The Most Flexible Recorder for Creators
H2essential Multi-Mic Handy Recorder
So Many Ways to Record
The H2essential is the only Handy Recorder with three internal microphones. With the ability to select different mic patterns, it gives creators more options than ever before.
Features
- Mid-Side stereo pickup from the front and rear
- Pickup pattern selection: 120°, 90°, and MONO
- 32-bit float recording requires no gain adjustment
- 3.5mm stereo mini external mic/line input
- 3.5mm stereo mini line/headphone output
- Built-in speaker for quick preview
- Built-in Mixer for volume adjustments
- Color 1.3-inch LCD display
- Low-cut filter
- Accessibility for the visually impaired
- 32-bit float USB mic functionality for Win/Mac/iOS/Android
- Remote control from iOS app via BTA-1 Bluetooth connection
- Micro SDHC / micro SDXC cards up to 2TB supported
- Powered by 2 AA batteries, AC adapter, or USB mobile battery
- 11 hours of operation with 2 AA alkaline batteries
Specs
Inputs
| MID mic (FRONT/REAR) | Pickup pattern | Unidirectional |
| Sensitivity | –37 dB/Pa at 1 kHz | |
| Maximum sound pressure input | 120 dB SPL | |
| SIDE mic | Pickup pattern | Bidirectional |
| Sensitivity | –39 dB/Pa at 1 kHz | |
| Maximum sound pressure | 122 dB SPL | |
| MIC/LINE IN jack | Connector | Stereo mini jack |
| Input impedance | 2 kΩ | |
| Maximum input level | −7 dBu | |
| Plug-in power | 3.3 V | |
Outputs
| PHONE/LINE OUT jack | Connector | 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
| Recording format | WAV |
| 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz / 32-bit float | |
| Stereo / mono | |
| BWF and iXML formats supported | |
| Recording media | microSDHC memory cards |
| microSDXC memory cards | |
Display
| 1.3" full-color LCD | 240 × 240 | |
USB
| Connector | USB Type-C | |
| • Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. | ||
| Audio interface | USB2.0 High Speed | |
| Input and output channels | 4 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 | USB2.0 High Speed | |
Power
| 2 AA batteries | Alkaline, Lithium, or Rechargeable NiMH |
| AC adapter | ZOOM AD-17: DC 5 V/1 A |
| • USB bus power is supported. | |
ESTIMATED CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIME USING BATTERIES (FRONT stereo recording)
| Alkaline batteries | About 11 hours |
| NiMH batteries (1900 mAh) | About 9 hours |
| Lithium batteries | About 20.5 hours |
FRONT stereo recording at 48 kHz/32-bit float, no headphones or remote, Power Saving time set to 1 minute
These values are approximate.
Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods.
They will vary greatly according to use conditions.
ESTIMATED CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIME USING BATTERIES (FRONT+REAR stereo recording)
| Alkaline batteries | About 8 hours |
| NiMH batteries (1900 mAh) | About 8 hours |
| Lithium batteries | About 17.5 hours |
FRONT+REAR stereo recording at 48 kHz/32-bit float, no headphones or remote, Power Saving time set to 1 minute
These values are approximate.
Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods.
They will vary greatly according to use conditions.
ESTIMATED CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIME USING BATTERIES (FRONT stereo + external mic recording)
| Alkaline batteries | About 4 hours |
| NiMH batteries (1900 mAh) | About 4.5 hours |
| Lithium batteries | About 9.5 hours |
FRONTstereo + external mic recording at 96kHz/32-bit float with headphones (33Ω load) and remote, Power Saving time set to 1 minute
These values are approximate.
Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods.
They will vary greatly according to use conditions.
| Power consumption | 3 W maximum |
| Dimensions | 60 mm (W) × 44 mm (D) × 97 mm (H) |
| Weight (including batteries) | 170 g |
Note: 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
Under the Hood
With two cardioid mics facing front and rear and a bi-directional mic facing side to side, the H2essential allows you to choose the perfect pick-up pattern for every recording.
3 Mics… 9 Ways to Record
Set your pickup pattern to 90º or 120º stereo, or choose mono for a hyper directional pickup, reducing background noise. Then choose to record from the front, rear, or select both sides for surround sound pickup.
Applications
Solo Musician
90º Stereo / Rear Mic
Record in 90º stereo with the rear microphones to capture a natural stereo image .
Ensembles
120º Stereo / Front & Rear
Using the front and rear-facing stereo 120º microphones, capture a wide, immersive sound field of the entire ensemble.
Podcasts
Mono / Front & Rear Mics
Mono pickup reduces environmental noise for better isolation. Using the front and rear microphones, you can capture two discrete tracks.
Streaming & Video Calls
90º or Mono / Rear Mics
Use the H2essential as a mono or stereo USB microphone for streaming and video calls.
Sound Design
90º Stereo / Front + External Mic
Record audio for sound design with the front-facing stereo microphone to capture focused, detailed sounds. Add an external shotgun mic to add directional pickup with reduced background noise.
Powered by 32-Bit Float
Record in 32-bit float up to 96kHz ensuring high-quality audio
without ever having to set gain.
Powered by 32-Bit Float
Record in 32-bit float up to 96kHz ensuring high-quality audio
without ever having to set gain.
Recording Audio-for-Video with Your Phone
Connect the H2essential to your mobile device via USB and record professional audio directly onto your phone's video. Perfect for video podcasts and live streams.
New Firmware Update
We’re excited to announce a new firmware update for the Zoom Essential Series recorders, designed to bring even more flexibility and performance to your recordings.
Gain Adjustment
Adjust levels during recording to significantly reduce the need for audio editing in post-production.
AI Noise Reduction
Enable AI Noise Reduction to eliminate steady background noise, lowering the noise floor for clear, studio-quality sound anywhere.
MP3 Recording
Enables recording in a compressed format that minimizes file size, making sharing recorded files even more convenient.
Mid-Side Recording
Record in MS Raw and adjust the width of the stereo image in post production. This is helpful when you want to control ambient noise.
Features You’ll Love
The H2essential has advanced features such as a low cut filter, pre-record, auto record, and playback speed adjustment.
Handy Control & Sync
With the ZOOM Handy Control & Sync app for iOS / Android, you can remotely manage multiple Zoom recorders*, control start/stop, and synchronize timecode effortlessly.**
* Current compatible models: H2essential, H4essential, H6essential, H5studio, H6studio
** BTA-1 Bluetooth Adapter required.
Available on the App Store | Availble on the Google Play
Timecode
The TCA-1 Timecode Adapter* generates and outputs timecode or jams to an external clock. Thanks to its precision temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) it generates ultra-accurate timecode, staying within 0.5 frames over 24 hours.
*TCA-1 Timecode Adapter not included
Accessibility
The H2essential 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.*
* To use a language other than English, please visit Support & Downloads.
Custom Fit Windscreen*
The specially designed windscreen for the H2essential provides wind protection when recording outdoors. The custom fit gives access to controls while the windscreen is attached.
*Windscreen sold separately with H2essential Accessory Pack
Essential Technology
3.5mm Input
The 3.5mm input can accommodate lav mics, audio players, keyboards and more. You can record with the front mic and the 3.5mm input simultaneously.
Built-in Mixer
Use the mixer to easily adjust each track’s audio level.
Color LCD Waveform display
The high-contrast 1.3 inch LCD screen makes it easy to navigate through the H2essential’s simple interface.The real-time waveform display lets you see your audio as it records.
Headphone Output
Use the 3.5mm headphone output for headphones or to connect directly to a camera.
Onboard speaker
Use the onboard speaker to listen to your recordings for quick reference as well as to utilize the accessibility functions.
High Capacity Storage
The H2essential supports SDXC cards up to 2TB to record days of audio.
Set Markers
The H2essential has a dedicated Marker button to instantly set reference points while recording.
Power Options
The H2essential can be powered by two AA batteries or via the USB-C port. This includes bus-power as well as external USB battery packs.
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