Whether you're a podcaster who needs high-quality audio recording on the go, you'll get a lot of use out of the CEntrance PortCaster R4D, a mobile mixer, USB audio interface, and microSD-card recorder that offers a warm, analog sound and an 8-hour rechargeable battery. Now, you can hook up your mics, connect to remote guests over the phone, lay down auxiliary music beds, and record high-quality audio wherever you may room.

The PortCaster R4D can record to the internal SD card recorder, your smartphone, or even both at once. Compatible with Mac, iOS, Android, Windows (with a downloadable driver), and even Linux, this device sports handy recording features, such as built-in optical limiters, the ability to make mono recordings for Instagram Live, and more. A carrying pouch and a USB cable are included.

Podcast Mixer with microSD Recorder    2 Microphone Inputs    +48V Phantom Power & Optical Limiters    Rechargeable Battery    Easy-to-Operate Controls    Low-Cut Switch (HPF)    Mix-Minus for Remote Guests    Stereo Auxiliary Input    Includes Velvet Carrying Pouch    Includes USB Cable

PortCaster has two Neutrik input jacks, which accommodate professional microphones, and one TRRS input jack for connecting a phone. Now you can easily add remote guests to your podcast. Simply dial them up and PortCaster will do the rest. PortCaster is also a versatile mixer. It has an Auxiliary stereo input that allows you to effortlessly add background music or sound effects to your podcast. PortCaster can connect to a camera via its stereo line output and 46 dB pad.

The top panel gives you easy access to all of the adjustments, using familiar analog pots. No searching through menu pages to find the right adjustment: quick and easy controls are always at your fingertips.

Sound quality starts with the Mic preamps. The built-in Jasmine mic preamps feature a custom and discrete transistor design with 65 dB of clean, low-noise gain. This makes it easy to connect any condenser or dynamic microphone, including the notoriously gain-hungry SM7B and RE20.

Mix-minus is a feature used by radio stations to add call-in guests to the program. Mix-minus prevents annoying audio feedback from traveling back to the caller through the phone line. With PortCaster you can have call-in guests, too. Mix-minus is included. Just connect your phone, and dial up your guest.

Some streaming services don't offer stereo sound. PortCaster's convenient mono blend knob can combine the input channels, so that Instagram, Facebook Live, Webex, Zoom, and other services can hear both participants at once. Even stereo music or sound effects on Aux 3/4 can be mixed down to mono, if needed.

To help better control recording levels, PortCaster features independent, soft-knee optical limiters for both the Host and Guest, allowing for a truly professional sound. The opto analog limiters can subtly catch the audio peaks early, preventing nasty digital clipping.

PortCaster likes to be outside. Its battery system offers reliable service in the field. The case is made from lightweight aluminum, and the tactile controls make adjustments quick and easy. The built-in SD recorder, combined with the company's optional, separately-available XY stereo mics, turns PortCaster into a professional, high-quality mobile recorder.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Is phase reverse offered on all the channels?

A: No phase reverse shown on any channels, or in the Operator Manual.

Q: 2. Does this (and the other Models) record post fader for individual tracks to the SD card? The manual mentions a "post record switch" and "When this switch is on, signals from after the MAIN fader are recorded to the SD card." That's all the info in the manual about this feature. I need to know if this switch allows recording of each channel post fader to the SD card.

A: The Tascam Model 12 Integrated Production Suite Mixer/Recorder/USB Interface appears to standardly record "pre-fader" signals to the SD card. This indicates that the signal at the input source is being recorded before it is affected further down the signal chain by EQ and individual fader level settings. There are ways to change this, such as the "POST REC Switch" you mention, which would indicate a post-fader recording of each channels "mix" level signal. The manual also mentions the ability to select the positions that recording signals are sent from each channel, including the ability to send Pre or Post Compression and Post EQ.

Q: 3. can you record single tracks at a time, or overdub onto a track?

A: Yes you can do both.

Q: 4. does this unit have echo, delay, and reverb ?

A: No, the Tascam Mixcast 4 Podcast Mixer, Recorder, and USB Audio Interface does have any built-in effects like echo, delay, or reverb.

Q: 5. If I use this as an audio interface recording into DaVinci Resolve/Audacity with multiple mics, does it record each mic as separate, individual tracks or is it all mixed down into one track?

A: When used as an audio interface, the TASCAM Mixcast 4 Podcast Mixer, Recorder, and USB Audio Interface will capture all tracks individually.

Q: 6. Can two of these be chained together into a PC for more channels during multi-track recording?

A: No, it would not be possible to connect multiple USB mixers to one computer for a single recording.

Q: 7. What is the preAmp gain on the Mic inputs? Am I going to need a cloudlifter to operate my RE-20

A: Tascam lists the gain range for the Mixcast 4 as 66.5 dB which should be sufficient for the RE-20.

Q: 8. Are there 2 SD slots? One for recording the mix and one for loading samples?

A: No. The TASCAM Mixcast 4 Podcast Mixer, Recorder, and USB Audio Interface has one SD slot that is used for recording and playback.

Q: 9. Is this possible to use with teams/zoom meetings where I can turn off headphone monitoring, and hear audio with no feedback?

A: Yes, live monitoring can be disabled on the TASCAM Mixcast 4 Podcast Mixer, Recorder, and USB Audio Interface.

Q: 10. Does the SD Card record each channel individually and what is the highest quality files that it generates? 192? 160?

A: This has a 24 track recorder built in with sample rates and resolutions up to 48kHz at 24bit.