Zoom H5 portable audio recorder

The H5 Handy Recorder offers four simultaneous recording tracks and, like our top-of-the-line H6 product, the ability to use all Zoom interchangeable microphone capsules. This allows you to choose the right microphone for any recording situation. As powerful as it is versatile, the H5 gives you everything you need to create

multitrack recordings, film sound, high-quality podcasting, broadcast broadcasts, and electronic news gathering.

Louder. Closer. Cleaner.
The X/Y process provides a wide recording range while capturing the center of sound clearly and with definition - ideally suited for stereophonic live recordings of all kinds.

The XYH-5 X/Y microphone capsule supplied with the H5 features two matched unidirectional condenser microphones arranged at a 90-degree angle. The capsules are housed in an advanced shockproof enclosure that employs rugged external cables and rubber-coated materials to decouple the recorder and capsule from each other, minimizing vibration and ambient noise during operation. The XYH-5's design allows the H5 to handle higher levels than any other mobile recorder. The limiting sound pressure is 140 dB, corresponding to the volume of a jet taking off at a distance of about 60 meters.

Capture sounds louder, closer and cleaner than ever before!

The five available microphone capsules can be interchanged as easily as the lenses of an SLR camera.

XYH-5 X/Y CAPSULE
The XYH-5 X/Y microphone capsule features two matched unidirectional condenser microphones arranged at a 90-degree angle. The capsules are housed in an advanced shockproof enclosure that employs rugged external cables and rubber-coated materials to minimize vibration and ambient noise during operation. This makes the XYH-5 capsule ideally suited for sound recording for video recording, live broadcasts and podcasts. The design of the XYH-5 allows it to handle very high levels. The limiting sound pressure is 140 dB, corresponding to the volume of a jet taking off at a distance of about 60 meters. The perfect choice for live rock concert recordings or on-scene electronic news coverage.

MSH-6 MS CAPSULE
ULTIMATE CONTROL OF IMAGE
Welcome to the M/S recording process. Here you will open up completely new and precise sound shaping possibilities! The MSH-6 microphone capsule offers two microphone elements: a front-facing capsule with cardioid polar pattern (center) and a side-facing capsule with figure-of-eight polar pattern (side). Combined with the H5's built-in M/S decoder, you create a fully mono-compatible stereo image that can be modified even after recording. Ideal for use in film, video and television.

XYH-6 X/Y CAPSULE
PERSONIFIED LIVE RECORDING
The XYH-6 microphone capsule features two angled high-quality cardioid microphones. These are especially sensitive to sound coming from the front and less sensitive to sound coming from the side and rear. X/Y recordings are ideal for covering a wide recording zone while maintaining a pronounced center. The perfect choice for all stereophonic live recordings.

SGH-6 SHOTGUN DIRECTIONAL TUBE CAPSULE
FULL RECORDING PERFORMANCE, HALF THE LENGTH
The optional SGH-6 shotgun shotgun directional capsule expands the H5 to include a professional microphone with a pronounced polar pattern - ideally suited for sound recording to film, video, theater and electronic news (ENG).
The SGH-6 combines three elements with digital signal processing. The result gives you the highly directional response of a conventional shotgun, but at half the size. The best solution for dialog and voice recording without a distracting microphone in the picture.

EXH-6 DUAL XLR/TRS COMBO CAP
ADVANCED CONNECTION VERSATILITY
With the optional EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo Capsule, the H5 receives two additional inputs. This allows you to record up to four discrete audio signals from external microphones, instruments, mixers, or portable players to realize your sonic vision. This powerful, professional recording studio even fits in the palm of your hand.

Power and Memory
The H5 requires only two AA batteries to operate - alkaline or rechargeable NiMH batteries. When loaded with alkaline batteries, the recorder provides more than 15 hours of runtime, even with continuous recording. With the optional AC adapter, the H5 can also be operated without batteries. Record directly to SD and SDHC memory cards with a capacity of up to 32 GB. The maximum recording time depends only on the available memory capacity and the file type. For example, you can record up to fourteen hours of stereo audio in MP3 format (320 kbps), three hours in linear CD format (16-bit, 44.1 kHz, Wav) or one hour in 24-bit/96 kHz (Wav) on the supplied 2 GB SD memory card.

File formats and types
The H5 offers two modes of operation: Select Stereo to make two-channel stereo recordings and Multitrack to use four tracks (either as stereo pairs or mono tracks). The recording is done in the two most common file formats: Wav and MP3.

The Wav recordings created by the H5 can be saved in 16 or 24 bit and the sampling frequencies 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz*. The recordings are automatically time-stamped, making them compatible with the Broadcast Wave Format (BWF), which provides a precise synchronization option for video post-production.

The MP3 format offers slightly lower quality, but a much more compact file size than the Wav format. Therefore, they are easier to transfer via e-mails to or to social networks. So you share your creations easily and quickly with the rest of the world.

* 96 kHz sampling frequency only possible in stereo mode

Signal processing
You can enhance your recordings with the H5's built-in effects. Use the compressor and limiter to compensate for input level fluctuations, while the high-pass filter reduces wind and breath noise and other annoying low frequencies. Finally, the H5 even provides a metronome and chromatic tuner, such as for guitars and basses.

Further functions
The list of the comprehensive H5 equipment is by no means at an end. Also on offer are a playback loop function, possible pitch changes and a variable playback speed (without pitch change) - the ideal sparring partner for rehearsing musical phrases.
With the Pre-Record function, the H5 continuously records in the background, retaining the potentially crucial two seconds in memory before the record button is pressed.

Also, the H5 provides an Auto-Record function that automatically starts the recording process as soon as a definable level threshold is exceeded. Conversely, the Auto-Stop function can stop recording when the level falls below the limit - either immediately or after up to five seconds. Finally, there is an ultimate safety net in the H5 called Backup Record.* Here, the H5 automatically creates a simultaneous stereo recording that is recorded at a 12 dB lower input level. So if the main recording accidentally shows distortion, you can usually fall back to an intact backup version.

* for 44.1 and 48 kHz Wav recording formats only.

You can even use the H5 as an audio interface. In this case, the loop-back function allows you to make voice recordings to a playback, for example. Connect the H5 to a computer or iPad** via USB, launch your favorite DAW or the included Wavelab LE software, and get started on your next masterpiece!

** Apple Camera Connection Kit required.