Which Podcast Recorder is Better? Zoom H5 vs Zoom PodTrak P4 — My New Recommendation

For the longest time, the Zoom H5 has been my top recommendation to start podcasting on a budget. It has two XLR ports built in and can even be extended to feature up to 4 ports but that recommendation may change, now that the Zoom PodTrak P4 is on the market. But don't throw away your H5 yet it still has some advantages over the P4.

🔗 Relevant Links:

⚡️ Product Links:

The links below are Amazon or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

🎧 Chapters / Show Notes:

00:00 Intro
00:46 Disclaimer
01:38 Visual and Usecase Differences
02:01 Built-In Microphone Capsule on Zoom H5
04:18 H5 XLR Inputs with Line In Capabilities
04:33 P4 XLR Inputs
05:00 P4 Individual Gain Knobs and Phantom Power
05:38 P4 Phone and USB Audio Input
06:11 Input Ports Conclusion
06:27 P4 Sound Pads for Sound Effects
07:13 About Headphone Ports
08:51 USB-C is the Future
10:19 Audio Interface & SD Card Reader Modes
11:43 What about Battery Power?
13:03 SD Cards — P4 Wins
14:05 Diving into the Menu
14:55 Mic Settings & Audio Processing
16:10 Which Limiter works better?
16:52 Recording Formats — Is 44.1kHz and 16bit enough?
18:34 Couple more settings on H5
18:57 PodTrak always records everything?
20:24 Sound Comparison
22:26 Travel Case for the H5
23:13 Price Difference and Conclusion
25:52 Outro
26:13 Questions? Leave a comment
26:46 Like & Subscribe

#ZoomPodTrakP4 #ZoomAudioRecorder #PodcastRecorder #Podcasting #PodcastGear #ZoomH4HandyRecorder

[GavinWren]

Great vid! I was considering getting one of these and you’ve really helped me decide the Podtrak is the one for me!

[Benedict-Seelemeyer-Lindsley]

Anyone that has used zoom analog 4 tracks as a musician will recognize the reason for the features on the h5, different purposes, which was smart of zoom to create the devices with different specialties so they aren't competing with each other but could, correct me if I'm wrong, be used in tandem with each other

[Tkufoy]

Great review. Do you need a Cloudlifter to run a Shure SM7b? Thank you

[johnnanavati]

this was awesome! thank you. this was very helpful

[puneetgupta]

Thanks for the review. I am considering buying zoom u22 for solo vocal recording. Would you have any experience with u22 to suggest if it is a good option.

[kookalini]

Thanks so much for this. I’m wanting to start a video podcast but am confused as to whether the 44.1khz audio of the podtrack p4 will cause syncing issues. Can you shed any light on this?

[m-tech]

I am just very unsatisfied with the lineup right now. The H-line just got too convoluted with the cable management nightmare H8, which isn't really handy anymore. When moving towards the more inexpensive and compact devices, the overall design gets outdated way faster than the price drops. Around the 200€ mark I could get the H4 without any comfortable way of powering it, because it is just way to old, or I could go for the PodTrack, which is the wrong tool for the job, but still does some key elements so much better.
I would hope for a H4-style device just with up-to-date specs, like USB-c. I could live without the capsules, especially the exchangable ones, but I don't want the really outdated specs from the older H-series. An improved PodTrack version with more quality options would be nice, but this isn't quite the device needed.

[What-glpy]

well if you start out, not knowing what you do (lol) which one is the best option?

[greenkiro]

hey, i connected my mv7 to zoom podtrack4 but its not working. the mic { mv7} is stil off. Would you guide me to connect mv7 to zoom pod4 please ?

[jon.wijaya]

Hello sir, I want to ask. Actually, I've had a zoom h6 for a long time for podcasts, but I'm still interested in the f6, according to you, do you think I should to upgrade to f6 or not, sir? Thank you, sir

[oogimook]

Is the podtrak 4 good for sound for videotaping?

[Benedict-Seelemeyer-Lindsley]

Apples and oranges got it, but zoom has a newer h6..is there any difference there or mostly the same?

[Ozeal]

Great review! Well done! Looking to upgrade from my zoom H5 to P4

[MontenegroRealEstate]

Great, informative video, thanks.

Can I use the PodTrak as just a normal field recorder? I want to use it when I’m filming interviews on location.

[johnnanavati]

question. when you record a section of content and show the recording differences between the two devices, you use two microphones. can you explain why you're using two different types of mic and not two of the same brand/model?

[shivammishra-nhxr]

sir can we connect our external woofer to it so that voice comes from speaker what we speak on mic???

[johnnythunder]

Hello. I hope you answer this. I look for your video. Because I’m doing a film soon. I have the zoom H4. Not the H4n. I am selling my H4 to a friend to upgrade. I have looked at DR40 currently $100-150. But I’m used to zoom. I thought about the H5 since I can afford that for $250 vs the P4. I like the usbc aspect. For an Indy guy like myself. Would the p4 work without any issues on a film set.???

[cr-wsk]

i have zoom h5 can me charge
Battery with usb cable ?
and if not . when me used zoom h5 with cable better for me leave battery

[senecaoak]

the part where you mentioned about the bitrate of p4 you wish it to be higher, i dont get that part does it mean you can apply setting more on the audio after if the bitrate is higher?

[md.eliashossain]

Hello Sir, If I want to video recording with podtrack p4 connect Rode VXLR+ and rode lavalier go 3.5 mm microphone. Is it possible? Please answer..