Tascam Portacapture X8 vs Zoom H8 - A Comprehensive Comparison

Gracias Thank you for your time, your explanation was very helpful.

@PianoManChuck: Tascam has indeed 8 input channnels: there is a stereo small jack input as well.

Great review. By 8 tracks, do you mean they record 8 separate tracks so you can export them ?

I realy feel that this is the best honest and great review video. Thank you so much

Usually these are used by solo artists- like, for me , I intend to use all the 6 tracks on the Tascam / I go with the pioneers TASCAM all day long/ anyway i’m only going to be hooking up my guitar at one time and seeing scratch vocals usually that’s what I use this for. It’s just for ideas and then I’ll layer witother little ideas before I record it so all those tracks at one time won’t let me a Cearley used in most cases. Ordering that baby now!!! Yeah Zoom is okay - but now 389 Tascam on sale .

This is one of the best review.

This is the most comprehensive comparison video I have ever seen. I really appreciate it.

The Android bluetooth compatability just made the decision to go with Tascam for me. What I need to figure out is if I'm going to go with the X6 or the X8.

many thanks for perfect review.

Top man!

And a daw?

Can I use the portacapture with the insta 360?

Thanks - really comprehensive reviews, and you're the only person so far who's taken us right in to the actual device interfaces properly, including the pros and cons, all explained properly. Very grateful to you. Some reviewers have mentioned concerns about the possibility of the screen on the Tascam breaking in a fall say, and then you're up a creek with an expensive bit of kit that can't be used. Whereas the Zoom isn't so dependent on a screen. Any thoughts you had would be very welcome. Thanks again.

Thanks for this fantastic review. Can you PLEASE clarify ; can I overdub on the tascam ? I had read that it wasn’t possible - can I record guitar on one track and the. Record voice separately while listening to the guitar ? Many thanks

On the tascam, if you record a track, can you export the file straight to your phone via the Bluetooth function?

Amazing review! Thank you

Great review thanks

Wow! Thank you Chuck. What a thorough comparison of 2 devices I keep looking at. This is so helpful. I wasn't aware of the Tascam app. That's a big selling point for me. Thanks for all your work creating the video.

Grazie , avendo gia' lo zoomm h8 ho deciso di fare pazzia e ho preso anche il tascam x8 , dopo una veloce prova la mia impressione che a livello di registrazione il Tascam sia un po migliore e abbia buoni processori , pero' quando ho scoperto che puoi registrare solo 2 tracce su quasi tutti i preset sopratutto MUSICA che userei molto per comodita' ci sono rimasto male e lo ho trovato molto limitante questa decisione di Tascam , spero che facciano qualche aggiornamento per migliore questa cosa !! .... grazie !

Thanks. Great info!

Zoom H8 looks like a LOBSTER 👎👎👎
ZOOM'S designs look so good.... but not this time. You can prank someone with that thing... it is ugly and scary looking.

That Zoom Recorder looks ugly, and i've seen it before on B&H website. Wouldn't spend one red dime on it.

THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR, YOU HELP ME WHICH ONE SHOULD I CHOOSE.

Why do they make these so complex to use. I want a recorder to do live events, so switch on plug and play. As time is critical, but these have all these quirks that make them a compromise, depending on what you want to do, and they are expense. Sometimes i think the base recorders are better, you can buy more and put them in different positions in the room or dedicate to each input. And they are simple to use 🤔

The best review and comparaison I've seen.

👍

Thanks a lot for your video - appreciate your style!

Incredibly helpful in-depth comparison! Cheers!

what about the ultrasonic noise for 96/192 khz?

Great comparison, thank you for making it! Do you know if there is a way to turn off the mixer recording in manual mode?

Hi, and congratulations for the precision of your work. It is so complete and sourced!!! Amazing work !!! I'd od 2 questions:
1: did you compare preamps and mics with the Sony PCM-D100. I used to use the Sony and realy liked the quality and simplicity of use. Sony stoped manufacturing the D100 so I want to find something not too bad. takling about preamps & mics, witch one do you prefer between X8 and H8 ?
2: Phantom power; on both devides, can you separatly setup phantom power track by trach, or is it a "on/off" setting for all tracks, witch is not cool when you use some Dynamics Mics or Keyboards line.
Again a big thank for the quality of your presentation, Mary christmas by the way !!!

Thanks for your thoughts. Excellent review. I purchased the tascam and it is excellent. My only concern is the build quality of the mics, not the sound, and also the battery door. Other than that it’s solid, especially with the phone app.

You are so cool Chuck!!

Great job! We do really appreciate the insight

for a mobile device, mostly used in a cam rig, for interviews, Docu, etc., you never need more than 6 tracks. Even 6 is more than enough!

Can I record keyboards and vocals with the x8? Wanna record simply without all the high tech stuff.

Thank you so much for this comprehensive comparison.

I will need to plugin 3 guitars , two mics will the tascam work?

You’re awesome

Thank you! Your video is really helpful, if you want to compare the 2 devices. However, the most important question, if you consider to by such an audio recorder is: how does it sound and wich microphones are best to use. That was my reason for sticking to your video till the end, So, I am a bit disapppointed, you didn´t tell us that.

…that zoom thinghy looks absolutely horrifying…never seen such baad design…imagine buy looking at it to grip it!!!…got an tascam dr-100 mk2 and will never replace it and just put it in my coffin when the deals go down…

Very useful! Thank you!

Zoom looks like a spider.

I think Zoom is better value for money here.... Tascam has a better design and a display but features wise the Zoom is a clear winner here for me

Excellent, detailed video. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your comparison review.

I'm currently in the market for a recorder and your review has made my decision much easier.

Tascam all day. And it's selling for $399.00 at the moment.

Hello. Have a good time
I had a question about the Zoom H8
In the music mode, when we record the sound on the memory card, the effect is recorded, but the EQ is not applied
Is this part of the factory setting?
Please advise. Thanks a lot

Thank you very much if you explain more

Thank you. You did an excellent comparison review. It was very thorough and provided everything a person needs to make a careful decision. I was trying to make a decision on these two products but I think, after watching your video, you confirmed many of my concerns on the pros and cons. If it wasn't for the cheap construction on the attached mics on the Tascam, I probably would have gone with that, but that really bothers me. The pros and cons of each are so strong that it still is difficult to make a decision. I find myself wanting to wait for one of these companies to listen to an honest, fair, review like yours and make the necessary changes and offer a new product that checks every box. I would prefer to pay even $100 more for it than just "settle" on whatever choice is made. Thank you again. Great review.

Thank you for this great review!

Thank you so much!!! Great video! Very informative!!!