Topic: New Zoom H6

[runonce]

I gotta wonder if the lack of phantom on the XLR module is real...?

No doubt its available at the snap on connector...otherwise how would the other mic attachments work?

And this Sweetwater piece seems to make a different claim

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo7Je0WmCAU

[Chimney Top]

I just noticed that the latest blurb indicates no phantom on the plug-in preamp module.

Indeed, it states specifically that there's no phantom on that module.  That will be a dealbreaker for some users (me for instance - I already have a recorder with four phantom powered inputs, and would have no use for an unpowered pair in addition).

so 4 inputs with phantom, and 2 without?  ... you don't need phantom power going from an external preamp to H6 or sound board line out > H6.

[kenyee]

I gotta wonder if the lack of phantom on the XLR module is real...?
No doubt its available at the snap on connector...otherwise how would the other mic attachments work?

Maybe the connector only includes 12V power pins to power the mic attachment preamps?
I agree it doesn't make sense not to route phantom power to the pins as well though.

And AFAIK, the lack of phantom power on the XLR module is documented now...Sweetwater's blurb was before we first heard of this.  B&H should have mentioned it though.

[WiFiJeff]

Just got a notification from B&H that they're in and shipping, I should have one on Tuesday (I guess you could run in Sunday and pick one up if you're really hot to trot).

Jeff

[404 Not Found]

Sweetwater has in stock too.  At the price they are selling them for, I had to buy one just to test it for myself.  Should have on Tue. as well

[Ozpeter]

You don't need anything like phantom to power mics - "plug in power" is less than 2 volts - I think....

[yoclay]

So does anyone actually have a real idea of what the noise floor and DB range is on this unit?

[Ozpeter]

Given that a very basic recorder these days will provide more dynamic range than you can actually use, I doubt whether the H6 will have significant problems with noise etc.

[kenyee]

Given that a very basic recorder these days will provide more dynamic range than you can actually use, I doubt whether the H6 will have significant problems with noise etc.

The old H4 had a reputation for being a bit noisey...I think that's why people are wondering.

That said, A/D chips and design are a lot better now if the DR100mkII and Panasonic are any indication...

[NOLAfishwater]

from Zoom's site, the XLR/TRS combo does not provide phantom power http://www.zoom.co.jp/products/h6/

If you need more inputs, simply plug in the optional EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo capsule. It allows you to connect up to six discrete signals from external microphones, instruments, mixers or portable music players, making the H6 the smallest six-track recorder on the planet!

Note: The EXH-6 does not support phantom power.

[Jonmac]

I suspect that you could connect a soundboard feed, or two more mics via an external preamp, or a 'Plugin Power' mic, to the MIC/LINE input jack of the XY mic module, and record a full 6 tracks.

That would be nice.

[noam]

... if the DR100mkII and Panasonic are any indication...

What Panasonic?

Noam

[kenyee]

What Panasonic?

Sorry..I meant Olympus' LS-100   

[vegeta_ban]

I got my new Zoom H6 in today. It is heavier than it looks and feels sturdy. I tried out the XY and MS mics just with my voice and they sound decent. I will be testing it with my telefunkens, nak 300/100s, and Superlux mics tomorrow to see how they sound with music playing on my speakers.  I did test it on both AA batteries and USB power. I have an energizer expal battery that will power it for any show lengths (it can power a large laptop for an additional 4 hours so I'm not worried about phantom power usage plus the AA will be backup to the external power)

I was surprised that it has a speaker for playback. I don't remember reading about that in any of the info.

The extra XLR input module was on backorder from B&H so I haven't tested that yet either.

I'm looking forward to this, now i'll be able to record all my mics at each show 

[404 Not Found]

Got my H6 yesterday and had the chance to examine and test some things as well. 

It is a sturdy recorder in the manner of how it feels in hand, although I really am not impressed by the SD card door, as it will most likely in time simply rip off from the H6 body.  I would have preferred them to have had an actual hinged door as they do on the Marantz PMD661.  The 5v USB power was easily supplied using my Tekkeon MP3450, so no issues there.

The menu functions are very easy to access and change.  I did happen to like the virtual VU meters they had too, although I am not sure why it was necessary to add them in the manner of which they did.  I will most likely never use the metronome or tuner they have, but for a musician, it can be a nice bonus to have all in one.

Come this weekend weather permitting, I will try it out on an outdoor gig.

I do like that the size of this recorder, as the Roland R4 (not the R4 Pro, but the big clunky R4) I have is a dinosaur compared to this for portability and stealth matters.

The extra XLR input module should be shipping in the next weeks?