Zoom Releases New P8 Recorder for Professional Podcasters

You need to record high-quality podcasts with multiple people in mission-critical scenarios, so you need a streamlined, portable device to handle multiple people and remote guests all in one shot. Does this sound like you? Then you need to check out Zoom’s PodTrak P8, a dedicated podcasting machine that can handle all of your professional podcasting needs.

Recently, Zoom released the P4, making high-quality podcast recording easier than ever before. The P8 offers all the functionality and ease of use of the P4, but expands the setup for ambitious podcasters in several key ways.

First, it can accommodate more people face-to-face, giving you six high-gain mic inputs that can easily accommodate dynamic mics (like the venerated Shure SM7B) and condenser mics. With six controllable headphone outputs, the unit ensures all the people on the panel can control their own playback volume.

Moreover, the unit gives you more tone-shaping and editing controls right in the box: Compress your audio, de-ess sibilant guests, apply noise reduction, or shape the tone, all without ever leaving the P8. Onboard editing functions let you fade, split, combine, and trim audio clips into produced products without ever using a computer.

Remote guests haven’t been left behind as a mix-minus function ensures echo-free call-ins. The P8 gives you multiple, simultaneous options for handling remote guests from smartphones, tablets, and computers. One option is to plug your phone right into a dedicated stereo TRRS input, or make use of the BTA-2 Bluetooth adapter (available separately) to wirelessly stream audio from your smartphone into that TRRS channel. 

If you’re talking to someone over VoIP, you can plug your Skype- or Zoom-enabled computer into a dedicated USB-C port. This input takes over the P8's sixth channel, which means that you can still use the TRRS input and have multiple remote guests on simultaneously.

The unit boasts nine pads and four banks for storing and triggering jingles, cues, and bumper music. Thirteen prerecorded sounds come stock, and you can load up to 36 of your own. Remember that USB-C connection we just highlighted? It also lets you run the device as a 2-in/2-out USB audio interface with Mac, Windows, iOS, and even some Android devices. Use this connection to record your podcast to a stereo track, or to stream live.

For multitrack recording, the PodTrak P8 offers an SD slot able to handle 512 GB of audio. You can record each XLR input, remote input, and soundboard to their own individual files. The PodTrak P8 also makes a master stereo recording of your mix for quick and easy exporting in mission-critical scenarios.

Fitting an all-in-one podcasting solution, the PodTrak P8 offers multiple power options. Slip in four AA batteries, run it off the included AC adapter, or even USB bus power when connected to a PC.

To read more about the P8—or to purchase it today—head on over to our website, or visit us at our SuperStore.