What is it?
Zoom’s Handy Recorders deliver quality 32-bit float recording in a compact format and are surprisingly affordable. The H6 Essential is one of the largest and best spec’d in the range and unsurprisingly offers plenty of flexibility.
As standard, you get four mic/line inputs, integrated stereo mics in a fixed XY configuration, with recording to eight tracks, playback from six tracks and 44.1/48/96kHz operation.
However, where H6 Essential moves away from its smaller siblings is the headstock design. This is removable (Zoom’s interchangeable Mic Capsule System 3.0) and allows for the included XY headstock, and also two pay-for options. These are a stereo shotgun mic (SSH-6e) or the connectivity expansion with two additional mic/line inputs with a 3.5mm lavalier microphone input (EXH-6e). The H6 Essential also ships with a blanking plate should you choose to use no headstock module.
The general design is similar to the H4 Essential, although the layout is slightly different. You get four XLR/TRS combi inputs (two on each side), while the front panel top to bottom includes track arming, monitor speaker and transport with the menu-driven colour screen at the bottom.
On the sides, you’ll find further controls and connectivity such as headphones, volume, USB-C and the Menu controls – dial and Enter. Meanwhile, there are also rubber-capped ports for Micro SD (SDHC or SDXC up to 1TB) and the Bluetooth adapter, which, if fitted, supports remote control from an iOS device.
In terms of connectivity, it’s good to see separate headphones and stereo line out. Slightly annoying though is that there’s no lavalier mic input as standard – you’ll need the EXH-6e headstock expansion for this.
The H6 Essential is battery (4xAA) or USB powered. The USB-C port also supports data transfer and the 6-in/2-out audio interface feature, which works with PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. Audio interfacing can be used at the same time as SD recording, although in this mode USB interface sampling frequency is limited to 44/1/48kHz.
Performance
The H6 Essential is a bit more chunky than the H4 Essential, and with the included XY mic, it measures roughly 20cm long and weighs 423g. Even so, the ergonomically positioned menu controls make single-handed use very achievable. From an operational perspective, the recorder is very similar to the H4 Essential, although the default screen view shows six available inputs rather than four. Meanwhile, 32-bit float coupled with the dual A/D input circuit delivers clip-free recording with no need to set gain.
Inputs are recorded to dedicated tracks, with tracks 7 & 8 recording the stereo balance from the monitoring mixer. The mixer page (accessed via the Mixer button) allows you to view input metering and set monitoring levels for active record tracks. Meanwhile, the Rec Source option allows you to switch from the default direct mode so that recordings are sourced post-Mixer levels, which is very handy.
The display and menu system provide access to a multitude of settings, including input options such as low-cut filters (80, 160, 240Hz), 48V phantom power and stereo mode. Stereo settings include mono/stereo for the onboard mics and stereo or MS linking for adjacent input pairs.
Verdict
Overall, H6 Essential is an excellent recorder that pushes the limits for a handheld device, while offering a greater degree of flexibility via additional headstock options. Integrated simultaneous interfacing is a major bonus, and although it would be great to see a lavalier input as standard, this can be achieved using one of the pay-for-upgrades. What’s more, with further extras including Bluetooth for remote iOS control, and the usual accessories pack, there are plenty of ways you can tailor your H6 Essential purchase to taste.
Hands-on demos
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Specifications
Price |
$330 | €359 | £309 |
Included Mics |
Coincidental cardioids in fixed 90 degree XY configuration |
Mic Sensitivity |
7.9 mV/Pa |
Inputs |
4x TRS/XLR mic line |
Outputs |
2x (line and headphone) 3.5mm jack |
Recording |
44.1/48/96 kHz, 32-bit float, stereo/mono |
Maximum simultaneous tracks |
Recording 8, playback 6 |
Formats |
WAV, BWF, iXML |
Recording media |
Micro SDHC (4 to 32GB), micro SDXC (64GB to 1TB) |
Display |
Full colour LCD 2” 320 x 240 |
Onboard speaker |
20mm x 30mm |
USB connectivity |
Type-C connector, USB 2.0 high speed |
USB audio interface |
6-in 2-out, 44.1/48/96 kHz, 24-bit/32-bit float |
Bluetooth |
Wireless remote control using additional BTA-1 adapter |
Power |
4xAA batteries, USB bus power or external USB PSU (not included) |
Battery duration continuous operation (hours) |
2 track recording alkaline (18), NiMH (14.5), lithium (30). 6 track recording alkaline (3.5), NiMH (4), lithium (9) |
Dimensions |
193(l) x 78.1(w) x 42.8(d) mm including XY capsule |
Weight |
423g including batteries and XY capsule |
Options |
Capsule: SSH-6e Shotgun Mic or EXH-6e Dual XLR/TRS Combo Input £109 each Accessories: APH-6e pack - hairy windscreen, padded shell case, AD-17 USB PSU, USB-C cable £55 Bluetooth: BTA-1 Adapter £39.50 |
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