IS TASCAM THE NEW KING OF PORTABLE RECORDERS?

[@apostolicbible1]

I have been recording YT videos for years with various USB interfaces such as the Scarlett and Motu. I purchased a Zoom F3 and found the process to be horrible with many buttons and a convoluted menu. I then purchased the Tascam Portacapture X6 with 8 buttons and a great screen but another super convoluted menu system with many sub menus which aren't obvious...thus na steep learning curve, but great audio. I then purchased the Zoom H4 essential. I find that it has the best menu system by far and the audio is ok for me. So for a person that want's a simple process to add audio to a camera or computer I highly recommend the Zoom H4 essential. I used the XLR mic input with a Beyerdynamic Zoom mic.

[@ww1www]

I have quite a few recorders. Where the X8 shines is the the variety of functions. Besides being a recorder, you can use it as a mixer, a DSP processor, a podcast tool, etc etc. Also, on the X8 you have a lot of connectors, it will take whatever mic :)

[@Steven-u5w]

I like your comment under you x8 from tascam. Yes I'd rather fancy that myself

[@ww1www]

@@Steven-u5w Yes, I have several recorders, they all are somewhat different. You should choose the perfect one for the particular job. But if you only can have one, the Tascam X8 is a very strong contender. I would say it is a Swiss army knife.

[@RynardMooreVstar1]

What caused me to settle upon my Tascam X8 was ultimately the extensive feature set/capabilities of the device which pretty much meet or best Zoom recorders in its class. As well, I was pretty much turned off by what Zoom did with the Essentials series because of all the 32 bit float hype going around these days. It's not that I'm against 32 bit float -- but it's because I want that feature along with other feature sets/capabilities which offer me the greatest flexibility in term of a handheld recorder. Or in other words I needed a recorder that would offer long term growth in terms of my audio work. Simply put the X8 offers me the aforementioned in terms of its robustness. Of course, the X8 is not perfect because it does have some odd idiosyncrasies -- like not showing audio levels when the record/pause function is turned on -- but those are minor in terms of what the X8 offers me overall.

[@GadesChannel]

Totally agree! I use Tascam X8 and also Zoom H4n, Zoom H1n, Zoom H1e. I'm disappointed by Essential "family" - it should be a great answer to Portacapture small family from Tascam. Unfortunately, Zoom re-packed old recorders to new "futuristic" chassis and added 32-bit float. Even USB-controller is the same, very slow 2.0 model (yes, connector is modern USB-C, but internally it's still USB 2.0)... Sorry, Zoom, I love F3 and F6, but H-family needs more refreshing touch.

[@mattcero1]

How about mic pre-amps??? Which has which? I heard you can remove the X6 microphones and use a 3.5mm stereo mic. Can you? And know that the XY mics on the Zoom can adjust from 90 to 120 so that's worth a mention to widen the sound. Consider describing what EIN is and compare battery life!!! COME ON MAN! And mention that all of them can be used as a sound interface to your PC!

[@orvet]

Thanks, very nice video. I slowly shifted from Zoom to Tascam w/ the x6 as the beating heart of my (now all-Tascam) setup. Better build quality. Stronger multi-functionality. Better for iPad-only workflow.

[@Fredo.heavyy]

I own both the Zoom F3 and the Tascam X6 and use them daily for my content, recently my Tascam X6 got fried by a power surge and Im at a lost on what to do. I really do think the X6 is the more versatile option but I can't be shelling out for a new X6 every 9 months.

[@fabiovillelaoficial]

I've always liked Tascam more because they seem to me to be better-built equipment with much better menus and more accessible buttons. I had a DR-05 and now I have the H1n... The feeling of fragility of the H1n next to the DR-05 is remarkable... I know that what matters is the final quality of the audio, but there are things that I consider beyond the audio... I don't know whether to upgrade my H1n to an H4n Pro or go back to the Tascam. I like Tascam's rotating mic system (XY or AB)

[@MrJoeGooch]

Tascam always make easy to use, great sounding gear. The X6 is great and the only handheld/portable recorder I know of that has a noise gate as part of it's on-board effects.

[@wellwishesmusic]

I’m a fan of Tascam (I use a Model 12 as my main audio hub). Glad to see a positive review of the portacapture as I’m considering it as my travel device. Thank you, sir!

[@windpeoples]

Needed a portable recorder for guest speakers. I watched this video. I bought an X6. Thank you!

[@tonywilding9137]

Nice comparisons, for the cheapskate (me) have you reviewed the Zoom R4? Kind regards Tony

[@keshermedia]

👎 I strongly disagree with your instantaneous assessment that a touchscreen is an automatic winner. From this it's obvious you've never worked outside where there is high is high humidity, and the screen doesn't work because it can't tell what your fingers are trying to touch, or when it's cold and you have to wear gloves and the screen doesn't work with gloves, or when it's super bright and you can't get the screen to have enough brightness to work the icons, or when you need to have muscle memory and quickly flip through the features like you can with the manual buttons on the old H6 and any of the other manual driven models.

[@treehugger420]

I agree.

[@GrowingTreesEasy]

Do Tascam have Overdubbing?

[@graycheng888]

I have a zoom h5, brought it last year, It is great, fit my needs but I would love to have the latest technology and the USB-C which tascom x6 offers. Thinking whether I should “upgrade” to x6.

[@And-c7n]

The visually impaired is an important market as audio and podcasts must thr the education and entertainment mediums of choice. Super good.of you to point out.

[@electronik808]

hi is the h5n still good? pretty good deals now. the tascam is a lot more expensive

[@Steven-u5w]

With my experience of zoom gear in the past, I would never touch with a barge pole, but please don't let this put you off from zoom. In my experience I would stay with tascam X6 or x8. That would be my choice

[@shoemanfu]

How do these compare to the Tascam D60 MKII? I'm a newby and just need something that will record clean sound for my videos and isn't too complicated...just comparing similar price points and features.

[@cineffect]

Tascam D60 MKII has much better preamps than most of the Zoom products, although I use both and love them.

[@billyoung9538]

I disagree with this assessment for a few reasons. First off, one of the big overlooked details is price difference. The Tascam costs roughly the H4 essentials price + 1/4 of that price again. Now if that were the only difference then perhaps the Tascam might be worth it, but the Tascam has no Bluetooth potential where as the H4 essentials can have that feature added in while still remaining less expensive than the Tascam; however, to me the most revealing thing was in your actual clip samples of all three devices. If nothing was adjusted in post then the H4 essentials had by far the best stereo separation of all three devices using it's integrated capsules in the xy position. To me, based solely on this comparison, that is potentially far more important that the theoretical 5db difference in EIN. Why? Because this video didn't actually compare the noise floors of the different devices side by side to verify the EIN claim had a meaningful impact. Many companies claim larger numbers in their specifications than their equipment often actually deliver, and in my experience Tascam has been caught doing this very thing in the past. So without an actual side by side noise floor comparison I can only verify the only meaningful differences I could hear in this comparison, and that was the separation, which went to the H4 essentials.

[@BrentODell]

The Tascam also has a blue tooth module available, I believe

[@davespin9034]

I bought the Zoom Q8n-4K and while I loved the features the recording quality was atrocious! It has 2 XLR inputs with individual volume controls. And a separate master EQ. But recording guitar with SM57’s and setting the levels at around -12 db, the recorded audio was trash. So I sent it back. I highly doubt that camera has 32 bit float like these recorders do. I’m hoping my Tascam which I just ordered can record high output without clipping

[@billyoung9538]

@@davespin9034 It's great to share ones experience with a given device, but it's highly possible you had a defective unit, a setting was off or even a cable was bad. I'm not saying what you said isn't true, but you're making a general statement based off the experience of one device that doesn't align with the actual results presented in this video. So while I have no doubt the device you had was giving you subpar performance, I can't base my opinion on word of mouth when these results are, again, in conflict. With that said, your statement does make me want to potentially avoid the Q8n-4K.

[@davespin9034]

@ I had high hopes, the features were pretty great • 2 XLR inputs with their own preamp settings • A removable microphone or accessory capsule • Master volume for trimming the preamp • USB charging and transfer • High definition 4k video camera • 4 channels • Record audio and video simultaneously • Option to separate the audio and video How is that not an awesome KZbin tool? I wanted it to work so badly, it was the solution to my needs. As you say maybe I should have asked for a new device? The customer service was very poor. It would be awesome if you tried it for yourself. Mic a guitar amp and go at it. Theoretically it’s a great concept. Nobody at Zoom suggested I return the device for an exchange to make sure there isn’t a hardware problem. The biggest complaint I’ve heard about Zoom is their customer service for their consumers.

[@steveschnetzler5471]

Wish it would just support/use a NPFxxx battery, the old sony standard. How does the battery life compare between models, I missed that if you mentioned that. Thanks

[@DarkCornerStudios]

Hard to compare....one with 4 batteries and one with 2

[@thepastcomesalive2082]

In my opinion, the zoom H essential has improved because it has accessibility and voiceover features, being totally blind. This is very exciting for me and the rest of the blind community who are interested in stuff like that. It’s about time because every other company that makes professional recording equipment even if it’s a touchscreen they don’t have accessibility features and I would like all the professional companies for broadcasting and recording studio equipment to have accessibility on all of they’re products, that’s not so hard for companies to do that.

[@seanwebb605]

The H6 isn't even on the list?

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@seanwebb605 the H6 is more of a co.parable t0 the x8

[@seanwebb605]

@@DarkCornerStudios Oh come on now.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@@seanwebb605 it's true. I/O and everything matches up...and that's why they were released like that...to compete with each

[@seanwebb605]

@@DarkCornerStudios But you know they released the H6 and other models to fill the space for that market.

[@DarkCornerStudios]

@seanwebb605 oh you mean the h6 essential? It has as much value and capability as the h4e. Lol...as8de from the swappable capsules

[@jenky1044]

Great show. Thank you. I agree with you. For "gits and shiggles" 😂 I fell into the hype when the zoom h6 came out. (Not impressed). I would really like to try the Portacapture though.

[@GORD_aus]

Deserves more views!

[@marekhorvath3148]

tascam still has a problem with ultrasonic hum when recording at 96-192 KHz - it is not a king and certainly not a pro device. i bought it a month ago, a year ago and this device looks nice on paper but in practice it is unusable. Even Tascam DR100mk3 old version has better parameters than this - less hum, noise both externally and internally mic , for youtubers maybe a good thing but too much money and so zoom price and sound - more flat is a better alternative , I have at home zoom m4, h6e and does not suffer from any ultrasonic hum like X8 ... shame Tascam

[@captteemo9133]

what do you mean? How can I test it out myself? Currently have the X8 there

[@BloodyCactus]

nice to see this!

[@chrisbee9164]

Joke review. You are comparing something thats twice the price

[@seanwebb605]

Blasphemy.