Watch This Before You Buy the Zoom H5

[@christianskyes]

› Purchase the Zoom H4n Pro: skyes.io/zoomH4nPro › Purchase the Zoom H5: skyes.io/zoomH5 › Purchase the Zoom H6: skyes.io/zoomH6 › Purchase the Zoom H8: skyes.io/zoomH8 › Purchase the Sony PCM-D100: skyes.io/sonyPCM-D100 › Purchase the Sony PCM-D50: skyes.io/SonyPCM-D50

[@thestupendouschumley]

I've done well enough with the H5. I recorded a 24 hour audio book to ACX standards. I had no electricity at the time so I recorded using batteries. My project was was recorded using a large diaphragm condenser AKG C214. Thus using phantom power and draining batteries more quickly. So I simply changed batteries for every 2-3 hour recording session. Rather than having them die in the middle of my recording and losing my pacing. Now I use a battery bank.

[@BlaBlaBlaInDaHouse]

Very comprehensive review, thabk you for this video!

[@christianskyes]

You're welcome :)

[@felipedenegro]

I saw the original review before buying the H5, thanks for the update!

[@christianskyes]

No worries at all, I hope the reviews helped! :)

[@altrn8prsnlty]

Hi, incredibly thorough review. Thank you for this. I wanted to know if the zoom H5 would be suitable to record podcasts with it's default capsule? I hope to hear soon. Thanks again.

[@christianskyes]

Strictly speaking you can, yes. I'd probably just go for the H4n Pro if you're going to do that. Ideally you'd get 2 microphones, and connect them to the device via XLR. This way, you can have the mics a lot closer to the speakers. I hope this helps 👍

[@alisonjones4695]

Wonderful video!! Thanks for the information.

[@christianskyes]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@7elevendays]

Hi Christian, would like to know what is your camera setup. :)

[@christianskyes]

For this one, I believe the B-roll was shot on an iPhone 12 Pro Max :) Right now, my setup is a Canon R5 + Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8 L IS USM.

[@walidsolo6494]

Very brief and informative thanks for your effort ..

[@silverlightphotoco]

Thank you😃 In regard to the topic around 3:03 I have successfully run the H5 off a USB cable/power bank, and there seemed to be no issues with extra noise from the power cable, etc (which is excellent). I LOVE your style of teaching, and while I miss the style of footage you shot with your Canon, it was still very informative, and very helpful.

[@christianskyes]

Thanks for the confirmation in regards to the H5 running off a power bank :) In regards to the style of footage shot with the Canon are you referring to the fact that the B-roll had more movement in the past? If so, worry not, will be doing more of that going forward. It's just that with the upcoming Zoom series, the B-roll is already filmed, and I was experimenting with somewhat more static shots 🤔

[@silverlightphotoco]

@@christianskyes I again really like listening to your delivery, because it mixes a strong technical background with your excellent storytelling skills. I think what I liked about the Canon footage could have been the lens-sensor combination as I refer to it on my podcast and channel, etc. I did like the slow moves as well, but there was something about the perspective of the macro/close-up shots that drew me into the scene, and that might be difficult to replicate on a cell phone sensor???

[@christianskyes]

Thanks a lot, I'm happy you like the delivery :) Interesting, I should be able to get some interesting macro shots on the iPhone 12 Pro Max 🤔 The next video will probably be a DSLR review, but the one after that should be a second Zoom H6 review. I still have the H6, so I'll shoot some close-ups, and we'll see how they hold up :)

[@silverlightphotoco]

@@christianskyesI think the work you're doing to pioneer getting high production quality using a phone will really help a lot of people in the future as you get it all figured out! (I am seriously looking forward to a video of the ttips you have about filmmaking with a phone!) Thank you again...

[@christianskyes]

I shall add a video on iPhone filmmaking to the list :)

[@Utoober-yp7mf]

when connected to computer, does it both charge the h5 and act as audiointerface?

[@mattlister3713]

i believe theres an option for USB bus power - so not ‘charging’ but not draining the battery

[@aghsan555]

Thanks 🌷 good review

[@christianskyes]

Thanks, I’m glad you found it helpful :)

[@scotttilleyphotography]

Hi, I am looking for a recorder to record nature sounds for around the price of the H5. The Sony is very difficult to get and very expensive. Is there an alternative? Also as I understand it if I use Clippy EM272 lav mics to in conjunction with the recorder this largely gets rid of any pre-amp noise? Is that your understanding. Thanks in advance!

[@christianskyes]

I've never used the EM272 lav mics, so I can't comment on that, but an alternative might be the PCM-D50, the model before the D100. I've purchased it recently, and I'll be making a review of it soon.

[@limbosystem]

I appreciate the thorough review! I've had an H5 for a while now and was wondering if I should move on to something else. I love the H5 because it functions as a stand alone recorder, a USB mic, and an audio interface. It does everything I need it to do (usually pretty well!) and to replace it in all of these use cases I'd need to buy a lot of gear and spend a lot of cash. Think I'll stick with the H5 unless I hit the lottery or something.

[@christianskyes]

From what you've said, I'd just stick with the H5 :) You can always buy more capsules if you want to experiment with that.

[@quasiguy]

I'm not sure if you addressed this issue, but I just learned from Zoom themselves that whenever you remove the AA batteries, the internal clock resets to Jan. 1, 2014. This is not the case with my Zoom H4n, my Zoom F3 or my Zoom F1. I think this is a terrible design flaw and can't understand why Zoom would not have some internal battery or capacitor to hold the clock's time while changing batteries, especially when they offer that feature in less expensive models like the H4n. If anyone else has experienced this annoying design flaw, I'd love to hear how you deal with it...besides having to reset the clock with every battery change. Thank you.

[@sonicstoryteller]

Stunning second review Chris, zoom do make quality gear ,,,,but I do like the Sony pcm recorder's but they are expensive and obsolete now ,always wondered if classical guitar would of sounded nice through that ,,,thanks for sharing watching this on a 50 inch ultra 4k TV stunning videography tree looks amazing , looking forward to your next video best wishes from Shropshire England 👍🎸

[@christianskyes]

I'm glad you liked the second review :) Ha, yes indeed, they are expensive. I sold mine recently for around 700 euros, as they're harder to find now. A 50 inch ultra 4k TV :O I'll need to figure out a way to watch my stuff on something like that. I've only seen the video on my laptop 😂 Never actually been to Shropshire, but I hear it's beautiful. Greetings form Portugal, where I'm currently at 👋

[@christianskyes]

If you have any questions, make sure to leave them down below, and I'll do my best to get back to you 👍

[@tobiasb4164]

Thanks for the video! Do you know the difference in noise between the stock-XY-capsule and a good XLR mic on the h5 for recording quiet stuff?

[@christianskyes]

Unfortunately I do not, but I wouldn't imagine the difference to be significant, if there is any. Depends on the mic as well.

[@athulvinod6169]

Am trying to create a speech corpus( regional language ) for project work....can you recommend me one.........which one should I go for?

[@christianskyes]

Depends on how you're going to use it. If you just want to use the built-in mics, I'd go for the H4n Pro. The H4n Pro , H5, H6 and H8 basically sound the same. Which one you use depends on how many inputs you need, which features, etc :)

[@ZakMcConnochie]

does the zoom h5 have a headphone jack?

[@christianskyes]

It does indeed have a headphone jack 👍

[@ZakMcConnochie]

@@christianskyes great thanks a lot!

[@christianskyes]

No worries, happy to help. It also has a built-in speaker. The quality on it is obviously not fantastic, but it's ok if you want to quickly check what you've recorded.

[@MrEcruz70]

Hey! do you know if the H5 has auto level feature?

[@aritabaaijens]

Great review. And I really appreciate the tone of voice and the excellent info. You mentioned and showed plastic tabs to cover the H5 when the capsule is removed. I tried to find those tabs, went to shops, searched the internet. Could not find it. Any hint? Thanks so much! Arita

[@BogdanCurta]

Y have the - 20 db backup recording un the Canor XLR or jack imputs. No aditional capsule. Only the recorder direct imputs.

[@Hapz1998]

Two years with this device. I used it to record mostly ambience, and I don't find many differences between the hiss level on the examples of the PCM-D100

[@christianskyes]

It does depend :) It's good for recording natural ambiences of course, and I've recorded many myself with it, and the H6. The example with The Sony PCM-D100 is in regards to really quiet natural ambiences.

[@samphelps856]

Best channel! Thank you!

[@christianskyes]

Thanks a lot Sam, glad you like it!

[@M.okudan]

I’m thinking to buy it, Can I record 4 xlr mics multi track via additional xlr capsule on Sd card and use them for editing this 4 channel later on my computer?

[@user-bk6vq3xm1t]

U can 👍

[@gabyspot]

Is there a recorder that will allow me to connect separately two lavalier mics with 3.5 mm ? I need to do this setup for an interview layout where the person interviewed and me both will have lavs. Also, I want to avoid splitter adapters so I keep separate control of each audio signal. Or is there an adapter for XLR to 3.5 mm ? Any other idea ?

[@christianskyes]

Not too familiar with devices that can take two 3.5mm lab mics, but there are indeed 3.5mm to XLR adapters you can buy :)

[@thejeffgeronimo]

I'm a subscriber also! Nice voice and content! Love the cinematography as well. Greetings from the PH 🇵🇭

[@christianskyes]

Hey! Thanks a bunch :) I'm in Portugal right now, so greetings from Portugal 🇵🇹 😊

[@jarrahparry]

Hi. What is the shock mount at 18:00? And is it any good? Thanks.

[@christianskyes]

That's a Rycote H5 kit.

[@jarrahparry]

@@christianskyes Thanks heaps :)

[@christianskyes]

@@jarrahparry No worries at all :)

[@thejeffgeronimo]

Watching this right now since I'm thinking of buying this mic for podcasting and weddings! Thank you so much!!!

[@christianskyes]

Hopefully the video has helped you make a decision :)

[@thejeffgeronimo]

@@christianskyes Yes!!!

[@christianskyes]

Then I am happy, and the video has fulfilled its purpose :)

[@specialistsound]

you keep talking about the sony pcm D100 in your videos. But they're no longer available to buy. second hand prices have shot up. What would you propose other than a sony for ambience please?

[@christianskyes]

Yeah, I actually sold mine rather recently for quite a bit, was surprised as to just how high prices are for it. My only other advice would be to maybe look for its older brother, the Sony D-50. I've never had one, but my understanding is that they're roughly equivalent when it comes to recording quality. Other than that, when it comes to handheld devices, nothing really comes close to them in terms of preamps 🤔

[@specialistsound]

@@christianskyes thx for the quick response. Will check auwt the d50. Cool videos btw 😎

[@christianskyes]

@@specialistsound With all the attention on buying second-hand PCD-D100s, maybe it's easier to find the D50s :) No worries at all, and thanks a bunch!

[@steven4217]

You record this video in your works bathroom or somethin?

[@kaxymusic1370]

The zoom H5 can have up to 4 mics plugged in given the accessories.

[@the-wonder-club]

Trying to work out the best way to walk and record with it. If you move it, it sounds like a cable hitting a mic stand...

[@christianskyes]

The Rycote kit I mentioned in the video should help with that :) You basically need something that will absorb the vibrations.

[@the-wonder-club]

@@christianskyes I have mics. It's that "something to absorb the vibrations" I'll take advice on! If nothing solid exists then I will be a bit sad to have bought it.

[@christianskyes]

@@the-wonder-club The Rycote kit will absorb a lot of the handling noise :) From my experience, I only get handing noise if I shake the kit really hard 🤔

[@ErtywekPL]

XLR doesnt lock. Also there are better recorders in this price

[@cr7-w1s5k]

Why are the zoom devices, the screen protection manufacturing quality is so bad, and if you clean it, it will scratch easily I really hated it

[@christianskyes]

That's a good question. I don't know if it'd call it bad manufacturing quality, but yeah, they can scratch pretty easily. I don't mind having scratches on my devices personally, and most device scratch too.

[@tendingtropic7778]

Thank you for this elaborate review. I have 1 question: I want to connect the zoom h5 to my computer audio interface using the audio output of the zoom H5. Then, I'd want to use the zoom h5 as a microphone for the computer. In other words, directly sending the audio to the output of the zoom, without the need for pressing the record button on the zoom. is this possible?

[@retiredrapidrabbit]

I’m using Zoom H2n the same way. When I connect it to the PC through USB, it appears as another sound card in PC and sends sound directly to PC, without need to press record. I believe it would work the same way in Zoom H5.

[@tendingtropic7778]

@@retiredrapidrabbit cool thanks! but I'd like to use it without usb, but just via the audio /line out.

[@retiredrapidrabbit]

@@tendingtropic7778 Ok then, I may check for it another day. Still, remember that I'm using H2n, not H5. But possibly it'd work similarly.

[@dudearlo]

I upgraded from an iphone to a zoom H5.

[@luke4strings208]

So s we do

[@DougGray-xf3hz]

Unwatchable with all the ads.

[@gutenbird]

Hello, listen to me as I put you to sleep...... blah blah blah blah blah....

[@christianskyes]

😂 That's pretty accurate actually

[@gutenbird]

@@christianskyeslol I’d probably do the same thing if I had a channel.

[@christianskyes]

@@gutenbird Go for it 👍

[@streamworksdotca]

Thanks for this comprehensive review!

[@christianskyes]

No worries at all 👍