How Does the Zoom H6 Essential Sound?

How Does the Zoom H6 Essential Sound?
Today we're taking a brief look at the new Zoom H6 Essential, as well as testing to see if the noise from the previous H line has been reduced. In this video I test the H6E with my Roland TD-17, Arturia Microfreak, Korg NTS-1, and Gretsch Snare Drum! I have to say that 32bit float audio is pretty sweet, not having to worry about gain levels is a huge plus. Thanks to the fan of the channel who gifted this to me, it'll be put to good use! Enjoy the video :)
My favorite gear in one list, courtesy of zZounds.com:
www.zzounds.co...
GEAR IN THIS VIDEO
Zoom H6 Essential: amzn.to/3U4blS2
Roland TD-17: amzn.to/43LRLNE
Arturia Microfreak: amzn.to/4aJlPvG
Korg NTS-1: amzn.to/4aq8J6E
Zoom Livetrak L-12 (audio recorder): amzn.to/3J9SQVO
Questions? Ask them below!
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[@adv.rohitl.jbrasdesa2402]

Buyers beware the zoom h6 essential is not compatible as an audio interface on windows 11 arm 64 computers. The driver available is only for x64 processors. I am stuck with my device .

[@FreeBeat]

That is really good information. I'm pinning this so people don't accidently make the same mistake. Thank you for sharing!

[@bucknerfilm]

work with Mac M2?

[@adv.rohitl.jbrasdesa2402]

@@bucknerfilm yes works with max 1 but doesn't work on windows 11 arm 64 running on parallel as the asio driver is not compatible with arm 64 only x86 processors

[@CookinBeatloaf]

Can you use it with usb-otg

[@ndguardian]

Your drumming game is on point as always, well done my dude!

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks as always!

[@kurtafterall]

I totally missed these new version. Thanks for making me aware 😊😊

[@FreeBeat]

Hope you like them!

[@Stadsjaap]

I'm a big fan of the H1 series. So tiny and light, you could drop it down the stairs and it will just shrug it off. Happy to hear about the 32 bit float version tho. Thanks for the heads up! 🤘

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@darcy4143]

the stereo recording is set to either side so that the wires don't cross over the unit to make it simple for the user to know left and right for stereo. When Zoom set out to make these units they had vulnerable customers in mind to make the units easier to use. The Essential Series was designed with Accessibility for the blind and visually impaired. Navigate the menu with audible descriptions through the built-in speaker or headphones.

[@FreeBeat]

That makes sense, thanks!

[@shamuclone]

I actually like the new look of these recorders unlike what others are saying

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@erikarabie]

That Microfreak sounds incredible

[@matthewdavis473]

Great drumming sir

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks!

[@GazRendar]

Nice work creating some concrete examples! With the way Zoom often wires their inputs to their tracks I’m not so sure a software update will allow you to link inputs 1&3 and 2&4 into stereo recordings. The other bummer is that the inputs on the essential series are supposed to be poor to unusable for guitars with passive pick ups (at least that’s what it says in the manual). That’s prevented me from picking one up so far. Will be interesting to hear how your thoughts on it evolve as you use it more…

[@rustytaco8412]

What is a passive pick up? I have an acoustic guitar with a LR Baggs anthem pick up. Is that going to be an issue?

[@FreeBeat]

Hmm I'll have to look into that, thanks for the heads up!

[@GazRendar]

@@rustytaco8412 Is that one of the pickups that you put across the open hole for an acoustic? Those usually have a 9V battery, right? If it has a battery it shouldn't be any issues for the H6 Essential. If it doesn't have a battery, like the single coil pickups you commonly find on Stratocasters and Telocasters, then it might not be loud enough for the H6 Essential's inputs.

[@harlemwoodstudios]

Informative review!

[@david_r_munson]

I was honestly nervous about self-noise before I got my H6e, but it's been fantastic. Even with quiet field recordings. Could it be better? Sure. But for the price it remains a great recorder

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah for the price I think it's excellent!

[@RobinJohnson]

i’m scared to buy it but I’ve been waiting so long. The guy in the store tried his best to convince me but noise floor scares the hell out of me cos I stack vocals like crazy. Being that the H6E has a -120 DBU noise floor i'd be tempted to go back to the portacapture x8 which has -7 db LESS noise floor but that thing has the cheapest plastic mic tips and an iPhone 1 screen ehich is why I already initially returned it. I want it to be portable , I want it to double as a audiocard I don’t want to spend more than $500 NZD. What should I doooooo?

[@emdwyer7331]

Interesting video. Most of what I've seen until now is people rubbishing the essential series. Any thoughts on using the H6e as a field recorder to create samples for my Digitakt? I am keen on 32 bit float, and looked at the old Zoom H5 and H6 which some people were suggesting over the H6e.. but sounds like preamp noise on H6e is not really any worse? It's also cheaper for me to buy the H6e overseas than the old H5 or H6. Options are limited for 32 bit float handheld, and this seems to fit the bill without paying a crazy amount for the Tascam X6 or X8. H4e also an option, but i worry about breaking and not being able to replace the capsules. Oh, and who knows how long Zoom will continue to produce modules for the older H5 and H6

[@FreeBeat]

Hmmm, I'm not sure about using it as a field recorder, as I don't have a ton of experience in that...field. I'd imagine it would do fairly well though, as long as you're not chasing perfection.

[@jordanWAH]

I have the h6 all black and while I can get perfect recordings from it I also had to learn how to dial in the preset levels. So never having to mess with the levels would be great. I also hate using mini usb cables. Idk why they changed the channels 1-2 on opposite sides like that though on the essential. It's also bigger looking and kind of hideous. But I will probably be getting one someday.

[@FreeBeat]

Glad you're liking the H6, I loved my H5 for a long time :)

[@Studio_4to1]

The more I get to know the Essentials series, the more I get the feeling it is aimed at video duties. A Pro series aimed at audio heads is probably on the way!

[@FreeBeat]

Hmmm, it'll be interesting to see what comes next!

[@EQAVOX]

I read a response from zoom somewhere advising there is no pro series in plans or development unfortunately. Hopefully they are lying.

[@Studio_4to1]

@@EQAVOX then, I don’t understand this line up. Dropping so many convenient options. Calling it Essentials. It’s like going the Teenage Engineering way - no more innovation, and trying to pass downgrades as upgrades. Weird times we’re living

[@incaroads001]

Can you overdub with it? That is, can you lay down a track and then monitor that track as you lay down another? No one will answer this question. I don't know why.

[@damienhegedus8973]

Having an option for the pairing of jacks would be nice, but the way it is, is for balance... If it's not on a stand, then it shouldn''t matter, but a stand would fall if was all on one side... an arm would probably work too since they are attached to a heavy object More options are always better though because you never know

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks for watching!

[@ponttokamera]

You can, of course, convert two mono tracks into one stereo track in an audio editor.

[@FreeBeat]

Yup, I believe I was referring to the stereo XY mic having the option to record mono though, which was lacking in the older Zoom recorders :)

[@biztosdotcom]

I'm on the fence between this and the new portable mixer. Can't quite make peace with the latter's lack of any kind of display, and with the H6E you still have a field recorder... but at some point you also spend another $200 or whatever for the two extra inputs.

[@FreeBeat]

I'll probably be giving the L-6 a go in the somewhat near future, looking to slim down my main setup and the L-6 does most of my L-12 does at a fraction of the size.

[@Tofupancho]

Have they solved the brutally long boot times? I’ve been waiting 10+ years and if this isn’t it, I gotta bite the bullet and get that very expensive alternative.

[@FreeBeat]

I just timed the boot time at 4.9 seconds, much better than before lol

[@metreweli]

Is it 6 channel USB interface, or it's just stereo when plugged in into computer?

[@FreeBeat]

Six channel audio interface!

[@davidmaskew]

I was considering the H4e but wanted to see some reviews first. I had also considered the old h5 you have here too due to the replaceable module and I didn't realise the new unit was getting that feature too. I think you have shown me all I need to know about which to go for. How does the new unit feel build wise? I haven't seen one in the flesh but it looks quite plastic but that's not always a sign of poor durability. Do you think it feels durable? I need to be able to throw it in a bag to record sounds for sampling etc while out and about. Also, wow great drumming.

[@yuan249520028]

Could you help to measure the noise floor of H6 essential ? Just want to know the difference between zoom F3 .

[@RobinJohnson]

it's - 120 Bbu

[@steverolfeca]

So when are Zoom going to release the new mic modules for the Essentials Series? The SSH-6e and EXH-6e are listed in every retailer’s description of the H6essential, but I can’t find price or availability anywhere!

[@FreeBeat]

I've heard summer but I'm not sure.

[@CookinBeatloaf]

Would you upgrade from an H6n? I don't like that they abandoned their own proprietary microphones after just a generation, and as far as I know, they all become expensive e-waste PS: SD is not limited to 4gb, thats FAT. My H6n has a 32gb micro sd hc in an adapter without issue. It might not be able to go any larger with an sdxc

[@PunchCutMedia]

Great video! I wish you would do this with the 2024 H1, would be good to here if there’s much of an audio difference between the two I’m a concert videographer trying to get multiple recorders for different angles, if you have any tips for cheaper (under $150) recorders that would be super awesome.

[@RobinJohnson]

Everyone talks about how bad the noise floor is on the H6. What is the verdict?

[@FreeBeat]

It's not amazing but it's not horrific in my opinion. Plenty reasonable :)

[@RobinJohnson]

​@@FreeBeat i’m scared to buy it but I’ve been waiting so long. The guy in the store tried his best to convince me but noise floor scares the hell out of me cos I stack vocals like crazy. Being that the H6E has a -120 DBU noise floor i'd be tempted to go back to the portacapture x8 which has -7 db LESS noise floor but that thing has the cheapest plastic mic tips and an iPhone 1 screen ehich is why I already initially returned it. I want it to be portable , I want it to double as a audiocard I don’t want to spend more than $500 NZD. What should I doooooo? 😭

[@RobinJohnson]

@@FreeBeat But can I use it to record stacked layers in a professional environment?

[@onlineon64]

Hello ! All good?? By connecting it to the computer, using recording software, can I record the 4 channels simultaneously, on separate tracks? Example, two guitars and two voices, recording simultaneously but on separate tracks... thank you in advance... hugs from Brazil

[@Zeus2517]

Quick question… how do you set up your H6 and camera to record live like that? Because that’s what I’m trying to do

[@FreeBeat]

I film the audio and video separately and then sync them in my editing software (Premiere Pro) on the computer

[@mattcero1]

DUDE! COME ON MAN! 7:40'ish It would have been a PERFECT TIME TO TELL AND SHOW US that the capsules from the H5N and H6N would work on this new product! WTF?

[@CookinBeatloaf]

They don't. Terrible move by Zoom, and I will no longer be buying their products, they created a lot of expensive e-waste for no known reason. And their extension cables remain insanely priced

[@cresshead]

Q. so is the headphone amp hiissy - re your comment on headphones?

[@RaverOperator]

Hello again! From liftednoise to FreeBeat!!

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah definitely pretty hissy for me

[@cresshead]

@@FreeBeat you might be trying to drive resistant head phones hi ohmz so need to crank em up

[@vijaypargaonkar6985]

Can you perform punch in out with h6e

[@TheDavidPoole]

You can get much larger than 4gb full size SD cards these days. I have a 32gb and I'm sure I've seen 256gb cards. Cheers ✌️

[@FreeBeat]

Yes, I have a bunch of large ones as well haha, I meant that the H5 couldn't handle bigger ones :)

[@TheDavidPoole]

@@FreeBeat sorry, I get you now. Cheers ✌️

[@imrin4059]

different on F3?

[@FreeBeat]

What do you mean?

[@imrin4059]

@@FreeBeat how does it compare to Zoom F3?

[@martin_wood]

@@imrin4059 Much more ergonomic and more inputs of course. Selling my f3. I may make a h6e video

[@imrin4059]

@@martin_wood it has less good pre amp i heard

[@lostsauce0]

Hate the new design vs the og. I like the knobs on the h6. Looks fragile too

[@FreeBeat]

The look is a bit weird but it feels very solid IMO

[@martin_wood]

I thought that at first too, but with 32-bit you don't really need to adjust them once you first ballpark it. You can adjust gain in post

[@KevinDeBond]

Does anyone know if the new H6 essential has a metronome built in like the OG one? I’ve just ordered the new one and saw a comment somewhere that the new H6e doesn’t have a metronome and a tuner. Can someone confirm this please? 🙏🏽

[@TravelerOfTime]

Correct, you don't get metronome or tuner on any H6E

[@burk]

I have two files of each recording. A TrMic.Wav file and a TrLR.WAV file. What is the difference between the two files and which would be best to use on recorded ambient nature sounds such as rivers and streams?

[@TravelerOfTime]

The TRMic files are stereo files from the built in mics before the mixer trim, the TlLR files are stereo mix of all switched-on inputs of the device. I will say that I usually don't use the TlLR files cause I prefer adjusting the gain and everything in post, and the TlLR files are just a preview for me.

[@FedericoSala]

Is there any dsp on the H6 essentials? I saw the Tascam X8 and it has built in dsp. now i don't know which one to get....

[@RobinJohnson]

Tascam has the cheapest mic tips ... Broke straight out of the box.

[@christopherdrakes4851]

Silly question if you use a single XLR is it stereo or mono ?

[@Smurf431]

Mono

[@All-In-All-The-World]

How do you record overdubs on the h6 essential? I can't figure it out

[@TravelerOfTime]

There is no overdubing function on H6E unfortunately.

[@MaDmanEXE]

SD form factor has nothing to do with capacity

[@FreeBeat]

Yeah I figured someone would misunderstand me as thinking that haha, I meant that the H5 itself had a card capacity limit. Thanks for watching!

[@TheLordcasio]

That wallet is real "Costnaza"!

[@FreeBeat]

lol

[@MatthJenks]

Zoom claims linked odd-numbered on L and even-numbered tracks on R. Maybe try updating your firmware? kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4rXcnVpZ950nNUsi=ayBXqXXsXiwoRsrX&t=306

[@FreeBeat]

Interesting, I'll give it a shot, thanks!

[@MatthJenks]

@@FreeBeat Thanks for this video BTW. I ordered one this week based largely on your video and a couple others. I appreciate it!

[@RobinJohnson]

​@@MatthJenks i’m scared to buy it but I’ve been waiting so long. The guy in the store tried his best to convince me but noise floor scares the hell out of me cos I stack vocals like crazy. Being that the H6E has a -120 DBU noise floor i'd be tempted to go back to the portacapture x8 which has -7 db LESS noise floor but that thing has the cheapest plastic mic tips and an iPhone 1 screen ehich is why I already initially returned it. I want it to be portable , I want it to double as a audiocard I don’t want to spend more than $500 NZD. What should I doooooo?

[@MatthJenks]

@@RobinJohnson That's an inaudible noise floor no matter how many vocal stacks. Artists of the analog tape era, like Queen and 10cc did many vocal stacks with great results with noise specs no where near these modern units. Great vocals performance on that Steve Porcaro song by the way. Especially those high parts. You have an amazing voice!