Zoom H5 4-Track Portable Recorder for Audio for Video, Music, and Podcasting, Stereo Microphones, 2 XLR/TRS Inputs, USB Audio Interface, Battery Powered

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If you’re doing a lot of outside work I’d recommend investing in a Rycote windshield, which should fit the H5. Using it as a stereo or multitrack USB audio interface is equally interesting: In this way, the H5 can be used in conjunction with a suitable DAW for post-production or for creating sound and music productions. We bought this audio device for our NGO to capture audio on the go for our videos, interviews, podcasts and also in a booth to record voice over using XLR inputs. We tried it with ProTools, which is now much friendlier to non-Digidesign interfaces than of old, and the H5 appeared in its Playback Engine and offered its four inputs separately or as stereo pairs straight into the program. Zero Handling noise thanks to the material the unit is made, XLRs just make the job with no complaints at all.

This allows users to select the microphone capsule that best suits the situation - making trade-offs a thing of the past. That is why Zoom have spent a lot of time making sure that this microphone is as energy efficient as possible. The level control for the on-board mics is placed just above these knobs, making it is easy to see what controls what. It features a system that allows the supplied XY microphone capsule (XYH-5) to be swapped out for another interchangeable Zoom microphone capsule. Importantly, the metering is reasonably clear and easy to see in the dark, making it a device that’s easy to use when you’re in a panic!Over the past thirty years, the company has built a reputation for producing innovative yet affordable products based on original microchip designs. The range includes the stereo pair X-Y of mics I used, and which come with the unit; a mini stereo ‘shotgun’ mic; a large ball-shaped mid/side head; another pair of tighter pick up X-Y mics, reminiscent of those found on my H4; and a handy pair of extra XLR ‘combi’ sockets, which caters for both line-level sources and external mics, and includes a pad and level control. The H5’s line output can also be dropped by up to 30dB if you’re plugging it into a high sensitivity mike input on your camera.

All of this balance revealed itself as a crucial point and is exactly where I decided to bank on it, with tremendous satisfaction! But you can now connect the mini-USB socket direct to your computer and pull the files directly across that way. Even the lowliest of its ‘H’ range delivers high-quality audio recordings with the ability to raise bit-rates far above CD quality – up to 24 bits per sample compared with CD’s 16, and sampling rates of 96kHz, compared with CD’s 44. PROS (compared to H4N): Lightweight; Very quick start; Menu navigation much quicker; I like the protected potentiometers on the front - much easier to adjust than the side dial; Easy card access - instead of going through battery pack, dedicated slot.But any negatives have been outweighed by the convenience of recording to an SD card, and the ability to read the recordings either via a card reader or by hooking the H4 up directly to a computer via USB. The H4n has a not dissimilar built-in pair of X/Y stereo condenser mics on the front, but these can’t be removed. The gain dials are also easily accessible – the mike capsules have their own controls (the X-Y pair has a single stereo volume dial for the L-R channels), while the separate little gain dials for channels 1 and 2 sit below the display. Alternatively, the H5 can be used as a stereo or multitrack USB audio interface with up to 24 bit/96kHz.

As I was recording a live open-air show, my main concerns were capturing some of the crowd ambience as well as a basic mix of the show. Note that these are not sensitive enough for direct input of guitar or bass; you’ll need a mixer or effects unit to sufficiently raise their levels. Zoom's preamps seem to be all slightly noisy on their own, Not that much to say "this mic is scam", but you know, high enough to say "ok, I know you're there, I'll just fix you if needed".

So if your rowdy guitar player pushes a recording unexpectedly beyond the available headroom and into the unpleasant realms of digital distortion, just grab the back-up copy and use that, or patch the original with it. You can then choose which finance term you'd like to apply for, and change your deposit if you wish. Andertons Music Company acts as a credit broker and not a lender and only offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance.

I’ve used my old Zoom H4 for location recording and it worked well, but I think the H5, like the H6, has taken the versatility to a new level. Maybe some uncertainty on the capsules recording quality, they just didn't convince me completely 'cause for a hundred bucks less you get the H2n and the quality gap is not that high (I compared them with a consistent re-amping test).For film work in particular, the addition of the shotgun and ability to record a couple of lavaliers at the same time, all with different levels, will be welcome. All of these tracks record onto separate channels so you can take them out later and edit on your favourite DAW or even on the H5 itself. There are knobs for the two line inputs on the ‘front’ of the unit, and these are protected by a bar that should stop them being knocked accidentally. the MSH-6 Mid-Side capsule, with its bulbous hemisphere facing directly forwards, capturing audio from directly ahead. It has a nice, rubberised finish, which makes it easy to grip, and the metal bars protecting the level controls lend it a sturdy, rugged feel.