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

[Ozpeter]

Yup.  I posted a comment saying that I had no comment!  I have tended to get a bit obsessed with things like the dual / single ADC thing and the digital gain thing when commenting on some of his reviews and I suspect he will be glad that he doesn't have to read a multi-paragraph diatribe from me this time.  I do think this recorder is going to become amongst the most popular in its general price range.

Well - he did highlight the problems with handling noise, rightly, but I can't imagine how when the mic assembly is so light in these devices that a really effective suspension can be implemented.  The mics have near zero inertia. So effectively decoupling them from the device body must be close to impossible.  Laws of physics.

[ICatchSounds]

Yup.  I posted a comment saying that I had no comment!  I have tended to get a bit obsessed with things like the dual / single ADC thing and the digital gain thing when commenting on some of his reviews and I suspect he will be glad that he doesn't have to read a multi-paragraph diatribe from me this time.  I do think this recorder is going to become amongst the most popular in its general price range.

Well - he did highlight the problems with handling noise, rightly, but I can't imagine how when the mic assembly is so light in these devices that a really effective suspension can be implemented.  The mics have near zero inertia. So effectively decoupling them from the device body must be close to impossible.  Laws of physics.

After handling one I will say the rubber shock mounts for the mics are too hard. They should be softer for that light of a weight microphones. That leads to a lot of the handling noise. Also I tested a set of Clippy 3.5 vs XLR Clippys. The recording levels of the 3.5 clippys are way lowers than the XLR clippys.  I have only seen this when the 3.5mm uses a single ADC and the XLR uses a Dual ADC set-up. Not positive this is the case with the H5studio or not yet though.

[taperdave1998]

I'm most curious about those onboard mics, personally. 19.4 mm is just shy of what is traditionally called "large" in the diaphragm sizing world. Medium diaphragm? They look stout.

I've stealthed quite a few shows with my H1essential since getting it in February 2024. While the XY90 stereo 'image' is not the most natural and open, it's undeniably reliable and forgiving, both of which are perfect for flying under the radar. Problem is, the built-in mics of this device are not impressive in the slightest. They're plastic, as is the rest of the device. It's small, handy, cheap and does an "ok" job at what I'm using it for. Any tape is better than none, I've always held that belief near and dear.

One of my all time favorite bands, Supergrass, has reunited to perform their debut LP, "I Should Coco" in it's entirety live in concert for it's 30-year anniversary and I am stoked beyond what words can convey. I'm very strongly considering getting this device to record the show. Since I doubt the 'Grass and the venue would be cool with me setting up a full rig (maybe worth asking?), I'd like to at least walk out of there with the best recording I can manage, and this device may just be it.

[rastasean]

Video regarding wind protection for the zoom h5stdio: https://youtu.be/f1iDUtqbnVM

I imagine radius will be working on making a windscreen very soon, so check their site often: https://radiuswindshields.com/

Rich also said handholding it doesn't really work, as many expected, so it may not be that ideal for stealth recordings.

Video of the h5s that Rich mentioned: https://youtu.be/H-e482bxdNQ