› Purchase the Zoom H4n Pro: skyes.io/zoomH4nPro › Purchase the Zoom H5: skyes.io/zoomH5 › Purchase the Zoom H6: skyes.io/zoomH6 › Purchase the Zoom H8: skyes.io/zoomH8 › Purchase the Sony PCM-D100: skyes.io/sonyPCM-D100 › Purchase the Sony PCM-D50: skyes.io/SonyPCM-D50
Honestly one of the best review videos of a product I've seen on RUclips. It's just very high quality...the sound, the image, editing, the freaking fonts! Just love it. Straight to the point, well organized. Well done sir. Keep putting out stuff. I do hope you reach a million subs, you most certainly deserve it.
Perfect voice. Perfect background music. Perfect video quality. My God man, please do more reviews on more product more often. I’m a little hard to impress and you absolutely knock this out of the park! No doubt people are going to simply listen to you over and over because your music and voice quality and content of your words are just simply so well done, I’m almost at a loss for words.
That is very kind of you to say, thank you! I am indeed planning on doing some more. I've shot B-roll for four other devices, now it's just a case of editing and putting it all together :)
Could you please suggest which Digital recorder will be best for home recording and recording outdoor. My requirement is playing acoustci guitar and recording vocals for cover songs. Kindly suggest.
@Tansen Tunes Productions : How do you intend to record? If you get the Zoom H6, or the Zoom H5, you can just plug in two microphones, one for your voice, and one for the guitar, and you can record anywhere. You can also use the X/Y capsule that comes with the recorder to capture something in a more live setting. If you don't have too many microphones, then you can use the X/Y capsule to capture the guitar, and you can plug in a microphone for your vocals.
I’d like to purchase a recorder/mic to attach to mu DSRL camera to record ambience sounds and my voice for asmr (not professional asmr artist). Would you recommend me getting the Zoom h6 or the Sony? I do not need XLR inputs for extra mic. Just one recorder for everything, for all my needs. Thank you so much
Hi Christian, thank you for your review, I have some questions. First I bought an Olympus Ls-11 to record wildlife sounds. Some time later I moved to a Sony PCM-D100. Now I would like to have less noise when recording super quiet nature ambiences. What would you recommend me if I’m going to use an external mic, would the Zoom H6 with its XLR inputs would be a good choice or would still be noisy? I’d rather buy something like the Zoom F6 but is more expensive at the moment and the H6 is more versatile since you can use different capsules for when you don’t want to carry lots of gear. The mic I intend to use is the Audio Technica BP4025. Would I get good nature free of noise recordings with this mic and the H6, or should I look at something else? I’d be grateful if you could give me your thoughts. Thank you for your time.
I've done a test just today, comparing the H4n Pro and H5, and yeah, they do seem to have the same amount of hiss when recording with the same settings. I'd say the H5 and H6 are still the better choice, due to versatility, but I'll make sure to add this as a note in the description of all the relevant videos.
Thanks for the thorough post. In our setup (we just taped our 366th podcast) I've used Blue Yeti or Samson Go-Mics for a simple Omnidirectional solution in the center of anywhere from 3-10 people sitting in an oval with the mic dead center. The problem is when there are side conversations going on everything gets muddled. I don't want to separate tracks and do a bunch of post editing but I feel like if each person had their own xlr mic we would eliminate much of the background chatter. I was wondering if in an instance of recording up to 6 people each on their own xlr mic you would recommend the zoom h6 with the capsule that allows for an additional two xlr mics or if you would recommend a mixer like the Yamaha MG 10Xu. The zoom on your amazon link is $329 and the EXH-6 capsule is another $79- $410 total. The Yamaha USB mixer solution is $200. I'll leave this comment on your youtube video in case you check those more often. I'm also subscribing, thanks for the great information!
Hi Joey, apologies for the delayed response. You could definitely get the extension capsule for the Zoom H6, and thus use six microphones at once. Do bear in mind though that the extension capsule doesn't give phantom power, which means that you'd have to make sure that the microphones you plug into it don't need it. You can definitely use something like the Yamaha MG 10Xu, even though I haven't tried it personally. As far as I can tell though, that mixer can only take 4 XLR inputs. Also, if you're recording on a computer, the USB cable that connects it to the mixer can only export one track. You can pan one left, and one right, and thus separate the signal, but you're limited in that sense. As an audio nerd, I'd recommend getting something like the H6, which allows you to record on six separate channels, so you have more freedom in post. Once the episode is recorded, what you can do to simplify your workload is to add a subtle 'noise gate' to each track, and play with the settings until it sounds right. What the noise gates does is it basically stops sound under a certain volume from getting through. In other words, once you find the right settings, if someone is talking on one microphone a few feet away, and everyone else is silent, all the other tracks will be temporarily muted. This way, you can only hear that person. Alternatively, hiring a podcast editor doesn't have to be expensive. Have a look on Fiverr or Upwork, and see what quotes you get. I've personally hired a few people on Upwork, but only ever once on Fiverr. Hope my answer helps :)
I like mine but I hate that you can’t record to individual tracks and then multi-track with the capsule mics and the box broke the first time I dropped it.
Like any device, it does have its limitations :) Perhaps it was a manufacturing issue? I've been quite rough with mine, and it didn't break. Luckily capsule replacements aren't super expensive, but hopefully it was covered by the warranty?
Just found your review of the Zoom H6, pretty cool, thanks! I have 2 questions: 1- What music did you use for the first part of your video.. really nice! 2- You said that in order to record ambient & nature, the H6 wouldn't be your first choice... a- why is that and b- what would you use instead? Thank you!
Hi Gabriel, sorry for the late reply. Comments don't always show up in order. I'm not sure which song I used, but it's from Epidemic Sound if that helps. I looked up something like 'relaxing' or 'ambient' music 🤔 In terms of a recorder for quiet ambiences, that would be the Sony PCM-D100. I have a review of it on the channel as well 👍
Good review..... There is just one thing is not clear to me: Is not possible to use de 4 mic inputs at the same time using phantom power? Or you can use the 4, but you can not use the 2 mic built-in to have the six working at the same time? Thank you
Thanks, glad you liked it :) The Zoom H6 can provide phantom power to all 4 inputs at once if needed. These are the ones on the sides of the device. The detachable capsules do not require phantom power, nor can they receive it. For example, you can record 8 tracks at once if you wish. That's inputs 1-4, plus L/R and a backup for L/R. L/R is essentially coming from the detachable capsule. This can be from the X/Y capsule, the combo input capsule (the one where you can plug two more mics in), etc. Another example would be as follows: If you have the combo input capsule, which allows you to plug in two more mics, you can have 6 mics running at the same time. The caveat is that only 4 of the microphones can receive phantom power, if needed. That's the ones plugged into the sides of the device. The other two that are plugged into the detachable capsule can be recorded at the same time as the other 4, but they can't get phantom power. Not all microphones require phantom power though, so you could just get 6 mics that don't need it, or 4 that do, and 2 that don't. Probably better to get 6 that don't though, as that way you'll have the same sound on all 6, if that's what you're after. Hope this helps clarify things :) Let me know if you have any other questions.
Great review. What would be your first choice if you want to record nature ambiances with the built-in mics but also want to have XLR inputs? I'm divided between this one and the Tascam DR-100mk3. Any thoughts?
I want to record the wind - not block it out. Like in the forest with the leaves "rustling" and at the beach with the coconut tress swaying in the wind and some ocean sounds. What is the best way to record the wind so that it will sound natural rather than over driving the mic. Searches on RUclips prove futile as they return videos on how to block out or remove wind or how to get wind sound effects.
I can see which bit might be confusing, so allow me to clarify. A windshield doesn't block the sound of the wind, it just stops it from slamming into the mic. For example, when you're outside on a windy day, and the wind blows in your ear quite hard, the sound will be distorted. If you have a hoodie on, you can still hear the wind whistling and affecting things around you (like the trees), but without it slamming into your ear. A windshield works very much the same way, except that it doesn't affect the sound, or at least it affects it to a very minimal degree. I hope that helps 👍
Great review. Thank you. Towards the end you mention it wouldn't be your first choice to record nature recordings. What would be your recommendation? Thank you.
What is your opinion regarding Tascam DR-100MK3 and DR-40x vs ZOOM 5/6. I am looking at field ambience recording with Rode NTG5 mic. Many thanks in advance.
The quality of this video and its review... is mind-blowing 😮 A question: Would the Zoom H5 (which is what I'd like to buy for the budget I have compared to the few differece between it and the H6) be suitable for Organ recordings (yes, the big instrument from the church...!) Some people would recommend an omni-directional microphone, but those are not only incredibly expensive, but also not really portable for those that give a good quality. Is the H5 suitable as an alternative of such omni-directional microphones?
Also, it needs to be a really good quality (big difference from a simple phone-recording) but it's also going to be used for RUclips, so it doesn't need to be ultra-professional either. Most of the locations that it would be used for, are churches or chapels.
Hey, glad you like it :) The reason why omni-directional microphones are often recommended is because they capture the sound in a way that gives you a good sense of the room, plus they can capture really low frequencies (for when the organ plays really low notes). To clarify, any recorder can record the sound of the lowest notes, but omni mics do a good job at recording the full character of those lower notes. Now, that being said, yes, they are indeed super expensive and not portable. In regards to the Zoom H5, yes, you can record a church organ with it, and it will sound a lot better than using a phone, but not quite as good as using omni mics. Given that the recording will be on RUclips, I'm not sure most people would really be able to appreciate the difference between a pair of omni mics, and a Zoom H5 anyway, especially if they're listening on their phone or laptop. Since we've established that, here are a few rules to make sure you capture the best possible sound: 1) Use a safety track. The H5 should allow you to record a second safety take at a lower volume, I believe at -12dB. That way, if the organ gets too loud, the main track might distort, but the safety track will have a lower volume version, which you can edit in and save the recording. 2) Find the sweet spot in the room. When recording organs, it's important to get a good blend of the room, and the instrument itself. If you're too close to the instrument, you tend to get too much sound from the 'blowers'. If you're too far away, the organ will sound a bit too washed out, and it will lack definition. If you can, get someone to play it for you, plug in some headphones into the recorder, and walk around with it. Start just in front of the pipes, move the recorder low, mid, and high, to hear the difference. Then, take a few steps back and repeat the process, holding the mic both in front of your chest, by your feet, and way above your head. Figure out where you like the sound the most, and place the mic there. A stand would be recommended, to make sure that the microphone doesn't move during the recording process. Also, you might have to account for the fact that people might be present when recording. Placing the mic too close to them might introduce too much coughing in the recording, though that can be theoretically fixed. If you end up recording coughs, get in touch, and I might be able to remove them for you. Hope this helps 👍
@@christianskyes Wow, thanks for this detailed reply! It's probably true that people won't notice the difference, and since RUclips only allows a maximum bitrate, I guess the ultra-high end will be overkill for what I'm aiming for. The safety track is something I've never heard of before, but since many organ pieces require very different registrations (very quiet to very loud), that will indeed come in handy! When I'll have it, I'll follow your instructions to test for the best balance. If all circumstances are normal, I shouldn't ever be recording with an audience in the room, but indeed, you never know 😄 Should it ever come as required, I will certainly contact you! Seeing that you're only a year active on RUclips, I can definitly tell that you should continue doing what you're doing. The quality of your videos, filming and -quite obviously I guess, but still- incredible sound is appaling... these are the kind of videos people are looking for. I don't even know how you film the device so smoothly and from such close-up shots, but it's beautiful, and helps understand the whole product better. While you might not have many subscribers right now, it'll definitly pop-up as soon as you have more videos that will become viral (and I'm sure at some point, they will!). Thanks again for the help, and see you around 😉
In the conclusion you said that for recording quiet nature ambiences the Zoom H6 would not be your choice. What would you choose instead for super quiet nature ambiences?
I saw your recommendations for quiet nature ambiances is the The Sony PCM-D100, wondering if you have a second choice for such tasks that may be more in the $300 range. Also if you could explain a bit more in depth where one may run into problems the H6 with ambiances, because it is my first pick due to the versatility of it. BUT the main reason I'm looking to purchase a field recorder right now is to record unique samples from nature and city life experiences. Any recommendations would be very much appreciated! LOVE your videos!
Hi, don't really know of any recorder in the $300 range that performs better than the Sony PCM-D100. If $300 is all you have, you might as well get the Zoom H5, as it has the same pre-amps as the H6, but fewer inputs, so it's cheaper. You could always try to get a second-hand PCM-D100 on eBay. If you want to record city sounds, the H5 should be fine. It's only when you get the really quiet nature ambiences that you might run into difficulty. So when you're recording something really quiet, you're eventually going to have to boost the volume, so you can hear it better. When this happens, you'll start hearing hiss, which is basically self-noise from the recorder. If you record the same ambience, at the same level, the Sony PCM-D100 will basically have less hiss than any of the Zoom H-series recorders. That doesn't mean that it will be unusable necessarily, it just depends on what you need, and how quiet the sounds will be. Hope this helps 👍
Very good concise and complete video. If you could answer a few questions I would be really happy. I am a devotional singer....want to buy zoom h8. Can I hear my voice in echo while recording....I need to hear my voice loud and sweet with effects so that I can sing better. Can we use it as a condenser mike to record on a computer like in studios. Thanks and God bless u.
Great review! I was looking for a portable recorder to record samples for my music at work or just to record the jam sessions I do with my friends. This seems perfect for both.
At the time it might have been a Zoom H6 + Rode NTG-2, though nowadays it's a Shure SM7B + cloudlifter + Zoom H8. The setup is in the video description :)
Yeah I'd forgotten that the EX H6 as that peace with the 2 XLRs is called doesn't spit phantum. There goes why I actually bought the H6. I bought it to record in 5.1 surround sound. But to do so well I'd have to get the EX H6 then a power box that spits phantom and hook it to the EX H6 then hook the front left and right mics to it. Mad annoying. Thankfully with the new H8 recorder and it's own EX H8 peace that adds not 2 but 4 XLRs again there's always a god dam inconvenience but they fix the phantum thing. The EX H8 will spit phantom but you have to plug it in. That being done though you can go up to 9.1 surround sound.
great review... I began to record some ambiance for my musical project with my old Zoom H2 (not n), and I'm considering to upgrade for better amd more quite preamps. You say that this H6 is not well suited for ambiance recordings. What do you recommend in the same price range? I know there are better choice (zoom H4/H6, MixPre 3 mkII, with a pair of good omni, like the Usi Pro) but they are far more pricey.
Hi Andres. It depends on what kind of setup you want to have. You can definitely bring multiple mics, with stands, and mic your voice and guitar separately. Alternatively, if you just want to record with one mic, and get some of the natural ambience, the H4n Pro, H5 or H6 would do just fine. You can get some more audio quality out of the Sony PCM-D100, but you're sacrificing the XLR inputs. You also want to get your hands on some good wind protection for it, especially if you want to record outdoors.
Have a question. I looked at your H4 video and am wondering if the H6 will let you punch in record. I couldn't find anything other than overdubbing tutorials. Would the H4 be a better purchase than the H6 to do this type of recording?
@@christianskyes One more question. If I have to record also audio for films, with an NTG 2 and Lav mics that i have, would you recommend the H6 over the Sony as an "All Rounder" ?
The H6 is definitely more of an ‘All rounder’. You can technically connect a mic to the Sony btw, but you’ll have to look it up, as I’ve never done it myself :)
What do you think about the Zoom U-44? I mean, it's a lot cheaper and, as far as I can see, got the same specs (or even better). Would you mind doing a review or comparison on that? Thanks a lot!
I have a U-44 and it's great. I also have at the moment an H6 but it's being returned due to it crashing my DAWs - in audio interface mode. It seems it just isn't compatible with Windows 10 using the current (2017) drivers.
Every recorder has a level of self noise that it introduces into recordings. When you're recording louder sounds, it's not audible, or even noticeable. That being said, when you record quiet sounds, and pump up the gain a bit, the hiss becomes noticeable. When recording really quiet ambiences with it, I've noticed too much hiss. You can definitely record ambiences, just not super quiet ones. I've used the Sony PCM-D100 for quiet ones.
As far as I know, the only difference is that the all black version looks cooler 🤔 Also, I believe the all black version only comes with the X/Y attachment, whilst the older H6 came with the X/Y and the MS. I assume most people just didn't use the MS capsule that much.
I'm at the very moment when I'm just starting to gather information about a video podcast. I need two medium quality microphones for starters, 2 pairs of headphones I have from sennheiser and a camera to film full hd on sd card 45 minutes or maximum one hour. My question is if I could use the BM 800 Condenser microphone with Zoom h6 input to get quality sound and the h6 zoom output at the microphone input in a camcorder? Thank you
Hey, I really enjoyed your review. You said it is not your first choice for nature ambiences. So what IS your choice for that specific area? Thank you in advance!
@@christianskyes Ah, I hoped you wouldn't suggest that one, as it is way over my budget :D Anyway, thanks for your recommendation, I'll probably get the H6.
Hi Christian. Very helpful review. Have you any knowledge about compatability / use of the H6 or H8 with a DAW such as Presonus Studio One, either to download audio or as an interface.
Really a great video, with only the things you need to make decision. I got the H6 around a year and half back, and the times that it has been a help is awesome, one thing that I want to add is if you are someone who plays instrument the audio interface feature of the H6 is strong. Yes its not up there with dedicate interfaces but since its mainly a recorder, the interface feature is awesome.
Thanks for a great video. For recording acoustic music: a guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals, or something like this, is it worth paying more for the H6 or is the H5 suitable? Thanks again.
Hi Jay. It depends on how you want to record. Do you want to use one mic and record the instruments within the room? Then the H5 or H6 would be equally suitable. If you want to mic things separately, and thus get closer to each instrument, and potentially less of the room in the recording, you might want to look at the H6. This also depends on how many mics you'd use if you mic things separately. Will the banjo, guitar and mandolin be played at the same time, or is it voice + one instrument? If it's voice + one instrument, then H5 would suffice, as you can plug in two mics. If it's all 4 at the same time, then the H6. I hope this helps!
Thanks for the great review. Couple questions if you don't mind. Is one able to record to say, CH 1, then play back CH 1 to earphones while also recording to CH 2, then play back CH 1 and/or CH 2 to earphones while also recording to CH 3, and . . . well I think you see where I'm going with this? If that can be done, then if one is not happy with CH 2 and/or CH 3, lets say . . can one delete one or both channels and then re-record them? Thanks in advance for your kind consideration of this matter.
That's a good question, though honestly, I don't know the answer to that one, as I don't use the device in that way :) If someone else reads this and knows the answer, please feel free to comment and let us know 👍
Thanks for the review. You said at the end that if you were trying to record super-quiet natural ambient noises the H6 would not be your first choice. That is exactly what I was hoping to buy the H6 for, so thanks for saving me from a bad decision. What WOULD be your personal first choice of handheld recorder for quiet nature ambience recordings? Thanks
Hey! First of all great video. Having in mind that the Sony recorder cost 400$ more than the zoom, what would be your second choice then? (Recorder or microphone)
Thank you for making great videos ! actually I've a question for you for H6, I've seen a musician use zoom h6 in real time so can I use zoom h6 as a microphone on the DAW after connecting it to the audio interface? also can I use the Sony PCM D100 in real-time in the same way on the DAW? I'm always thankful for your kind answers. Have a nice day.
SKYES Audio here’s where I’m stumped. I want for video production AND podcasting, so I’m stuck between that rodecaster pro and this for phone calls on a future podcast. Do you have any experience with the rodecaster?
It's great for short films and quick dialogue sequences as it's easy to set up, but the issue is that the screen might be hard to see if you keep it in a bag to record. Also, whether it's good to record in the mountain or on beaches, with lots of wind, it depends. You'd need to use a directional microphone for dialogue recording, so how much wind protection you have on the mic would determine whether it can be used in windy conditions.
Over time the rubber of the casing starts "melting". It get's sticky, smelly and is no longer fun to use. Even so I kept it always protected the stuff dies of itself. Won't buy a device with rubber on it ever again. Really nasty. 😅 (Bought it in July 2016 -> after 5 years it started)
That is correct, that can indeed happen. From what I understand, that tends to happen to devices with rubberised bodies, like the Zoom H series devices.
If you want to record super quiet ambiences, I'd go for the Sony PCM-D100. If you want to record louder ambiences and sounds in general, any of the H4n Pro, H5, or H6 would do 👍
The mics that come with the H5 are good, but you can always experiment. You can record with them, and you can also plug in one or more mics, and see which one you prefer 🤔 Bear in mind that if you bring more mics, you're going to have to bring more gear, such as extra stands, cables, etc.
Hi, Great Review! Did you use the H6 with a Condenser Microphone for example the Rode NTG2? Are the pre amps noisy when the Phantom Power is switched on? I have a H4n and looking to upgrade to be able to use my Condenser Shotgun Microphone in the Field as the Pre-Amps in the H4n are awful. Again... Great Review, Thanks, Hugh
The amount of noise can be rather subjective, but from my experience, the Zoom H6 has much better pre-amps than the Zoom H4n. I have managed to get some really clean recordings with the Rode NTG-2 and Tascam DR-60DmkII though, so it might be worth having a look at that one instead, if you don't mind the lack of built-in microphones 👍
just out of curiosity, what would be your first choice to record 'super quiet nature ambiences'? It was a very nice review. I'm thinking about what handy recorder I should get and were leaning towards the H6, when I saw your video on the suggestions, by the title and the thumbnail at first I thought it would be a video bashing the H6 or reporting some problem lol
Hi, thanks! Apologies for the late reply. For this video, I either used the Amazon Professional Condenser Microphone, or the Rode NTG-2. Not 100% sure. I've used the Amazon one for my most recent videos, and I'm actually switching to a Shure SM7B soon :)
Would you say this is overkill for a beginner? I'm an indie filmmaker, and I see that it costs 399.99 on amazon but its offering 5 monthly payments of 80.00 USD coming to a total of 108.00 for the first payment.
Hey, it depends. Part of the main appeal of the Zoom H6 is that it has a lot of inputs. This will future proof you to some degree, as you'll be able to have 4 mics going into it at once. You can always get the Zoom H5, which is cheaper, and has fewer inputs, or you can look at the Tascam DR-60D, which is cheaper, has 2 inputs, but does not have any built-in microphones 👍
That's good :) Bear in mind that the H1n does not have any XLR inputs, which means that you won't be able to use a shotgun microphone with it, especially if it needs phantom power.
Is red button is smooth as compare to other buttons. I'm asking because, When you press other buttons, It sounds little bit but red button don't. I want to confirm, is there any problem with mine or is it same for all.
I had to sell mine a little while ago, as I wasn't using it all the time, and had to invest in other gear, but if I recall correctly, the big recording button almost felt a bit mushy, and didn't actually make a sound.
The zoom h5 has very important defect. When you record with gain settings that are below 3 the gain is reduced digitally so if the signal clips with gain set at three, it will clip with gain set at 2 o below BUT the clipped signal will be lowered in gain AFTER the clipping has happened. Does the H6 behave the same?
@@christianskyes I've read so. in another comparison video there on youtube the vlogger stated that some people have even issues when plugging and unplugging microphones with phantom power ON. Saying that the preamp on which the mics were connected stopped working for good. That's really unpleasant to here because I was about to buy one. I believe I won't now.
Thanks, very good review! I´m thinking of buying one to record myself playing various instruments outdoors... handpans, acoustic guitars, percussion instruments etc... one question: are you able to overdub with the H6? Meaning, can one record audio on to track 1 and 2 for example and then listening back to that, record audio on to track 3 and 4? Many thanks!
You can overdub, but it's limited and quite tedious. For example, to my knowledge, you can't use the X/Y or MS capsule to record, as when overdubbing, every track you record to has to be mono, and coming from a different input. For example, if you want to record your guitar, you have to plug it into Input 1, and then do the rhythm part (for example). Then, in order to record a solo over it, you have to unplug it, and plug it into Input 2. If you want to record rhythm guitar with the X/Y capsule, and then a solo over that with the X/Y capsule, that does not seem to be an option. The video that Zoom made on it is filled with comments from people who are upset that they can't do that: ruclips.net/video/J5uVW0bKWeo/видео.html
@@christianskyesif you can't overdub on same track is that realy overdubbing ? It just means your recording another track on another channel . For instance I have a looper if I record in track 1 , I can play track 1 and record another track on top of it so then you have 2 sounds on track 1 . Isn't that overdubbing
If you want something compact, I'd go for the Sony PCM-D100, which I've reviewed on this channel. If you're going to record a thunderstorm though, you're going to need some serious wind protection. A slightly unorthodox method I've been using is placing the recorder inside of a blimp. As a result, you have two layers of protection against the wind 👍
@@christianskyes Thanks for the fast reply.i will check your review about the Sony. It is a bit pricey, but the first comments i read about it were impressing.
No worries :) Oh yeah, everyone I know who owns it, loves it. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's for you, but it's worth at least having a look at it.
Hi! I’m looking for a device that would help me to record the audio as I play my synthesizer on camera in isolation from any outer voice. Would Zoom H6 do the job? I’m sorry if the question sounds dumb. I’m pretty new to this stuff. :) Cheers!
Thank you for this. I don't know anything about recorders and this is perfect. How can I know what is the highest impedance for headphones that I can use with the H6?
Glad you like it! Hm, interesting question 🤔 Not quite sure, but here's the spec sheet for it: www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/h6-handy-recorder/specs
When recording really quiet sounds, like nature ambiances, you need really quiet preamps. The ones on the Sony PCM-D100 are better, and thus they introduce less noise in the recording than the H5 or H6 preamps, which are noisier.
@@christianskyes What if I'll be recording less subtle sounds in nature like waves and waterfalls. Or voices, chants, acoustic instruments, percussion? I also noticed that you can't connect external microphones on the Sony PCM-D100. If I'm looking for something that is portable but I can use as a interface for my home studio as well, would something like Zoom F4 have quiet enough preamps but with ability to attach inputs and use for a home studio as well?
Allan Leal Looks like you can put an external mic on the Sony PCM-D100. According to the User Manual - Page 42 - images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1GgwotMGgS.pdf The cost of £538 versus H6 £292 is a big jump though ... @Skyes Audio
this has to be one of the most well done---visually and sonically pleasing RUclips reviews I have seen to date. Absolutely professional. Your voice over talent also complements the music. If I were currently in the industry, I would hire you in an instant.
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
› Purchase the Zoom H4n Pro: skyes.io/zoomH4nPro
› Purchase the Zoom H5: skyes.io/zoomH5
› Purchase the Zoom H6: skyes.io/zoomH6
› Purchase the Zoom H8: skyes.io/zoomH8
› Purchase the Sony PCM-D100: skyes.io/sonyPCM-D100
› Purchase the Sony PCM-D50: skyes.io/SonyPCM-D50
this is the most zen review ive seen in my life
haha, yeah, kinda what I'm going for
hahahah so true ...these comments are hilarious
@@christianskyes you need to use this formula to review EVERYTHING!
@@SOLIDSNAKE. That's the plan ;)
your voice is like butter to my life
Thank you very much, Gabriel! Stay tuned, more videos coming 👍
hahaha
Yeah..it's ASMR for some!!! Awesome voice!!!
@@abhijeetkirtane I have ASMR, but I also have misophonia to go with it, Not a good mix!
Honestly one of the best review videos of a product I've seen on RUclips. It's just very high quality...the sound, the image, editing, the freaking fonts! Just love it. Straight to the point, well organized. Well done sir. Keep putting out stuff. I do hope you reach a million subs, you most certainly deserve it.
Thank you, it is very much appreciated! 👍 It would be nice to get to one million one day, but in the meantime, I'll just keep making reviews :)
This was the most unexpectedly soothing review I've ever seen.
Glad you liked it :)
Perfect voice. Perfect background music. Perfect video quality. My God man, please do more reviews on more product more often. I’m a little hard to impress and you absolutely knock this out of the park! No doubt people are going to simply listen to you over and over because your music and voice quality and content of your words are just simply so well done, I’m almost at a loss for words.
That is very kind of you to say, thank you! I am indeed planning on doing some more. I've shot B-roll for four other devices, now it's just a case of editing and putting it all together :)
Whenever I come home from a stressful day at work I lie down an play this video. Never fails to relax me.
That's awesome to hear Bill!
I hope this review of the Zoom H6 comes in handy! If you have any questions, feel free to comment down below, and I'll do my best to answer them.
Could you please suggest which Digital recorder will be best for home recording and recording outdoor. My requirement is playing acoustci guitar and recording vocals for cover songs. Kindly suggest.
@Tansen Tunes Productions : How do you intend to record? If you get the Zoom H6, or the Zoom H5, you can just plug in two microphones, one for your voice, and one for the guitar, and you can record anywhere.
You can also use the X/Y capsule that comes with the recorder to capture something in a more live setting. If you don't have too many microphones, then you can use the X/Y capsule to capture the guitar, and you can plug in a microphone for your vocals.
Hi, I do indeed. You can watch my video on the Sony PCM-D100. It's rather legendary when it comes to recording quiet ambiences.
No worries, hope it's useful to you :D
No worries! :) Yeah, the Sony D100 is indeed pricier. At least you now know about it :)
I’d like to purchase a recorder/mic to attach to mu DSRL camera to record ambience sounds and my voice for asmr (not professional asmr artist). Would you recommend me getting the Zoom h6 or the Sony? I do not need XLR inputs for extra mic. Just one recorder for everything, for all my needs. Thank you so much
I am diving into film making and i dont have big budget, can i buy and use h6 for everything i want ? Nice vids bzw
Muchas gracias, con tu video me he decidido por completo a comprar la Zoom H6
Hi Christian, thank you for your review, I have some questions. First I bought an Olympus Ls-11 to record wildlife sounds. Some time later I moved to a Sony PCM-D100. Now I would like to have less noise when recording super quiet nature ambiences. What would you recommend me if I’m going to use an external mic, would the Zoom H6 with its XLR inputs would be a good choice or would still be noisy? I’d rather buy something like the Zoom F6 but is more expensive at the moment and the H6 is more versatile since you can use different capsules for when you don’t want to carry lots of gear.
The mic I intend to use is the Audio Technica BP4025. Would I get good nature free of noise recordings with this mic and the H6, or should I look at something else? I’d be grateful if you could give me your thoughts. Thank you for your time.
As a note the “h4n pro” pre-amps and XLR connections are identical to the h5 & h6 now. The pro fixing the issue from the previous model
I've done a test just today, comparing the H4n Pro and H5, and yeah, they do seem to have the same amount of hiss when recording with the same settings. I'd say the H5 and H6 are still the better choice, due to versatility, but I'll make sure to add this as a note in the description of all the relevant videos.
Thanks for the thorough post.
In our setup (we just taped our 366th podcast) I've used Blue Yeti or Samson Go-Mics for a simple Omnidirectional solution in the center of anywhere from 3-10 people sitting in an oval with the mic dead center.
The problem is when there are side conversations going on everything gets muddled.
I don't want to separate tracks and do a bunch of post editing but I feel like if each person had their own xlr mic we would eliminate much of the background chatter.
I was wondering if in an instance of recording up to 6 people each on their own xlr mic you would recommend the zoom h6 with the capsule that allows for an additional two xlr mics or if you would recommend a mixer like the Yamaha MG 10Xu.
The zoom on your amazon link is $329 and the EXH-6 capsule is another $79- $410 total. The Yamaha USB mixer solution is $200. I'll leave this comment on your youtube video in case you check those more often. I'm also subscribing, thanks for the great information!
Hi Joey, apologies for the delayed response. You could definitely get the extension capsule for the Zoom H6, and thus use six microphones at once. Do bear in mind though that the extension capsule doesn't give phantom power, which means that you'd have to make sure that the microphones you plug into it don't need it.
You can definitely use something like the Yamaha MG 10Xu, even though I haven't tried it personally. As far as I can tell though, that mixer can only take 4 XLR inputs. Also, if you're recording on a computer, the USB cable that connects it to the mixer can only export one track. You can pan one left, and one right, and thus separate the signal, but you're limited in that sense.
As an audio nerd, I'd recommend getting something like the H6, which allows you to record on six separate channels, so you have more freedom in post.
Once the episode is recorded, what you can do to simplify your workload is to add a subtle 'noise gate' to each track, and play with the settings until it sounds right.
What the noise gates does is it basically stops sound under a certain volume from getting through. In other words, once you find the right settings, if someone is talking on one microphone a few feet away, and everyone else is silent, all the other tracks will be temporarily muted. This way, you can only hear that person.
Alternatively, hiring a podcast editor doesn't have to be expensive. Have a look on Fiverr or Upwork, and see what quotes you get. I've personally hired a few people on Upwork, but only ever once on Fiverr.
Hope my answer helps :)
I like mine but I hate that you can’t record to individual tracks and then multi-track with the capsule mics and the box broke the first time I dropped it.
Like any device, it does have its limitations :) Perhaps it was a manufacturing issue? I've been quite rough with mine, and it didn't break. Luckily capsule replacements aren't super expensive, but hopefully it was covered by the warranty?
🙋🏻♀️ Christian Skyes.. can you recommend h5 or h6 for outdoor recording?
Just found your review of the Zoom H6, pretty cool, thanks! I have 2 questions: 1- What music did you use for the first part of your video.. really nice! 2- You said that in order to record ambient & nature, the H6 wouldn't be your first choice... a- why is that and b- what would you use instead? Thank you!
Hi Gabriel, sorry for the late reply. Comments don't always show up in order.
I'm not sure which song I used, but it's from Epidemic Sound if that helps. I looked up something like 'relaxing' or 'ambient' music 🤔
In terms of a recorder for quiet ambiences, that would be the Sony PCM-D100. I have a review of it on the channel as well 👍
What IS your first choice "for recording super quiet nature ambiences?"
The Sony PCM-D100 is great for that. I have a review of it on the channel.
@@christianskyes why is the h6 not good for super quiet ambience?
So what would you use to record super quiet ambiance? And why wouldn't you use this for it?
I'd use the Sony PCM-D100. All devices have some level of self noise, but that's the best one I've tried when it comes to handheld devices.
Good review..... There is just one thing is not clear to me: Is not possible to use de 4 mic inputs at the same time using phantom power? Or you can use the 4, but you can not use the 2 mic built-in to have the six working at the same time? Thank you
Thanks, glad you liked it :) The Zoom H6 can provide phantom power to all 4 inputs at once if needed. These are the ones on the sides of the device. The detachable capsules do not require phantom power, nor can they receive it.
For example, you can record 8 tracks at once if you wish. That's inputs 1-4, plus L/R and a backup for L/R.
L/R is essentially coming from the detachable capsule. This can be from the X/Y capsule, the combo input capsule (the one where you can plug two more mics in), etc.
Another example would be as follows: If you have the combo input capsule, which allows you to plug in two more mics, you can have 6 mics running at the same time. The caveat is that only 4 of the microphones can receive phantom power, if needed. That's the ones plugged into the sides of the device.
The other two that are plugged into the detachable capsule can be recorded at the same time as the other 4, but they can't get phantom power.
Not all microphones require phantom power though, so you could just get 6 mics that don't need it, or 4 that do, and 2 that don't. Probably better to get 6 that don't though, as that way you'll have the same sound on all 6, if that's what you're after.
Hope this helps clarify things :) Let me know if you have any other questions.
You stated this wouldn’t be your first choice for quiet nature recordings. What would be your recommendation for that type of recording
That would be the Sony PCM-D100 :) I've reviewed it on the channel.
Thank you will check that review out
@@minus3988 No problem :)
So what is your 1st choice for recording super quiet nature ambiences?
The Sony PCM-D100, there's a review of it on my channel 👍
Great review. What would be your first choice if you want to record nature ambiances with the built-in mics but also want to have XLR inputs? I'm divided between this one and the Tascam DR-100mk3. Any thoughts?
this is the best recorder you can get on the market in this price range to record nature sounds
then which would be your first choice to record super queit ambience noise while still retaining the h6 features?
That would be The Sony PCM-D100 :) I've made a video on it.
I want to record the wind - not block it out. Like in the forest with the leaves "rustling" and at the beach with the coconut tress swaying in the wind and some ocean sounds. What is the best way to record the wind so that it will sound natural rather than over driving the mic. Searches on RUclips prove futile as they return videos on how to block out or remove wind or how to get wind sound effects.
I can see which bit might be confusing, so allow me to clarify. A windshield doesn't block the sound of the wind, it just stops it from slamming into the mic. For example, when you're outside on a windy day, and the wind blows in your ear quite hard, the sound will be distorted.
If you have a hoodie on, you can still hear the wind whistling and affecting things around you (like the trees), but without it slamming into your ear.
A windshield works very much the same way, except that it doesn't affect the sound, or at least it affects it to a very minimal degree.
I hope that helps 👍
Great review. Thank you. Towards the end you mention it wouldn't be your first choice to record nature recordings. What would be your recommendation? Thank you.
That would be the Sony PCM-D100 :) I've reviewed it on the channel.
Hi Christian, Apparently the Sony PCM-D100 is being discontinued.......What is an alternative for recording nature sounds/nature? Regards
If you're just looking for something handheld, unfortunately nothing really comes close to it :/
@@christianskyes Have you tried the Roland R-26 before? If so, whats your opinion?
@@stefos6431 Unfortunately I haven't.
Just curious: What *would* your first choice be for super quiet nature ambiences?
The Sony PCM-D100 :) I have a video on it on the channel.
Late answer, but if you really need super good quality then a SoundDevice with external mics is the best you can do probably.
What is your opinion regarding Tascam DR-100MK3 and DR-40x vs ZOOM 5/6. I am looking at field ambience recording with Rode NTG5 mic. Many thanks in advance.
Great video, Maestro! What mic do you use in this video?
Do you think this would be a good option to use as an overhead or room mic for recording kids videos?
The quality of this video and its review... is mind-blowing 😮
A question: Would the Zoom H5 (which is what I'd like to buy for the budget I have compared to the few differece between it and the H6) be suitable for Organ recordings (yes, the big instrument from the church...!)
Some people would recommend an omni-directional microphone, but those are not only incredibly expensive, but also not really portable for those that give a good quality. Is the H5 suitable as an alternative of such omni-directional microphones?
Also, it needs to be a really good quality (big difference from a simple phone-recording) but it's also going to be used for RUclips, so it doesn't need to be ultra-professional either. Most of the locations that it would be used for, are churches or chapels.
Hey, glad you like it :) The reason why omni-directional microphones are often recommended is because they capture the sound in a way that gives you a good sense of the room, plus they can capture really low frequencies (for when the organ plays really low notes).
To clarify, any recorder can record the sound of the lowest notes, but omni mics do a good job at recording the full character of those lower notes.
Now, that being said, yes, they are indeed super expensive and not portable. In regards to the Zoom H5, yes, you can record a church organ with it, and it will sound a lot better than using a phone, but not quite as good as using omni mics.
Given that the recording will be on RUclips, I'm not sure most people would really be able to appreciate the difference between a pair of omni mics, and a Zoom H5 anyway, especially if they're listening on their phone or laptop.
Since we've established that, here are a few rules to make sure you capture the best possible sound:
1) Use a safety track. The H5 should allow you to record a second safety take at a lower volume, I believe at -12dB. That way, if the organ gets too loud, the main track might distort, but the safety track will have a lower volume version, which you can edit in and save the recording.
2) Find the sweet spot in the room. When recording organs, it's important to get a good blend of the room, and the instrument itself. If you're too close to the instrument, you tend to get too much sound from the 'blowers'. If you're too far away, the organ will sound a bit too washed out, and it will lack definition.
If you can, get someone to play it for you, plug in some headphones into the recorder, and walk around with it. Start just in front of the pipes, move the recorder low, mid, and high, to hear the difference.
Then, take a few steps back and repeat the process, holding the mic both in front of your chest, by your feet, and way above your head. Figure out where you like the sound the most, and place the mic there. A stand would be recommended, to make sure that the microphone doesn't move during the recording process.
Also, you might have to account for the fact that people might be present when recording. Placing the mic too close to them might introduce too much coughing in the recording, though that can be theoretically fixed.
If you end up recording coughs, get in touch, and I might be able to remove them for you.
Hope this helps 👍
@@christianskyes Wow, thanks for this detailed reply! It's probably true that people won't notice the difference, and since RUclips only allows a maximum bitrate, I guess the ultra-high end will be overkill for what I'm aiming for. The safety track is something I've never heard of before, but since many organ pieces require very different registrations (very quiet to very loud), that will indeed come in handy!
When I'll have it, I'll follow your instructions to test for the best balance. If all circumstances are normal, I shouldn't ever be recording with an audience in the room, but indeed, you never know 😄
Should it ever come as required, I will certainly contact you!
Seeing that you're only a year active on RUclips, I can definitly tell that you should continue doing what you're doing. The quality of your videos, filming and -quite obviously I guess, but still- incredible sound is appaling... these are the kind of videos people are looking for. I don't even know how you film the device so smoothly and from such close-up shots, but it's beautiful, and helps understand the whole product better. While you might not have many subscribers right now, it'll definitly pop-up as soon as you have more videos that will become viral (and I'm sure at some point, they will!). Thanks again for the help, and see you around 😉
Great video! Loved the peaceful visual and aural aesthetic. It really helped me understand the product, thanks.
No worries at all. I'm happy you enjoyed the video, and that it helped you out 😄
In the conclusion you said that for recording quiet nature ambiences the Zoom H6 would not be your choice. What would you choose instead for super quiet nature ambiences?
If you want something handheld, I'd go for the Sony PCM-D100. I have a review of it on my channel 👍
I saw your recommendations for quiet nature ambiances is the The Sony PCM-D100, wondering if you have a second choice for such tasks that may be more in the $300 range. Also if you could explain a bit more in depth where one may run into problems the H6 with ambiances, because it is my first pick due to the versatility of it. BUT the main reason I'm looking to purchase a field recorder right now is to record unique samples from nature and city life experiences. Any recommendations would be very much appreciated! LOVE your videos!
Hi, don't really know of any recorder in the $300 range that performs better than the Sony PCM-D100. If $300 is all you have, you might as well get the Zoom H5, as it has the same pre-amps as the H6, but fewer inputs, so it's cheaper. You could always try to get a second-hand PCM-D100 on eBay.
If you want to record city sounds, the H5 should be fine. It's only when you get the really quiet nature ambiences that you might run into difficulty. So when you're recording something really quiet, you're eventually going to have to boost the volume, so you can hear it better. When this happens, you'll start hearing hiss, which is basically self-noise from the recorder.
If you record the same ambience, at the same level, the Sony PCM-D100 will basically have less hiss than any of the Zoom H-series recorders. That doesn't mean that it will be unusable necessarily, it just depends on what you need, and how quiet the sounds will be.
Hope this helps 👍
@@christianskyes Thank you very much!!
Glad I could help :)
Very good concise and complete video.
If you could answer a few questions I would be really happy.
I am a devotional singer....want to buy zoom h8. Can I hear my voice in echo while recording....I need to hear my voice loud and sweet with effects so that I can sing better.
Can we use it as a condenser mike to record on a computer like in studios.
Thanks and God bless u.
Great review! I was looking for a portable recorder to record samples for my music at work or just to record the jam sessions I do with my friends. This seems perfect for both.
Hi Christian what is your audio setup?
Your audio is excellent
At the time it might have been a Zoom H6 + Rode NTG-2, though nowadays it's a Shure SM7B + cloudlifter + Zoom H8. The setup is in the video description :)
@@christianskyes thanks
@@christianskyes which one would be your first choice for quite ambience noise? like water flowing, or fire sound
@@christianskyes why not a NTG4+ ?
Yeah I'd forgotten that the EX H6 as that peace with the 2 XLRs is called doesn't spit phantum. There goes why I actually bought the H6. I bought it to record in 5.1 surround sound. But to do so well I'd have to get the EX H6 then a power box that spits phantom and hook it to the EX H6 then hook the front left and right mics to it. Mad annoying. Thankfully with the new H8 recorder and it's own EX H8 peace that adds not 2 but 4 XLRs again there's always a god dam inconvenience but they fix the phantum thing. The EX H8 will spit phantom but you have to plug it in. That being done though you can go up to 9.1 surround sound.
Hello thank for review, what do you recommend for quiet nature ambiences then?
Glad you enjoyed it :) Have a look at the Sony PCM-D100 review I have on my channel.
great review... I began to record some ambiance for my musical project with my old Zoom H2 (not n), and I'm considering to upgrade for better amd more quite preamps. You say that this H6 is not well suited for ambiance recordings. What do you recommend in the same price range? I know there are better choice (zoom H4/H6, MixPre 3 mkII, with a pair of good omni, like the Usi Pro) but they are far more pricey.
Hi, thanks for all the precise information. Which it's the best option for recording a guitar and a voice in nature? thanks!
Hi Andres. It depends on what kind of setup you want to have. You can definitely bring multiple mics, with stands, and mic your voice and guitar separately.
Alternatively, if you just want to record with one mic, and get some of the natural ambience, the H4n Pro, H5 or H6 would do just fine.
You can get some more audio quality out of the Sony PCM-D100, but you're sacrificing the XLR inputs.
You also want to get your hands on some good wind protection for it, especially if you want to record outdoors.
@@christianskyes Thank you very much!
No problem at all.
Have a question. I looked at your H4 video and am wondering if the H6 will let you punch in record. I couldn't find anything other than overdubbing tutorials. Would the H4 be a better purchase than the H6 to do this type of recording?
You mention that you wouldn’t recommend it for Nature recordings. Can you suggest another unit for this type of recording?
Sony PCM-D100 :) I have a video on it on the channel.
@@christianskyes Great, thanks!
@@christianskyes One more question. If I have to record also audio for films, with an NTG 2 and Lav mics that i have, would you recommend the H6 over the Sony as an "All Rounder" ?
The H6 is definitely more of an ‘All rounder’. You can technically connect a mic to the Sony btw, but you’ll have to look it up, as I’ve never done it myself :)
What do you think about the Zoom U-44? I mean, it's a lot cheaper and, as far as I can see, got the same specs (or even better). Would you mind doing a review or comparison on that? Thanks a lot!
I have a U-44 and it's great. I also have at the moment an H6 but it's being returned due to it crashing my DAWs - in audio interface mode. It seems it just isn't compatible with Windows 10 using the current (2017) drivers.
hi thanks for this, why would you say the ZOom H6 is not good for recording nature ambience ?
Every recorder has a level of self noise that it introduces into recordings. When you're recording louder sounds, it's not audible, or even noticeable. That being said, when you record quiet sounds, and pump up the gain a bit, the hiss becomes noticeable.
When recording really quiet ambiences with it, I've noticed too much hiss. You can definitely record ambiences, just not super quiet ones. I've used the Sony PCM-D100 for quiet ones.
@@christianskyes Ok thanks so much for taking the time to clarify that!
@@lofi_soul_jazz No problem :)
What was audio setup for this video? It sounds insane 😍
Cool how is the sound
I like the screen
do you recommend it
Any suggestions for Zoom H6 vs Zoom H6 All Black? Thank you.
As far as I know, the only difference is that the all black version looks cooler 🤔 Also, I believe the all black version only comes with the X/Y attachment, whilst the older H6 came with the X/Y and the MS. I assume most people just didn't use the MS capsule that much.
I'm at the very moment when I'm just starting to gather information about a video podcast. I need two medium quality microphones for starters, 2 pairs of headphones I have from sennheiser and a camera to film full hd on sd card 45 minutes or maximum one hour. My question is if I could use the BM 800 Condenser microphone with Zoom h6 input to get quality sound and the h6 zoom output at the microphone input in a camcorder? Thank you
Hey, I really enjoyed your review.
You said it is not your first choice for nature ambiences. So what IS your choice for that specific area?
Thank you in advance!
Glad you liked it :) If we're talking small compact recorders, I love the Sony PCM-D100. I have a video on it.
@@christianskyes Ah, I hoped you wouldn't suggest that one, as it is way over my budget :D
Anyway, thanks for your recommendation, I'll probably get the H6.
Hey chris This Asayehegn from Ethiopia
What is the setup to record small band in bar live with h6? I have no clue
Which portable recorder (since you stated that the H6 isnt quite up to it for this purpose) is best for ambiences?
The Sony PCM-D100 :) I have a review of it.
So what is your number 1 of choice for the best sound quality of all the portable recorders out there?
In my opinion it would be the Sony PCM-D100. I have a video on the channel about it 👍
Hi Christian. Very helpful review. Have you any knowledge about compatability / use of the H6 or H8 with a DAW such as Presonus Studio One, either to download audio or as an interface.
Really a great video, with only the things you need to make decision. I got the H6 around a year and half back, and the times that it has been a help is awesome, one thing that I want to add is if you are someone who plays instrument the audio interface feature of the H6 is strong. Yes its not up there with dedicate interfaces but since its mainly a recorder, the interface feature is awesome.
Thanks for a great video. For recording acoustic music: a guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals, or something like this, is it worth paying more for the H6 or is the H5 suitable? Thanks again.
Hi Jay. It depends on how you want to record. Do you want to use one mic and record the instruments within the room? Then the H5 or H6 would be equally suitable.
If you want to mic things separately, and thus get closer to each instrument, and potentially less of the room in the recording, you might want to look at the H6.
This also depends on how many mics you'd use if you mic things separately. Will the banjo, guitar and mandolin be played at the same time, or is it voice + one instrument?
If it's voice + one instrument, then H5 would suffice, as you can plug in two mics. If it's all 4 at the same time, then the H6.
I hope this helps!
@@christianskyes Thank you so much for your detailed reply. It has definitely made me decide the H6 is the one for me. Thanks again :)
@@Jay-lr3me No worries. All the best!
Thanks for the great review. Couple questions if you don't mind. Is one able to record to say, CH 1, then play back CH 1 to earphones while also recording to CH 2, then play back CH 1 and/or CH 2 to earphones while also recording to CH 3, and . . . well I think you see where I'm going with this? If that can be done, then if one is not happy with CH 2 and/or CH 3, lets say . . can one delete one or both channels and then re-record them? Thanks in advance for your kind consideration of this matter.
That's a good question, though honestly, I don't know the answer to that one, as I don't use the device in that way :) If someone else reads this and knows the answer, please feel free to comment and let us know 👍
@@christianskyes thanks. just curious. anyone else reading that knows, please post?
Thanks for the review. You said at the end that if you were trying to record super-quiet natural ambient noises the H6 would not be your first choice. That is exactly what I was hoping to buy the H6 for, so thanks for saving me from a bad decision. What WOULD be your personal first choice of handheld recorder for quiet nature ambience recordings? Thanks
If you want to record quiet ambiences, I'd say the PCM-D100 would be the best choice. I have a review of it on the channel.
@@christianskyes great. Thanks for your reply. All the best
Hey! First of all great video. Having in mind that the Sony recorder cost 400$ more than the zoom, what would be your second choice then? (Recorder or microphone)
@@facundogarcia8211 there is no second option, this is the best recorder you can get on the market in this price range to record nature sounds
Thank you for making great videos !
actually I've a question for you for H6, I've seen a musician use zoom h6 in real time
so can I use zoom h6 as a microphone on the DAW after connecting it to the audio interface?
also can I use the Sony PCM D100 in real-time in the same way on the DAW?
I'm always thankful for your kind answers.
Have a nice day.
Extremely well produced and helpful. Thumbs up.
Glad you enjoyed it :)
Great video. Seriously, if anyone is in the market for a zoom h6, this is the best video from a pro to teach!
Thanks a bunch, and I'm glad you liked the video :)
SKYES Audio here’s where I’m stumped. I want for video production AND podcasting, so I’m stuck between that rodecaster pro and this for phone calls on a future podcast. Do you have any experience with the rodecaster?
Is Zoom H6 a better mic (pre) amp than H5? I read someplace a dynamic mic works better on H6 because of this.
From what I've heard they basically have the same pre-amp :)
Still unsure.. is it great for short films on the go as well as quick dialogues sequences in the mountains/beaches with a lot of wind?
Thank you!
It's great for short films and quick dialogue sequences as it's easy to set up, but the issue is that the screen might be hard to see if you keep it in a bag to record.
Also, whether it's good to record in the mountain or on beaches, with lots of wind, it depends. You'd need to use a directional microphone for dialogue recording, so how much wind protection you have on the mic would determine whether it can be used in windy conditions.
Over time the rubber of the casing starts "melting". It get's sticky, smelly and is no longer fun to use. Even so I kept it always protected the stuff dies of itself. Won't buy a device with rubber on it ever again. Really nasty. 😅
(Bought it in July 2016 -> after 5 years it started)
That is correct, that can indeed happen. From what I understand, that tends to happen to devices with rubberised bodies, like the Zoom H series devices.
So if you were to get a recorder for ambience and meditation sound what would you recommend?
If you want to record super quiet ambiences, I'd go for the Sony PCM-D100. If you want to record louder ambiences and sounds in general, any of the H4n Pro, H5, or H6 would do 👍
@@christianskyes thank you very much
@@andywray2170 No worries at all :)
Oh also, for the h5 would you recommend using the mics that come with it or just plugging in my own?
The mics that come with the H5 are good, but you can always experiment. You can record with them, and you can also plug in one or more mics, and see which one you prefer 🤔
Bear in mind that if you bring more mics, you're going to have to bring more gear, such as extra stands, cables, etc.
Hi, Great Review! Did you use the H6 with a Condenser Microphone for example the Rode NTG2? Are the pre amps noisy when the Phantom Power is switched on? I have a H4n and looking to upgrade to be able to use my Condenser Shotgun Microphone in the Field as the Pre-Amps in the H4n are awful. Again... Great Review, Thanks, Hugh
The amount of noise can be rather subjective, but from my experience, the Zoom H6 has much better pre-amps than the Zoom H4n.
I have managed to get some really clean recordings with the Rode NTG-2 and Tascam DR-60DmkII though, so it might be worth having a look at that one instead, if you don't mind the lack of built-in microphones 👍
And thank you very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Cool wath is the difference between
This one and the all black one
How do the built in mics handle loud sound sources like a concert?
You can review a band aid and I will watch it ! Amazing 😍
Haha, thanks! Might just do that for an April 1st or something.
just out of curiosity, what would be your first choice to record 'super quiet nature ambiences'?
It was a very nice review. I'm thinking about what handy recorder I should get and were leaning towards the H6, when I saw your video on the suggestions, by the title and the thumbnail at first I thought it would be a video bashing the H6 or reporting some problem lol
Superb video in any ways.
Did you use the H6 and its microphone for your voice over? If not, what did you use then?
Hi, thanks! Apologies for the late reply. For this video, I either used the Amazon Professional Condenser Microphone, or the Rode NTG-2. Not 100% sure.
I've used the Amazon one for my most recent videos, and I'm actually switching to a Shure SM7B soon :)
Is that Pat Morita? 0:17
cool it has nice screen does it have built in mics
No built-in mics, but it does come with an X/Y capsule.
Would you say this is overkill for a beginner? I'm an indie filmmaker, and I see that it costs 399.99 on amazon but its offering 5 monthly payments of 80.00 USD coming to a total of 108.00 for the first payment.
Hey, it depends. Part of the main appeal of the Zoom H6 is that it has a lot of inputs. This will future proof you to some degree, as you'll be able to have 4 mics going into it at once.
You can always get the Zoom H5, which is cheaper, and has fewer inputs, or you can look at the Tascam DR-60D, which is cheaper, has 2 inputs, but does not have any built-in microphones 👍
@@christianskyes I was initially looking st the H1N, but the amount I can pay monthly for this has me looking at this whole thing differently.
That's good :) Bear in mind that the H1n does not have any XLR inputs, which means that you won't be able to use a shotgun microphone with it, especially if it needs phantom power.
@@christianskyes Ah ok thanks, as a total noob when it comes to sound, is the learning curve with this thing steep?
Yes and no. Currently dealing with a situation, but I'll get back to you with more info later on today 👍
Is red button is smooth as compare to other buttons. I'm asking because, When you press other buttons, It sounds little bit but red button don't.
I want to confirm, is there any problem with mine or is it same for all.
I had to sell mine a little while ago, as I wasn't using it all the time, and had to invest in other gear, but if I recall correctly, the big recording button almost felt a bit mushy, and didn't actually make a sound.
@@christianskyes Thanks !!
No worries, glad I could help :)
If I have the H6, should I return it and get an H8?
It depends. If you need the extra inputs, yeah. If not, I'd just stick with the H6.
Also, the H8 does have the guitar effects, so if that's something that you need, that might be worth considering 🤔
Cool I have the black one
wath is the diferente between them
The zoom h5 has very important defect. When you record with gain settings that are below 3 the gain is reduced digitally so if the signal clips with gain set at three, it will clip with gain set at 2 o below BUT the clipped signal will be lowered in gain AFTER the clipping has happened.
Does the H6 behave the same?
Hm, not to my knowledge. Did this occur with multiple H5s?
@@christianskyes I've read so. in another comparison video there on youtube the vlogger stated that some people have even issues when plugging and unplugging microphones with phantom power ON. Saying that the preamp on which the mics were connected stopped working for good.
That's really unpleasant to here because I was about to buy one. I believe I won't now.
Thanks, very good review! I´m thinking of buying one to record myself playing various instruments outdoors... handpans, acoustic guitars, percussion instruments etc... one question: are you able to overdub with the H6? Meaning, can one record audio on to track 1 and 2 for example and then listening back to that, record audio on to track 3 and 4? Many thanks!
You can overdub, but it's limited and quite tedious. For example, to my knowledge, you can't use the X/Y or MS capsule to record, as when overdubbing, every track you record to has to be mono, and coming from a different input.
For example, if you want to record your guitar, you have to plug it into Input 1, and then do the rhythm part (for example). Then, in order to record a solo over it, you have to unplug it, and plug it into Input 2.
If you want to record rhythm guitar with the X/Y capsule, and then a solo over that with the X/Y capsule, that does not seem to be an option.
The video that Zoom made on it is filled with comments from people who are upset that they can't do that: ruclips.net/video/J5uVW0bKWeo/видео.html
@@christianskyesif you can't overdub on same track is that realy overdubbing ? It just means your recording another track on another channel . For instance I have a looper if I record in track 1 , I can play track 1 and record another track on top of it so then you have 2 sounds on track 1 . Isn't that overdubbing
Thank u for the video, what would be your recorder of choice for ambient nature / field recording?
What would you use if you are recording natural sounds?
Sony PCM-D100, did a review of it on the channel :)
Amazing production quality! You deserve more subs, mate!
Thanks a lot :) The channel's actually been picking up steam recently, getting close to 1000 subscribers 👍
Cool how is the sound quality
it looks like hard to use
Hi, has it got Better sound quality than the zoom h1n ?
Would you recommend this h6 if I want to record sound from rainforest ?
If you want to record quieter ambiences, I'd recommend something like the Sony PCM-D100. I've made a video on it 👍
SKYES Audio watched your pcm d100 review. Might give it a try on that one. Thank you so much : )
I have one and it's great but man not having a flip screen to turnaround the screen to face me when I record is a major bummer.
Indeed, that would be an awesome addition!
were do they sell the grey one
Beautiful video. I'm picking one of these up next month for some podcast work. Thank you for the video!
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Have fun with the recorder when you get it 👍
hi, what fieldrecorder would you recommend for super-quite nature ambiences? what would you use to record the sound of a thunderstorm? thanks
If you want something compact, I'd go for the Sony PCM-D100, which I've reviewed on this channel. If you're going to record a thunderstorm though, you're going to need some serious wind protection.
A slightly unorthodox method I've been using is placing the recorder inside of a blimp. As a result, you have two layers of protection against the wind 👍
@@christianskyes Thanks for the fast reply.i will check your review about the Sony. It is a bit pricey, but the first comments i read about it were impressing.
No worries :) Oh yeah, everyone I know who owns it, loves it. It doesn't necessarily mean that it's for you, but it's worth at least having a look at it.
Hi! I’m looking for a device that would help me to record the audio as I play my synthesizer on camera in isolation from any outer voice. Would Zoom H6 do the job? I’m sorry if the question sounds dumb. I’m pretty new to this stuff. :)
Cheers!
Are there built in effects such as reverbs or guitar amp like the old H4n I use to own...but that was too noisy?
cool is it better than the roland r44
Thank you for this.
I don't know anything about recorders and this is perfect.
How can I know what is the highest impedance for headphones that I can use with the H6?
Glad you like it! Hm, interesting question 🤔 Not quite sure, but here's the spec sheet for it: www.zoom-na.com/products/field-video-recording/field-recording/h6-handy-recorder/specs
super helpful - many thanks!
No worries at all, glad to help :)
Cool I use tascam
how is the sound quality
Why is the Zoom H5 or H6 not good for nature ambiance sound recording?
When recording really quiet sounds, like nature ambiances, you need really quiet preamps.
The ones on the Sony PCM-D100 are better, and thus they introduce less noise in the recording than the H5 or H6 preamps, which are noisier.
@@christianskyes What if I'll be recording less subtle sounds in nature like waves and waterfalls. Or voices, chants, acoustic instruments, percussion? I also noticed that you can't connect external microphones on the Sony PCM-D100. If I'm looking for something that is portable but I can use as a interface for my home studio as well, would something like Zoom F4 have quiet enough preamps but with ability to attach inputs and use for a home studio as well?
Allan Leal Looks like you can put an external mic on the Sony PCM-D100. According to the User Manual - Page 42 - images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A1GgwotMGgS.pdf
The cost of £538 versus H6 £292 is a big jump though ... @Skyes Audio
this has to be one of the most well done---visually and sonically pleasing RUclips reviews I have seen to date. Absolutely professional. Your voice over talent also complements the music. If I were currently in the industry, I would hire you in an instant.
Oh my, thank you very much! I put a lot of work into my videos, so that is very much appreciated 😄
I do actually do voice-over work occasionally :)
@@christianskyes it shows
Thanks for the beautiful review! So, what recorder would you get for quiet nature recordings?
Thanks, glad you liked it :) The Sony PCM-D100 is great for it. I have a video on the D100 on the channel 👍
whats the name of the music track you used in the first half and second half in the background?
I can try and look it up, provided that I can find the project file :) The song is from Epidemic Sound, and it's tagged with tags such as 'relaxing'.
@@christianskyes ughhh i just spent 45 mins on the Epidemic page going through songvideo after songvideo...no luck =(