Ideal for documentaries, podcasting, audio for video, and professional sound design, the Zoom H5 Portable 4-Track Handy Recorderportable handheld recorder lets you quickly record up to four input signals regardless of your audio experience. With a swappable stereo microphone capsule, versatile 2-channel inputs, and up to 4-track recording, the H5 is both user-friendly and easily expandable.

Like other H-Series Handy recorders such as the H4n Pro and H6, you can hold it in your hand, attach it to a mic stand or tripod, or mount it to a camera (shoe mount available separately); the H5 packs an impressive array of features into a rugged, rubberized body that's more than ready to meet the varied demands of musicians, videographers, sound designers, content creators, and news shooters.

From the plentiful battery life to the powerful audio processing functions, the H5 is well equipped to handle anything from tracking live performances and podcasts to recording interviews, dialogue, and sound effects. It can supply phantom or plug-in power for condenser mics, or accept direct connections from synths, keyboards, drum machines, or +4 dB line-level mixers. No matter the source, selectable auto-recording and pre-recording ensure that you'll never miss the start of a take, and stereo safety track recording provides duplicate tracks at a lower level to avoid distortion.

Live/Location Recording & Podcasting    Swappable Stereo Mic, Built-In Speaker    Dual XLR-1/4" Mic/Line Inputs    Fast, User-Friendly Operability    Records in WAV up to 96 kHz    3.5mm Line & Headphone Outputs    Onboard Compressor & Low-Cut Filter    Powered via Batteries, AC, or USB    Supports SDHC Cards up to 32GB    Stereo Safety Track Recording

The H5's front panel is ergonomically arranged with its most essential and commonly used controls—transport buttons for record, play/pause, stop, back, and forward operations, individual record-arm buttons that double as mute switches during playback, and large gain knobs. For added safety, a hold switch disables all front-panel buttons to prevent accidental operation during recording. Day or night, view vital information such as audio levels, recording time, battery status, and more on the large, monochrome backlit LCD.

Each H5 input has its own dedicated gain control knob, located beneath a protective bar that prevents accidental movement during handling. There's no track selection or button pressing required to optimize your recording levels; just turn the dials (clearly labeled from 0 to 10) anytime you need to adjust the gain. If your XLR-1/4" input source is so loud that you need even less gain than the preamps provide at the "0" setting, use the menu system to activate the -20 dB pad (selectable per input).

Leave your external mics at home and travel light. The H5 is outfitted with Zoom's XYH-5 interchangeable stereo microphone that provides clear, phase-accurate capture in a classic 90° X/Y configuration for a tight stereo image. The matched unidirectional condensers are housed within a specially designed shockmount that employs rugged external mic wires and rubberized material to minimize vibration and handling noise. With nothing more than the H5, you're set to record speech, practice sessions, concerts, or ambient and environmental sounds, even ear-rattling ones up to 140 dB!

The Zoom mic capsule input on the H5 accommodates Zoom's line of separately available interchangeable capsules, which can be swapped out as easily as the lenses of a camera. With mid-side, X/Y, and shotgun mic capsules to choose from, you can be ready to record music, dialog, or sound effects without carting an external microphone setup. Opt for the EXH-6 combo input capsule to accept two additional mic/line signals via XLR-1/4" jacks.

Equipped with two XLR-1/4" combo inputs and a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack input, the H5 can accommodate condenser microphones, +4 dB balanced line-level sources, or signals from unbalanced instruments with active electronics. Turn on 12, 24, or 48 VDC phantom power to the XLR jacks, or 2.5V plug-in power to the mini jack. Whether you plan on recording studio condenser mics, a stereo feed from a mixer or wireless receiver, or a lavalier mic for an interview, the H5's preamps (identical to those found in the H6) are ready to deliver low-noise (-120 dB EIN) performance.

If you happen to setup external microphones in a mid-side configuration, the integrated MS decoder allows adjustment to the perceived width of the stereo image, which is beneficial for sound design, broadcasting, or general stereo-to-mono compatibility.

The H5 boasts multiple recording modes, and is capable of up to 24-bit / 96 kHz resolution. Record in stereo from the X/Y mic capsule or input jacks, or use Multi File mode to simultaneously record the X/Y mic and two external sources (great for getting the room sound and a stereo feed from a mixer). Alternatively, Multi File mode can be utilized for overdubbing in case layers of instruments need to be added after an initial recording. The H5's internal mixdown function lets you adjust levels and pans as you blend four tracks down to stereo.

Maximize portability by recording directly to an SD card (up to 2GB capacity) or SDHC card (up to 32GB capacity). A 2GB SDHC card will yield approximately three hours of 16-bit / 44.1 kHz stereo recording time using the BWF-compliant WAV format for uncompressed audio quality and industry-standard file compatibility. Note that media cards are available separately, and larger capacity cards will increase startup times.

Alternatively, use the H5 as a 4-in/2-out USB 2.0 audio interface at up to 24-bit / 48 kHz. For audio interface operation with an iPad (Apple Camera Connection Kit required and available separately), select USB Stereo mode, which offers two channels in and out at up to 16-bit / 48 kHz. The USB port also enables fast file transfer and firmware updates.

The H5 boasts 3.5mm line and headphone mini-jack outputs for simultaneously feeding your camera/DSLR and a pair of headphones. In addition to the dedicated side-panel headphone volume control, the level of the line output can be adjusted via the menu, allowing you to optimize the signal level being sent to your camera without the need for an attenuator cable. For quick playback reference, a built-in monophonic speaker is also provided.

Power the H5 via two AA batteries, or plug it into a wall outlet with an AD-17 AC adapter (available separately). Alkaline batteries can keep the H5 running for up to 15 hours of continuous 16-bit / 44.1 kHz recording using the built-in X/Y mic. When using the H5 in the stereo USB audio interface mode, USB bus powering is possible.

The rubberized, ergonomic body lends itself naturally to handheld use. Should you need to mount it on a mic stand or tripod, a threaded hole on the back of the H5 obviates the need for stand adapters. Obtain a hot shoe adapter (available separately) to attach the H5 directly to a DSLR.

The H5's onboard effects allow you to add polish to your recordings. Compression and limiting compensate for fluctuations in input level, while a low-cut filter helps eliminate wind noise, blowing, and other kinds of low-frequency rumble. Normalize files for maximum gain, split them into smaller chunks, and even insert up to 99 marks per recording.

There's an onboard metronome and tuner, and you can loop playback and adjust pitch and speed independently, making the H5 an ideal tool for phrase training.

The H5 offers selectable recording functions designed to prevent you from accidentally missing the start of a performance. By keeping the previous two seconds of audio whenever you press the record button, the pre-record option ensures that you'll never cut off the beginning of a great take. Auto-record can automatically start recording when a user-set sound level is detected, making it great for voice-activated recording.

Backup record enables the H5 to automatically record a duplicate set of stereo tracks with 12 dB less input gain. Even if your original track is distorted, chances are the backup version will be fine!

Use the RCH-5 remote (available separately) to control the transport, arm tracks, and adjust volume at a distance while eliminating handling noise.

The H5 comes with free download licenses for Steinberg's Cubase LE music production software and WaveLab LE audio editing software, representing a complete audio production toolkit.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Like H6, does it support Plugin-Power thru the 3.5 mm mic-input at the side of the top x/y microphones, and allow to adjust the phantom power voltage to 12v, 24v or 48v, etc?

A: It does support plug-in power through the 3.5mm jack on the stereo capsule. Phantom power is adjustable from 24 to 48v.

Q: 2. 32bit float/wide dynamic range?

A: No.

Q: 3. Are these the same preamps as the H6?

A: Per Zoom, the noise floor of these preamps are slightly lower than the H6's, but the gain is the same.

Q: 4. Can you jam sync time code into this device?

A: The Zoom H8 does not have Time Code In or Out, so you would need additional gear to jam sync time code on this device. The Tentacle Sync Sync E Timecode Generator with Bluetooth (Dual Set), BH #TETE2 offers a very simple and reliable system, that can be connected to the 1/8-inch audio input of the XY-mic capsule, or into one of the XLR audio inputs with a Rode VXLR 3.5mm TRS Female to XLR Male Adapter, BH #ROVXLR, You do lose one audio channel to time code, but this would allow you to sync time code between the recorder and cameras in you productions.

Q: 5. what are the difference between h6 and h8 ?

A: The H6 is a 6 channel recorder with 4 on board mic pres, a stereo capsule that can be changed, a colored screen, and a 6 tracj audio interface. The H8 is a newly released 12 track recorder featuring 4 xlr mic ins, 2 separate xlr/trs ins for line level audio and instruments, a stereo capsule, a touch screen with specific apps to aid in the recording of podcasts, music, or field, can an audio interface.

Q: 6. i wonder if the Zoom H8 can record a safety track on any of the xlr inputs? with the H6, the safety track function only controlled the inputs from the capsules mic.

A: Based on the user guide, the backup recording is taken from the 2 channel mic in of the capsules on the recorder.

Q: 7. Can I run the line out of the Zoom H8 to an XLR house main to get the audio on their speakers for events?

A: The Zoom H8 is really not made to output to a PA system, as it has active mics on it, you would likely get a feedback loop. What kind of audio are you trying to output from your PA system?

Q: 8. I need to record 4 xlr mics plus record a smartphone call and have the caller hear the conversation. is there an add-on I can buy to do this with the H8?

A: For that style of application, the H8 may not be the best option for your needs. I would suggest the Zoom L-8 mixer/recorder instead BH #ZOLTL8. This unit can accept up to 6 xlr mic in's, and is set up to accept a trrs input from a smartphone, and allow the caller to be recorded while sending a mix of the xlr mics to the listener.

Q: 9. Does the 8H come with a case to protect the unit similar to the case of the 6H?

A: Based on Zoom's website, there is no case included in the box.

Q: 10. do you still need Cloudlifter using the shure sm7b?

A: It is recommended to use a Cloudlifter in line with the Shure SM7B into this recorder.