Zoom P8 Podtrak Audio Recorder

Zoom P8 Podtrak Audio Recorder – Dedicated Podcast Recorder and Mixer for Six Microphones

The Zoom PodTrak P8 is a complete podcast production console in one unit: six microphone inputs, six headphone outputs, sound pads, onboard editing and recording to SD card, with no computer required to make an episode. It is built for panel podcasts and interviews where several people sit around one table and the recording has to work first time.

A 4.3-inch full-colour touchscreen runs the interface, with colour-coded channels, gain control and mute buttons for each microphone. The P8 records up to 13 tracks at once as 44.1 kHz, 16-bit WAV files, and doubles as a USB audio interface for computer recording and streaming.

Key features

• Six XLR mic inputs with up to +70 dB of gain
• Selectable +48 V phantom power for condenser microphones
• Six headphone outputs with individual volume controls
• Nine assignable sound pads with four banks of sounds
• Records up to 13 tracks simultaneously to SD card
• 4.3-inch colour touchscreen with onboard editing tools
• Dedicated smartphone channel with mix-minus for call-in guests
• USB-C audio interface mode for recording and streaming
• Runs on AA batteries, AC adapter or USB bus power

Six voices, properly managed

Each of the six XLR inputs has its own preamp with gain from 0 to +70 dB, enough for low-output dynamic broadcast microphones as well as condensers running on phantom power. Touchscreen level setting and dedicated mute buttons with On Air indicators keep the session under control even with six talkers, and colour coding makes it obvious which control belongs to which guest. Every participant gets their own headphone output with individual volume, which keeps panel recordings balanced.

Sound pads and phone guests

Nine touch pads trigger intros, adverts, applause and effects live during the recording, with four banks available and 13 sounds preloaded from the factory. A dedicated smartphone input on a TRRS connection brings in remote guests, and mix-minus is applied automatically so the caller does not hear their own voice echoed back down the line. An optional BTA-2 Bluetooth adapter allows the same call-in workflow without a cable.

Recording, editing and files

The P8 records multitrack WAV files, with each microphone captured on its own track, to SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512 GB, in BWF-compliant 44.1 kHz, 16-bit format. Basic editing happens on the unit itself: trim, split and fade clips on the touchscreen to assemble an episode without opening a DAW, or move the track files to a computer for a full mix. In USB interface mode the P8 works as a 44.1 kHz, 16-bit, 2-in / 2-out interface for recording and streaming software.

Power and portability

For location recording, four AA batteries run the P8 for about two hours on alkaline cells and longer on lithium, while the supplied AD-14 AC adapter or USB bus power covers studio sessions. At 295 x 248 x 61 mm and 1.43 kg, the console sits neatly on a desk or table and travels in a small case – a complete multi-microphone podcast studio that sets up in minutes.

For podcasters who have outgrown a single USB microphone, the PodTrak P8 is the straightforward step up: six proper mic inputs, headphone monitoring for everyone, sound pads and editing in one box that records without a laptop.