Zoom | H6essential | 32-Bit Float | 6-Track Recorder

Nice Item. Makes great recordings. 32bit floating point is a revelation ~ NO CLIPPING.Irritatingly, does not allow for overdubbing. missed a trick there.

Excellent audio recorder for live shows

As an emerging rock band with limited budget Haxprocess wanted to create meaningful content for our social media pages, we started filming our live shows with multicamera views, basically using several cell phones clipped around the stage, then doing the cuts in Adobe Premier, the one thing we were lacking was a good sound source, we tried the audio recorded by the phones and the output from the venue mixing board, both were disappointing. The we were advised by Perry Davis to try the Zoom H6 and it made a huge difference, it is not a digitized mixed track but it is a real stereo rich audio track, now we just replace the audio file from the edited multicam video and it looks as close as possible to a professionally recorded live show, for a fraction of the cost. For ... MoreAs an emerging rock band with limited budget Haxprocess wanted to create meaningful content for our social media pages, we started filming our live shows with multicamera views, basically using several cell phones clipped around the stage, then doing the cuts in Adobe Premier, the one thing we were lacking was a good sound source, we tried the audio recorded by the phones and the output from the venue mixing board, both were disappointing. The we were advised by Perry Davis to try the Zoom H6 and it made a huge difference, it is not a digitized mixed track but it is a real stereo rich audio track, now we just replace the audio file from the edited multicam video and it looks as close as possible to a professionally recorded live show, for a fraction of the cost. For our Merciless EP release party we just clipped the Zoom H6 to a wall bracket at the venue and recorded using its Shockmounted XY Capsule mics and it basically gave us what we were looking for. We are providing the link with this review so anyone can have a direct reference to the expected result.

Great for its target use cases

This is a great tool for its target uses: People who want to go out and make multi-track recordings while focusing only on the creative aspects of the job. Though I’m usually near-obsessive about gain-staging with my higher-end recorders (SD MixPre II 3 and 10, and SD 888), it’s convenient to have something that I can just hand to somebody and it will work as long as they get the placement right. Admittedly the same is true of the MixPre IIs when in their “basic” UI mode and 32-bit recording mode.It has decent preamps: I tested with a 150-ohm resistor across pins 2 and 3, which is how most manufacturers spec EIN. I compared it to other recorders by measuring the difference between that test connector and a fixed source (an SM-57 positioned a few inches from a ... MoreThis is a great tool for its target uses: People who want to go out and make multi-track recordings while focusing only on the creative aspects of the job. Though I’m usually near-obsessive about gain-staging with my higher-end recorders (SD MixPre II 3 and 10, and SD 888), it’s convenient to have something that I can just hand to somebody and it will work as long as they get the placement right. Admittedly the same is true of the MixPre IIs when in their “basic” UI mode and 32-bit recording mode.It has decent preamps: I tested with a 150-ohm resistor across pins 2 and 3, which is how most manufacturers spec EIN. I compared it to other recorders by measuring the difference between that test connector and a fixed source (an SM-57 positioned a few inches from a speaker playing pink noise). With phantom power off and A-weighting the H6e has about 3.5 dB higher noise than my MixPre IIs, and therefore about 2.5 dB higher noise than the Zoom F6 that I previously owned. This suggests that it significantly exceeds its -120 dBu spec (F6 is -127, MixPre II is -128, so I would guess that H6e is about -124.5 dBU).It wouldn’t be my first choice with an SM-7B or a passive ribbon, but it will do perfectly well with capacitor mics and higher-sensitivity dynamic interview/vocal mics. IMO that covers most reasonable uses for a “handy recorder” like this. After all, it’s a fraction of the price of the lower-noise recorders that I cited.IMO the UI’s “mixer mode” is fairly useless, so I wouldn’t pick this if I needed to create an initial mix on the fly. It’s best to view it as a handy recorder, period. If you really need to mix down on site then that’s where the MixPres and the Zoom F8 truly shine (the F6 is also workable but extremely cramped IMO).A note to the reviewer who claimed that its use of Micro-SD cards is a fatal flaw: For $45 you can get a 512 GB UHS-I card that can hold 66 hours of 6-channel, 32-bit, 96 kHz audio. If you need to change the card in the middle of a job then you're probably doing it wrong.q

My second Zoom handheld

After many years with my H4N, I decided to upgrade to the new H6 essential. Just got it, and a bit thin in the box. No instructions, no extras whatsoever. Seems very low end, fitting for the name essentials. Now the test will be recording quality, something at which my H4 excelled.

Simple and way better than YouTube reviews

I've owned lots of H-Zoom recorders and in the 32-bit float arena, I have the F3 and now the H6. I find the H6 to be the simplest to operate of all the Zoom's that I've had. It's amazingly affordable for what it delivers. I'm using it for a feature-length film project to play in theaters. (I only make feature-length films and have made 8 major motion pictures under my studio). I haven't used this to record a music group. I can only speak to using this for dialogue and capturing ambient sounds.I'm typically using 3 or 4 of the XLR ports for each recording and leave on the 2 channel stereo mics on top as a 'just in case' (which I've never used or bothered to sync so far). I can speak to using the 4 XLR ports, and it is just so simple. Click the number of the port ... MoreI've owned lots of H-Zoom recorders and in the 32-bit float arena, I have the F3 and now the H6. I find the H6 to be the simplest to operate of all the Zoom's that I've had. It's amazingly affordable for what it delivers. I'm using it for a feature-length film project to play in theaters. (I only make feature-length films and have made 8 major motion pictures under my studio). I haven't used this to record a music group. I can only speak to using this for dialogue and capturing ambient sounds.I'm typically using 3 or 4 of the XLR ports for each recording and leave on the 2 channel stereo mics on top as a 'just in case' (which I've never used or bothered to sync so far). I can speak to using the 4 XLR ports, and it is just so simple. Click the number of the port you want to use and the sound bars start showing on that number on the screen below. There is nothing to adjust other than the headphone volume...and hit the big record button. (It's visually obvious when you are recording).I've been pulling footage into FCPX and found by using the simple magic wand in the inspector with the audio channel selected, it brings the levels exactly where I want them with no distortion...right between -12db and -6db. No effort...it just works. I literally mic people up now, hit the record button, pull the footage into FCPX and hit the magic wand button and I'm done. Wow. I can adjust on the final pass as needed.I've often attach it to my Red Komodo rig (on a side rail) to record when I need 3 or more channels (else I use the Zoom F3 for that). It balances so well vs. the F3 that I'm finding myself using it more. I also feel like I can just see when it is recording better. It is much simpler to isolate one channel to listen to when I want to spot-check.I almost didn't get it because it seemed that all YouTubers (who don't make real films) were thrashing it. For my application they couldn't be more wrong...but they were wrong on my camera as well. Ignore them and get it. It is my favorite recorder now.

[Rewarded Review] 32bit Magic!

I'd been in the market for a 32bit recorder, I was looking at the f3 right when this came out offering 4 channels and mic capsule. I took a chance and pre-ordered it. I'm super happy with it, 32 bit audio unreal! I did some tests and was able to boost the recording by 50db or recover it by 30db in post and it's still perfectly clean!

[Rewarded Review] Amazing Product

This is a fantastic-sounding unit. I had the H5 first generation, and the same mics I have been using on the H5 sound way better on this unit. Being able to capture the full dynamic range of any mic that is plugged into it is an amazing feature. My type of shooting is all run and gun, point and shoot, set and forget, and that is why I immediately bought this the second it became available. It fits my type of shooting, and since using it, I have not blown out my audio, something that happens often.

[Rewarded Review] Amazing piece of gear

I upgraded from a Zoom H4n to get the 32-bit capability. Some other features I love about this over the H4n are:1. starts up immediately unlike the H4n which takes forever2. handles much bigger cards3. the interface is easier to useOne thing I don't like is not having the multitrack recording option where I can record multiple tracks at different times. Of course, I can connect to my ipad and do this if I want.

[Rewarded Review] Lifesaver

I recently produced a livestream for a consecration of a bishop. Where the signal off the mixing board, which I did not control, was way hotter than it was in tech rehearsal. The output channel was clipping before it even got to my ATEM board and, as a result, the audio was destroyed on all the music. Luckily, I could crowd source the audio from cell phone recordings and was able to save most of the service. This product was released three weeks after the consecration so it wasn't an option.Now, with the H6Essential, my new rig is a standard four channel safety system. Channel one and two are the on board XY, channel three is a super cardioid mic aimed at the stage and channel four is the feed from the board. I monitor the feed and switch channels on and off as ... MoreI recently produced a livestream for a consecration of a bishop. Where the signal off the mixing board, which I did not control, was way hotter than it was in tech rehearsal. The output channel was clipping before it even got to my ATEM board and, as a result, the audio was destroyed on all the music. Luckily, I could crowd source the audio from cell phone recordings and was able to save most of the service. This product was released three weeks after the consecration so it wasn't an option.Now, with the H6Essential, my new rig is a standard four channel safety system. Channel one and two are the on board XY, channel three is a super cardioid mic aimed at the stage and channel four is the feed from the board. I monitor the feed and switch channels on and off as needed.The 32 bit recording capability is epic! I had my daughter scream at full volume into the mics and she did not overdrive it once. No clipping. So, we decided to name it Edgar (all my equipment has a name) after the poem the Raven. I will have clipped audio nevermore. Thanks Zoom and B&H! Epic piece of kit.

[Rewarded Review] fatal flaw for field use

Ordered months ago and received about two weeks back. Took it out of the box and discovered that it uses a super tiny telephone like card, not (at least) sdxc or type B card. Imagine trying to change one of these idioticly small cards actually in a field. In my lifetime I have never changed a telephone card without dropping it. So, you actually use this in the field. It is snowing, or, the weeds are around 3 feet high. This is NOT central park! Your card is auto GONE. Also, the top microphones do NOT use the ones you already have from the actually quite good previous zoom 6. Nope, have to buy all new. It also does not come with any of the box or chargers or, indeed, anything at all. In the real field, this is a self goal for zoom. Sent back without even putting in ... MoreOrdered months ago and received about two weeks back. Took it out of the box and discovered that it uses a super tiny telephone like card, not (at least) sdxc or type B card. Imagine trying to change one of these idioticly small cards actually in a field. In my lifetime I have never changed a telephone card without dropping it. So, you actually use this in the field. It is snowing, or, the weeds are around 3 feet high. This is NOT central park! Your card is auto GONE. Also, the top microphones do NOT use the ones you already have from the actually quite good previous zoom 6. Nope, have to buy all new. It also does not come with any of the box or chargers or, indeed, anything at all. In the real field, this is a self goal for zoom. Sent back without even putting in batteries. Likely have to spend over a thousand now to get the Sound Design stuff. Sad, both for customers and zoom.