Zoom H6 Studio Portable Digital Recorder

Manufacturer's description

Pro Audio Every Time You Press Record: The H6studio features large-diaphragm XY microphones, four studio-grade preamps, and 32-bit float recording with dedicated gain knobs. Built with F-Series technology, it’s the most advanced Handy Recorder to date.

The Power of F-Series Preamps: The H6studio’s F-series preamps deliver ultra-clean audio (-127 dBu EIN). Paired with dual A/D converters and 32-bit float recording, they provide 132 dB of dynamic range capturing every nuance.

Capture Bigger Sound: The H6studio’s 19.4mm microphones capture a rich, flat-response with 123 dB of dynamic range and can withstand 140 dB SPL, enough for a jet engine.

A Perfect Pair: The H6studio’s mics are stacked at a 90º angle to form a perfect X/Y pair. This minimizes phase cancellation commonly experienced with AB and other mic arrangements that can result in hollow sound.

Switch Formats, Not Recorders: 32-bit float and 16/24-bit formats each have their advantages. 32-bit float prevents clipping but requires post-production. 16/24-bit eliminates the need for post-processing but requires gain adjustment to prevent clipping. The H6studio offers the best of both worlds with 32-bit float and dedicated gain knobs—no clipping and no need for post-production. And with the dedicated format switch, you can adapt your workflow quickly.

6 Tracks + Stereo Mix: The H6studio supports sampling rates from 44.1 to 192 kHz. Capture up to 8 tracks* at once - 6 individual tracks plus a stereo mix.

*Up to 8 tracks (6 inputs + 2 stereo mixes) at 96kHZ. Up to 6 tracks (6 inputs) at 192kHZ

The Noise Stops Here: Carefully designed RF shielding blocks interference from smartphones and Wi-Fi. The mics on the XYH-5s capsule use shock mounting to reduce handling noise.

Limiters That Think Ahead: The H6studio’s advanced “look-ahead” limiters catch peaks early to prevent distortion, avoiding clipping in 16/24-bit and removes the need for post-recording adjustments when using 32-bit float.

Four XLR/TRS Inputs + Stereo Mini Jack: The H6studio includes four locking XLR/TRS inputs with +48V phantom power and +4dBu line-level support, plus a stereo mini jack (supports plug-in powered mics.)

Next Generation Capsule System: The H6studio’s 3.0 capsule system* supports 32-bit float and gives creators more options to use the right mic for their recording.

*Compatible with SSH-6e, EXH-6e, WLM-1, XYH-6e

Wireless Capsule: The WLM-1* is a dual-channel wireless system that comes with two transmitters and a receiver. The transmitter's built-in microphone captures clear, balanced audio at volumes up to 130 dB SPL.

* Available in 2026, compatible with Capsule System 3.0

See Your Sound in Real Time: See both the input level peaks and the recording waveforms at the same time. Tap the DISP key to switch between level meter only or waveform view.

Versatile Output Options

• Headphone Out: Use the loud 20 mW headphone output to monitor or listen back to your recordings in any environment.
• Line Out: Use the 3.5mm stereo LINE OUT to connect directly to a camera, easily syncing your audio and video.
• Onboard Speaker: The built-in speaker has a maximum output of 250mW for previewing recordings on the spot.

USB Audio Interface: The H6studio is a 6-in/2-out USB audio interface for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android, supporting 32-bit float and 16/24-bit recording. Stream live and simultaneously record a backup to microSD.

Precision Sync, Wireless Freedom: The TCA-1 timecode adapter* generates and outputs timecode or jams to an external clock with .5 ppm accuracy. You can also receive wireless timecode from the ATOMOS® UltraSync BLUE.**

*Available separately, releasing 2025. **TCA-1 or BTA-1 Required

Handy Control & Sync: With the ZOOM Handy Control & Sync app for iOS, you can remotely manage multiple Zoom recorders*, control start/stop, and synchronize timecode effortlessly.**

*Current compatible models: H6studio, H5studio, H2essential. **TCA-1 or BTA-1 Required

Premium Features

• Mono mode for recording interviews, narration, and vocals
• Low-cut filter to suppress low-frequency noise
• Normalize and export audio files in 24-bit/16-bit WAV formats
• Variable speed playback (0.5 to 2.0x) and A-B repeat playback of recorded files
• The recording start tone function useful for aligning audio with video
• The H6studio uses microSDHC/microSDXC cards up to 2TB*

*SD card sold separately

15-Hour Battery: Operates on 4 AA batteries for up to 15 hours of recording. Power through the USB port using a USB mobile battery or AC adapter*.

*AD-17 sold separately

Designed for Everyone: The H6studio is designed with Accessibility for the blind and visually impaired. Navigate the menu with audible descriptions through the built-in speaker or headphones. Creators can choose English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian or Chinese.*

Complete Your Setup: The optional accessory pack (APH-6st) includes a padded shell case, hairy windscreen, AC adapter, and USB-C cable.

Specifications

Input and output channels:

Inputs

• Mic capsule: 1
• Mic/Line (mono): 4

Outputs

• Line Out: 1
• Headphone: 1
• Built-in speaker (mono): 1

Inputs:

XY mic (XYH-5s):

• 90° XY stereo format
• Pickup pattern: Unidirectional
• Sensitivity: –41 dB/Pa at 1 kHz
• Maximum sound pressure input: 140 dB SPL

Line In (XYH-5s):

• Connector: 1 stereo mini jack
• Input gain: −∞ – +60 dB
• Input impedance: 2 kΩ or more

MIC/LINE (mono):

• Connector: 4 XLR/TRS combo jacks (XLR: 2 HOT, TRS: TIP HOT)
• Input gain: −∞ – +60 dB
• Input impedance: MIC: 3 kΩ or more, LINE: 3 kΩ or more
• Maximum input level: MIC: +4 dBu, LINE: +24 dBu
• Phantom power: +48 V
• Equivalent input noise: –127 dBu or less (IHF-A) at 150Ω input

Outputs:

Line Out:

• Connector: 1 stereo mini jack
• Maximum output level: +1 dBu
•  Output impedance: 110 Ω or less

Headphone:

• Connector: 1 stereo mini jack
• Maximum output level: 20 mW + 20 mW (when 32 Ω load)
• Output impedance: 10 Ω or less

Built-in speaker:

• Type: 20 mm × 30 mm elliptical dynamic speaker
• Effective maximum output: 250 mW

Recorder:

• Maximum simultaneous recording tracks: 8
• Maximum simultaneous playback tracks: 6

Recording formats:

• WAV
• 44.1/48/96/192 kHz
• 16-bit/24-bit/32-bit float mono/stereo
• BWF and iXML formats supported

Recording media:

• microSDHC memory cards
• microSDXC memory cards
• See the ZOOM website for information about microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this unit.

Display:

• 2.00" full-color LCD (320 × 240)

USB:

• Connector: USB Type-C. Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. USB bus power is supported.
• Audio interface: USB 2.0 High Speed
• Input and output channels: 6 in / 2 out (Multi), 2 in / 2 out (Stereo)
• Sampling frequencies: 44.1/48/96 kHz (audio interface only)
• 44.1/48 kHz (audio interface + onboard recording)
• Bit depths: 24-bit, 32-bit float
• File transfer: USB 2.0 High Speed

Remote:

• Dedicated wireless adapter (ZOOM BTA-1)

Power:

• 4 AA batteries (alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH batteries)
• AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17): DC 5V/1A
• USB bus power is supported.

Estimated continuous operation times using batteries:

These values are approximate. Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods. They will vary greatly according to use conditions.

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:

• Alkaline batteries: about 15 hours
• NiMH rechargeable batteries (1900 mAh): about 12 hours
• Lithium batteries: about 26 hours

6-track (XYH-5s and INPUTS 1–4) recording at 48 kHz/32-bit float with phantom power off, headphones used (33Ω load), no LINE OUT, no remote, Power Saving On, Display Brightness Medium

• Alkaline batteries: about 4.5 hours
• NiMH rechargeable batteries (1900 mAh): about 5 hours
• Lithium batteries: about 11 hours

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 (10 kΩ load), remote used (BTA-1), Power Saving On, Display Brightness Bright

• Alkaline batteries: about 2 hours
• NiMH rechargeable batteries (1900 mAh): about 3 hours
• Lithium batteries: about 6.5 hours

Power consumption:

• 5 W maximum

Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms