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Presented as Zoom's flagship handheld recorder, the Zoom H6 Essential 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" colour display to adjust individual tracks and directly view waveforms in real-time. The H6essential can utilise 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 to be conveniently used in a fixed location or atop a camera via an adapter for field recording duties.
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.
Find the Capsule That's Right for You
The H6essential sports essential versatility is designed to support creators of every kind. To this end, the H6essential has a removable X/Y mic capsule that can be swapped with several optional modules to fit the needs of your specific application.
The default capsule that comes with the essential, adds two high-quality microphones in a X/Y stereo arrangement. This arrangement is most sensitive to audio directly in front while also capturing a clean stereo image.
The SSH-6e includes a highly-directional microphone to pick up sound in the center, as well as a bidirectional side mic to pick up sounds from the left and right. The mid-side stereo image is adjustable from mono to ultrawide stereo pickup. You can capture dialogue with the center mic, then mix in the desired amount of environmental sound captured by the side mics.
If you need more inputs, simply plug in the EXH-6e dual XLR-1/4" TRS combo capsule. This allows you to connect two additional microphones, instruments, or line-level sources.
Phantom power can be applied if you connect power to the USB-C port on the capsule. There is a 3.5mm jack for line- or mic-level input with plug-in power available for lavalier mics.
More Dynamic Range
With 32-bit float and dual AD converters the H6essential captures huge dynamic range. This gives creators the ability to record perfect audio, clip-free every time.
The four XLR-1/4" TRS combo inputs feature Zoom's ultraclean preamps that support +48V phantom power and +4 dBu professional line-level input. The onboard X/Y microphones can capture sound up to a booming 135 dB SPL, equivalent to a jet airplane taking off.
Send audio via USB-C in a 32-bit float while simultaneously recording to an SD card. When connected to a Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device using the USB-C Port, the H6essential can be used as a 6-in / 2-out audio interface.
Use the built-in mixer to easily adjust each track's audio level. It also has a waveform display, so you can see your audio as it records.
Musicians
The H6essential is a portable studio. Mic up to 4 instruments using the XLR inputs and use the X/Y microphones to capture the full ensemble in beautiful stereo.
The 32-bit float recording gives filmmakers confidence with every take. The interchangeable capsules, four XLR inputs, and wireless timecode (via optional adapter) make the essential invaluable on any set.
When everyone wants to be on your podcast, the H6essential has you covered with its four XLR inputs. For two additional XLR inputs, connect the optional EXH-6e capsule.
Pair with Your iOS Device
Use the BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter (sold separately) to pair with your iOS device and remotely record, adjust your mix, view your waveforms, and change settings.
With the optional BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter, you can also pair with Bluetooth timecode devices for audio and video sync.
Soft-Touch Controls
Recording and rotary controls have been meticulously designed to allow for quiet operation.
You can use the built-in speaker to listen to your recordings for quick reference. The speaker supports up to an impressive 500mW output.
Use the 3.5mm line output to connect to a camera, and use the 3.5mm headphone output to monitor your audio.
The vivid full-colour 2" LCD screen makes it easy to navigate through the H6essential's menu and functions.
The H6essential supports microSDXC cards up to 1TB to record hours and hours of audio.
Presented as Zoom's flagship handheld recorder, the Zoom H6 Essential 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" colour display to adjust individual tracks and directly view waveforms in real-time. The H6essential can utilise 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 to be conveniently used in a fixed location or atop a camera via an adapter for field recording duties.
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.
Find the Capsule That's Right for You
The H6essential sports essential versatility is designed to support creators of every kind. To this end, the H6essential has a removable X/Y mic capsule that can be swapped with several optional modules to fit the needs of your specific application.
The default capsule that comes with the essential, adds two high-quality microphones in a X/Y stereo arrangement. This arrangement is most sensitive to audio directly in front while also capturing a clean stereo image.
The SSH-6e includes a highly-directional microphone to pick up sound in the center, as well as a bidirectional side mic to pick up sounds from the left and right. The mid-side stereo image is adjustable from mono to ultrawide stereo pickup. You can capture dialogue with the center mic, then mix in the desired amount of environmental sound captured by the side mics.
If you need more inputs, simply plug in the EXH-6e dual XLR-1/4" TRS combo capsule. This allows you to connect two additional microphones, instruments, or line-level sources.
Phantom power can be applied if you connect power to the USB-C port on the capsule. There is a 3.5mm jack for line- or mic-level input with plug-in power available for lavalier mics.
More Dynamic Range
With 32-bit float and dual AD converters the H6essential captures huge dynamic range. This gives creators the ability to record perfect audio, clip-free every time.
The four XLR-1/4" TRS combo inputs feature Zoom's ultraclean preamps that support +48V phantom power and +4 dBu professional line-level input. The onboard X/Y microphones can capture sound up to a booming 135 dB SPL, equivalent to a jet airplane taking off.
Send audio via USB-C in a 32-bit float while simultaneously recording to an SD card. When connected to a Windows, Mac, iOS, or Android device using the USB-C Port, the H6essential can be used as a 6-in / 2-out audio interface.
Use the built-in mixer to easily adjust each track's audio level. It also has a waveform display, so you can see your audio as it records.
Musicians
The H6essential is a portable studio. Mic up to 4 instruments using the XLR inputs and use the X/Y microphones to capture the full ensemble in beautiful stereo.
The 32-bit float recording gives filmmakers confidence with every take. The interchangeable capsules, four XLR inputs, and wireless timecode (via optional adapter) make the essential invaluable on any set.
When everyone wants to be on your podcast, the H6essential has you covered with its four XLR inputs. For two additional XLR inputs, connect the optional EXH-6e capsule.
Pair with Your iOS Device
Use the BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter (sold separately) to pair with your iOS device and remotely record, adjust your mix, view your waveforms, and change settings.
With the optional BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter, you can also pair with Bluetooth timecode devices for audio and video sync.
Soft-Touch Controls
Recording and rotary controls have been meticulously designed to allow for quiet operation.
You can use the built-in speaker to listen to your recordings for quick reference. The speaker supports up to an impressive 500mW output.
Use the 3.5mm line output to connect to a camera, and use the 3.5mm headphone output to monitor your audio.
The vivid full-colour 2" LCD screen makes it easy to navigate through the H6essential's menu and functions.
The H6essential supports microSDXC cards up to 1TB to record hours and hours of audio.
Form Factor | Handheld Recorder |
---|---|
Primary Use Applications | Audio-for-Video, Dictation & Transcription, Music Recording, Podcasting |
Number of Tracks | 8 (6 Inputs + Stereo Mix) |
Number of Input Channels | 6 (4 x Mono, 1 x Stereo) |
Maximum Sampling Rate | 96 kHz / 32-Bit Float |
Microphone | Interchangeable Cardioid Condenser Stereo Pair, X/Y Configuration |
Number of Microphone Inputs | 4 |
Built-In Speaker | Yes, 500 mW Mono |
Display | 5.1 cm Color LCD |
Memory Card Support | microSDXC (Up to 1 TB) |
Internal Storage | No |
Special Features | Overdubbing |
Audio File Formats | BWF, iXML, WAV |
---|---|
Sample Rates | 44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz |
Bit Depth | Up to 32-Bit (Floating Point) |
Analog I/O |
4x Combo XLR-1/4" 3-Pin Female Balanced/Unbalanced Line/Mic Input (Lockable) 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Line Output 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Headphone Output |
---|---|
Phantom Power | +48 V |
System Connection | 1x USB-C (I/O, 2.0) |
Audio Interface Capability | Stereo Only |
Max Input Level |
Mic Inputs: +4 dBu Line Inputs: +24 dBu |
---|---|
Max Output Level |
Line Outputs: +2 dBu |
Headphone Output Power | 20 mW per Channel into 32 Ohms |
Impedance |
Mic/Line Inputs: ≥3 Kilohms |
Microphone Sensitivity | -42 dB (X/Y) |
Microphone Max SPL | 135 dB SPL (X/Y) |
Power Options | Battery, USB Bus Power, AC/DC Power Adapter |
---|---|
Battery Type | 4x AA |
Approximate Battery Life |
48 kHz/32-Bit: 18 Hours (AA Alkaline, 2 Channels, Recording, Built-In Mic) |
AC/DC Power Adapter | 5 VDC at 1 A (Included) |