Recording Acoustic Guitar & Zoom H6 Recorder - Testing Mic Placements

[@GregMichael]

🔴🔴🔴Are you interested in more videos about Zoom H6? Please let me know in the comments below. I can shoot more videos with different mic configurations.

[@domenicomigliaccio4090]

so this microphone works without an external audio interface? is it right?

[@GregMichael]

@@domenicomigliaccio4090 yes. In fact this also works as an audio interface. Plus you can still use it as a condenser mic for external mixer . But never plug it in to xlr input with phantom power. Also it's a standalone multitrack recorder

[@domenicomigliaccio4090]

Do you think it’s better to use an audio interface + mic, or this all-in configuration? for home recording

[@GregMichael]

@@domenicomigliaccio4090 depends on the budget. Zoom h6 is probably the best cost effective solution especially for acoustic guitar players. You also aren't tied to your home for recordings which is great. Also zoom h6 is silent. No computer fan involved so if you are in a small space it might be better. Zoom also comes with two microphone capsules. This stuff will cost a lot on its own

[@domenicomigliaccio4090]

Greg Michael the budget is 500€, I was buying an audio interface + mic, but i see this other solution and I’m trying to realize which is the better choice. Maybe for a static home recording the audio interface + mic is the more versatile solution also for other future uses

[@kieranlh4507]

Perfect demo for an acoustic guitar, I'm so happy you included mixing direct input with the xy mics. Thanks a lot, subbed!

[@marctestarossa]

I think this is one of biggest advantages of using something like the H6 for recording an acoustic guitar. What I do most of the time is X/Y-Capsule for more of a room feel + Behringer C2 for acoustic sound + direct input, but through my Roland AC 33 as kind of a preamp. This way I can adjust the acoustic mix from those two mic sources and the direct in that I can already EQ on the amp. I position the X/Y a bit further away to be more roomy, the small condenser more traditional on the neck joint.

[@lappleman]

Thanks for posting this. Great sound and guitar playing. I have an H6 and have found it is forgiving of room acoustics and mic placement for recording acoustic and nylon string guitars, voice and solo/chamber music string concerts. Not very much proximity effect compared to some large diaphragm mics in cartioid

[@GregMichael]

Thank you for letting me know and for your kind words.

[@nyfaniloandrianjafy8171]

I am interested in this device because I wanted to plug external mics to record guitars, but from what I see (or hear rather), the mics on this H6 are pretty kick ass to record on the go. I am not a big fan of recording guitars directly from the output jack (that is my personal preference) so I think I would still add an external microphone to have a different ambience but you opened my ears to another possibility with this thing. Thank you.

[@GregMichael]

Thanks for letting me know. Good luck with your recordings.

[@jeffyoung4078]

Great in depth demonstration and you play the guitar very well. Thanks for making this video.

[@GregMichael]

Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed the demonstration.

[@Fletchrocks1111]

Yes! I thought of using a mirror to see display too. Lol. Great minds....😎🎸🎤🎼🤟

[@originalfallinggirl]

FINALLY A GREAT VIDEO! I didn’t know how to hold the damn thing until this vid. You rule!

[@monique_pryce]

Thanks for this review! I’m thinking of picking one up for recording piano + woodwinds. I think it’ll work great,

[@jayxpea]

really helpful, appreciate you taking the time to make this

[@joevee5619]

Great video…is the guitar input hi z and does it matter.

[@KieranLeCam]

"You gotta nail the song from start to finish" you’re damn right sir 😁

[@gregorheinrich]

Nice - I use my Zoom H4n aus audio-interface for recording the acoustic guitar parts for the home productions I do (in Garageband and/or Logic) either using the zoom mics or plugging in a condenser mic into the XLR inputs (but I broke the Zoom microhones) and am now wondering whether to get the ZoomH6 or a stand-alone-audio interface . It seems that the H6 sound has improved as comparaed to the H4n - so thanks for the video.

[@lavers_1]

nice vid! question... if you record guitar and vocals on different inputs can it be separated into 2 different tracks when transferring to a computer?

[@GregMichael]

Zoom records separate tracks. the capsule right and left and 4 inputs all separately. You can also use it as an audio interface recording everything on a separate channel

[@ericwan2071]

I am so lucky find your video, thanks for sharing your knowledge and your wonderful demonstration, god bless.

[@lavers_1]

you are a good guitar player! nice picking!

[@accwowunu4245]

Great value. Great looks.

[@NADiA.Kossinskaja]

Thank you very much! What stative do you use for H6?

[@GregMichael]

I Recommend that you get a camera tripod. it's more practical than anything else. the one in the video is a magic arm. I would say a cheap camera tripod is much better

[@NADiA.Kossinskaja]

Thank You very much for your answer! I like very much Yours one, because it is possible to put it on microphone stand)

[@garytrim1761]

Great job Greg. I also have an H6 and very pleased with it as well. However, the Zoom manual on page 10 states the following: "Direct input of passive guitars and basses is not supported". Any clue what this means? I was told by the music company that I purchased my recorder from not to plug a guitar directly into the recorder. I have a Taylor 614ce guitar and it does create a slight buzz sound when connected to the H6 but records really good. I like the idea of using a mirror to view the monitor.

[@GregMichael]

Hi Gary thanks for letting me know. The guitar signal going into the zoom is unbalanced which means it picks up the noise. A di box/mixer or acoustic amp with balanced output will hopefully fix that. I always plug in directly as the noise level on my guitar isn't high enough to worry. Also I set the gain on the channel to lower than the XY mic. Hope it helps?

[@garytrim1761]

@@GregMichael Good info. I'll make a few adjustments to my levels. I like plugging directly into the recorder and being able to hear the mix with my headphones.

[@GregMichael]

Update:My gear guru told me that guitar signal from guitar has high impedance and zoom has low impedance input. So a di box will still address this issue. My old zoom R16 had actually hi impedance inputs marked as Hi Z. I also have these inputs on my soundcraft mixing desk. Hope this helps?

[@slavazavalin]

​@GregMichael I know this discussion thread is quite old, but I just came across your posting. I second what you said about the di box.

[@JohnJuddMusicStudio]

Hi Greg, thanks for the excellent video. You literally sold me on the H6. I’m having trouble locating one piece of information: does it come with its own SD storage card (or some other internal storage)? If so, how large is the storage capacity? Thanks in advance!

[@GregMichael]

I am sorry but I don't remember. I think I had to buy the card. Perhaps they have included 2gb which is not really that much. There is a new version of H6. As far as I am aware it comes only with the XY capsule.

[@JohnJuddMusicStudio]

@@GregMichael okay, thanks for the response. I appreciate it. Have a great week.

[@MBJanus]

If you buy it now, in September 2022, you have only the main body and the XY mic. They are still selling the old version that is identical and several years ago included a transport case, a second mid mic, a SD 2Go. You should verify as it looks too fine, the second mic is sold separately 60€, a 64Go SD 40€, ...

[@andersjeppsson8499]

I connect mine to my Ableton / Mac laptop and power the Zoom via USB so no batteries needed. And it makes for recording bass/electric guitars or other microphones/synths easy. And audio is transferred digitally via the USB to the laptop.

[@emelle1283]

i need a room mic for electric guitar amps - will this Zoom unit work well?

[@GregMichael]

It will but the gain has to be set quite low as this is much sensitive mic than a dynamic mic like sm57 that I would normally use for that. You might get some great results though. Be aware of the mic pickup pattern and that you understand the xy and ms mic technique or just use your ears. Best of luck

[@emelle1283]

@@GregMichael Thank you but i am a noob. I play covers of rock songs in my lounge room, and i want to record - i tried my phone and go pro but sound was bad. What should i do? Thank you

[@slavazavalin]

Emelle, as Greg says, xy mics are too sensitive for picking up combos or amp heads with cabinets. The better way to use H6 in your setting is to use it as a mixing device and use for example sm57 for you amp/cab or line-in and use other mics or line-ins for other instruments. There are many variables involved in the process of recording. That's why it is always trial-and-error experience. Look at this Greg's video, at many different approaches he demonstrated just to use a single xy mic to record an acoustic guitar. Good luck!

[@JohnnyMcPro]

Very nice! Link to that "magic arm" you're using?

[@osuperjames]

Thanks, Greg! You're such a gentleman.

[@ecedorsay]

I have zoom h6 and sm57 , for recording my album in a non ideal room, which mic should i pick? or behringer b1 ?

[@GregMichael]

You have two great mics don't buy any more stuff. Treat the room with sound panels. Lots of great videos on KZbin how to make them cheaply. Even blankets are better than nothing. Try not to throw the money on expensive stuff.

[@ecedorsay]

Greg Michael 🙏🙏 i may get the small mic panel maybe? to block some sound. and do you think zoom’s XY mics can be used for an album, fingerpicking acoustic between drums n bass? 🙂🙂

[@GregMichael]

@@ecedorsay I can't imagine these three instruments recorded together in one room at the same time. Unless you do all separately. Also the acoustic panels should go on the walls to stop the sound reflections. I would first sort out the room before you do anything else.

[@ecedorsay]

Greg Michael oh i didnt mean recording drum n bass at the same time. bass goes direct to the soundcard anyway. maybe sansamp di box in between. drums are already sampled presets not live recordings. so my only room recordings will be acoustic and vocals.. i may try a blanket.. and a reflection filter maybe..

[@juniorlopezmusic2067]

Voice and guitar were captured thru one mic? Or did u have another mic on headphones?

[@GregMichael]

Both by H6

[@Lifeislifeee]

Great job. I have a question. Do u use phantom power while playing guitar ? When will we use this ?

[@GregMichael]

Hello I would use phantom power only to power conderser microphones that require such power. dynamic microphones don't need that. As well as guitars or basses. I plug in my guitar directly but I discovered that you actually need to use a DI box between a Zoom and your guitar. I never noticed any difference with my guitar as I have no noise issues. Hope that helps?

[@Lifeislifeee]

Greg Michael I’m really grateful for your help.Everything is okay now :)

[@willisklein6295]

What are you using to mount the zoom?

[@GregMichael]

In the video I have used a magic arm but nowadays I just use a camera tripod as more safe option. The magic arm is a bit too fiddly.

[@NADiA.Kossinskaja]

I mean the holder?)

[@SergeUnplugged]

Solid setup 👍

[@codking82]

please how are you getting the clear big acoustic sound is this all in post are you already eq ing this in post ?

[@GregMichael]

I never eq my videos. The sound of zoom goes straight to the camera. It would be even better with the eq.

[@joshuacohen5618]

What is the name of the goose neck / magik stand that you used for your Zoom?

[@GregMichael]

It's a magic arm.

[@joshuacohen5618]

@@GregMichael Thank you! Do you happen to know of any similar mounts that work well with the Zoom U44 that doesn't have a screw in mount?

[@ashgarnerisawesome1]

Where did you get the magic arm? I just bought one of these and that would be helpful too! :)

[@GregMichael]

I have bought it on Amazon. I stopped using it actually. I now use the camera tripod. It's much safer. I do not recommend using the magic arm anymore

[@jackmacmusic]

What is the cable you have connected from the zoom to your camera? Would you be able to use a mobile phone as a camera with the zoom? Thankyou

[@minisynthmaniac]

You could connect the Zoom straight to the phone with an USB OTG cable to use as an audio interface, it will give you the highest quality

[@gnugnu00]

Did you switch on the compression? If so for guitar/general or vocals?

[@GregMichael]

Sorry for the late reply. I would never risk using built in effects in case they ruin the recording. I would do post production in a DAW.

[@LuBiBochum]

Yep, all I wanted to know.!!! Thanks for your video.

[@angelcastellanosmartinez2412]

Hello, so has the video recorded in the mobile the quality sound of Zoom alteady?, or you have to edit in a pc, deleting o muting sound of mobile and insert the track recorded on zoom?

[@GregMichael]

The sound from the zoom went directly into the camera. That's how I always record my videos. No sound editing.

[@poplogic17]

Very informative - and fun to watch! And I don't even play guitar! Liked and subbed.

[@rommelabesamis581]

Excellent for recording. I got mine 4 yrs ago. Is there a way to put a pre recorded mp3 or wav files in one of the 4 tracks of H6 so that i can use it while playing guitar and mp3 backing tracks at the same time?

[@MBJanus]

Im unsure, but I think you could try the overdub function. I saw another video showing several overdubs.

[@mandomusic5074]

So it lets you record right into your camera’s mic input? That’s pretty cool!

[@GregMichael]

Yes although most devices can do this.

[@ankit-travelandgadgets]

Such soothing music 🙏

[@codking82]

that sounds really nice clean sound, how are you able to record so clean like theres literally no background noise

[@GregMichael]

Thanks Peter. This is a great product. My gain level is quite high. I always go 7-8. If you are having issues with the noise it might be the headphones. Or maybe try a DI Box when you go directly into the zoom. Perhaps your headphones output is too high? I listen at 70 percent max. Also recordings always come less noisy when I listen back on my monitors

[@codking82]

@@GregMichael headphone out affects the background noise??

[@GregMichael]

@@codking82 headphone preamp can be noisy giving you false impression of what you are hearing just don't turn the level all the way up on headphone output

[@codking82]

@@GregMichael ok so if i turn it only half way then i can't really hear what im playing.... you think a headphone amp can help?

[@codking82]

and what do you use in POST to edit and manipulate audio

[@TheVonLuxembourgFamily]

Does the Zoom H6 have reverb or echo to put into the recording?

[@GregMichael]

No it doesn't. Hope that helps?

[@TheVonLuxembourgFamily]

Thanks for answering my question. Keep up the great job! From NY 👏🏻

[@dinhtiencuongdroppii]

Thật là tuyệt. Ước gì em có được zoom h6 handy record

[@PastorShayne]

finally a realistic review

[@GregMichael]

Thanks. All audio is unprocessed. I have more videos featuring my H6. Very soon I will upload a comparison of two Taylor acoustic guitars all recorded on H6.

[@PastorShayne]

@@GregMichael as crazy as it sounds, I have an Apollo twin, and am considering the H6 simply due to the amount of inputs I need. It appears that the audio quality is up to par for a mixing engineer to tweak to acceptable quality, although some review seem to have some white noise.

[@GregMichael]

@@PastorShayne are you looking for an audio interface with loads of inputs? You should try soundcraft mtk22 it has zero letancy and 24 inputs. Plus awesome built in effects. You can do analog mixing on it. Zoom H6 is more like a microphone with additional inputs and ability to record standalone. At least its how I use it

[@PastorShayne]

@@GregMichael im looking for portability and minimalism. I liked the UA Arrow as a replacement for my Apollo Twin markii, but it only has 2 in... I need 4; plus the onsight recording feature for nature sounds etc is awesome.

[@drerenfe]

Hi, when i record i hear good quality and high volume of sound from headphone jack. But when i play back the recorded file it sounds very low even if i set playback volume to %100. Do u have any preconfiguration on Zoom H6 ? Do u use it with factory settings? Thanks..

[@jtiizii5163]

enjoyed the video!