Zoom H6
6-Track Recorder
All Black 2020 Version
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
Zoom H6 Recorder (18.6 oz./528 g with included stereo mic, 4-AA eneloop cells and SD card as shown, $349.99). bigger. I got mine at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This all-content, junk-free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
My H6 is turned off in all these photos; even if ON the backlit LCD wouldn't be visible under my extremely bright studio strobes.
April 2020 Audio Reviews Zoom Reviews Headphone Reviews All Reviews
Zoom H6 Recorder. bigger.
Zoom H6 Recorder. bigger.
Introduction top
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
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This Zoom H6 is a six-channel portable recorder. It comes with an interchangeable XYH-6/BLK 90º/120º adjustable stereo X-Y mic system as shown which has its own 3.5mm input jack if you prefer to use a different input for those channels, as well as four more channels of XLR / ¼″mic or line inputs.
The channels are marked L/R (for the included mics), and then channels 1 ~ 4 are the other four inputs. Select the individual front-panel -20 dB pad for line inputs, otherwise each is a mic input. Each level control covers a huge range. Each has selectable phantom power, and you may select +48, +24 or +12 volts for that phantom power.
When recording more than two channels the H6 records simultaneous one- or two-channel files, which you then drag into your editing program.
Most channels can be set to record as parts of stereo pairs, or as separate tracks.
The level of the stereo L/R input on the plug-in mic is controlled by its one knob (L/R not individually adjustable), but each of track 1, 2, 3 and 4 have individual controls, not ganged if any of them are parts of stereo pairs.
It records in any of the usual many variations of .WAV at 44.1, 48 or 96 ksps at 16- or 24-bits, or MP3 at 48 to 320 kbps.
Not only does the H6 record up to six tracks all at the same time, there is an option to record two more channels as a mixed-down MP3 recorded at 12 dB below the main track, so if anything overloads or you lose the main files, you can get it back later from the backup track!
The small two-inch diagonal 240 × 320 pixel backlit LCD works great, realizing that this is a small recorder, but people over age 40 will need their reading glasses to see all the details.
The mic module is all metal and feels nice, precise and tough, while the recorder is just the usual plastic. It all comes from China.
I got my H6 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Zoom H6. bigger.
Good
Very sensitive, noise-free preamps and included microphones. They are about as sensitive as my own ears and can pick up and amplify things not easily heard, like the proverbial pin drop. If you hear noise in your recording with the included mics, then it was there while you were recording and not a defect of the H6.
Records at up to 136 dB SPL with the built-in mics.
Very easy to use; the included printed manual is only 14 pages long. The 104-page User's Manual isn't needed unless you want to and unlock every feature like editing, dubbing and mixing in the recorder itself; the 14-page guide is all you need to get up and recording.
The three-color LED tally lights above each channel make it easy to see what's going on, and even better, they blink for a second if any channel clips, even on playback.
Level meter bar graphs have continuous color gradations from green through yellow and orange to red; they're not just three colors.
Peak meters by default, VU meters settable in a menu with your choice of 0 VU reference in dBFS (-20 dBFS default).
Knobs for level controls (Menus needed to set phantom power and limiters).
Easy to select Mic or Line levels on channels 1~4; just move the individual 20 dB pad switches.
Side Menu navigation lever is much faster to use than the usual separate up/down/OK buttons.
Several different compressor (AGC/ALC) and limiter settings in the menu system.
Internal ability to decode M-S microphone systems.
Low-Cut filter adjustable in steps from 80 Hz to 237 Hz (or OFF) in the menu system.
Variable-speed playback in the menu system.
Includes license keys for free Steinberg CUBASE LE and WAVELAB LE software.
Can measure SD card performance; press MENU > SD CARD > PERFORMANCE TEST > OK.
4 AA Alkaline batteries included so you can run right out of the box, if you have an SD card (no card included).
Clock continues to run and menu settings are saved while you change batteries.
Bad
Offshored to China.
Uses an older version of the old Micro-USB connection, called the Mini-USB connector. You may have to dig a bit deeper into your personal cord collection to find an actual Mini-USB cable; everything today is either USB-C or Micro-USB. (This is because the H6 is a 2013 design and not updated other than in color for the "2020" version.)
Missing
No XLR connector locks makes the recorder easy to slip in and out of cases and pockets, but also makes it easy to pull the connectors out while recording!
No SD card included.
No case included; use the Zoom PCH-6.
No wind screen included.
No Mini-USB cable included.
All channel meters show even if recording fewer channels; the active channels don't expand to fill the screen if they're all you're using.
While the LCD with the meters can't be seen if you're using the included XYH-6/BLK Plug-In Mic Module to record yourself, the channel LEDs blink if you clip, which is just about as useful.
If using channels 1/2 or 3/4 as stereo pairs, the level controls remain independent and are not ganged for stereo. This makes it difficult to adjust stereo levels on the fly without the stereo balance shifting.
Specifications top
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my H6 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
See also the last pages of Zoom's H6 User's Manual.
Power specifications top
4 AA eneloop, Ni-MH or Alkaline
or
USB power.
Weight specifications top
18.635 oz. (528.4 g) with included stereo mic, 4-AA eneloop and SD card as shown, actual measured weight.
Recorder-only rated 9.9 oz. (280g) and mic module rated 4.6 oz (130g) without batteries or card.
Quality specifications top
Made in China:
Bottom, Zoom H6. bigger.
Tripod Socket specifications top
Yes, standard ¼″ × 20 TPI.
Clock specifications top
The internal clock can be set from 2013 (when the first H6 was introduced) through 2050.
Included specifications top
H6 recorder.
XYH-6/BLK Plug-in Stereo X-Y Mic Module.
4 AA Alkaline cells.
Three separate printed short manuals in English, French and Spanish.
Printed license keys for Steinberg CUBASE LE and WAVELAB LE software.
Warranty.
Packaging specifications top
Zoom H6 All Black Box. bigger.
Corrugated cardboard box and inner dividers.
Zoom's Model Number specifications top
ZH6AB.
Announced and Available specifications top
April, 2020.
Price, USA specifications top
$349.99, April 2020.
Accessories top
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my H6 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Optional Plug-In Modules
Zoom H6 and included XYH-6/BLK Plug-In Mic Module. bigger.
Zoom XYH-6/BLK Plug-In Mic Module (included). bigger.
XYH-6 X-Y Mic Module (included).
EXH-6 Two-Channel XLR / ¼″ Preamp Input Module.
SGH-6 Mono Shotgun Mic Module.
SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun Mic Module.
General Accessories
AA eneloop cells and chargers.
User's Guide top
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my H6 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
Read the included 14-page printed guide and you've got all you need to know for recording.
You only need the 104-page H6 User's Manual if you want to do all sorts of crazy editing and mixing and other processing in your recorder.
Hints
There are five more menus below the first five; click more to see them. It's not obvious from the graphics that they are there.
Remember to format your card in the recorder. This erases anything on it and optimizes it for recording. Do this at MENU > SD CARD > Format > Yes.
To test SD card performance, press MENU > SD CARD > PERFORMANCE TEST > OK.
Oddly the front is marked as if channels 1 & 2 are left and 3 & 4 are right, while if you use these inputs for stereo then 1 & 2 are a left-right pair and 3 & 4 are another left-right pair. Weird.
The recorder is set for the included throw-away alkaline AA cells. I use rechargeable eneloop; if you do, be sure to set the recorder to work best with them at MENU > SYSTEM > Battery > Ni-MH.
You can read Zoom's 104-page H6 User's Manual if you want to do overdubbing and mixdowns in the recorder itself; most of us simply record with the recorder and do the rest on a computer, so few of us need the big manual.
Recommendations top
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
This is a great little recorder if you need six channels. The included mics work great, and the four more inputs are very flexible, and everything works fast and easy.
If you can still find it, here's a hint: the older gray version H6 is exactly the same recorder just in a different color, and the set includes a second M-S stereo mic system in addition to the X/Y mic, includes a protective case, a foam windscreen, and a USB cable, all for less money. Obviously get the the older gray version H6 while you can; it's the same recorder with more accessories for less money!
I got my H6 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
This 100% all-content website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links to approved sources when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Zoom does not seal its boxes in any way, so never buy at retail or any other source not on my personally approved list since you'll have no way of knowing if you're missing accessories, getting a defective, damaged, returned, non-USA, store demo or used recorder. I use the stores I do because they ship from secure remote warehouses where no one gets to touch your new camera before you do. Buy only from the approved sources I use myself for the best prices, service, return policies and selection.
Thanks for helping me help you!
Ken, Mrs. Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
More Information top
Intro Specifications Accessories
User's Guide Recommendations More
I got my H6 at B&H. I'd also get it at Adorama or at Amazon or at eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.
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