Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Handy Recorder

There's a lot of buzz about 32-bit float recording technology. It not only gives you consistently clear audio, a simplified setup and unprecedented editing flexibility, but it also eliminates the need for a gain knob.

Zoom is one of the first companies to implement 32 bit-float into a variety of portable audio recording devices because we see this technology as a true game-changer– but you might be wondering how it works and if it’s worth using in your audio setup. Here is a brief crash-course on 32-bit float that can help you determine if it’s right for you and your work.

The reason why digital audio distortion occurs in the first place comes down to sample rate and bit depth. When you’re recording with a computer, your digital audio workstation (DAW) software takes the initial analog signal and breaks it down into many snapshots (samples) to convert it to a digital signal. Sample rate tells you how many samples your DAW is capturing every second; the higher the sample rate, the more true-to-life your recordings will sound. For example, a 44.1kHz sample rate––standard digital CD quality––means your DAW is producing 44,100 samples per second when recording.

Six Perfect Tracks

The 4 XLR/TRS combo inputs feature ultra-clean Zoom preamps, and the included X/Y microphones can capture up to a booming 135 dB SPL, equivalent to a jet taking off.

Next Generation 3.0 Capsule System

The H6essential’s 3.0 capsule system has been updated to support 32-bit float and gives creators more options to use the right mic for their recording.

Specs

INPUT AND OUTPUT CHANNELS

Inputs - Mic capsule: 1

          MIC/LINE (mono): 4

Outputs - LINE OUT: 1

          Headphones: 1

          Built-in speaker (mono): 1

INPUTS

XY mic: XYH-6e: 90º XY stereo format   

          Directionality: Unidirectional

          Sensitivity: −42dB/1Pa at 1kHz

          Maximum sound pressure input: 135 dB SPL

MIC/LINE (mono) – Connectors: 4 XLR/TRS combo jacks

                    (XLR：2 HOT TRS：TIP HOT）

          Input gain: Adjustment unnecessary (dual A/D converter circuits used)

          Input impedance: MIC: 3.8 kΩ or more

                    LINE: 39 kΩ or more

          Maximum input level: MIC: +4 dBu

                    LINE: +24 dBu

          Phantom power: +48 V

                    Channel total 32 mA or less

          Equivalent input noise: MIC: -120 dBu or less (IHF-A) @150 Ω input

          LINE: -95 dBu or less (IHF-A) @600 Ω input

OUTPUTS

LINE OUT: Connector  Stereo mini jack

          Maximum output level: +1 dBu

          Output impedance: 110 Ω or less

Headphones: Connector       Stereo mini jack

          Maximum output level: 20 ｍW + 20 ｍW（when 32 Ω load）

          Output impedance: 10 Ω or less

Built-in speaker: Type: 20 mm x 30mm elliptical dynamic speaker

          Effective maximum output: 250mW

RECORDER

Maximum simultaneous recording tracks: 8

Maximum simultaneous playback tracks: 6

Recording formats: WAV

          44.1/48/96 kHz,

          32-bit float mono/stereo

          BWF and iXML formats supported

Recording media: 4-32GB cards compatible with the microSDHC specification

          64GB–1TB cards compatible with the microSDXC specification

DISPLAY

2.0-inch full-color LCD: 360 x 240 

USB

Connector: USB Type-C