Zoom H6/UK Handy Recorder

I upgraded from a Tascam-DR40 to the Zoom H6 - it's a fabulous portable recorder. Here's its features:- The top internal X/Y stereo mic unit can be unplugged and replaced with a (supplied) M/S mic. I have not seen this before on a portable recorder.M/S (mid/side) recording, although it seems to have gone a little out of fashion in recent years has two advantages - the stereo spread can be adjusted in post and one channel (the mid mic) is a regular mono signal on its own. Zoom also sell two other modules to replace the X/Y mic - a directional gun mic and a unit that adds two more XLR channels in place of the mic. The X/Y mic module also has a stereo minijack input with 'plug-in power' - great if you want to use binaural mics (obviously the minijack disconnects the X/Y mics). The X/Y mics also swivel adjusting the angle of the heads from 90º to 110º for a wider stereo image.- You can select a 'back-up' mode for the top stereo mic inputs that lays down an additional stereo pair a lower level than the original as a safety copy in case you peak on the original (effectively meaning it possible to record 8 tracks at once). This is a great feature.- The remaining for channels have individual gain pots (the stereo internal mic channel shares one). Each channel has individually switchable phantom power, low cut, limiters and compressors. Although the pots are quite small and fiddle, it's great to have individual, physical gain controls. These four channels all have combined XLR/jack inputs. Channels 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 can be switched to stereo pairs.- An angled colour LCD display shows all 6 channels and their settings together. The screen is small and might be difficult to see in bright light but it is great to have all this information together. A menu button and a small joy-stick switch control the menu settings.So what does it sound like? Mic pre-amps tend to be the weakness on these low cost recorders but, compared to my previous Tascam, they are pretty quiet and have good gain. Low-output mics that I could not use on the Tascam are fine on this recorder. The in-built mics are surprisingly good - but not as good as high quality external mics. Whether they are 'good enough' depends entirely on the sort of recordings you make.All in all I think this is a fantastic recorder. Some have pointed out failings in the lack of lockable XLR inputs but I have really not found this a problem (they are firm enough) and labelling on the files it produces (yep, that is a weakness). Others have criticised it's limited in-built effects but they are something I would simply never use on a recorder so that is irrelevant to me. As far as I am concerned, there is little wrong with this machine.

Wow, what an amazing piece of kit! So good and so versatile. An almost pocket-sized comprehensive solution to most location recording or simple studio (e.g. voiceover) applications. There is almost nothing that this won't do, and do well. It actually records 8 channels, but 2 of them are the main XY or MS pair at -12dB... a valuable insurance should the main pair's gain be set too high and run into clipping. The -12dB 'backup' tracks are recorded automatically, so they're just 'there' for you.The 4 XLR inputs have Phantom power selectable from 12, 24 or 48V, individually activated on those channels that require it, and also have generous attenuator pads to allow distortion-free inputs from line level sources. With modestly priced XLR to 3.5mm TRS jack adapters (available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000Y021NA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) 48V Phantom power is converted to low voltage for use by electret mics, such as lavaliers, so the main stereo pair and multiple lavalier mics can be used at the same time. So versatile!The mic preamps are of excellent quality and are satisfyingly low noise. The H6 comes with a coincident XY stereo pair, selectable between 90 deg and 120 deg and an MS mic which is my favourite of the two. I have also purchased Zoom's stereo shotgun mic, which is also MS in operation, delivering delightfully detailed sound with a wide and stable stereo image. An addition well worth considering.The headphone output is ample to drive 'phones of up to 250 ohms or so without an external headphone amp, but I use one anyway, for the additional firmness of sound it provides. I have found the H6 to be a bit power-hungry when used on alkaline AA batteries, so for most outside recordings I hook it up to a usb power-bank, from which it will run for hours and hours. In my voiceover studio I use a mains-powered usb power source, so it can run indefinitely. Unlike a laptop or any other computer, the H6 is absolutely silent... a distinct advantage.There is so much more I could praise about this item, but other reviewers have these points already amply covered.One of my best purchases ever, I think.

The Zoom H6 is a great at recording. The X/Y mic in particular is special as it captures the most quietest sounds. Not only does it capture quiet sounds but it captures them in great detail and in fantastic quality. The Side mic is great at capturing ambient sounds. The Zoom H6 is decent to hold however it is slightly top-heavy. A great reason to get this product is because it is incredibly versatile. So far Ive used it for recording rehearsals and Capturing ambient sounds furthermore this product can be used as an audio interface via usb; perfect for any musician on the road. It has 4 XLR/TRS inputs which are ALL phantom powered. How much more do you want !!! :)The Bad bitsBattery drained much more on phantom powerSlightly awkward for layout menuThe Great bis4XL/TRS INPUTS !!! ALL PHANTOM POWEREDGREAT QUALITY MICSCAN BE USED AS AN AUDIO INTERFACEThe Zoom H6 is THE MOST versatile recorder yet. Yet slightly pricey this machine can do anything.

I wish I had bought this device years ago. It is superb, so versatile, great build quality, great sound quality. It sounds better than other more expensive audio interfaces, has more connectivity and more features than I will use.I purposefully didn't buy the Black version, as it was more expensive and comes with fewer accessories.Just think about it, just buy it!

Muito bom

Llevo ya bastante tiempo utilizándola. He probado diferentes grabadoras y de diferentes marcas. Esta para mí, es la mejor. Fácil de usar (Tiene algunas opciones en el menú que hay que estudiar un poco), puedes grabar al momento apretando el botón, con el par de micrófonos que lleva. Tienes muchas posibilidades de uso. Para mí, es una pequeña mesa de mezclas portátil. Como única contra: el tamaño y la cantidad de accesorios que suelo llevar con ella Necesitas una buena bolsa para llevarlo todo. Yo la utilizo con un powerbank + los 2 micros que incluye, + mando a distancia + diferentes cables y adaptadores + auriculares + protector micro + otros micrófonos.... Pero me encanta! Y siempre tienes la opción de llevarte solo la grabadora (con 4 pilas) con uno de los micros incorporados del kit y unos pequeños auriculares para monitorizar la señal de entrada. En la pantalla, es muy fácil controlar también el nivel de entrada.

C'est un must have pour l'enregistrement nomade et fixe aussi.Je l'utilise dans tous mes projets, la plupart du temps avec les entrées XLR/Jack, sur lequel j'ai ajouté l'option XLR/Jack en plus.J'ai testé les micros mid/side et X/Y livrés avec. Ils sont d'une très bonne qualité mais je ne m'en sers pas. Quasiment pas de souffle au casque avec ces micros.Quant à l'utilisation que l'on peut en avoir. Vous pouvez très bien enregistrer un set DJ avec à la fois le mix du mixer + ambiance de la foule, ou faire un démonstration avec 1 ou 2 micros + sortie de table de mixage. Le tout en MP3 ou WAV et surtout en multi-pistes ( pour le WAV ) que vous pourrez retravailler ensuite sur ordi.Avec l'option du bloc XLR/Jack au lieu des micros vous aurez jusqu'à 6 pistes que vous pouvez changer en 3 pistes stéréo, c'est top.Très pratique lorsqu'il s'agit de faire du montage video avec plusieurs pistes audio ( voix / mixage etc ), il vous suffit de caler l'un des pistes audio sur la vidéo, le reste suivra sans aucun action de votre part, très visuel et simple.Travailler avec est vraiment un plaisir.

Me ha gustado la calidad de grabación con la cápsula L-R, no tanto con la cápsula M-S que introduce demasiado ruido de fondo. He grabado un par de conciertos con ella incluyendo el sonido ambiente por la cápsula L-R y una mezcla general directa de mesa por las entradas 1 y 2 (incluso podría haber incluido submezclas por la 3 y 4) y el sonido es espectacular y la calidad de grabación muy buena. También he grabado naturaleza y el resultado es excepcional. La duración de las baterías es grande y el manejo muy intuitivo. Muy contento

Buena grabadora que además se puede usar como previo. Gran calidad de construcción y con un sonido brutal. Yo la usó para grabaciones extras de mi podcast y la verdad, es fantástica.