****Updated: See negatives section. ****
I have owned this device for almost 6 months now. The more I use it the more I am blown away by its capabilities and all the different situations and ways I can use it. I use it as is (no extra mikes) and the only thing I upgraded is the memory card.
The mic unit it ships with is incredibly sensitive and when recording there is no delay whatsoever. It still amazes me that technology allows such instantaneous sound reproduction. I think it may pickup the sound of a pin drop. The mic is also very faithful in terms of range of frequencies. At least for me - it seems to record everything I hear and when I play the sound back - the highs the lows and everything in between is there. Stereo imaging is excellent!
I've used it for live show recordings using only the included mic and have had mixed results - placement is very important even in a studio-like sound proofed room. I recorded one show with a feed directly from the mixer and I was beyond thrilled with the results. The band I sing with was also happy to have such a good reproduction of the show. My bass player commented that he had never heard bass captured so well and the loved the results. The quality of the playback of recorded sound is also unbelievable. It makes sense that they should include such awesome playback in this device - its the best way to tell if you got an awesome recording or not. It made me realize that my laptop needed an external DAC because the same WAV file sounded positively horrid on it. I had to go back to the H5n to make sure I was not going crazy with how poor the file sounded on my laptop. The challenge now is how to convert the raw files created on the H5n to a media format that does not lose all the detail. I have used it to provide sound to my D610 and obviously - this is way better than the D610s internal mic - not a fair comparison IMHO.
The negatives:
- The folder structure is so weird! Whose idea was this? Fire them! Ok, too harsh - but do give them a good talking to. Overall, if making a beautiful and easy to navigate and intuitive folder structure will take anything away from the quality of sound and the ease with which this lets you record - don't bother.
- The unit allows you to set a backup recording that will record a few DB below the setting you selected. This option is available only for the mic that comes attached and L and R is controlled by one level knob. Don't get me wrong - this is a GREAT feature. It would be an AWESOME feature if it allowed similar backup tracks for other inputs also. The 2 second buffer is another fantastic feature.
-I wish I got the H6 now. If this unit is so awesome and opens up so many possibilities - imagine how awesome the H6 must be. :-( You get he point - this isn't really a negative.
The negatives, besides the one about backup track recording - are not worth docking it any stars. This is primarily a sound recording device - and that it is phenomenally good at doing.
*New negative added after , what, 6 years? :-) The device has become sticky. The rubber like finish it had to give good grip, has broken down into something that just wants to stick to your hands. This despite it being always stored in its case. After it turned sticky I pretty much leave it lying around here and there out of the case. So, I still use it but try to handle it as little as possible. And after all these years, it still functions as it did the day I took it out of its box. Still an excellent piece of audio equipment.
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This Item  Zoom H5 Handy Recorder | Recommendations  |  |  |  |  | |
| Price | $245.00 | -14% $299.99 List: $349.99 | $429.00 | $324.95 | -24% $304.99 List: $399.99 | $119.62 |
| Delivery | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 16 | Get it as soon as Tomorrow, Apr 12 | — | Get it Apr 29 - 30 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 16 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 16 |
| Customer Ratings | ||||||
| Sold By | The Tech Hubs | Adorama | Sole Source AV Supply | FABBLE | Amazon.com | Renessy US |
| hardware interface | unknown | microsd | usb | usb | usb, secure digital | secure digital |
| memory capacity | 32 GB | 512 GB | — | — | 4 GB | 2 GB |
| display size | — | 2 inches | — | 4 inches | — | 1.8 inches |
| format | wav | wav | usb memory stick | wav | mp3 audio | wav, mp3 audio |
| battery quantity | 2 lithium polymer, 2 aa, 1 lithium ion | 2 aa | 2 aa | 2 aa | 4 aa | 2 lithium polymer, 2 aaa, 2 aa, 2 lithium ion |
| weight | 115 grams | 454 grams | — | — | 0.01 ounces | 0.29 pounds |
| mic form factor | Built-In | Built-In | Built-In | Built-In | Capsule | Built-In |
| mic operation mode | Stereo | Mono, Stereo | Cardioid | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| headphones jack | 3.5 millimeters | 3.5 millimeters | 3.5 millimeters | 3.5 millimeters | — | 2.5 millimeters |
Product information
| Product Dimensions | 9.1 x 3.4 x 6.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 4.1 ounces |
| ASIN | B00KCXMBES |
| Item model number | H5 |
| Batteries | 2 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
| Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
| Best Sellers Rank | #7,092 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #9 in Digital Multitrack Recorders |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | June 23, 2014 |
| Manufacturer | Zoom |
| Country of Origin | China |
Warranty & Support
Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here. [PDF ]
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From the manufacturer
The Zoom H5 Handy Recorder
Evolved Recording for Creators
The compact and portable H5 gives you everything you need to create professional quality audio. It comes with a detachable stereo X/Y microphone and utilizes a system of interchangeable input capsules that allow you to choose the best mic for every situation.
Ideal for live concert and rehearsal recording as well as audio for video, the H5 is equally well-suited for podcasting, broadcasting and electronic newsgathering.
- Uses a system of interchangeable input capsules
- Detachable stereo X/Y capsule with shockmounted mics and extended signal capacity
- Four tracks of simultaneous recording
- Records directly to SD and SDHC cards up to 32GB
- Up to 24-bit/96kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
- Two mic/line inputs with XLR/TRS combo connectors, each with selectable phantom power and -20dB pad
- Requires just two standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries (over 15 hours of operation with alkaline batteries)
Add superior audio to your video
The H5 can be mounted to any DSLR. Its dual combo inputs can handle both mic- and line-level signals. There's even a dedicated Line Out for direct connection to your camera without the need for an attenuator cable.
XYH-5 shockmounted X/Y mic capsule
The advanced XYH-5 provides dual matched unidirectional condenser microphones housed in an advanced shockmount to minimize vibration and handling noise-ideal for location videography and broadcasting/podcasting. In addition, the XYH-5 is designed to handle extremely loud sounds, making it the perfect choice for capturing the sound of live rock concerts and for electronic newsgathering (ENG) applications.
Available Capsules (Not included)
XYH-6 large diaphragm X/Y mic capsule
The XYH-6 allows you to do stereo X/Y recording and provides dual large diaphragm mic elements with adjustable width-choose 90 degrees for a more focused sound or 120 degrees for a wider stereo image. It''s great for recording classical music and for capturing sound effects in the field.
MSH-6 MS (Mid-Side) mic capsule
Step up to a whole new level of precision sound-shaping with the MSH-6, which contains a forward-facing, unidirectional mic (the 'Mid') and a side-facing, bi-directional mic (the 'Side'). In conjunction with the H5''s onboard MS decoder, it allows you to capture a fully mono-compatible stereo image that can actually be adjusted after recording-ideal for film, video, and television projects.
SGH-6 Shotgun mic capsule
Get all the pickup with half the length by connecting an SGH-6, which adds a professional-quality, highly directional shotgun microphone to your H5. Three elements, combined with digital signal processing, give you the highly directional pickup power of a conventional shotgun in a unit only half the size, making it optimum for recording dialogue and narration with no intrusive mic in the scene.
EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo capsule
The EXH-6 adds two more mic- or line-level inputs to your H5, allowing you to connect up to four discrete signals from external microphones, instruments, mixers, or portable music players and fully realize your creative vision.
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| Customer Reviews |
2,657
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1,121
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2,535
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| Price | — no data | $249.99 | — no data |
| Number of simultaneous tracks | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| Number of inputs | 4 (expandable to 6) | 2 (expandable to 4) | 2 |
| Phantom power | +12/+24/+48V | +12/+24/+48V | +24/+24/+48V |
| Uses interchangeable capsules | Y | Y | N |
| Provided microphone(s) | XYH-6, MSH-6 | XYH-5 | Built-in X/Y Stero |
| Maximum SD card size | 128 GB | 32 GB | 32 GB |
| Separate line out | Y | Y | Y |
| USB audio interface in/out | 6/2 | 4/2 | 2/2 |
Superb performance in a small, affordable package
What's not to like about a tiny recording device with outrageous sound quality that would need a million dollar recording studio twenty years ago? As a studio interface for my Rode NT-1A and occasional ambient nature recorder, I needed ultra-low noise levels and the H5 doesn't disappoint, with s/n ratios around the advertised -120. I love the great battery life, real rotary input knobs and recording a second backup track at lower levels in case the main track over-modulates. The manual claims the largest usable SD card is 32GB but I'm using a 256 GB (see pic) formatted as FAT 32 in Mac's Disk Utility on a Zoom H1 connected as a card reader via USB. I presume the H5 would do the same trick.
Top reviews from the United States
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Top reviews from other countries
- Toby GreyReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2022
Good Cheap Audio Interface. Okay quality Mic FOR a portable mic.
Style: RecorderVerified Purchase -
CésarReviewed in Mexico on March 14, 2021
Buena compra a precio menor que en tienda física
Style: RecorderVerified Purchase - Some GuyReviewed in Canada on December 23, 2022
Highly recommend.
Style: Recorder + Accessory PackVerified Purchase - Vamsi Mohan KrishnaReviewed in India on March 30, 2018
Best portable audio interface and recorder all at the same time.
Style: RecorderVerified Purchase
This is an amazing portable recorder. Perfect for recording everything on the spot.Vamsi Mohan KrishnaBest portable audio interface and recorder all at the same time.
Reviewed in India on March 30, 2018
My use case is that I've attached a Shure SM58 to this and I practice flute so that I can identify my mistakes later. Practicing with a microphone in front prepares us for performing live.
This microphone has so many features that I've not yet explored them all.
Pros:
1. Well built.
2. Quality pre amp and a built in 48V phantom power. All this runs on 2 AA batteries!!! I've been using it for 2 weeks and the battery indicator is still showing full.
3. You can play karaoke tracks on your phone (connect your phone's headphone jack to this one's line in on the mic module and play/sing on the other two tracks. It's perfect for overdubbing and mixing tracks on the go.
4. For the price, we get 3 simultaneous input sources, headphone monitoring, built in compressor and limiters and a stereo mic for field recording.
Cons:
1. The menu systems will take some time to get used to.
2. The joystick controller on the side is a little loose but it doesn't affect it's usage.
I can't think of any other cons.
I also have a scarlett 2i2 but I don't think I'll be using it that much as this is as good as that interface but is portable and has better pre-amps for the SM58 mic. I've also tested it with condenser mics and it performs brilliantly. You can monitor your recording and the dubbing track simultaneously! It's the best feature.. there's no lag in the monitoring. Instead of buying Scarlett 2i2, people could buy this and they'd have a portable interface and a recorder!
Highly recommended.
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