Zoom H6 is an excellent field recorder with packed features such as studio-quality recording, good design and ergonomics of the product and a smooth learning curve. The preamps sound excellent and it also features 2 headphone outs making this a very versatile product.
The H6 Handy allows for versatile recording techniques, giving you several options right out of the box. The included XYH-6 XY microphone module is made up of two matched unidirectional condenser microphones and is intended for capturing accurate, phase-correct stereo audio. The module allows you to adjust the angle of the two mics to either 90 degrees, or for a wider stereo image, 120 degrees.
For situations that call for audio that allows for width control over your stereo image after it has been recorded, the XY module can be switched out for the MSH-6 mid-side stereo microphone module. Contrary to the appearance of the capsule, the mid-side module actually contains two elements positioned on top of one another: a unidirectional mic which faces forward (mid), and a bi-directional mic set perpendicular to it (side). In addition to providing you the ability to adjust the width of your stereo audio after it has been recorded, MS recording also provides true mono compatibility, a factor that comes into play in situations such as television production.
In addition the H6 is equipped with four XLR/TRS combo inputs for connecting external mic/line sources such as microphones or mixers. All four inputs and each of the mic modules are equipped with their own preamps with dedicated gain knobs that are easily accessible whether you have the unit mounted to your camera, or strapped over your shoulder. Also, each of the four combo inputs has its own -20dB pad.
The recorder allows you to record up to six channels at once and stores them to SDXC memory cards up to 128GB in size. It also features a backup-record option that tracks a duplicate of the left and right channels with -12db input gain. This means that if you find that you have tracked your main audio too loud and that distortion has occurred in your audio, you will have a backup stereo mix with 12 db more headroom as a fail-safe. The unit also doubles as a 6-in/2-out USB audio interface and it can be used with your computer running the included Cubase LE or other DAW software.
Zoom H6 Features:
- Microphones
- Built-in mics: 2
- Configuration: X/Y, M/S swappable
- Type: Uni/bidirectional
- External mic input: XLR/TRS combo x 4
- Audio quality
- Bit rate: 16/24
- Sampling frequency: 44.1/48/96kHz
- Formats: WAV/MP3
- Outputs
- Headphone: 3.5mm
- Audio out: 3.5mm
- Storage and media
- Type(s): SD, SDHC, SDXC
- Capacity: 128GB
- Hard drive Not applicable
- Connectivity
- USB: Yes
- Other
- Number of tracks: 6
- Phantom power: 12V, 24V, 48V
- Auto limiter: Yes
- Width: 3.06"
- Depth: 6.01"
- Height: 1.88"
- Weight: 10oz
- Battery type: AA x 4
- Battery life (app.): 21 hours
- Built-in speaker: Yes
- Power supply: Sold separately
Zoom H6 Specifications:
H6 Handy Recorder:
Recording media: 16MB-2GB SD cards- 4GB-32GB SDHC cards
- 64GB-128GB SDXC cards
- Inputs Inputs L/R XY mic (XYH-6)
- Mic Type: Unidirectional
- Sensitivity: -41 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa
- Input Gain: -?ž to 46.5 dB
- Maximum Sound Pressure Input: 136 dB SPL
- [MIC/LINE IN]
- Connector: 1/8" stereo mini jack
- Input Gain: -?ž to 46.5 dB
- Input Impedance: 2 k?
- Plug-in Power: 2.5V supported
- MS mic (MSH-6)
- Mic Types: Unidirectional and bi-directional
- Sensitivity: -37 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa (unidirectional),
- -39 dB, 1 kHz at 1 Pa (bi-directional)
- Input Gain: -?ž to 42.5 dB
- Maximum Sound Pressure Input: 120 dB SPL (unidirectional),
- 122 dB SPL (bi-directional)
Inputs:
1 to 4 Connectors: XLR/TRS combo jacks- (XLR: 2 hot / TRS: TIP hot)
- Input Gain (PAD OFF): -?ž to 55.5 dB
- Input Gain (PAD ON): -?ž to 35.5 dB
- Input Impedance 6.8k?
- Maximum Input Level: +22 dBu (PAD ON)
- Phantom Power: +12V / +24V / +48V
- Equivalent Input Noise (EIN): -120 dBu or less
Outputs:
Line Out Connector: 1/8" stereo mini jack- Rated Output Level: -10 dBu
- (when output load impedance is 10 k? or more)
- Phone Out: Connector: 1/8" stereo mini jack
- Output Level: 20 W + 20 W (into 32? load)
- Built-in Speaker: 400 mW/8 ? mono speaker
- Recording Formats: [WAV setting]
- Sampling Frequency: 44.1/48/96kHz
- Bit Rate: 16/24-bit (Mono/Stereo, BWF-compliant)
- Maximum Simultaneous Recording Tracks: 8 tracks (6 tracks + L/R backup)
- Backup recording: 12dB lower than set L/R input gain
- [MP3 setting]
- Sampling Frequency: 44.1kHz Bit Rate: 48-320 kbps
- Maximum Simultaneous Recording Tracks: 2 tracks
- Recording Time
- (with 2GB card) 03:08:00 (44.1kHz/16-bit WAV)
- 34:43:00 (128kbps MP3)
- Display 2.0-inch full-color LCD (320 x 240 pixels)
- USB [Mass Storage Class operation]
- Class: USB2.0 High Speed
- [Audio Interface operation: Multi-track mode]
- Class: USB2.0 High Speed
- Inputs / Outputs: 6 / 2
- Sampling Frequency: 44.1/48/96kHz
- Bit Rate: 16/24bit
- Note: Use with Windows requires a driver, but Macintosh does not.
- [Audio Interface operation: Stereo mode]
- Class: USB2.0 Full Speed
- Inputs / Outputs: 2 / 2
- Sampling Frequency: 44.1/48kHz
- Bit Rate: 16 bit
- Note: iPad operation supported in stereo mode only.
- Battery Life (with alkaline battery) XY mic, 44.1kHz/16-bit (stereo x 1): 21 hours
- XY mic and Inputs 1, 2, 3 and 4 used, 96kHz/24-bit (stereo x 3): 9 hours 45 minutes
- Note: The above times are estimates. Approximate continuous recording times when using battery power were calculated using our own testing method. They may differ greatly depending on operating conditions.
- Power AA size (LR6) battery x 4
- AC adapter: AD-17 (DC5V/1A/USB-type) (optional)
- USB bus power
- Dimensions H6: 77.8mm???W???x 152.8mm???D???x 47.8mm???H???
- Weight H6?? 280g (without batteries)
- Included Accessories Operation manual, XYH-6 X/Y mic capsule, MSH-6 MS mic capsule, SD card (2GB), AA size (LR6) battery x 4, Cubase LE Software, WSH-6S Foam Windscreen, USB Cable, Case
- Optional Accessories SGH-6 Shotgun mic capsule
- EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo capsule
- HS-1 Hot Shoe Mount