Zoom has announced a new portable audio recorder. The six-track Zoom H6studio Handy Recorder features large-diaphragm XY microphones and supports 32-bit float recording with dedicated gain knobs.
Design
The Zoom H6studio is a large recorder, measuring 8.7 inches (221 mm) by 3.3 inches (83 mm) by 2.1 inches (54.5 mm). It also weighs a relatively hefty 16.8 ounces (477 g). There are six gain knobs on the front to control the four inputs and the built-in microphones.
There are playback and recording buttons, along with a two-inch color LCD screen. This offers both waveform, meters and a combination display option for monitoring your recordings. There’s a dedicated button to switch between 32-bit and 16/24-bit recording as well.
Microphones
The Zoom H6studio audio recorder sports two 19.4 mm large-diaphragm XY microphones on top. These are positioned with a stacked 90º arrangement, which should minimize phase cancellation and deliver a clean, focused stereo image. The microphones also feature a built-in shock mount to reduce handling noise. Plus, the H6studio uses Zoom’s Capsule System 3.0 with 32-bit float support. This means that you can swap out the XY microphones for two extra inputs, a shotgun mic or a wireless capsule.
Inputs and outputs
As well as the two microphones, the Zoom H6studio audio recorder has four XLR/TRS combo inputs. Each input can also supply 48 V phantom power and offers +4 dB line level support. There’s also a 3.5 mm TRS input. The H6studio features a 3.5 mm stereo line out, which you can connect to a video camera to pass through audio. In addition, there’s a dedicated headphone output for monitoring, as well as an onboard speaker. You can record up to 8 tracks at once, the six inputs plus a stereo mix, at sample rates up to 192 kHz. The H6studio supports a microSD card up to 2 TB capacity to store your recordings.
Recording
The Zoom H6studio offers 32-bit float recording with dual AD converters, so you never need to worry about setting gain. Alternatively, you can opt for 16/24-bit recording for a more traditional workflow. The built-in microphones also feature a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 140 dB to handle a wide range of sounds. Zoom says that the H6studio’s microphones deliver a rich, flat frequency response and a dynamic range of +123 dB.
The four XLR inputs use F-series preamps for 132 dB dynamic range with -127 dBu EIN (Equivalent Input Noise) for ultra-low noise recordings. The H6studio features “advanced look-ahead” limiters, which anticipate potential overloads and prevent distortion before it reaches your track as well.
Other features
The Zoom H6studio features advanced shielding to block RF interference from smartphones and Wi-Fi. You can also connect the recorder to a Mac, PC, iOS, or Android device via USB to use it as a 6-in/2-out interface. This means that you can record or stream in 32-bit float while recording a backup to the H6studio’s microSD card. Powered by four AA batteries, the H6studio will run for up to 15 hours, or you can use USB power for longer sessions.
Also, with the optional BTA-1 Bluetooth adaptor, you can wirelessly control the H6studio via the Control and Sync app for iOS. The recorder can connect to the Atomos UltraSync Blue for wireless timecode as well.
What we think
The Zoom H6studio 6-Track Handy Recorder is a powerful audio recorder. Whether you are recording via the built-in microphones or the XLR inputs, it delivers the highest quality audio for your projects. Four XLR inputs, or 6 with the optional XLR capsule, will be enough for most recording scenarios. Zoom’s Capsule 3.0 system also increases the versatility of the recorder, allowing you to switch configurations for different projects. The ability to use the H6studio as a USB interface is a great option as well. If you are looking for a premium audio recorder, the Zoom H6studio 6-Track Handy Recorder should be on your shortlist.
Pricing and availability
The Zoom H6studio 6-Track Handy Recorder will be available later this year and will retail at $399.
