Tascam PORTACAPTURE X6 – Multi-Track Recorder

Overview
The Portacapture X6 is a state-of-the-art audio recorder that offers uncompromised quality and ease of use. Its 2.4-inch colour touchscreen allows for easy operation and perfect readability. With sampling rates up to 96 kHz and 32-bit floating point resolution, this recorder is ideal for lossless post-editing with DAW software. Its intuitive launcher system offers pre-set configurations for various recording scenes, making it suitable for a wide range of purposes such as multi-track recording, podcasts, music, interviews, field recordings, and ASMR. The included adjustable condenser microphones can be set in A-B or X-Y configuration, and the built-in USB audio interface allows for six inputs and two outputs. Additionally, the Portacapture X6 can be used as a USB audio source and has the capability to record input signals received via USB to an SD card.

The recorder also offers advanced features such as pre-recording, auto-recording, dual recording, and wireless remote control. It has a built-in mixer with audio processing tools like EQ, low-cut filter, compressor, limiter, and more. The Portacapture X6 is compatible with various operating systems and can be powered by AA batteries, USB bus, or an optional AC adapter. Its app-like operation and intuitive interface make it easy to access settings and adjustments, while the Launcher allows for quick selection of different recording apps. Whether you are a professional or a beginner, the Portacapture X6 offers advanced recording technology that is simple to use, making it the perfect audio recorder for any project.

Summary
Recording Formats:
microSD
microSDHC
microSDXC
Outputs: 3.5mm
Battery Mount / Type: AA
Included in box
1x Multi-Track Handheld Recorder

About the Tascam PORTACAPTURE X6 – Multi-Track Recorder
Advanced recording technology, yet simple to use!

Capturing high-resolution audio is easy with the Portacapture X6. The intuitive app-like operation on its large color touchscreen makes it easy to record or sweeten up your audio in post-processing. Record using the two built-in microphones or plug in your own mics to its two XLR inputs. The recording quality on the Portacapture X6 will be your secret advantage. Its 96-kHz/32-bit floating-point recording technology means that you can capture audio softer or louder than ideal, assuring that you will never miss that moment.

Six different recording apps to choose from

MANUAL – This is the main app for multi-track recording of up to six audio sources and a stereo mix (2-mix).
VOICE – This recording app is ideal for capturing interviews, dictation and meetings.
PODCAST- Use this for podcast creation with up to four people.
MUSIC – Choose this app for capturing instrumental and vocal performances.
FIELD – Ideal for recording nature sounds outdoors.
ASMR- The screen visual effect changes in response to the input sound.

App-like operation

Quickly access your settings and adjustments on the Portacapture X6’s large (2.4-inch) colour touchscreen. With the easy-to-navigate interface and helpful tools, you are just a few taps from the perfect setting for your needs. Use the Launcher to select from podcast, music, interviews, field recording and real 6-track recording. Start fast, start right and get exactly what you need.

Audio for video production

When shooting a video, you want to be able to focus on your video production and not worry about your audio. The Portacapture X6 was built with video production in mind. The workflow, presets and user settings save you countless steps. The X6 has your back with its 96 kHz/32-bit float recording technology. Not only does this mean you will have the highest quality audio, but you will have a dynamic range that allows you to overcome those less-than-ideal realities that can often occur on a shoot.

The X6 even gives you a timecode sync option* via Bluetooth (with optional AK-BT1) allowing you to align your audio with your video, even when you have no audio on your camera. Upgrade your audio and reduce your worries with your own Portacapture X6.

*With future firmware update

Record your way

The Portacapture X6 is ready to record with a few quick taps. The internal high-quality stereo microphones can instantly be rotated from A-B to a true X-Y mic pattern to allow for dialogue or spatial music recording. Have your own mics? Use those thanks to the two included XLR inputs which can also handle line level sources.

The mic preamplifiers are Tascam HDDA (High Definition Discrete Architecture) – providing ultra-low noise and clean transparent audio based on more than 50 years of Tascam know-how.

Record six tracks (four individual track plus stereo mix) simultaneously and even use the X6 as your 6-in/2-out USB audio interface to connect to your computer.

Capture every bit

It would be great if every time you need to capture audio, everything is perfect. Not too loud, not too soft. Of course that is not the reality for most of us. Sometimes a voice or sound will be really soft and in other cases it is blasting. Even in these extremes, you are expected to capture the sound and deliver well-finished audio.

The 32-bit floating point recording technology in the Portacapture X6 gives you a much lower floor and higher ceiling for sound material. The result is that your recording can capture everything from the quietest rustle to the loudest spectacle.

Control the recorder from your phone (with optional Bluetooth adapter)

In those cases where you want to put your audio recorder in one place and operate it from another, the X6 has you covered. With the AK‑BT1 Bluetooth adapter (sold separately) and the free Portacapture Control app, it’s easy to remote control your X6 wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet.

Imagine the possibilities!

Ready-to-publish audio anywhere

With the Portacapture X6, your audio is ready to share. Built-in signal processing, including a compressor, limiter, high-pass filter, EQ and reverb, adds that studio polish.

Whether you need to tame the wind when recording outside or want to add the ambiance of reverb to your vocals, the X6 has you covered. From smoothing out your input to preventing extreme peaks or eliminating plosives in dialogue, you can count on the Portacapture X6.

Recording Specifications
Recording media microSD card (64 MB – 2 GB)
microSDHC card (4–32 GB)
microSDXC card (48–512 GB)
Recording/playback formats WAV (BWF): 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24 bit or 32 bit float
MP3: 44.1/48kHz, 128/192/256/320 kbit/s
Input channels 4 (maximum)
Recording tracks 6 (4 tracks + stereo mix)
Analogue Audio Inputs
Mic inputs 3–4 (balanced) XLR-3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
6.3-mm TRS jacks (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
(phantom power over XLR only)
Input impedance ≥2.2 kΩ
Maximum input level +2 dBu
Minimum input level −75 dBu
Line inputs 3–4 XLR-3-31 equivalent (1: GND, 2: HOT, 3: COLD)
6.3-mm TRS jacks (Tip: HOT, Ring: COLD, Sleeve: GND)
Input impedance ≥9 kΩ
Maximum input level +24 dBu
Minimum input level −53 dBu
MIC/EXT IN (unbalanced) 3.5-mm mini jack (supports plug-in power)
Input impedance 10 kΩ (plug-in power off)
1.8 kΩ (plug-in power on)
Maximum input level 0 dBV
Minimum input level −67 dBV
Analogue Audio Outputs
Line output (LINE OUT, unbalanced) 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
Output impedance 200 Ω
Nominal output level −14 dBV
Maximum output level +6 dBV
Headphones output 3.5-mm stereo mini jack
Maximum output 45 mW + 45 mW (THD+N: ≤0.1%, 32 Ω load)
Built-in speaker 0.4 W (mono)
Control inputs/outputs
USB port USB Type-C connector
Format USB 2.0 High Speed mass storage class
Bluetooth device connector For Bluetooth adapter (AK-BT1) only
Audio Performance
Equivalent input noise (EIN, mic inputs 3–4) ≤−125 dBu
Frequency response (inputs 3–4 to PCM data) Fs 48 kHz: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, +0/−0.3 dB (JEITA)
Fs 96 kHz: 20 Hz – 40 kHz, +0/−0.7 dB (JEITA)
Dynamic range (20 kHz SPCL LPF, A-weighted, Field app) Inputs 3–4 to PCM data – ≥112 dB (48/96 kHz)
S/N ratio (20 kHz SPCL LPF, A-weighted) Inputs 3–4- 112 dB (48/96 kHz)
MIC/EXT IN 103 dB (48 kHz)
105 dB (96 kHz)
Total harmonic distortion ratio (THD+N, 1 kHz sine wave, –5 dBFS at input
GAIN at minimum, 20 kHz SPCL LPF) Inputs 3–4 (LINE IN) to PCM data- 0.008 %
Inputs 3–4 (MIC IN) to PCM data- 0.006 %
Note: JEITA indicates conformance to JEITA CP-2150
Power supply and other specifications
Power supply 4 AA batteries (alkaline, Ni-MH or lithium-ion)
USB bus power from a computer
AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P520U, sold separately)
Power consumption 7.5 W (maximum)
Display 2.4-inch full-colour LCD touchscreen
Dimensions (W × H × D) 75 mm × 174 mm × 37 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight 365 g (with batteries)
265 g (without batteries)
Operating temperature range 0–40 °C
Aprprox battery operation time (continuous operation in hours:minutes)
Using alkaline batteries (Evolta)
Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit 13:30
Included mics plus inputs 3-4, phantom power on, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit 5:30
Using NiMH batteries (eneloop)
Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit 11:00
Included mics plus inputs 3-4, phantom power on, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit 5:30
Using lithium-ion batteries (Energizer ultimate lithium)
Included mics, phantom power off, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit 22:00
Included mics plus inputs 3-4, phantom power on, stereo WAV recording at 44.1 kHz / 24-bit 11:30
Note- When using phantom power, the operation time depends on the mics being used.

New-generation high-resolution PCM audio recorder
2.4-inch colour touchscreen for easy operation and perfect readability
Uncompromised audio quality with sampling rates up to 96 kHz and 32-bit floating point resolution – ideal for later lossless post-editing with DAW software
Intuitive launcher system with pre-set configurations for a variety of recording scenes such as basic multi-track recording, podcasts, music, voice (interviews, vlogs), field recordings, ASMR or manual settings
Two adjustable condenser microphones (can be set for A-B or X-Y configuration)
Built-in USB audio interface with six inputs and two outputs
Included microphones can be used as USB audio source
Input signals received via USB can be recorded to SD card
USB mix-minus on PODCAST app (planned for a future update)
USB audio transmission in 32-bit float resolution (planned for a future update)
Two mic/line inputs via XLR locking connectors
Phantom power (24 V / 48 V) can be set for each microphone input individually
Additional mic/line input to monitor and record audio sent from a wireless microphone, camera or other device (3.5-mm stereo jack, supports plug-in power)
Multi-track recording of up to six tracks (four tracks + stereo mix)
Recording in either WAV (BWF) or MP3 format
MS decoder, reverb effect (six rooms, can be used with sampling rates of 44.1/48 kHz)
Pre-recording feature allows a recording to start before the record key is pressed
Auto-recording function to automatically start recording based on input level
Dual recording allows to record each track in a different file format
Slate tones can be added automatically or manually to simplify synchronisation of video files when editing
Marks can be set automatically (peak, level, time)
XRI function allows information on recording settings to be stored with a BWF file
Built-in mixer with audio processing including EQ, low-cut filter, compressor, limiter, auto gain control, noise gate and more
Input settings can be saved in up to three presets and shared by all recording apps (planned for a future update)
Unit settings and recording app settings can be saved in up to three presets and recalled with a single tap from the LAUNCHER (planned for a future update)
Camera/line output with selectable attenuation to send audio to a camera or other external devices
Audio monitoring through headphones output or the built-in loudspeaker
Wireless remote control from a smartphone/tablet using an optional Bluetooth dongle (Tascam AK-BT1) and the dedicated Portacapture Control app (free download)
Wireless timecode synchronisation with Atomos devices and UltraSync Blue (planned for a future update)
Micro SD cards up to 512 GB can be used as recording media
Power supply by four AA batteries (Alkaline, Ni-MH, Lithium), USB bus power or optional AC adapter (Tascam PS-P520U)
Automatic power select to continue on batteries, for example, during a power outage
Supported Operating Systems