Topic: Zoom H6studio Handy Recorder 8 channels

[Niels]

Another recorder from Zoom in the HxStudio series with "F series technology" - whatever that means.
Resembles the look and specs of the H5studio - with added inputs.

Suggested retail price is US$ 449. To be available from December 1st 2025.

https://zoomcorp.com/en/de/handheld-recorders/handheld-recorders/h6studio/

[rastasean]

On preorder for $400 from B&H: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/pro-audio/news/zoom-announces-new-h6studio-portable-recorder

[Ozpeter]

IF the specs are to be believed - and I don't recall Zoom telling fibs in the past - this is going to be a popular device.  But - note that the much vaunted gain controls are after the dual ADCs.  I think analog gain is now a thing of the past.  If you prefer it, hang on to your old gear!  I also saw that the circuit diagram seems to show M/S on channels 3&4 and 5&6 - and on the built in mics.  Well, indeed you can encode X/Y to M/S if you want to mess with the stereo width later, so I guess that makes sense.

[heva]

Looks interesting.
And almost as ugly as an aaton cantar x3 😂

[Billy Mumphrey]

Probably not for me but upon a closer look, they added some really cool attachment options. You can take off the onboard mics and clip on different attachments:

1. a stereo XLR attachment that gets you 2 more XLR/TRS inputs (for a total of 6 XLR/TRS inputs)

2. a wireless receiver that connects to 2 clip-on lav mics. (pictured separately below)

3. a mid-side shotgun mic (pretty freakin cool).

They say this can record up to 8 channels (6 individual tracks + a stereo mix). A neat little device for sure.

[Ozpeter]

I believe that new range of attachments was released with other recent models from Zoom.  As you say, it's a very persuasive feature.  Sadly my bank manager isn't persuaded, even if I was....!

[Billy Mumphrey]

I believe that new range of attachments was released with other recent models from Zoom.  As you say, it's a very persuasive feature.  Sadly my bank manager isn't persuaded, even if I was....!

Very cool, Zoom keeps releasing cool stuff at reasonable prices. I do wish they would abandon that horrid setup on their website. I want to try the MS shotgun attachment for some quiet jazz, onstage or close up, maybe throw some sub cards or omni's on each side of the recorder.

[Ozpeter]

For that purpose I would use the Zoom M3 - largely because I have one! - a bit lower-profile in front of an audience, and so easy to use - but of course it's got zero support for additional mics.

[Datfly]

In Stock at B&H Photo - UPDATE: Limited stock sold

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1914284-REG/zoom_zh6studio_h6_studio_handy_recorder.html

[voltronic]

I am rather wary of the "F-Series Technology" statement they make about the preamps and especially the 132 dB dynamic range claim. Think about the price point of these units and the compromises made in the preamps of comparable models. The -127 dB EIN looks good, but they do not list the P48 current supply for these "Studio" recorders, and it's doubtful they do as well as the F-Series. This could be a concern if you have power-hungry mics, and the current demanded from mics can fluctuate with SPL changes. Consider these different phantom current specs:

F6 and F8: Up to 10 mA to each input (these are the only models where Zoom is up to standard)

F3, H1 XLR, and H4 Essential: Combined channel total of 10 mA or less (probably OK with the F3 and H1 XLR, but the H4E is awful here, supplying a max of 2.5 mA to each of 4 mics)

H6 Essential: Channel total 32 mA or less (roughly equivalent to the F3 and H1 XLR)


Zoom also only lists A/D dynamic range for the inputs of the F8, at 113 dB(A). That's a decent number, but I wonder how much lower the figure is in the cheaper models where it's not listed. It's a dead horse beating that bears repeating around here: slapping multiple ADCs in there with 32-bit float recording doesn't fix preamps that are underpowered and noisy. The noise will restrict dynamic range on the low end, while not enough current will restrict dynamic range on the high end.

Of course I might be dead wrong about the Studio line, and the preamps are dead quiet with lots of current on hand. But the lack of any data from Zoom in these areas combined with what we know of their similarly-priced models makes me think the 132 dB dynamic range claim is misleading at best.

[BlueSky71]

Amazon has some. 16 right now, or so they say.

[Niels]

F6 and F8: Up to 10 mA to each input (these are the only models where Zoom is up to standard)

There seems to be some inconsistencies across across models, however the M4 Mictrak also promises 10mA max per channel.

From the M4 spec sheet: PHANTOM POWER: +24/+48V 10mA maximum for each channel.

[BlueSky71]

I picked one up last night as I have been looking for a 4 xlr recorder and love my F3. Onboard mics will be seldom used if ever, but the battery life is what pushed me over the edge. I can imagine still doing mostly 2 channel and using channels 2+4 on the side as inputs. Anyhow. should be here next week as it was a 3rd party seller, not amazon.

[dogmusic]

I picked one up last night as I have been looking for a 4 xlr recorder and love my F3. Onboard mics will be seldom used if ever, but the battery life is what pushed me over the edge. I can imagine still doing mostly 2 channel and using channels 2+4 on the side as inputs. Anyhow. should be here next week as it was a 3rd party seller, not amazon.

The manual states 15 hr battery life for this setup using only onboard mics: 2-track (XYH-5s) recording at 48 kHz/32-bit float with phantom power off, no headphones, no LINE OUT, no REMOTE, Power Saving on, Display Brightness Medium

You get only 2 hr battery life for this setup with phantom power on: 6-track (XYH-5s and INPUTS 1–4) recording at 192 kHz/32-bit float with phantom power on (INPUTS 1–4), headphones used (33Ω load), LINE OUT used (10kΩ load), remote used (BTA-1), Power Saving On, Display Brightness Bright

[BlueSky71]

I picked one up last night as I have been looking for a 4 xlr recorder and love my F3. Onboard mics will be seldom used if ever, but the battery life is what pushed me over the edge. I can imagine still doing mostly 2 channel and using channels 2+4 on the side as inputs. Anyhow. should be here next week as it was a 3rd party seller, not amazon.

The manual states 15 hr battery life for this setup using only onboard mics: 2-track (XYH-5s) recording at 48 kHz/32-bit float with phantom power off, no headphones, no LINE OUT, no REMOTE, Power Saving on, Display Brightness Medium

You get only 2 hr battery life for this setup with phantom power on: 6-track (XYH-5s and INPUTS 1–4) recording at 192 kHz/32-bit float with phantom power on (INPUTS 1–4), headphones used (33Ω load), LINE OUT used (10kΩ load), remote used (BTA-1), Power Saving On, Display Brightness Bright

Thanks, I thoroughly read all of that. Basically, I can go to any regular show and count on making it through 4 hours of music with one set of onboard batteries with this in mind:

4 channels maximum

2 mics
4 mics
or 2 mics+2 line in(sbd)
no remote, no line out.

I will report back, I hope to use it this coming weekend, but if not at least dry run it at home with my 4 mics. Also, my NIMH are 2399, as opposed to their 1900 standard