Topic: Zoom H5studio: New 32bit float recorder with F series preamps announced.

[Niels]

The H5 has been upgraded with 32bf, better pre-amps (F-series) and interesting 19.4mm diameter 140 db SPL microphones.

https://zoomcorp.com/en/us/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h5studio/

[SMsound]

The H5 has been upgraded with 32bf, better pre-amps (F-series) ...

I thought this meant it would be a cheap, lighter weight F6 replacement. However, it looks like you get 2 XLR/48v + 2 external via a headphone jack with PiP + a stereo mix or the X/Y mics onboard (no thanks).

Cool device, but for me, it's just a worse, clunkier F3 (which also has good pre's, 32bf, 2 XLR/48v).

I guess if you want 2 extra channels than the F3 can handle and are OK with PiP or an external pre then this could work.

[aaronji]

^ It looks like their is a module to replace the internal mics with an additional pair of XLRs? Cables coming out in three directions, though. Zoom is not too good at the elegant design...

[Ozpeter]

I'm impressed.  Is the "Studio" name a new line or am I being dumb (again)?  Frankly I would buy one of these in a heartbeat except I have to admit I would have no use for it unless I got rid of most of the content of my cupboard...  I do wish that they would include a USB-C input intended for USB mics in these devices, though.  I can't believe that would be difficult.  Then you'd have a really comprehensive range of inputs.  I note that you can get a wireless mic set for this, and that might be popular depending on the quality and size and all that stuff.

$350 seems good value?  (B&H).

[Ozpeter]

It seems that to connect a 3.5mm mic or the like, you have to pay another $110 for a clip on which replaces the mics.  I think that's not quite made clear in the advertising, which to me implies that the input is there at the outset.

[Niels]

Peter, I think the 3.5mm input jack is located on right side of the included microphone module.

[Ozpeter]

Yup - it seems to be unlabelled but that's what it must be.  And presumably when you insert a connector it cuts off the internal mics. Anyway, no extra expense required for that basic feature.

[Niels]

^ It looks like their is a module to replace the internal mics with an additional pair of XLRs?

I don't know if the XLR module also uses F series preamps?
Where would the preamps be located for the modules - in the recorder or the module?

This XLR module is also compatible with the H6 essentials which to my knowledge doesn't have F series preamps, so if the XLR module has its own preamps, then I wouldn't expect the currently available module to have F preamps.

[Ozpeter]

The publicity is careful to say that the F-Series preamps feature on the device's inputs, with dual ADCs, and the accompanying picture shows the XLR inputs with the mic part not visible.  So it seems likely that the attachments for the top have appropriate preamps and quite possibly single ADCs going by current trends.  "The H5studio’s 3.0 capsule system* supports 32-bit float and gives creators more options to use the right mic for their recording."  No mention of preamp quality nor number of ADCs.  However, as the claim for the supplied mics is that they have a max SPL of 140dB, a minimum of 17dB SPL, and a dynamic range of 123dB, they shouldn't be any kind of disaster.  They state that the original H5 had a dynamic range of 65dB, and that the H6essential offers 115dB.

[Ozpeter]

Zoom have done something which I don't think they normally do, namely upload to YouTube a video which just features different audio clips using the H5studio.  I haven't actually watched it yet but I have posted a comment asking them to clarify whether the mike modules do benefit from dual ADC F series processing or not.

https://youtu.be/_odOe9P5o2E?si=g8s0YMiocy489KMt

[rastasean]

Thanks for posting this question to Zoom. Kind of an interesting recorder and in the typical zoom fashion of being black and blue.
I'm surprised to see four big knobs on it, but I also like the ability to adjust levels independently. I wonder if the color screen can be dimmed/turned off after X period of time.

Glad to see the f style preamps are being used in new products; hopefully this is the first of many released this year.

Linking to your field recording post as well for more conversation:
https://old.reddit.com/r/fieldrecording/comments/1jh4fbt/zoom_h5studio_announced/

[Ozpeter]

From Zoom, in reply to my question on a popular video sharing platform -

"The H5studio X/Y capsule uses a dual AD converter system and its own unique preamp circuitry to achieve its 123 dB dynamic range."

So, the capsule unit is dual ADC, like the main XLR inputs, which their publicity left unclear.  As for the preamp for the capsules, I can imagine that they would use a preamp configured to get the most out of these particular capsules, which therefore might not be describable as "F series".  Fair enough.

[Niels]

  As for the preamp for the capsules, I can imagine that they would use a preamp configured to get the most out of these particular capsules, which therefore might not be describable as "F series".  Fair enough.

This would be of some relevance for those who plans to use the 3.5mm Jack input on the mic module for their own mics.

The 3.5mm input disables the Zoom capsules and I would therefore assume that one’s own 3.5mm terminated mics wouldn’t use “F - series” pre-amps, but those intended for the Zoom capsules.

In order to utilize the F-series pre-amps in this scenario, one would have to get XLR to 3.5mm adapters.

[rastasean]

In order to utilize the F-series pre-amps in this scenario, one would have to get XLR to 3.5mm adapters.

Which doesn't have to be the zoom product. It could be a PFA, like this one from Naiant: https://reverb.com/item/57144824-naiant-pfa-inline-phantom-power-adaptor-for-stereo-plug-in-power-microphone
Unless that's what you had in mind...

[WiFiJeff]

I can't find any specs on what voltage the plug-in power provides.  Will it power DPA 4060s (5V say)?