Zoom H5 Handy Recorder

Description

Totally Flexible I/O

Swap out capsules to get the mics and I/O you need

For such a small, lightweight, and inexpensive portable device, the Zoom H5 Handy Recorder delivers a full set of professional-level I/O. First up, there's the H5's modular expansion port, which lets you connect the same amazing modular capsules Zoom introduced with the H6. You can read all about them in our Zoom Capsule Buying Guide. What's more, the Zoom H5 comes with an XYH-5 capsule, which is an awesome shockmounted XY microphone that's great for stereo recording. This capsule also includes an 1/8" stereo input, but the H5 itself comes equipped with a pair of impressive combo jack inputs, each with its own volume dial and switchable -20dB pad. These inputs let you connect anything from phantom-powered condenser microphones to extremely hot line-level sources. And when it comes to monitoring, the Zoom H5 offers you both a line and a headphone output plus a built-in speaker.

Always Ready to Record

With Pre-record, Backup-record, and Auto-record functions

There's something inherently unpredictable about field recording, which makes it unnervingly easy to miss critical takes. Zoom equipped their H5 Handy Recorder with three powerful recording modes to spare you the stress of a lost or ruined recording opportunity: Pre-record, Backup-record, and Auto-record. With Pre-record, the Zoom H5 is continuously buffering the last two seconds of audio, which it includes with every recording. So, even if you hit record late, you're still likely to capture the sound you thought you missed. Along a similar line of thinking is Zoom H5's Backup-record function, which records a separate stereo mix at 12dB down from your current settings (44.1/48kHz only). That way, if a sudden audio spike causes your input to clip, you still have a clean backup to work with. Finally, there's Auto-record, which starts recording when the volume passes a certain threshold.

Zoom H5 Recording Options at a Glance:

• Pre-record function keeps you from missing once-in-a-lifetime recordings
• Continuous 2-second buffer lets you capture precious moments before you hit record
• Backup-record prevents unexpected audio spikes from ruining your takes
• Simultaneously records a second -12dB stereo track to provide a backup
• Auto-record function starts recording when the input crosses a volume threshold

Zoom H5 Handy Recorder Features:

• A versatile 4-in/2-out mobile recording system
• 2 XLR/TRS combination inputs with microphone preamps and phantom power (+12/+24/+48V) accommodate most analog connections
• Modular input connection lets you attach onboard microphones and additional input jacks
• Gain knobs for each input make setting levels fast and easy
• Shockmounted XYH-5 XY stereo microphone module included
• Captures audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz professional-grade resolution
• Doubles as a handy USB recording interface with your Mac, Windows PC, or iPad (via Apple Camera Connection Kit)
• Large LCD display makes navigation and setup extremely easy
• Built-in processing includes highpass filtering, compression, limiting, and M-S stereo width decoding
• Loop playback, variable playback speed (from 50% to 150%), and variable pitch per track make this an excellent practice tool
• Chromatic tuner and metronome built in for added convenience
• Records onto SD and SDHC storage media with up to 32GB capacity
• Record for up to 15 hours on just 2 AA batteries
• Includes operation manual, 2 AA batteries, USB cable, foam windscreen, Wavelab LE software, and carrying case
• Optional shotgun mic, input expansion module, and hot shoe mount accessory also available