TASCAM Announces Firmware Update V2.0 for the Portacapture X8 / X6

The new POCKETSTUDIO app puts the Portacapture in one's pocket.

TASCAM is pleased to announce the V2.0 update for the company's legendary Portacapture X8 and Portacapture X6 8- and 6-channel 32-bit float Portable Audio Field Recorders. With the ability to record wherever one's inspiration takes them, the Portacapture X8 / X6 recorders make it a snap to capture field recordings for sound design, create audio for video production, capture multitrack recordings, as well as one take songwriting sessions. With Phantom power, USB audio interfaces, and dual built-in mics with switchable AB/true-XY pattern capability, the Portacapture field recorders re-define ease of use. And now the V2.0 update introduces yet another cutting-edge feature: the POCKETSTUDIO app.

Designed for musicians, the POCKETSTUDIO app delivers a Portastudio in one's pocket. Record and mix down tracks—anywhere, anytime. The new POCKETSTUDIO app offers a set of features that made TASCAM Portastudios so legendary.

Punch In/Out makes it easy to fix mistakes or get a better take. The Overdub feature enables one to play all the instruments by oneself and even record vocal harmonies. With the mix down feature, there will never be a shortage of available tracks. Mix all the tracks that have been recorded to a two channel stereo file, import, then continue overdubbing. This capability lets users take four or six tracks and turn them into many, many more. When the time is right, mix the entire production with ease—right from the palm of your hand. This is one of the simplest and quickest ways to get music polished and ready for release from anywhere creativity may strike.

The POCKETSTUDIO app delivers all the familiarity of the traditional Portastudio-style interface. One of the attributes that made TASCAM Portastudios so popular (in addition to their rich audio quality) was their legendary ease of use. This all-important attribute has been ported over to the POCKETSTUDIO app. All the features are laid out in a manner that makes it easy to understand—even if you've never recorded before. Equally notable, while the Portacapture Series has always had an integrated metronome and tuner, these two features can be used in real-time while tracking one's productions.

The POCKETSTUDIO app also contains new functions for real-time mixdown. Now, users can bounce their finished song to a stereo.wav file—in real time. What type of benefit does this offer? Simply put, it means users can control all the parameters (i.e., volume, pan, EQ, etc.) while the mixdown is taking place, and all those adjustments will be recorded to the final product. Fade in / fade out instruments—even the entire song. Users can also create cool EQ effects on any track. The possibilities are limited only by one's imagination.

One thing that sets TASCAM aside from many other companies is the willingness to listen to customer feedback - then implement a change. Portacapture V2.00 does exactly that. Now, when users record with the Manual or POCKETSTUDIO apps they can select whether to record a master mix while recording multitracks. Previously, users did not have the option to turn that feature off.

The new V2.0 update for the Portacapture X8 and Portacapture X6 is free and can be downloaded at the following URLs:
Portacapture X8: https://tascam.com/us/product/portacapture_x8/support
Portacapture X6: https://tascam.com/us/product/portacapture_x6/support