Good things come in brown paper parcels. This is what I’ve come to learn from Zoom, which continues its recent habit of plain cardboard packaging. The contents of the box are also simple —  the unit itself, a thin material cover for the microphones and a small quick tour guide printed on paper. Minimal.

The unit is of a tough polymer construction and looks to be robust enough and keeps the M4 lightweight, which is important for a handheld unit of this type.

It has an unusual battery caddy that holds 4 x AA batteries in a pattern that slides into the unit and then has a locking screw on the back — a good solution to ensure the batteries don’t inadvertently fall out. The specs indicate that the four batteries provide 18 hours of operation which is solid for a unit like this.

The windscreen cover that comes with the unit is so thin it feels more like a dust jacket. I will certainly be putting that to the test later in the review.

FIRST 32-BIT IMPRESSIONS

32-bit recording is an incredible format. In theory, it provides a far, far greater dynamic range than you’ll ever need, so peaking and digital ‘overs’ are a thing of the past — in fact, Zoom’s 32-bit products don’t even come with gain controls.

For my particular project, I needed to record the sound of coins moving and sliding like they would in Smaug’s dragon hoard. I decided to treat the M4 with no mercy — just ‘point and shoot’, without any precautions to ensure the recording quality. I set up in the middle of my lounge room with the coins piled on a towel, and I didn’t even bother to switch off the heater fan, so I knew there was a risk of sound contamination. 

To my surprise and the M4’s credit, its built-in mics dealt with this scenario very well. I often wax lyrical about Zoom’s mic preamps (the M4 uses the same pres as Zoom’s pro-grade F Series); they’re really very good, and, combined with good microphones, these Zoom recorders are capable of capturing whisper-quiet sounds. But my test proved that even the M4’s built-in mics will get the job done. Certainly, if I amplified the recording loudly enough, I could hear the heater fan in the background, but for my project, at the levels I needed, it wasn’t audible.

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE NOISE

I was intrigued by the gossamer-thin windshield. It feels like it should be too thin to be effective. Typically, when I need to test for wind noise, nature gives me two or three days of dead calm. The BOM should hire me out. So it was with my time with the M4 — not a breath of wind. To simulate wind noise I swing the device back and forth like a can of billy tea. Pleasingly, it generated no wind noise at all. This is in stark contrast to a device I reviewed last year where any movement of any kind created wind noise against the built-in mics — a very undesirable trait in a handheld device. Conversely, the M4 scores very highly in this regard.

Now to the subject of handling noise. Like any handheld device with microphones onboard there’s a degree of handling noise. My initial impression was that the M4’s handling noise was about on par with the original H series. But after I took time to compare the M4 with the H4N, H1 and the original H4, the M4 performs considerably better in this regard. If you want to avoid handling noise altogether, then don’t handle the device. So nothing beats using external mics — which is something I’ve been doing with the Zoom F6 and F3 recorders for some time now.

The inclusion of a built-in normalisation function is nice, but I’m dubious as to how popular this feature might be. Many digital devices include the ability to edit and manipulate the recordings internally, but in the decades of location sound recording I have never had recourse to such features. I have a range of software I use for various steps of production, and I suspect most other users would be the same. That said, there may be a cohort of in-the-field, in-the-recorder editors I don’t know about. If that’s you, make a comment in the section below!

TASCAM has announced the v1.10 firmware update for the Portacapture X6 32-bit Float Portable Audio Recorder. Featuring including 96kHz/32-bit float point recording technology, a 2.4-inch colour touchscreen display, dual built-in microphones, internal 6-track record capability (4 track + 2 mix), and USB audio interface, the Portacapture X6 is an exceptional choice for videographers, vlog content production, media production, and music applications to name just a few.

With the V1.10 firmware update, the X6 gains numerous operational enhancements. The Portacapture can now store three unit settings and three recording app settings — making the process of saving different recording configurations quick and easy to access for different types of projects. Further, these settings can be recalled with a single tap directly from the Launcher screen. In addition, the Portacapture X6 Input Settings — including the low-cut filter, compressor, limiter, auto gain control, noise gate, and other effect functions — can now be saved in up to three presets. These Input Settings can just as easily be loaded in each recording app.

With the introduction of the new firmware update the Portacapture X6 now has the capability to use 32-bit float point resolution, which enables the preservation of audio resolution even after adjusting levels, when using the unit as a USB audio interface to a DAW. This facilitates wider dynamic range, higher resolution, and greater audio quality for better overall record quality. When using a Windows OS computer for the DAW, be certain to download the latest Portacapture X6 ASIO driver (V1.30).

The new V1.10 firmware update also includes support for wireless timecode synchronisation with compatible Atomos products, including AtomX Sync, UltraSync BLUE, ATOMOS CONNECT, and Shogun CONNECT. To take advantage of the wireless timecode synchronisation function, the optional TASCAM AK-BT1 Bluetooth adapter is required.

With the V1.10 firmware update, the Portacapture X6’s USB MIX MINUS function can now be used in the PODCAST app. This new feature provides the ability to suppress the occurrence of echoes in the audio from remote participants when using the unit for capturing podcasts. Another important enhancement when using the PODCAST app is the ability to select PAD and USB input in addition to the built-in microphone input. This enables the audio from conference software like Skype, Zoom and Teams to be monitored and recorded.

In addition to the primary V1.10 firmware update enhancements, several additional maintenance items were updated. The V1.10 firmware update also includes an update to the Portacapture Control app, which can be used for remote control of the Portacapture from a smartphone or tablet. Now, even if the app is communicating in the background on the device and the smartphone or tablet enters energy-saving mode, the connection with the Portacapture X6 will no longer be interrupted. Please note that this is supported by the Portacapture Control app version 1.33 and later. Use of the optionally available TASCAM AK-BT1 Bluetooth adapter is required to use the Portacapture Control app.

TASCAM has also introduced the Portacapture X6 Firmware Updater. The Portacapture X6 Firmware Updater is an app for Windows and macOS that when the Portacapture X6 is connected to the computer via USB, the app searches the TASCAM web server for any new Portacapture X6 updates, and automatically updates the unit with just a few clicks.

Teenage Engineering’s TP–7 field recorder fits perfectly in the palm of your hand and lets your fingers naturally adapt to the controls. The TP-7 is a device engineered for the recording of sound, music, interviews, and important ideas with zero friction, and the highest possible quality.

The centrepiece of the TP–7 is the motorised tape reel. This is a delicately engineered brushed motor with ball bearings, and a highly sensitive hall sensor that lets you virtually grab your recording. The reel can also be used for scrubbing, pausing, menu navigation, and as gentle visual feedback during playback and recording. The side-mounted rocker allows you to quickly scrub through your audio, by pressing on the top edge to fast forward, and the bottom to rewind.

If you’ve ever experienced the process of transcribing recorded speech by hand, you’ll understand, so one of the key features of the TP–7 is its ability to streamline the process of converting audio to text. Simply connect the TP–7 to your phone via BLE or USB, open the TP–7 app and press ‘transcribe’.

In interview situations where going ‘off the record’ is required, a finger gently placed on the reel will pause the recording. And rather than the usual unlocking of a phone, finding the recording app, and starting recording, one press of the memo button automatically turns TP–7 on and starts a new recording. The discreet size and dedicated functions makes for an unobtrusive recording device, allowing you and your subject to focus on the job at hand, and lets you keep an eye on your levels with the VU meter, or monitor through headphones.

Whether you’re in the studio or out in the field, TP–7’s high quality audio is perfect for capturing podcast recording with the internal mic, and also allows up to three external mics to be connected. It features three stereo two-way jacks that can be used as either inputs or outputs. These can be used to connect external mics, headphones, studio monitors, or any other audio equipment — like OP–1 field or TX–6 to record with all six stereo channels.

Use USB-C for multi-channel audio interface, MIDI, data transfer and charging, or BLE and MFi for wireless connectivity. TP–7 also includes a 6.35 mm to 3.5 mm jack adapter. Add to that 128GB of internal storage which will allow you to preserve five minutes of ideas a day for 20 years.

Features

• 3x stereo two-way jack input/output/headset connectors
• 1x stereo headphones connector with 3.5-6.35mm jack adapter
• Internal microphone and speaker
• 128GB internal storage
• 24-bit/96kHz USB audio interface
• Bluetooth Low Energy
• Rechargeable battery
• 7hr battery life
• 64x32px monochrome display

Dimensions & Weight

• 96mm x 68mm x 16mm
• 170g

Electrical Characteristics

Stereo input, two-way jacks (3.5mm TRRS):

• Input impedance 9.5kOhm
• Analogue gain 0-42dB
• Max level 8dBu (2Vrms)
• SNR 105dBA

Headset: 

• Max level out 2dBu (1Vrms)
• SNR 110dBA
• Microphone SNR 98dBA

Headphone output (6.35mm TRS):

• Max level 8dBu (2Vrms)
• SNR 120dBA

TP–7 is part of Teenage Engineering’s ultra-portable sound recording and performance system. All battery-powered, rechargeable via USB-C, and with full interconnectivity (MIDI and high resolution audio), it is compatible with iOS, macOS, and Windows.

TASCAM has announced the V1.32 firmware update for the Portacapture X8 32-bit Float Portable Audio Recorder. Featuring 192kHz/32-bit float point recording technology, a 3.5-inch colour touchscreen display, large format internal detachable microphones to accommodate a variety of recording applications, internal 8-track recording capability, 32-bit float USB audio interface and more, the Portacapture X8 is an exceptional choice for videographers, vlog content production, media production, and music applications to name just a few. With the V1.32 firmware update, the Portacapture X8 gains important enhancements that increase its overall value.

With electronic musical equipment, the software control app’s ability to run simultaneously with other applications is critically important, as it can streamline production and allow more creative options. Recognising the importance of this, the Portacapture X8’s control app — known as Portacapture Control — now runs in the background of other apps (using the optional AK-BT1 Bluetooth adapter).

As an equipment manufacturer, the importance of listening to one’s customers cannot be underestimated, as it enables TASCAM engineers to gain insight into the many ways a product is used. This is precisely why the unit’s Punch I/O function has been re-named to Overdub/Punch I/O as part of the V1.32 firmware update. Multitrack overdub recording has always existed with the Portacapture X8, but the function’s name did not clearly convey this. 

Derived from the TASCAM Portastudio series, the Portacapture X8 facilitates multitrack Overdub recording as well as punch I/O. With its 6 flexible inputs, the Portacapture X8 makes it easy to overdub a phrase, new track, and other instruments to the main track. The Overdub function is available in the MANUAL app.

The V1.32 update also fixes a wireless time code compatibility issue and now provides the ability of the Portacapture to connect with ATOMOS CONNECT and SHOGUN CONNECT products (optional AK-BT1 is required).

I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Zoom has released a trio of 32-bit float, portable recording devices with it’s new MicTrack range. Offering clipping-free audio, the M2 hand-held recorder, M3 on-camera recorder, and M4 4-track recorder provide content creators with an extraordinary breadth of versatility in a wide array of situations and applications.

The M2 MicTrak is Zoom’s latest innovation in portable recording, and with its all-new X/Y mic capsule design the M2 MicTrak always gives you great sound in one take. The mic provides several monitoring options: through the headphone out; the on-board speakers; or visually, via the LCD screen. Its glossy finish also contributes to a reduction in handling noise.

The M3 MicTrak shotgun mic gives filmmakers the ability to elevate their content with pristine audio. By default, this on-camera stereo microphone / recorder saves a backup mid-side RAW to allow for the adjustment of stereo width in post, and has a specially designed shock-mount to minimise handling noise.

The M4 MicTrak is the first portable recorder equipped with 32-bit float recording and built-in timecode generator, giving filmmakers and musicians everything they need to capture outstanding audio. It features X/Y capsules, with two additional mic inputs via the XLR inputs, and colour LCD display for visual feedback of the waveform in realtime.

More information about 32-bit float audio here.

M2 MicTrak
RRP A$399

M3 MicTrak
RRP A$399

M4 MicTrak
RRP A$799