Zoom H8: A Versatile Multitrack Recorder and USB Audio Interface for Content Creators

A.B. takes a look at Zoom's new H8, a portable multitrack recorder/USB audio interface that can be used for podcasts, music production, field recording and other content creation. Check out the video to see some of the features that make the H8 such a versatile audio recorder.

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[joseescoto]

Never in my life have I needed something so much and never known until I saw this!!!!

[Tigerex]

Best feature is the duo choices for battery.
That way with your backup you will never lose power.
Genius and better than usbc only or battery only.

[Media]

This may be the silliest looking thing I've seen in a long time. Can you imagine bringing THAT to set?

[taylorrowson]

This shouldn’t bug me, but did they just not grade this flat footage?

[Pissarrio]

What i have been waiting for from Zoom in build in their handheld recorders are XLR out instead of 8th inch line out jack. I talked to them about that once and they said they dont receive any requests for that that is why they dont build it in their recorders. Zoom build an XLR out jack we need them.

[BriansThing]

Looks like something I can take on the road to record some concerts!

[buisaigon]

Easy to assemble, good strong materials, feels good, looks good.

[gillesmatheronpro]

Thank you for this fully packed little review. The new H8 seems promising and should provide for lots of uses, with its versatility and adaptability. Zoom was clever enough to introduce their "modules" system years ago (and MANY had a laugh about it : wrong thinking)... they are now enjoying the full power of this great idea ! Well done Zoom, on this and many other things. Including the (partially) non-physical interface, which leads to think updates shall come and improve the device along the years... another good idea !
Then... I see people complaining about "looks". Really, seriously ??? Are you also whining when it comes to a live-show smoke machine, a barbecue, a tripod, a microphone boom-pole... and else ?
Come on, be smart... this is a sound recording and processing machine. Not a creation meant for museums. With all its features and functions, it obviously has to look "weird", but all we care about is : efficient or not ?

[TerenceKearns]

This thing is a BEAST! I love it. Great summary.

[TheAhmedAlshamy]

I love the unicorn beetle looking design!

[Sergiosvm]

If this were 32 bit like the zoom F6 I'd be very tempted to buy, I'll stick with my zoom H6 and zoom F8

[RonDaniel]

I'm adding this to the rest of my Zoom products!!

[Outlandishoutset]

How to get arrested at the airport
Step 1:

[dreammachine]

Thanks for the video, found it quite useful. Have an H6 that I bought a couple months back and this H8 seems to have a lot of the things I was thinking would make the H6 more capable. Supporting a guitar direct in looks nice, that wasn't one of the things I was buying the H6 for otherwise I would've researched first and found that the H6 has no Hi-Z inputs and that I would need a seperate pre-amp/DI box to record direct from a guitar and thus use the interface mode to connect to a PC and use all the amp sims and effects. But after playing with the H6 for a while for the purposes I initially bought it for (recording my own band, recording a Samba band I'm in and to use as an interface for an electric drumkit for stuff like online lessons) I was a bit disappointed when I realised that if Zoom had just made one input Hi-Z I could do all kinds of stuff with guitar DI.

Also nice to see EQ controls added and compressor has actual settings rather than just limited presets. Although there doesn't seem to be a way to choose indivdual frequencies for the EQ unless that is available on one of the effects that can be applied to an input. From this demo there appears to be a lo/mid/hi EQ for each channel plus the ability to apply effects taken from Zoom's gutiar effect units, if one of those effects is an EQ with assignable frequencies that could be nice.

I'm a complete beginner with recording & production though, just learning as I go along so maybe I'm putting too much importance on controls on the unit itself rather than learning more with DAW software to edit the recorded tracks, but if I'm just recording a practice session for my band for our reference I don't really want to be spending ages editing tracks on PC and being able to set up the recorder for a good sound from its own stereo mix seems beneficial. Also using my H6 as an interface for my electric drumkit to PC for online drum lessons (funnily enough through Zoom videodchat software that has no relation to Zoom the manufacturer) and in that case I only have the onboard controls to tweak the sound (plus what's on the e-drum module itself, unfortunately my Roland TD9kv is getting on a bit now and doesn't have many options, no compressor, only 2 band global EQ) so the more options on the H8 to get a better sound in the unit itself the better.
Agree with other comments about lack of USB-C. Also odd that need an expansion card for Bluetooth - surely they could just include Bluetooth and/or WiFi in the unit and allow copying of files and Bluetooth headphones too. Atm wireless capability looks a bit basic but it's better than nothing and I would hope they make it compatible with Android too.

[playpauserecord]

Really looking forward to testing this! Can't wait :)

[mikelig]

AB delivers a fantastic read, one of the best I've ever heard. Great work.

[Epic]

Love all the inputs but the funky shape and touch screen controls, whyyy

[mycastlelife]

Well, within the Kingdom of My Castle Life, this piece of equipment is simply awesome! I got one and didn't think much of it since the Rodecaster Pro is here on the premises. Honestly, it sounds just as good as the Rodecaster Pro AND it's portable. Now, it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the Rodecaster Pro but it's totally small, portable, and can fit in a backpack easily. The look grew on me like rain in Northern Washington State! Keep up the amazing work Zoom and can't wait to see what other amazing products to come!

[YogirajBhakti]

Is it useful for films sync sound with senehiser wireless lavier please suggest.

[ChrisDavisTrumpet]

I like the idea but I'm not fully sold on the design. One of the main things I'd like is for all of the mic inputs to be combo jacks. I also noticed that the price is the same as the mixing board (don't know the model number) L-Track. I love my H5 and H1n. They're so versatile and have helped me with a lot of great recordings! This H8? I'll wait for the next version.