Zoom, one of the go-to names for affordable field recorders have announced the H8, an interesting product which builds on the modularity found in products such as the H5 and the H6 and takes it to the next level with an extensive range of additional modules covering everything from extra inputs to ambisonic recording and three distinct operating modes, Apps which change the user interface to suit different uses. We have the details.

Features

• Customized applications for field recording, music and podcasting

• 3 distinct interfaces for field recording, music and podcasting

• Interchangeable input capsules

• 12-track simultaneous recording

• Four mic inputs and two XLR/TRS combo connectors

• Gain control knobs and -20dB pads for each input

• Supplied XYH-6 X/Y capsule provides secondary input via a stereo ⅛” Mic/Line In mini phone jack

• Phantom power for four main XLR inputs: +24/+48V

• Large color LCD touchscreen display

• Records directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512GB

• Up to 24-bit /96kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats

• Auto-record, Pre-record and Backup-record functions mean that you'll never miss that perfect take

• Built-in effects, including low-cut filtering, compression, and limiting

• Multichannel and stereo USB audio interface for PC/Mac/iPad

• Accepts standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries

• Over 15 hours of operation with 4 AA alkaline batteries

Interchangeable Mic Capsules

Zoom describe changing the mic capsules as being similar to changing the lens of a camera, a good comparison, changing the mics to suit the source being captured is exactly what we do in the studio, why shouldn’t we do the same when we’re fully mobile? The options are:

• XYH-6 XY Capsule (Supplied)

• XYH-5 XY Capsule

• MSH-6 MS Capsule

• SGH-6 Shotgun Capsule

• EHX-6 Dual XLR/TRS Capsule

• SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun Capsule

• XAH-8 Combination XY/AB Capsule

• VHR-8 Ambisonic Mic

• EHX-8 Expander Capsule

3 Apps For Different Workflows Or Use It As An Interface

The H8 takes the idea of configuring your device to suit the application in which you are using it further than just the hardware. Using one of the three Apps the H8 changes its user interface to present the controls and metering best suited to what you are doing, When field recording you need to prioritise the monitoring of levels, when Podcasting you might need quick access to stings. Just select the appropriate app and get to work.

You can use the H8 as a USB audio interface with your DAW of choice or with the supplied, free licences for Cubase LE and Steinberg’s WaveLab Cast software. Find out more about using the H8 as an interface in the video below.

To find out more about the H8 visit the Zoom Website product pages.