Diana Macalova is a sound designer, composer, and dialogue editor whose work ranges from epic full orchestral scores, emotional piano pieces and hybrid compositions featuring various electronic elements to short, impactful titles, commercials, and brand identities. She is an integral part of the team at the Viennese film audio postproduction studio Blautöne Studios, where she specializes in sound design, dialogue editing, and music composition for a variety of film projects—with the Portacapture X8 Multi-track Handheld Recorder from TASCAM being central to many of her endeavors.
“I find immense joy in sculpting the auditory experience of a film, ensuring that every sound element contributes to the overall narrative and emotional impact,” Macalova states. “One of the highlights of this year was my involvement as a dialogue editor and sound designer to several TV and cinema productions, which will be released in 2024. I’m excited about the future of film sound, and I’m eager to embrace new challenges while contributing to the art of storytelling through evocative soundscapes. The TASCAM Portacapture X8 has become a key element in my work.”
Macalova has become very fond of the Portacapture X8 because of its flexibility. “The TASCAM Portacapture X8 is a versatile tool that has significantly impacted my work in various domains. I use it in a variety of applications. One aspect I particularly enjoy is recording natural environments. The Portacapture X8 allows me to capture the intricate details of different settings, from bustling cityscapes to serene natural landscapes. I also find the Portacapture X8 to be an invaluable tool for documenting my musical ideas.”
“I’ve had my Portacapture X8 since August,” Macalova added. “Since then, I’ve been gradually assembling my own sound library. What’s fantastic about it is its portability. It fits easily into my backpack, allowing me to be spontaneous and capture unique sounds from the acoustic environment wherever I happen to be. This flexibility enables me to respond to my surroundings on the fly, resulting in the recording of exceptional and distinctive sounds from various locations.”
When questioned about the Portacapture X8’s key features that she finds most appealing, Macalova offered the following thoughts. “The Portacapture X8’s intuitive interface is a standout feature for me,” she said. “Navigating its controls is seamless, enabling me to focus more on the creative process rather than wrestling with complex settings. The ability to record in 32-bit is a standout feature thanks to the incredibly wide dynamic range. This not only ensures pristine audio quality, but also makes it practically impossible to clip or distort recordings. It provides the headroom needed for capturing subtle nuances.”
“The inclusion of a color touch display is also a game-changer,” Macalova notes. “It provides a clear and visual representation of my settings, making it easy to monitor and adjust parameters on the fly. The remote-control feature through the app adds yet another layer of convenience. Being able to control the Portacapture X8 remotely enhances my flexibility during recording sessions, so that I can fine-tune settings without being tethered to the device.”
The TASCAM Portacapture X8 has multiple presets for optimizing settings for various recording applications as well as the ability to create one’s own custom settings. Macalova uses both, as she explained, “The presets—particularly through the Launcher system—are truly ingenious. I frequently leverage them for a quick start, especially when I’m diving into field recording. The touch screen makes it easy to select optimized settings tailored to these specific applications. However, what I find most intriguing is the ability to create my own custom presets for instant recall from the Launcher. This customization enables me to fine-tune settings based on the unique requirements of each location.”
“While the presets are fantastic and serve as a convenient starting point,” she continued, “I must admit that my preference lies in the manual mode. Acoustic conditions tend to vary, and working in manual mode provides me with the ultimate flexibility to adapt and refine settings on the fly. It’s this combination of presets for efficiency and the manual mode for adaptability that makes the Portacapture X8 such a valuable tool.”
Before turning her attention back to the business of the day, Macalova offered these parting thoughts regarding her experience with the TASCAM Portacapture X8, “The Portacapture X8 has seamlessly integrated into my creative process. The versatility of this tool—from its intuitive presets to the flexibility of manual mode—has exceeded my expectations. I am grateful for the convenience the Portacapture X8 brings to my on-the-go recordings, enabling me to capture inspiration from diverse environments. Each project presents a unique set of challenges, and the Portacapture X8 has consistently risen to the occasion. It has evolved from being a valuable asset to becoming an important tool.”
To learn more about Diana Macalova and listen to her work, visit https://www.dianamacalova.com/
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