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.com/share--freebe...
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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[@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!

[@harlemwoodstudios]

Informative review!

[@matthewdavis473]

Great drumming sir

[@FreeBeat]

Thanks!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@christopherdrakes4851]

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

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

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

[@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 :)

[@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? 🙏🏽

[@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

[@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

[@cresshead]

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

[@RaverOperatorGeeza]

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

[@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

[@TheLordcasio]

That wallet is real "Costnaza"!

[@FreeBeat]

lol

[@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!

[@ryanshea5221]

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