 LINE OUT jack (headphone) jack Audio device(s) and/or other ex- ternal equipment Input jacks 3/4 Powered monitor speakers or Headphones ampli er and speakers XLR-3-31 equivalent(1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Use as a microSD card reader (only when connected to a computer) NOTE A USB cable must be prepared to connect this unit to a computer (Windows/Mac) or smartphone.(see “USB cables (for communication or data transmission)” on page 7) USB Type-C port USB cable Computer TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Tap a pair of tracks to change their input connector assignments. function is an exception. o “MIC” will be shown for tracks that have included mics assigned to them. o “EXT” will be shown for tracks that have the EXT IN jack assigned to them. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
This setting is good for recording sound in interviews, meetings, pod- casts and similar conversational situations. -3dB -3dB GUITAR This setting is good for recording acoustic guitars. LOUD LOW-MID HIGH-MID HIGH FREQ The setting is good for emphasizing heavy low frequencies in band performances, for example. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
GAIN HIGH and adjust the gain. o The INPUT GAIN switches of stereo-linked inputs are also linked. o The INPUT GAIN switches of inputs 1–2 stay linked even when the inputs are not stereo-linked. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
When the recording pause function is on, the input signal is only mon- itored when the recording guide function is active, recording is paused or recording is in progress. The recording pause function can be set with the GENERAL SETTINGS screen > REC SETTINGS page > REC PAUSE item. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
REC indicator unlit REC indicator lit blinking The recording guide function can only be used with the MANUAL app. With apps other than the MANUAL app, the recording guide function will be dis- abled regardless of its on/off setting. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Recording paused Recording Recording contin- File incremented* ues in same le Recording pause function off Stopped Recording File incremented* *See “Changing files while continuing to record (TIME FILE INCREMENT function)” on page 49 for information about file incrementation. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
After tapping the GAIN, the wheel can be turned to adjust it precise- INPUT SELECT Track number and input jack assignments (page 26) INPUT SETTINGS Input settings (page 27) REC SETTINGS Recording settings and operations (page 48) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Press the HOME [8] button to stop recording. See “Recording settings” on page 48 for other recording operations. Starting playback Press the t/9 button to play the last recorded master file. See “Playing files” on page 52 for other playback operations. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Track number and input jack Input settings assignments (page 26) Input on/ RECORDING GUIDE o status (page 30) MIXDOWN See “Making input settings for each input” on page 27 for details (page 69) about input settings. PUNCH I/O (page 50) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
The unit mix balance settings are saved when the current project is level setting changed and when the unit is turned off. The master file stereo/mono setting, however, is not retained by this unit. Always make this setting when recording. PAN settings Faders To INPUT screen TASCAM Portacapture X8...
If files were recorded when the current project was using a two-chan- nel recording app, master files will be played. o If files were recorded when the current project was using the POD- CAST app, sound pad sounds will be assigned to tracks 5–6. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Recording settings and operations STRINGED INST. (page 48) Designed for string instruments INPUT SELECT BAND Track number and input jack Designed for band performances assignments (page 26) o If none of the options match the desired instrument, select NO PRESET. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
See “Playing files” on page 52 for other playback operations. Slide the REVERB LEVEL fader to adjust its level. NOTE After tapping the REVERB, the wheel can be turned to adjust it pre- cisely. For details, see “Adding reverb to inputs (REVERB)” on page 29. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
The recording sound might distort when the PEAK indicator lights. Track number and input jack assignments (page 26) o After tapping the GAIN, the wheel can be turned to adjust it precisely. INPUT SETTINGS Input settings (page 27) REC SETTINGS Recording settings and operations (page 48) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Press the HOME [8] button to stop recording. See “Recording settings” on page 48 for other recording operations. Starting playback Press the t/9 button to play the last recorded master file. See “Playing files” on page 52 for other playback operations. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Recording settings and operations Trains, motorsports, etc. (page 48) BIRD INPUT SELECT Wild bird calls and similar sounds Track number and input jack o If none of the options match the desired subject, select NO PRESET. assignments (page 26) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Press the HOME [8] button to stop recording. See “Recording settings” on page 48 for other recording operations. Starting playback Press the t/9 button to play the last recorded master file. See “Playing files” on page 52 for other playback operations. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
After tapping a GAIN, fader or pan control or the MASTER level, the wheel can be turned left and right to adjust the setting precisely. This is convenient for precise adjustments after making rough value Input settings changes by sliding. Faders Input on/ o status TASCAM Portacapture X8...
When the recording pause function is enabled, press the REC [0] button to pause recording and continue input signal monitoring. Press the REC [0] button again to start recording. Press the HOME [8] button to stop recording. See “Recording settings” on page 48 for other recording operations. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
SOUND- PAD folder for pad sound sources. (“File and project structure over- view” on page 57) Sound files saved in this folder can be assigned to pads. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
If the file was recorded when the current project was using a two-channel recording app or the MANUAL app, the master file will be played. o The podcast app can only play files that are 48kHz sampling frequency. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Change the MASTER level setting on the MIXER screen. o This setting is only possible when using the MANUAL and PODCAST apps. MANUAL app MIXER screen example Tap the MASTER level setting Tap the STEREO/MONO switch to change the setting. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Manual 96 or 192 kHz. o When on, the low-cut filter, noise gate, limiter, equalizer and phase Press the t/9 button on the unit while recording to start a new file inversion will affect both files. manually. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Open the INPUT screen, and ready the track to be overwritten for recording (red). A message confirming execution of the UNDO operation will pop Select YES. The recording will be returned to the state before the last punch in/ out operation was conducted. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
If the size of a file exceeds 4 GB during recording, a new file will be created and recording will continue in that file (file incrementation). See “File name overview” on page 54 for information about file names. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Screen overview Project status bar Status Counter Playback bar File name Search backward Search forward File format Playing and pausing When stopped or paused, press the PLAY/PAUSE [y/9] button to start playback. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Use the mixdown function to change the mix balance of a project that has already been recorded. (see “Mix down function” on page 69) CAUTION The mix balance will not be saved properly if the microSD card is removed from the unit during operation. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Two digits each are used for the year (last two), month and date. When TYPE is set to WORD A string of 6–9 characters can be specified as wanted. The default value is “TASCAM”. The usable characters are as follows. Uppercase and lowercase alphabet letters numerals 0–9, and the following symbols: ! # $ % &...
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File name examples The tables below show how, starting with the following conditions, files are named according to the settings. Characters set by user: TYPE set to WORD (TASCAM) File number: 0001 With 2-channel recording apps (ASMR, MUSIC, VOICE, FIELD)
Tap YES. The 6–9 characters set with WORD EDIT are added to the file name. The default value is “TASCAM”. WORD EDIT Use this to input the file name. For details about character input, see “App overview” on page 11.
Only two levels of subfolders can be created. o The maximum total number of files and folders is 5000. o Everything in the SOUND folder and its subfolders is shown on the BROWSE screen. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
If files were not recorded by this unit, their file names and file sizes are shown. Quick playback control Tap FOLDER UP to move up one Tap t to start playback, and tap 8 to stop playback. folder level. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Tap RENAME. Input the folder name and tap o See “Character input” on page 17 for how to input characters. o The number of characters in folder names can be changed to be- tween 1 and 11. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
MANUAL or PODCAST app, set the project to be played as the current project (see previous section), open the MIXER screen of that app, and press the PLAY/PAUSE [y/9] button on the unit. (“Adjust- ing the mix balance of the tracks” on page 53) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
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VSA playback and pitch change functions cannot be used with 96/192kHz files. Skip between all marks MANUAL Skip between marks that were added manually LEVEL Skip between LEVEL marks that were added using the automatic mark function TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Mark type See “Mark functions” on page 64 for information about mark types. Deleting marks Tap the trashcan icon to delete all marks. NOTE See “Deleting marks” on page 64 for details about the deleting individual marks. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Since the data of the selected project will be overwritten, it cannot be restored. o Only files recorded by this unit can be normalized. o This function is applied to master files. It does not affect track files. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Deleting all marks See “Deleting marks” on page 62. 10 - 4 Jumping to set marks (mark skipping) See “Jumping to mark locations” on page 61. NOTE Marks in different files cannot be skipped to. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Tone signals are only inserted at the start of recording. HEAD+TAIL Tone signals are inserted at both the start and end of recording. Adjusting the tone volume Set the tone volume. The default value is −12 dB. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
12 - 1 Connecting with computers 12 - 4 Using the ASIO driver See “Connecting computers and smartphones” on page 25. A Portacapture X8 ASIO driver can be used with Windows. Check the page for this product on the TASCAM website (https://tascam.jp/int/) for details.
Use a USB cable to connect the computer and the unit. By connecting this unit with a computer using a USB cable, you can use Set the audio output device to “Portacapture X8” on the computer. it as a USB mic for online communication and streaming, for example.
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When returning the input sound of this unit back to it from a com- puter, turn input monitoring off in the software and apps on the computer. NOTE Adjust the USB volume from the computer. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
The BEAT value is always quarter notes. Operation mode Pitch Output volume Set the operation mode to OSCILLATOR. Set the pitch. Set the output level. Tap the TAP icon to turn tone output on. 13 - 3 Mix down function TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Tap the Shortcut Menu ( ) button. Then, tap MIX DOWN to execute the mix down. A master file of the mix will be created in a new project. NOTE See “File name overview” on page 54 for information about the names of mix down files. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
At 0, the sound will be 100% mid (M). The amount of side (S) in- creases with the value. MIXER screen Tap the MS decode setting. Slide the slider left and right to adjust the width of the sound. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
REC [0] button o Other operations are the same as using the touchscreen on the unit. NOTE Monitoring recording is not possible on paired devices. Use the headphone jack on the unit. Bluetooth device screen TASCAM Portacapture X8...
15 - 6 Resetting the unit to its factory defaults. Select the GENERAL SETTINGS screen > SYSTEM page > INITIALIZE item, and conduct initialization. NOTE After executing the INITIALIZE function, always use the /HOLD ¤ switch to turn the unit off. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
15 - 12 Adjusting the display contrast (CON- TRAST) This can be set using the GENERAL SETTINGS screen > POWER/DISPLAY page > CONTRAST item. Slide the slider left and right to set the contrast between 0 and 20. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
- LEVEL −6dB, −12dB (default), −24dB, −48dB page 64 OTHER SETTINGS - TIME 5min, 10min, 15min, 30min, 60min (default) SD CARD READER Access microSD card in unit from computer page 66 BLUETOOTH OFF (default), ON page 72 TASCAM Portacapture X8...
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Set the date and time (yyyy / mm / dd HH : MM : SS) page 73 - TYPE: DATE (default), WORD page 56 - WORD EDIT: TASCAM (default) FILE NAME - FILE No. RESET: OFF, ON (default) page 56 - RESET ENGLISH (default), 日本語, FRANCAIS, ESPAÑOL, DEUTSCH,...
If these error messages continue to ap- System Err XX A BOF mark has been added at the point pear frequently, please contact a TASCAM (XX is a number) Card slow when audio was interrupted because customer support service.
If these measures do not solve the prob- o Confirm that the unit is properly connected to the computer through lem, please contact the store where you purchased this unit or TASCAM its USB port. The unit might not operate properly if connected customer support service.
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Disconnect input and output devices that are not in use. The screen is dim o Set BACKLIGHT to ALWAYS (“Power saving (energy conservation) mode” on page 74). NOTE The screen will always be dim when BACKLIGHT is set to OFF. TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Nominal output level: −14 dBV Maximum output level: +6 dBV o 0dBu=0.775Vrms o 0dBV=1Vrms Headphone output: headphone jack Connector: 3.5mm (1/8”) stereo mini jack Maximum output: 45 mW + 45 mW (THD+N 0.1% or less, into 32 Ω load) TASCAM Portacapture X8...
Input through input jacks 1/2 (included mics) and 5/6 Windows computer with a USB 2.0 (or higher) Phantom power used (+48V, 3mA×2 load) * Operation is not guaranteed using the TASCAM driver with ARM64 STEREO WAV (BWF)/44.1kHz About 10:00 CPUs.
18 - Specifications 18 - 4 Level diagram Portacapture X8 LEVEL DIAGRAM INPUT AMP GAIN LINE/CAMERA AMP GAIN 3.0dB 1,2ch LINE OUT Trim Range LOW:+1.0dB ‑20dB ‑4.5dB 〜 +31.5dB HI:+15.3dB Digital Gain VOLUME LINE OUT +10dB 〜...
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TEAC CORPORATION https://tascam.jp/jp/ Phone: +81-42-356-9143 1-47 Ochiai, Tama-shi, Tokyo 206-8530 Japan TEAC AMERICA, INC. https://tascam.com/us/ Phone: +1-323-726-0303 10410 Pioneer Blvd. Suite #1, Santa Fe Springs, California 90670, U.S.A. TEAC UK Ltd. https://www.tascam.eu/en/ Phone: +44-1923-797205 Luminous House, 300 South Row, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, MK9 2FR, United Kingdom TEAC EUROPE GmbH https://www.tascam.eu/de/...