The latest update, v1.30, is quite a big one and since one of its headline items is in direct response to a comment of mine in the review I thought it would be worth sharing here. I said, "I suggested to Tascam that since presets are employed elsewhere it would be good to support user-definable presets in the Manual app — if you use two or three recording setups frequently, creating presets for each could be a real time-saver. Tascam liked the idea and say they are looking to see if it can be added in the next firmware update."
You can see their response here amongst some other goodies:
Tascam announces a firmware update to version 1.30, which is intended to provide significant enhancements to the already richly equipped Portacapture X8 portable multi-track recorder.
32-bit float resolution is now also available when using the recorder as a USB audio interface to a DAW (digital Audio Workstation). This facilitates wider dynamic range and higher resolution for better overall audio quality when recording to a computer. The 32-bit float technology enables audio to be dynamically controlled and edited to an extent that is impossible with conventional 16- or 24-bit resolution. Clipped audio segments can easily be corrected and, similarly, low-level audio passages can be adjusted to a higher dB level without raising the noise level.
The firmware update also adds new memory capabilities for device and input settings. Users can now store up to three individual settings on the Launcher main interface as well as up to three input presets for recording apps. This way, preferred and most frequently used configurations can be easily defined and recalled with a tap of the finger.
Also new with firmware v1.30 is the possibility to use Mix Minus with the recorder’s Podcast app. When switched on, a USB audio source can be recorded and monitored by all participants while avoiding an audio feedback loop that would normally occur without Mix Minus. This is particularly important when connecting to a video conference, for example.
Extending 32-bit float to recording to your DAW when it's functioning as an audio interface also seems quite neat to me. Now all I'm waiting for as a user is proper Ambisonics functionality.
CC
