REVIEW: Zoom H6 audio recorder

More than just an H4n on steroids? We take a look at the Zoom H6 recorder and see how it compares.

[donaldjasoncrunk]

i just picked up the H5 a few weeks ago, the younger brother of this guy. I'm ecstatic with it - i've done a lot of field recording, both with built in XY and a stereo pair of external mics, as well as stereo line in captures from the modular synth. just released an EP of modular jams all recorded live on this thing in fact. big improvement over the H4N. 

The line in on the XY module can also take super high impedance sources like contact microphones, hydrophones & electrets which makes it ideal for creative use. i get 15 hours of recording via built in XY and only about 1.5 hours with both phantom powered microphones on, but with an external battery connected via the USB i can extend that quite a bit. 

i have some issues with how the files are named in Multi File mode (just "Zoom001, Zoom002" etc - gah), but i get around that by quickly entering metadata via sound miner into the files after each session. 

reasons to upgrade from H4n to H5 or H6 - battery life, proper line level input vs high z on H4n, knobs for gain instead of buttons, big reduction to handling noise, the line output (has been so useful to me, and i don't even do DSLR), much lower noise floor on the preamps and a few dB of extra gain on the preamps.

cons - Interchangable mic capsules are a total gimmick to me - i don't want a bunch of proprietary microphones sitting around when this thing gets superseded in 4 years. File naming system. uhhh.. that's it! 

(sorry to hijack, just felt the need to yell my .02)

[bobcatt]

Great review and of much help. Your style and voice is just grand - pro level.

[texbootsthatguy]

I would like to see a comparison recording to these zoom recorders and the Tascam record of the same species. I've heard a lot of people say the zoom is nothing to be compared to as task him with their audio quality. But personally I like them both I like the idea that you can record with seat ask him wirelessly through your cell phone. But the features of this zoom recorder are lilies ahead of the Tascam so the one thing that's killing me is which one sounds better.

[Matthew_Raymond]

There’s a menu option on the Zoom H6 to reduce the output on the Line Out. Many recommended setting that to -20 or -25 dB.

[EtcEtcAndEtc]

perfect review, I agree with all points made, having used one for a year. One point - I found that if the unit was running off mains power, if it got disconnected then the current recording wasn't saved. I didn't have batteries in it at the time so maybe it will jump to battery power if they're fitted...

[JohannesLabusch]

I'm not 100% sure if you mentioned this or not, but the H6 can actually multitrack! I visited a pianist friend of mine the other day, and wanted to invite him to play a solo on a song I had recorded on my DAW. Now, it wasn't possible to simply drag my Logic Pro WAVs onto the H6 chip, apparently it can only play files that it has created itself (or maybe you'd have to cheat and rename the files according to ZOOM standards). But simply re-recording the song onto 2 of the tracks made it possible to have my friend solo with his digital piano hooked up to two other tracks, using headphones so he could monitor both my recording and his playing. Theoretically, I could even have mixed our collaboration on the H6, but since it creates separate files for each track, it was easy enough to simple drag the two piano tracks into my Logic project, synch them up and voilà: Poor man's traveling recording studio accomplished. I was very happy. I should say that some menu diving was necessary to set the H6 to multitrack, but nothing too crazy.

[EmporioZuagroast]

i already have a h4n and all my field recording needs are already covered with that. this thing makes me want to have a reason to upgrade to it, though...

[AGVersace]

did they ever figured out the bug that prevents you to overdub tracks with the same mic input? Like take 5 or more overdubs with just the XY capsule ? Last time I checked it was impossibile on the H6. You could Only Overdub one track from each input, meaning you got to change XLR connection for each overdub if you only got one mic. Hope they did...

[mCKENIC]

Thanks Andy - GREAT review! Looking forward to the audio tests... Im getting a bit jaded of the self-noise of my D50 and TBH this looks like it kicks the D50s butt in features too!

[jaKthemighty]

I ADORE my 4n. As a student, it was my audio interface for musical endeavours, my companion for film endeavours and best of all it was more or less unrivalled. Not entirely convinced to upgrade, but the improved battery life is probably the biggest draw.

[briancaceres]

I have a question. I bought the Zoom H6 but the screen has white edges and I can't monitor de 4th channel because of that. Is that customizable? Can I change the settings to be able to look the full screen? Or is it a factory defect?

[rogerbranton]

How would one attenuate the line out level down to a mic input level? I'm sure someone knows way more about this than me!

[stevegreenberg]

Good review, kept my interest throughout, I like this guy

[michael]

How is the sound
are they professional
or semi

[michael]

Cool I used tascam
How is the h6
How is the sound

[TheGeoDaddy]

Wish someone would go “soup to nuts” showing how you record a couple of tracks and how you would mix them into an audio track for video... I’m still at the “miracle occurs here” stage...

[md.rezaulislam]

Great review. Would u plz tell me if I can use the device A-Box dslr for audio output from zoom h6 to canon 70d audio input? Your answer is appreciated.

[megamatt]

so I've got the h1n the baby you called it. there is a hookup usb hookup to put in my phone charging port. will this make guitar video sound sound better on like youtube.

[fractalman]

Can I plug a synthesizer into this? How about a Korg Volca FM or similar? If not, then what do you recommend?

[vittoriostruppek-wiedemann]

Top review....but could anybody tell me how to erase track Markt?