How Does the Zoom H6 Essential Sound?

How Does the Zoom H6 Essential Sound?

Today we're taking a brief look at the new Zoom H6 Essential, as well as testing to see if the noise from the previous H line has been reduced. In this video I test the H6E with my Roland TD-17, Arturia Microfreak, Korg NTS-1, and Gretsch Snare Drum! I have to say that 32bit float audio is pretty sweet, not having to worry about gain levels is a huge plus. Thanks to the fan of the channel who gifted this to me, it'll be put to good use! Enjoy the video :)

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[adv.rohitl.jbrasdesa]

Buyers beware the zoom h6 essential is not compatible as an audio interface on windows 11 arm 64 computers. The driver available is only for x64 processors. I am stuck with my device .

[ndguardian]

Your drumming game is on point as always, well done my dude!

[kurtafterall]

I totally missed these new version. Thanks for making me aware 😊😊

[Stadsjaap]

I'm a big fan of the H1 series. So tiny and light, you could drop it down the stairs and it will just shrug it off. Happy to hear about the 32 bit float version tho. Thanks for the heads up! 🤘

[darcy]

the stereo recording is set to either side so that the wires don't cross over the unit to make it simple for the user to know left and right for stereo. When Zoom set out to make these units they had vulnerable customers in mind to make the units easier to use. The Essential Series was designed with Accessibility for the blind and visually impaired. Navigate the menu with audible descriptions through the built-in speaker or headphones.

[shamuclone]

I actually like the new look of these recorders unlike what others are saying

[GazRendar]

Nice work creating some concrete examples!

With the way Zoom often wires their inputs to their tracks I’m not so sure a software update will allow you to link inputs 1&3 and 2&4 into stereo recordings.

The other bummer is that the inputs on the essential series are supposed to be poor to unusable for guitars with passive pick ups (at least that’s what it says in the manual). That’s prevented me from picking one up so far. Will be interesting to hear how your thoughts on it evolve as you use it more…

[david_r_munson]

I was honestly nervous about self-noise before I got my H6e, but it's been fantastic. Even with quiet field recordings. Could it be better? Sure. But for the price it remains a great recorder

[emdwyer]

Interesting video. Most of what I've seen until now is people rubbishing the essential series.

Any thoughts on using the H6e as a field recorder to create samples for my Digitakt?

I am keen on 32 bit float, and looked at the old Zoom H5 and H6 which some people were suggesting over the H6e.. but sounds like preamp noise on H6e is not really any worse?

It's also cheaper for me to buy the H6e overseas than the old H5 or H6.

Options are limited for 32 bit float handheld, and this seems to fit the bill without paying a crazy amount for the Tascam X6 or X8.

H4e also an option, but i worry about breaking and not being able to replace the capsules.

Oh, and who knows how long Zoom will continue to produce modules for the older H5 and H6

[yuan]

Could you help to measure the noise floor of H6 essential ? Just want to know the difference between zoom F3 .

[cresshead]

Q. so is the headphone amp hiissy - re your comment on headphones?

[jordanWAH]

I have the h6 all black and while I can get perfect recordings from it I also had to learn how to dial in the preset levels. So never having to mess with the levels would be great. I also hate using mini usb cables.
Idk why they changed the channels 1-2 on opposite sides like that though on the essential. It's also bigger looking and kind of hideous. But I will probably be getting one someday.

[metreweli]

Is it 6 channel USB interface, or it's just stereo when plugged in into computer?

[Studio_to]

The more I get to know the Essentials series, the more I get the feeling it is aimed at video duties. A Pro series aimed at audio heads is probably on the way!

[biztosdotcom]

I'm on the fence between this and the new portable mixer. Can't quite make peace with the latter's lack of any kind of display, and with the H6E you still have a field recorder... but at some point you also spend another $200 or whatever for the two extra inputs.

[PunchCutMedia]

Great video! I wish you would do this with the 2024 H1, would be good to here if there’s much of an audio difference between the two

I’m a concert videographer trying to get multiple recorders for different angles, if you have any tips for cheaper (under $150) recorders that would be super awesome.

[ponttokamera]

You can, of course, convert two mono tracks into one stereo track in an audio editor.

[steverolfeca]

So when are Zoom going to release the new mic modules for the Essentials Series? The SSH-6e and EXH-6e are listed in every retailer’s description of the H6essential, but I can’t find price or availability anywhere!

[damienhegedus]

Having an option for the pairing of jacks would be nice, but the way it is, is for balance... If it's not on a stand, then it shouldn''t matter, but a stand would fall if was all on one side... an arm would probably work too since they are attached to a heavy object
More options are always better though because you never know

[Tofupancho]

Have they solved the brutally long boot times? I’ve been waiting 10+ years and if this isn’t it, I gotta bite the bullet and get that very expensive alternative.