Tascam TM-80 – Cardioid Condenser Microphone – Studio-Grade Sound for Vocals, Instruments & Content Creation

 

The Tascam TM-80 is a studio condenser microphone designed to deliver professional-quality audio in a variety of recording situations. Whether you’re capturing vocals, acoustic instruments, podcasts, or voiceovers, this microphone brings studio-grade sound into your home or project studio. With its large diaphragm, cardioid polar pattern, and a full suite of included accessories, the TM-80 offers an unmatched balance of performance, value, and versatility.

Crafted by Tascam—renowned for its audio innovation across decades—the TM-80 embodies the brand’s commitment to delivering clean, accurate, and detailed sound reproduction in an affordable, plug-and-play format. If you’re ready to elevate your recordings with the clarity and warmth of a true condenser microphone, the TM-80 is built for the task.

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Key Features

The Tascam TM-80 offers a premium list of features tailored for voice, instruments, and content creation:

• Cardioid condenser microphone with large diaphragm for natural, focused sound

• Wide frequency response for accurate vocal and instrument capture

• Aluminum diaphragm capsule for smooth transients and consistent tonal character

• Internal FET preamp delivers clean, quiet operation with low distortion

• Balanced XLR output for compatibility with audio interfaces, mixers, and preamps

• Low self-noise level to preserve subtle details and dynamic nuances

• Rugged all-metal housing for durability and professional feel

• Includes desktop stand, XLR cable, and shockmount for immediate use

Whether used for recording music or producing spoken-word content, the TM-80 provides high-fidelity audio and minimal coloration, delivering results well beyond its price point.

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Technical Specifications

Microphone Type: Condenser, large diaphragm
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity: -38 dB ±2 dB (0 dB = 1V/Pa at 1kHz)
Output Impedance: 200 Ohms ±30%
Equivalent Noise Level: ≤17 dB A-weighted
Max SPL: 136 dB SPL (at 1 kHz ≤ 1% THD)
Power Requirement: +48V phantom power
Connector: 3-pin XLR
Diaphragm Material: Aluminum
Accessories Included: Shockmount, XLR cable, desktop tripod stand
Dimensions: 170 mm (H) × 48 mm (W)
Weight: 300 g (mic only)

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Performance Overview

The TM-80 performs admirably in studio environments where accurate and expressive audio capture is essential. The cardioid pickup pattern effectively reduces background noise and off-axis coloration, focusing attention on the sound source while minimizing room reflections and environmental noise. This makes it especially useful for untreated rooms or mobile setups where isolation is crucial.

Its wide frequency response captures the full range of human voice and most acoustic instruments with remarkable clarity. The aluminum diaphragm responds quickly to transients, preserving both the detail in vocals and the richness of acoustic instruments like guitar, piano, or percussion.

With a maximum SPL of 136 dB, the TM-80 is more than capable of handling loud sources without distortion—perfect for vocalists with dynamic range or for recording percussive instruments such as cajóns or snares. The FET preamp circuit inside the microphone ensures low-noise operation while maintaining a wide dynamic range, helping the mic sound polished and studio-ready straight into your interface or recorder.

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Use Cases

The Tascam TM-80 is a versatile tool that adapts to a wide variety of recording situations. It serves beginners, semi-professionals, and even experienced engineers who need a dependable mic for everyday tracking.

Ideal For:

• Studio Vocal Recording – captures the clarity and nuance of lead and background vocals

• Voiceover Work – ideal for narration, commercial VO, animation, and more

• Podcasting & Streaming – professional sound quality with minimal setup

• Acoustic Instruments – great for guitar, piano, strings, percussion, and more

• Content Creation – YouTube, tutorials, online courses, and radio-quality narration

• Field Recording (with portable phantom supply) – ideal for recording ambience or dialogue with portable gear

Because it runs on +48V phantom power and uses a standard XLR connection, it integrates easily with all common audio interfaces, mixers, recorders, and streaming consoles.

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Key Technologies

While simple in layout, the TM-80 incorporates critical professional elements that elevate its performance:

• Precision Cardioid Pattern: The fixed cardioid design minimizes ambient noise and room reverb by capturing only what’s directly in front of the mic. This is essential for vocals, dialogue, and any source that requires clarity and presence.

• Aluminum Diaphragm Capsule: Its lightweight and responsive diaphragm ensures high sensitivity and natural transient reproduction, preserving vocal warmth and acoustic instrument dynamics.

• FET Preamp Circuitry: The internal transistor-based preamp provides clean gain and noise suppression without coloration, delivering transparent audio that works well across genres and source types.

• Low Self-Noise Design: With an equivalent noise rating of 17 dBA or less, the TM-80 ensures your recordings remain quiet and free of hiss or background hum, even during soft passages.

• Studio-Ready Output: Balanced XLR output guarantees low-impedance transmission, preserving signal quality across long cable runs—important for professional setups or mobile rigs.

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Build & Design

Tascam didn’t just focus on sound with the TM-80—they also crafted a microphone that looks and feels premium. The matte black metal body is sturdy and resistant to handling noise, while the included shockmount isolates the capsule from rumble or vibrations from the desk or stand. The package also includes a tripod desktop stand and XLR cable, allowing creators to begin recording right out of the box without needing to purchase additional gear.

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Conclusion

The Tascam TM-80 is the perfect entry point into professional studio microphone performance. It delivers clean, articulate, and musical sound in a design that is as elegant as it is durable. Whether you’re recording vocals for a commercial track, narrating a podcast, streaming to a live audience, or capturing acoustic sessions, this microphone offers the clarity and warmth typically reserved for higher-end gear.

Its thoughtful engineering, included accessories, and outstanding sonic performance make the TM-80 a powerful tool for musicians, producers, podcasters, and voice talents alike. Built by one of the most trusted names in recording, it ensures your voice is always heard—exactly as it should be.

Explore the Tascam Collection at Lux Audio