TASCAMPortacapture X6 - Portable 4+2-Track High-Resolution 32-bit float/96-kHz Recorder

*** update - 13/05 - unfortunately, I had this fall off my tripod recently into some jagged rocks from around the height of 4 feet and I have to say I was extremely impressed that the screen was still intact, microphones still ok and not even a crack or scratch on the body. This could perhaps have been a fluke, but it seems it’s more robust than I thought and is able to deal with a bit more than I anticipated. Obviously I wouldn’t recommend dropping it, but I have to give it props for surviving that without so much as a scratch and still being fully operational. I honestly thought a drop like that would have left it in pieces but was incredibly surprised ***This is not the best offering from tascam I have to admit. The plastic is very flimsy and thin and occasionally has that weird cheap plasticky smell too. It feels fragile. The microphone capsules feel plasticky and flimsy. Because of this, handling noise is pretty dreadful.I’ve had this on a tripod, with a high quality shock mount and have been wearing gloves too to reduce handling noise. This minimises handling noise a fair bit, but not enough really. I’ve even added a low cut to help and you can still hear handling noise when used in this configuration.This is disappointing, as I have the Tascam DR100MKiii too and this one is a fair bit more forgiving when it comes to handling noise. The issue with that one, however, is rattling buttons I haven’t experienced this with the X6 though I have to say.On a tripod and in a stationary position, it is fine. It’s just worth remaining mindful that the idea of this being “handheld” shouldn’t be taken to heart. Using it handheld is possible, but is more hassle than it’s worth.I have a Roland R07 and Roland R05 and I have to say that these are both the best recorders I have used with the title “handheld”. You can actually use these handheld with a bit of caution.Out of all my handheld recorders (which includes the tascam mkiii, Sony A10, Roland R07, tascam x6 and Roland R05, the X) is by far the worst for handling noise. However, if you use external mics or have it on a tripod or stationary, this isn’t an issue.I wouldn’t want to drop this unit, as I firmly believe that would be the death of it very quickly. This makes me a little nervous when using it handheld, so it’s just something to be extremely mindful of and proceed with caution when handling it.My next issue is the battery is dreadful. I’ve tried a variety of different batteries and the power icon never, ever seems above 75%. Indications of power supply seem sporadic and unreliable. Again, this isn’t an issue I’ve experienced with other recorders and it is very frustrating for me not to know how much power I actually have.I have combatted the above issue by using a 10,000 MAH power bank / tripod combo and plugging it into the UsBC to supply power to the unit. This has been the perfect solution, but does come with some downsides as I feel I always need to be using a power bank in order to have piece of mind.The lack of Bluetooth being in the unit feels extremely cheeky. It wouldn’t cost much to have built in BT capabilities, and for the price you pay I would expect it to be included. You should have to pay an extra 30 pound for a BT adapter to be able to use BT with it. It feels like a cash grab. Both my Sony A10 and Roland R07 have built in Bluetooth capabilities at a lesser cost. Granted, these aren’t 32-bit recorders sadly, but I imagine the installation of BT is cheap overall and is pretty standard in most electronics these days.Those are my major gripes with the unit.Now, for the good stuff.The inbuilt microphones are, audibly, of good quality. The quality is far better than what you would achieve with say an iPhone, but could be dramatically improved by using external microphones. Audio quality falls somewhere in the middle with the inbuilt mics, which I think is fairly linear on all these handheld recorders with built in microphones. Overall, I’d say they are of good quality and more than adequate.The ability to record at 32-bit float, and the advantages of the extra headroom in post is really refreshing. Although I am quite adept at setting levels, it does allow me the freedom to not worry about sudden loud noises causing clipping and distorted / ruined audio through peaking. It’s important to note that it is still possible to clip audio in 32-bit. It is sensationalised in some respects. However, the tolerance before clipping is significant and this is a major plus.The GUI is ok. It takes a bit of getting used to if you are familiar with older recorders, but the apps and touchscreen is very similar to a mobile phone. Initially, it feels strange in a field recording scenario, but over time it becomes second nature.You can record to a max of 96Khz at 32bit, which is excellent quality overall. If you want to use built in effects, like the reverb in the music app, I think you can only record in 24-bit as a maximum.The apps are a bit gimmicky, but they have their purposes. I can see the presets being really helpful and useful, particularly for people newer to these recorders. In the field recording app you can choose what you are trying to record and it provides presets that are tailored to that sound, with low cut filters applied or not applied depending on the type of audio you are trying to capture. For example, the “city” has no low cut filter on, probably because you’d likely want that low rumble of the city in the background. However, the “bird” preset has a low cut applied automatically, probably because you wouldn’t want lower noises intruding on the focal point you are trying to record (ie the birds).However, you can tweek all these presets it seems, so you can use them as a starting point and make required adjustments based on what you require in the moment.Personally, I tend to record using the “manual” app as I like to control everything. However, a few years ago, I probably would have used these presets and apps more widely when I was still familiarising myself with the intricacies of recording audio.The DR100mkiii I have from tascam was renowned at the time for extremely low preamps and low self noise (almost as good as the legendary Sony D100). There is definitely more self noise evident in this unit, but the amount is almost audibly imperceptible by comparison.I’ve read a lot on this unit, and there are many, many bad reviews out there. However, I think these are unfair. Overall, I enjoy the unit.Being a musician, field recordist and singer songwriter who also intends to look into potentially going podcasts in the future, this meets a lot of my needs personally.The price, I feel, could do with being g a little lower. There is a lot of value in 32-bit and being able to record in this capacity is great but the physical quality is not what I would expect from something at this price point and that does make me a little disappointed in Tascam.I will continue to use this unit and enjoy it, but I hope tascam takes note of the issues mentioned here for future recorders. This could have been executed so much better and been a phenomenal piece of audio equipment. Instead, it feels like it was mass produced as cheaply as possible to rush it to the market. We do notice, and it’s a little insulting that they think we won’t.

Don't be put off by strongly critical reviews here and elsewhere. If you're looking for a handheld recorder with a small form factor, this is the best you'll find in 2024. This has much lower preamp noise than the older Zoom H models and the recent 32bit Essentials range, and the inbuilt capsule mics are very good. The X8 model is bigger, with slightly bigger, removable mics. They are comparable with the Zoom F models, but without the need for external mics.It loses a star for durability and handling noise but it's manageable if you look after it the same way you would a camera or lens. Use with a tripod, preferably with a mount adapter so you're not screwing and unscrewing the whole device each time you use it, and it'll be fine.I really like this recorder - the sound is fantastic!

This is a woefully poor piece of kit, with more on body transmission noise than any other recorder I've encountered. Cheap, nasty construction with the thinnest plastics. I've seen kids toys with more solidity. On board mics are flimsy, weak-sounding and lack any body. A Zoom H4n has better noisefloor than this, is less than a third of the price. All the 'apps' are total gimmicks and needless. What is the point of offering 32 bit recording in a unit where it's hard to get a solid, full signal either from the on board mics or through the xlrs. You have to use the xlrs all the time, so why not get a Zoom F3 with it's quiet pre-amps and hard case and half the size.Yes I'm angry. Equipment is getting worse, not better. Try and get a replacement for a Sony D100 and you end up having to upgrade all the way to Sound Devices kit and larger mic arrays. They just don't build them like they used to. I currently use a Mix Pre 3, Tascam DR40X, Zoom F3 and only the Zoom and The Mix Pre are built to last more than a year!The backside of this unit is laughable. It is paper thin. I can see it snapping in the first week. And no Neutrik connectors either for a line-in.It's not rocket science. I'd pay £500 for a decent hand held recorder. I was going to buy six of these units for classroom settings and have returned this rushed-to-market compromised bit of e-waste.I mean, I am sorry, I don't like trashing a product like this, but it's not cheap to buy - but it is a remarkably cheap and not-so-cheerful unit.