SHOULD YOU BUY THE ZOOM H6 ESSENTIAL?

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[andrelucassen]

The term "Essential" confirms exactly what you expect, there will be more fancy versions at some later stage (hopefully 2024). Arturia uses exactly this terminology for their larger midi-keyboards, the stripped-down versions being called "essential" as well.

[MrHamit]

Well to answer your question yes I should. It now talks so I can use it independently. Depends also on the sound though. But for me the big should is the accessibility as I'm blind.

[wwwww]

Tascam X8 is what I regard as the successor of the H6. I have both the original H6 and the Tascam X8, and although I was hoping for an updated H6.... this H6 essential does not let me use my original zoom capsules (does F8n Pro with 32 bit do?) and as per your review it seems way too noisy too. And, apart from accessibility (which is also a con for audio recorders unless you are visually impaired), it seems to offer nothing that the X8 can not. However, the X8 offers a lot more: touchscreen, mixer, eq, podcast mode with smart pads, etc etc. I appreciate the X8 even more now.

[synthgrimss]

I just bought this, main functions are recording demo rehearsals with my bands, and recording samples. Im bery impressed with this product, but i do see where you are coming from.

That being said, im a big fan of this. This is the largest leap up from the izatope spire, not a single complaint thus far, not we will see soon how well it handles 5 very loud dudes in a very small room.

You are definitely hitting the important points. I'm one of those that i use great until it dies. We'll see what happens

[RandumbTech]

All of these new "essentials" look super cheap and are full of compromises. All they had to do was use the older chassis with new pre-amps and 32-bit float recording. I have the M4 MicTrak and it's actually really good. It's one of the few handheld options that has timecode input.

[KingFredrickVI]

I’m not a big fan of the new color screen. I wish they had gone with a slick light matte gray instead of blue

[bricecenter]

I’d say the reason the old mics don’t work is due to the gain knobs on each mic. That would be the “architecture” change Zoom mentions. The new recorders don’t have gain knobs. Your other XLR mics don’t have a gain knob. It’s a logical reason the old mics don’t work.

[jonny]

Tascam has a 32 bit float recorder called the Tascam Portacapture x6 it retails for a bit more but goes on sale. It is on sale for $299 right now in fact. Know nothing about it but maybe an alternative to this.

[MarineX]

I miss H6 2020 version before they turned it black. I replaced it with the mix pre-3 II

[paulg]

Great reviews. I've just watched all three in row. I have had a Zoom H5 for many years, and absolutely love it.

My H5 gets used for live music (just through the X/Y mics, or mics for ambient plus outputs from the mixer), Guitar and vocals (X/Y mics for the guitar, piezo from preamp in 1, mic (condenser or dynamic with 48v) in 2), voice work in a booth (built in X/Y mics or separate condenser), audio interface for live Zoom (the other Zoom!) calls with Original Sound for Musicians On, and I even use it for lavalier work with a belt pouch. It does all of these things brilliantly.

The only things I really wanted to make the H5 better were;
1. 32 bit float (although the H5 does have an option to also record a parallel 'backup' at 12 dB below what you have set - although X/Y inbuilt mics only)
2. A better pre-amp (I have tinnitus and can't hear the low hiss from a poor pre-amp so have to rely on good equipment)
3. Some sort of remote (IE Bluetooth). Even if only to hit the record and stop button.

From what I have seen, none of the new "Essential" series only provides point 1. of the above (32 bit float), and doesn't really give me much else above the H5.
I will wait to see if Zoom launch a professional series. Or maybe switch brands and see what the competition come up with.

Shame - I was really excited when I saw the original launch videos from Zoom. They seem to have boldly taken half a step forward, and not much more than that.

[djmidnightwolf]

If I can plug whatever mic I want into a UAC-232, Zoom is definitely full of 💩 saying they won't work. They don't want them to work. The further I get into this series, the less I like what Zoom is doing.

[Gongtopia]

I have 5 ZOOM recorders, and my 8 year old H6 is my workhorse. This is one of the best small digital recorders ever made. That said, a year ago I got a TASCAM X8, because I got tired of waiting for ZOOM to come out with an updated H6 with 32-bit float. In many ways the X8 is everything ZOOM should be making: full color touchscreen, lots of recording modes and flexibility, 32-bit float. I really like it.

I have all the mics and XLR capsule for the H6 and am extremely disappointed that they are NOT compatible with the new H6E! WTF? Smells like a cash grab to me, “Yeah, we’ll make them buy all new accessories!”

ZOOM, I’m disappointed. Looks like I’ll just keep using my H1n, H6 and TASCAM X8.

[gazfunk]

Interesting, I’ve been using my H4n Pro for years to record, band rehearsals, jam sessions, gigs, writing sessions. It’s been such a workhorse and it’s never let me down. I’ve certainly had my moneys worth out of it. I’d definitely be into checking out the new Pro line. This Essential series isn’t convincing me to retire the old H4 just yet.

[Rounder-One]

Thanks for your video on the H1 essential a couple days ago. I had put in an order with B&H hours before I saw your vid, but I was able to cancel it. I'll be waiting for a while to see what Zoom comes up with. Thanks!

[candyartstv]

I just got a H6 black free warranty replacement for the OG H6 with the “sticky plastic” issue, after 10 years of solid use.

[ayoubthegreat]

7:19 "If you need one now, though, that Zoom H6 for 180 bucks looks rather tasty if you ask me, and I don't think 32-bit float is worth all that other functionality that you got out of that. So, cheers, guys."

[doubledeckers]

Thanks for these reviews. Greatly appreciated.

[iamthewell]

Funny how I was watching your other two reviews and thinking it might take a while, then boom! your third review appeared.

Really dissapointed that the h1, but also the other two are a real let down. I guess you could say the essentials series is a flop by itself.

Also, finally someone on youtube that speaks at a normal pace and very clearly, which makes it very easy to follow, instead of speaking lightning speed fast as so many others on youtube do. So you gained another subscriber just because of that!

[realstuff]

Could you possibly do a comparison video between the Zoom H6essential vs Tascam x8? Also would you rather have have the current zoom h6 or the essential model? Thank you and congratulations on 25K subscribers 🎉🎉😊

[MrHamit]

What's the self noise of the H8? How good is the H8 really? I know I said in an older comment 3 times the original H6. I ment that too. But is it really? I've not heard it with the Rode NT1-A. That's always my refrence. Because of my friend Neal Ewers. The test was always hmmmm how does this hold up to Neal's Sound Devices 744-T and with the NT1-A?