Presented as Zoom's flagship handheld recorder, the H6essential Portable Recorder offers six tracks of pristine, distortion-free audio without the need to set levels. With 32-bit float recording and hot-swappable X/Y mics that can handle 135 dB with ease, the H6essential offers a versatile pain-free audio solution.

The four XLR-1/4" combo inputs feature low-noise and high-quality Zoom mic preamps and sport +48V phantom power for driving professional condenser mics. An onboard mixer is easy to use with the bright 2" color display to adjust individual tracks and directly view waveforms in real time. The H6essential can utilize its USB-C port not only for power but also to stream up to two channels of audio to computers and smart devices, acting as a 6-in / 2-out interface. Furthermore, the recorder is tripod mountable, allowing it be conveniently used in a fixed location or atop a camera via an adapter for field recording duties.

Flagship Handheld Audio Recorder    Includes BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter    Filmmakers, Musicians & Content Creators    32-Bit Float: No Level Adjustment Needed    Removable X/Y Mics Handle up to 135 dB    4 XLR-1/4" TRS Combo Inputs with Preamps    Dual A/D Converters    Onboard Mixer and Waveform Display    Function as a 6x2 USB-C Audio Interface    Compatible with Alternative Capsules

The Essential Series was designed with accessibility for the visually impaired. Navigate the menu with audible descriptions through the built-in speaker or headphones. Creators can choose English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian, or Chinese.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can this unit be configured to record 4 inputs to a SINGLE 4-channel .wav file?

A: Yes, the Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder can record 4 inputs simultaneously to a single 4-track WAV file.

Q: 2. Can the Mix track be disabled? I don't want that recorded.

A: Yes. When connecting the Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder to a computer and setting the recorder for use and an audio interface, you have the option of setting the output to "Multi track" or "Stereo Mix." When set to "Multi track," you will have the individual tracks instead of the Mix track going to the computer.

Q: 3. Does it have 3.5mm microphone input?

A: No, the Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder (BH #ZOH6E) only has 3.5mm outputs. You could use a 3.5mm to XLR adapter like a RODE VXLR 3.5mm TRS Female to XLR Male Adapter (B&H # ROVXLR) to attach a 3.5mm mic.

Q: 4. Can you use your own microphone?

A: Yes, the Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder has a 3.5mm input that can be used to connect an external microphone.

Q: 5. Input for a remote control like the H4N? Looks to be missing the port. If not, I'm saddened.

A: The remote connector for the Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder is for the Zoom BTA-1 adapter so that you can control the recorder from an iOS device via Bluetooth.

Q: 6. Can the H1essential provide phantom power to an XLR connected boom?

A: The Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder doesn't have an XLR connection, so it wouldn't be able to provide phantom power to a connected mic.

Q: 7. Does this have Ambisonics support for mics such as the Rode Soundfield NT-SF1?

A: Yes, since the Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder has four (4) XLR inputs and can record four (4) separate audio tracks, it would work with the RODE SoundField NT-SF1 Ambisonic Microphone.

Q: 8. Is the built-in mic recording in 32-bit Float? (Because it does NOT on the 4 track version.)

A: Yes, the Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder records in 32-bit from all inputs.

Q: 9. Is there any reason to buy Zoom F3 over the Zoom H4 Essential?

A: The Zoom F3 is a field recorder that is much more appropriate for ENG and Film audio, whereas the Zoom H6Essential is a handheld recorder. It really comes down to if you want to have on-board microphones or not, though. The units will operate the same way when used regardless.

Q: 10. Can I disable recording of the Stereo Mix and record ONLY the iso tracks? (The 4 track version will NOT do this.)

A: According to the user manual for the Zoom H6essential 6-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder, files that are stereo mixes of all tracks will only be created when the sample rate is set to 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.