MINI TESTS
Zoom’s professional-quality preamps that support phantom power and +4dBu professional line level input. On the H6 model, the included X/Y microphones slide onto the top of the unit and can capture up to 135dB SPL, which Zoom says is the equivalent to a jet plane taking off. This stereo mic is ideal for audio directly in front of the recorder, and captures it beautifully. If you want more of a shotgun mic effect, Zoom offers the SSH-6e capsule. This has a directional mic at the centre as well as bidirectional side mics. Use the optional EXH-6e input capsule and this adds two more input sources, which are combined dual XLR/0.25in TRS combo inputs. You won’t find any standard 3.5mm inputs, so you’ll need an XLR adapter. All tracks can be mixed and monitored via industry-standard waveforms on the new full-colour LCD screen. Audio is recorded to an SD card and simultaneously outputted through the USB-C port to PC, Mac, iOS or Android devices. This makes it ideal for streaming as well as keeping the recording for editing later. To add more function, the optional £35/$40 BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter just plugs into the bottom of the unit and pairs the H6essential to an iOS phone so you can remotely start recording, adjust the mix, view waveforms and change settings. It can also pair with Bluetooth timecode devices, which is a big bonus for multicam set-ups. The unit has a line output to connect to a camera, plus a headphone output to monitor audio. It’s a fully featured
SPECIFICATIONS
H6essential (H4essential specs in brackets where different) Tracks: 8: six inputs and stereo mix (4) Input channels: 6: four mono, one stereo (5: three mono, one stereo) Maximum sampling rate: 96kHz/32-bit float Mic: Interchangeable cardioid condenser stereo pair, X/Y configuration Mic inputs: 4 (3) Built-in speaker: 500mW mono (1W mono) Display: 5.1cm/2in colour LCD Memory card: Micro SDXC Internal storage: None Special features: Overdubbing Analogue I/O: 4x Combo XLR 1/4in 3-pin Female Balanced/Unbalanced Line/Mic Input, 1x 1/8in/3.5mm TRS Female Line Output, 1x 1/8in/ 3.5 mm TRS Female Headphone Output, (2x Combo XLR 1/4in 3-pin Female Balanced/ Unbalanced Line/Mic Input, 1x 1/8in/3.5mm TRS Female Line Output, 1x 1/8in/3.5mm TRS Female Headphone Output Phantom power: 48v System connection: USB-C Wireless: Bluetooth with optional adapter App: iOS only Max input level: Mic 4dBu, line 24dBu Headphone output: 20mW per channel into 32 ohms Mic sensitivity: -42dB (-43dB) Mic max SPL: 135dB (130dB) Power supply: 4x AA (2x AA) batteries, USB-C, mains adapter Dimensions (wxhxd): 78.1x42.8x160.1mm/3.1x1.7x6.3in (66.9x38x156.1mm/2.6x1.5x6.1in) Weight: 381g/0.84lb (226g/0.49lb) without batteries
unit that’s usable, affordable, compact and the heart of a pro audio system. If you want something even more compact and affordable, the H4essential doesn’t cut many corners, except in the number of XLR inputs. It has four-track, 32-bit float recording, great-quality X/Y mics and two XLR/ TRS inputs. Preamps support phantom power and +4dBu professional line level input. Onboard X/Y mics capture sound up to 130dB SPL, in reality very similar to the big brother H6essentials. It may be the lower-spec model in the range, but the H4essential still allows streaming in 32-bit float while recording to its internal SD card. The built-in mixer adjusts each track’s audio level using the waveform display. This is the same as the H6 unit, albeit at the top instead of the bottom. It’s also compatible with the optional BTA-1 to use via Bluetooth. The H4essential can be set to four- track mode, enabling the use of the 3.5mm stereo mic input and combo jack inputs at the same time. Recorders like these come into their own on location with multiple sources of audio, especially in run-and-gun situations where it’s hard to control sound levels. The XLR inputs can be used with shotgun mics to capture dialogue, for example, while onboard X/Y mics are good for ambience. You could plug in lav mic wireless audio, a reporter’s mic or two and be good to go. Just click the number of the mic port you are using and the sound bars show the audio input. Both are easy to use, audio quality is excellent and 32- bit float is what everyone needs. PRO MOVIEMAKER RATING: 9/10 Great-value with 32-bit float and more Pros: Audio quality, ease of use Cons: MicroSD cards are easy to lose
PLUG IN BABY The Bluetooth dongle goes into a slot at the bottom
“Recorders like these come into their own on location with multiple sources of audio”
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