Best Zoom Field Recorder - H1, H2n, H5, H6 (Comparison Review!)

[@HenkJanDrums]

I use H5 for recording live music, have it with me many times a week. Use the sound also to mount under video. In studio i use Zoom R24 and now the extended upgrade Zoom L20. I have options / accesories for Zoom H5. I like them but mostly use the zoom H5 inside without accesories. Great! The wind shield for sure is required outside, otherwise it is only wind you are hearing!!! I use the 2 extra channels to plugin to a stereo mixer (of a band, chuch, theatre or even orchestra) and than use the XYH-5 for the ambient sound. For quality stereo live reordings i attach 2 Rode NT2A to the Zoom H5 and that results in studio quality sound! That really is an impressive upgrade. As active music hobbyist I experiment a lot with this H5 recorder in the studio together with the R24 or alone. It has many nice options for a music hobbyist. The L20 has better preamps than Zoom H5 and Zoom R24. It has 20 channels and for me with a huge drumkit that really is nice. That really is an upgrade. The H5 is far more easy to handle than the R24 or L20. So i use H5 many times a week and only very rare the R24 or L20. I also use the H5 for multitrack: for instance the mixer recordings together with the XYH-5 or snare drum, bass drum and overheads , or as back stereo and 1 or 2 extra mics plugged in like snare bottom or other. Also nice for recording percussion or recording in hther rooms than the studio. For active musicians who also do live video recording i for sure recommend the H5.

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

I agree with those who said this was a very clear and useful comparison. I kind of regret you didn't include the H4n which I'm considering buying.

[@Michael_Kouri]

H5 does the same stuff

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

@@Michael_Kouri I ended up buying that and an H1N. And being quite satisfied with both.

[@nmbr73]

even years later - still one of the most comprehensive comparison of the zoom handy recorders 👍🏻

[@blakegowan6623]

I have H6 and use it for recording my rock band. Have been having a wonderful time with it....using it in all kinds of situations and rooms....it does well just about every time. Been using it for a couple years.

[@WisLockman]

I use the H4n Pro with the Rode TX M2 Wireless Mic paired with my Rode Filmmaker Receiver. I’m very happy with what I’ve got.

[@somrajgupta7603]

Very nice, crisp and to the point comparison. I really liked the way you concisely put forward your views.

[@amcsdmi]

We had a lot of different conclusions, but you provide enough examples that it doesn't matter. Great video!

[@kenrickhadley4499]

Thanks for being so straight forward and to the point. It really helped me to understand the difference between these Zoom mics.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

What a great video. Excellent. I have an H2n coming tomorrow and this confirms I made the right choice, kind of like The Three Bears. Good work.

[@mysteriomonkie]

Got an H1 and H2n. I quite like the H1....for close recording music it does the job, and it’s simple to use. I bought the H2n recently, basically to record choirs and musicians while sitting in a circle. For that purpose, its great, and from this video I can see there is no real negative difference in the sound quality. I’m not sure of the value in using these types of recorder in terms of multi tracking. You can’t really beat having a little desk with sliders and all that jazz. I’ve become a big fan of zoom, but my guess is there are many other brands I’d be equally happy with. However, I definitely do believe you get a fair bit of bang for your buck with Zoom. I even have the iQ6...which on my iPhone 6s Plus is is useless....but on my iPad 4 is flawless.Luckily, it’s the iPad 4 I really wanted it for.

[@metalgamerk9549]

How about recording nature sounds with these? Like rain, thunder; birds and such. Have you tried it?

[@diabl2master]

I want to know too. He said the h5 and h6 will shine "with more difficult recording scenarios" and didn't elaborate...

[@Semtex777]

You should consider the Sony Pro PCM-D100 for this kind of recording

[@laidbaqq]

I have. In MD we get a mix of weather thus I have found myself walking with the H1 and ultimately recording birds in bushes, footsteps, distant conversations and more. The auto level function of the recorder makes it so you can almost 'tell' it where/what to record as it will pick it up and level it. I am looking at the H4 and H5. Have you since purchased a recording device?

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

I went with the Zoom H5 and am very pleased with it but I use it mostly the way I used a multi-track recorder 40 years ago. Other than the screen being a little small for my eyes, it does what a huge tape recorder costing many times more could do back then and its sound is many times better. I wouldn't consider it an especially portable machine. I am getting an H1N to use as a portable machine. I'll let you know if I think the sound is a good match for that.

[@freespeechfinland]

Well, did you get that H1n and has it been good and durable?

[@anthonymccarthy4164]

@@freespeechfinland I meant that the big reel to reel machine of my relative youth wasn't a portable machine. The H5 certainly is though the H1N is better for carrying around.

[@stephendavies6432]

Great review! Many thanks for your efforts!

[@dsingh121]

Excellent review.....Thanks a lot Jake !!

[@TerryPagel]

I thought the audio quality was distinctly different. I was surprised at the H2n mounted on the camera. The H5 and H6 on the table were definitely above the H2n. The H1 was just sloppy all over. But thanks for the audio. I have the H5 but will add the H2n to my arsenal. The h1 just won't cut it. All are good for a lav, btw.

[@Intimatycal]

almost ordered H1n for mostly ambient recordings, nature, city etc.. Im glad i watched this video, helped alot

[@SoalTestIQcom]

Appreciate your efforts in making this video 👍

[@TelllusTheGuru]

One feature you diden´t tell aboute H6 is that you can use it as a sound interface to your computer.

[@mrtheluckybucket]

Anders Johansson same for h5

[@Jord85]

I’m shopping around. Which do you prefer?

[@matthewbushey9455]

Hey man . . . fantastic review. Calm. collected, really thorough. Enjoyed it! Keep up the great work. :-)

[@jingjingcoming]

very good comparison and help me make the decision

[@michael86734]

Cool how is the h6 how is the sound

[@xy-fm]

2:21 *H5 sounded the best to my ears. Can you please test the XY microphone of H2N?*

[@JohnnyvanBergen]

The hissing of your voice recording makes this just unbearable for me to watch... even though it might have had good info.... (Something I don't get btw because you are reviewing the best options for audio recording..)

[@gpr4eva]

He needs a de-esser

[@KTHKUHNKK]

For me the problem was looking at the bright window in the background.

[@JerickMoss]

i watched the whole video it didnt bother me

[@dennisgreene7164]

Very good review. Thanks.

[@JerickMoss]

great review brother👏🏽

[@hv5304]

Very useful review, detailed descriptions,thanks!

[@mutafire]

Surprising conclusion, tbh

[@graphguy]

In the market for portable and this was extremely helpful.

[@micallefgrimaud]

the H5 looks like a taser

[@anastaziuskaejatidarjan4711]

true, but if you want a recorder that really looks like a stungun, look at the tascam dr40. I have that one, and its appearance makes me nervous to hold it in public view. I have gotten comments from other people who thought it was a stungun.

[@whynottalklikeapirat]

It's for the taze'n ask approach

[@mutafire]

Those will be banned now.

[@karinjohnstone6690]

Great review and comparison.

[@xl9119]

i do not agree with you. if you are listen on headphones, you really can hear the difference. i am amazed how clear the audio sounds on the h6. even between h5 and h6 there is a hudge difference .

[@Tornn222]

That's true!

[@terrorfirmasky]

Actually I thought the H5 sounded best through headphones.

[@aesonone]

yeah, from the far away test you can also hear how much more ambiance the h5 and h6 pick up compared to the others. the tone of h5 and h6 are pretty close (i liked the h5 best too), the others sound more nasal and narrow

[@Mobra_Music]

He is probably not using the mics on the recorders... He is only using them for external mics, and then the difference probably isn't that huge? But for fieldrecording with the x and y mics, the H1 is crap...

[@rendermanpro]

Very nice review!

[@LordArioh]

I needed something for the voice overs and was thinking simple H1n, because I got Rode lav and VideoMic just to plug in. But H2n is just perfect. May even get rid of the shotgun.

[@delivery5]

Brilliant job !

[@wahabdilawar]

Thoroughly enjoyed your valuable advices and review. I am just a hobbyist photographer and occasional KZbinr. I have been using the H1N for some time now and apart from the only complaint that both the in and out jacks and on both sides...I have no complaints, but we hobbyists suffer from GAS occasionally and I would like to buy another good sound recorder and my options are limited by their availability in the local market. My eyes are on the H2N and so far I am loving it and very much inclined towards it BUT... All of these...H1, H1N, H2, H2N are more than a decade old and although I don't have anything against older devices IF they provide what they are meant to...still...are their any newer alternatives in the market, which (theoretically) should be better in quality and more user friendly and updated with the current technologies in cameras and mobile phones. Thanks you very much for your time and effort.

[@TheRangeControl]

Does the H8 have a Shotgun Mic capsule?

[@senecaoak7173]

is H1 same as H1n?

[@MuriloIto1]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@simonbezek6382]

I'm surprised, H5 actually sounds better than H6. I mean more warm, listening with my AKG K712 reference headphones. I was assuming thid from the day I bought the H6, and I confirmed it now with the help of this video. H5 is also built more robust, made out of rubber-like plastic with metal bars protecting the knobs. Anyway, H6 has a option of recording 6 tracks simultaniously and also mix it on spot. Great video, but you should use some DeEssing on your vocal :)

[@darrylhicks7712]

whats the best one to use recording in a small room, a large room, and a local bar......

[@kgreggbruce1552]

In a small bar use the smallest one, in a large room use the largest one, in a local bar use the closest one to you.

[@matakuching4989]

Which one give best natural sound

[@ericdoziermusic]

No h4n?

[@elmortobeats5919]

yeah wtf...

[@maialinobabe4232]

I am undecided between H2N / H4NPro / Shure VP83 / Azden SMX30 / RODE Stereo VideoMic shotgun. What do I need to do to use what advice? I register events, excursions, dialogues and film my children. Thank you

[@ehonorio]

Please, how can I turn down the noise signal on the H2N?

[@AsFewFalseThingsAsPossible]

At 2.32 the H2n is facing the wrong way is it not ? This must effect the sound ?

[@Mobra_Music]

It's just a still picture... Not a actual pic of the voicerecording. Take a look at the H6, it's not even turned on... 😄

[@cyberghost3206]

Which lav did you use

[@RJM1944]

Can u suggest which one is good fo foley record

[@vonshango6311]

good job, but tabletop H2 mic should have been on xy mode for best comparison (or not)? why did you skip h4?

[@kedar8000]

Very good!👏🏿

[@thecoffeer2800]

Great review but It will be easy to compare if you read same sentence when testing

[@glouismusic]

Hi Jake, Thank you sharing this valuable review. Can you tell me the best way to sync my H2n with my iPhone?

[@Merseyjuke]

What am I doing wrong here ? . I record a file and it plays back immediately no problem, can be heard with or without earphones. Switch off. Switch back on . Attempt to playback. Go to Menu. then FILE MENU. , then FOLDER, then FILE. select audio file , press PLAY button in. N0 audio file plays - I get a screen which lists - INFORMATION, NORMALIZE, MARK LIST, STEREO ENCODE, DELETE, DELETE ALL, I have wasted hours trying to solve this problem. Also playback volume is set at 100 but can barely hear it without head phones. HELP !!!

[@natanmandala]

Does the H1 have a metronome or compression/effects? If so, what type of effects? Thanks...SBN RESONATE

[@CharacterWalaYG]

Waiting for H1n review.

[@LFS316]

Please can someone recommend an audio recorder with file recovery ( automatic recording) function, in case of power loss?

[@Tornn222]

Is it me, or it would be nice if some De-essing would have been done in this video? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De-essing

[@ib0449496]

Sergey Karpushin you would imagine someone who reviews voice recorders would have done it before he publiched the video

[@MeAndMyOpinions_OverYours]

I actually bought both. $184 for the zoom h5, and $265 for the zoom h6. Box, manuals. And capsules/etc. Great devices. I also use the tascam dr 05 and tascam dr 10l for event videography

[@andrewatm216]

Wesley Aguilar where did u get your zoom h6 from? Was it new? $265 is a great price. Thanks

[@MeAndMyOpinions_OverYours]

@@andrewatm216 ebay. On a auction. I always go for auctions.Anyway. I got a notification on amazon today, check it out was browinsingmy previous list. Saw that the zoom h6 was for $320. Or you could pay 30 or 40 more for wireless mic set or head phones and sd cards and what not. Give it a look.

[@MeAndMyOpinions_OverYours]

@@andrewatm216 I've gotten alot of items of ebay lately. All great stuff. 77d, 35mm lens, my zooms. Good deals all the time just gotta browse and check really good.

[@andrewatm216]

Thanks so much for your reply. Greatly appreciate it!

[@sudhirsingh2937]

Hi, Can you please tell me how to connect ZoomH1n and Boya BY M1 lav mic to my smartphone so that I can record Audio and Video in together? No post-production hassle.

[@feversoundproductions]

ssssssssibilance!!!!!!!!!!

[@Mathuews1]

Check one check two check check one check two

[@roland1313]

what a great review!!!!

[@MrEko-oo4xq]

Very good comparison, thank you! One question: Does the plug-in power setting stay on on the H2n after switching it off and on again?

[@adrimaulanasadira]

Hey man, what's the name of the song in the beginning? Thanks

[@tendingtropic7778]

thanks for this. so what I want is to record samples outside (rattles, engines, nature), to use in music. what would you recommend?

[@glennsak]

"It's going to match with almost nothing you have." LOL!

[@skakdosmer]

I have to disagree about the sound quality: I think the price is clearly reflected in your tests, except in the on-camera test, where they were all about equally poor.

[@SalikMinsk]

A-, A-, A-, A- . Well, kind sir, can You suggest anything portable of A+ sound quality mark please? Thanks in advance

[@Ahmed-dx2cb]

Maybe de-ess your audio next time?

[@Marcus_R]

I would like to use a mobile recorder to record engine sound for videos while riding my motorcycle. Does the Zoom H2n have an advantage over the H1n in terms of sound quality or microphone placement?

[@Marcus_R]

*especially in respect to the relatively loud noise level I'd wrap it in foam and place it sturdy. Great video by the way. Thanks for the information!

[@j.r.regenold9094]

I like the zoom h5 and h6, but would never be using the removable microphones. It would be nice if zoom sold the recorders with a nice cover over the microphone socket, instead of the microphones. You could buy them later should the need arise.

[@j.r.regenold9094]

Shi Womino Since this vid I bought a Tascam DR100-III. I have found the units microphones useful. The omnidirectional is especially handy.

[@MartinCraneRockbeast]

H1 and H2n can be powered by USB. Either battery or mains fed.

[@dirk.4711]

I am a newbie in this subject. My quetsion is: If you oly wnat to use the Lavalier Mic with it for youtube videoas inside, what is the advantage of the H1 vs. a normal smartphone for recording if on both is that lavalier mic attached?

[@seaninherts]

Dirk S. hi there. I own the H2n and h6n. I have used an H1 a while back. I haven’t done a comparison as smart phones have come in leaps and bounds. I would be pretty sure though that the zoom h1 would have better pre amps than your smartphone, which means it probably sounds quite a bit better. This said, smartphones are used by the largest broadcasters when needed, so whatever works for you.

[@MeAndMyOpinions_OverYours]

You could even buy a pre am for your phone. 30 or $ 40 irig products are good. Check them out if your on a budget

[@PNJ452]

Hello! I´m using the Sennheiser MKE 600 and I am looking for a recorder to use with it. Do you think that all o them (H1, H2n, H5, H6, H8...) have the same audio quality?

[@DavidDeLuge]

Is this good for home studio recording. I currently have a Tascam DP-008, which I've had for around 8 years? I'm just wondering if the H6 will provide a better quality.

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

A bit disappointed about the fact that there is no chapter or mark to step to, and no sound quality comparison. All of them get a A- sound quality note, very surprising as the conclusion for the H1N is that it is only usable for speaking alone and no other situation.

[@FrancisMaxino]

You need to roll off your tops on the audio of this video, it's hissing like crazy and very annoying every time you say a word with 's' or 'z'. For someone reviewing audio recorders it doesn't seem like a good 'look' to have such a hissy sound on your review, sorry couldn't keep listening for this reason...

[@CarminaIguana]

It's not hiss, and it's not high frequency per se--what he needs is a de-esser. He needs it badly.

[@toomasvendelin]

You should do something about that horrible hissing sound in your video first. Sort of appropriate when reviewing audio recording devices.

[@MobileTechPoint]

I feel h1 and h6 sounded better. 😇😇😇

[@RagingBubuli]

I dont know why but H5N sounds the best!

[@cjmorris2491]

I agree

[@GER_1]

Thanks for your video! Can you help me on choose one n these mics or an audio recorder like the zoom H1 or any other one, I'm musician and I need something to record good audio quality but lightweight and not so expensive. I have 150 dolars for one. The video is going to be catched with the phone, but don't know what option is better to acoustic spanish guitar and singing. Have a good day!

[@wyattpalmer936]

where are you? it looks beautiful

[@ZetaReticulian]

they ALL sounded strikingly different... just close your eyes and listen closely.

[@Solstice42]

I agree H1 build quality is cheap read: delicate plastic - too bad b/c otherwise I like the form-factor

[@HJBProductionsLLC]

These recorders are at different price levels...and quality and features. Why compare and rate them against each other?

[@pcpeasantsgaming]

HJB Productions LLC information. I wanted to know what to buy. This video actually really helped. I'm buying the h5.

[@myke.p]

Comparison needs to be done so that consumers can decide whether to buy a cheap one or expensive one according to their needs.

[@Solstice42]

Caution - H1 will pick up cell phone hum within 1 meter of the device

[@xilee5993]

You're using a lav mic of very poor quality. This is why, I think, you're not seiing a lot of difference. The sound quality is degradated by the mic. Same think when you plug them to the camera, I think, you're too far from them and also the pre amps of the camera have poor quality. But in your tests you can however see the difference, the H6 is of better quality.

[@jenky1044]

Boy you down played the the top 2 recorders.

[@mattcero1]

I have the H1N, H2N, H5 and used to have the H6 but sold it as it was way more than I'd ever use. To be honest with you, the H2N with voice compression on going line out to the line in of my camera sounds every bit as good as the H5 and H6. I got it for $60 like new on CL and doubt if I'll ever sell it. H2n Vs H5 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boLEaqSMiJqnjNU

[@AdrianTschubarov]

I hear the Ssssssss too loud

[@cerberus1595]

For a guy reviewing on a mic and audio quality, your video has surprisingly poor audio quality. Are you recording in a nearly empty room or something? You can make some cheap sound wave absorbing panels to mount just by stacking 5 or so old towels... I dropped this video after the samples because the sharp notices, especially when you said words with an S in them just killed me

[@rickcorel5154]

The sound quality of your recording is not the best. A lot of hissing?