Zoom H5 4-Track Portable Recorder for Audio for Video, Music, and Podcasting, Stereo Microphones, 2 XLR/TRS Inputs, USB Audio Interface, Battery Powered

Ok so I used to be a 'Tascam man'. I loved their recorders and didn't want to switch to another brand. Stupid I know but you know what it's like when you like a certain brand. Anyway I decided on the H5 and man what a recorder this is! The main thing that pulled me in was the interchangeable microphones coupled with the portability. Owning one of these meant I could sell my microphones and other recorders, both hand held and studio, and just use this instead. Just as long as the quality was good enough. Oh and it was too!OK so it's not a small recorder. If you're looking for a dictaphone then, although this works well, it's not pocket sized. It does come with a hard case included though, but it would require a bag or carry case to put it into if travelling or on the move. So although it is large it fits in one hand comfortably. I has all the usual connections; headphones, line out, USB, and a remote connecter. It also has two XLR's at the bottom. The mic capsule at the top of the device also has a Line In 3.5mm jack. The device requires 2 AA batteries (included) or you can power via USB using a power bank if you wish!The design of the unit is sort of retro with buttons and knobs rather than just having a large screen with stylish, modern looking interface. It is simple and effective and functional which is all you want and need. You have a large GAIN dial for each XLR input as well as GAIN dial for the mic capsule at the top. You have limiters and compression settings in the menu systems that you can set for all mic inputs or just the ones you want separately.On the back of the unit is the battery compartment and a standard tripod screw hole so you can attach this to a tripod, boom pole or a cold shoe adapter. What I have done is bought the MOVO suspension mount and connected that to a handle grip. This way there is little to none handling noise transferred to the recordings. If you hold this device in your bare hands while recording you will almost certainly have unwanted noises recorded whenever you move a finger on the body of the unit. This is true for all handheld recorders so be sure to order a shock mount too!So testing it out I found the quality is awesome. When processing the audio (using Audacity mainly) I found by adding a low noise filter (which was hardly needed for most recordings but I always do this anyway) and amplifying the recording it produced extremely professional results. The best I've ever been able to achieve from a portable recorder in any case! I have done a lot of vocal speech testing and man does this sound good! You won't be disappointed I'm sure! I also did some sound effects samples and ambient recording samples. It handled everything with ease and was able to reproduce the sound just as I heard it. I am very happy with it. It is also very good with batteries. The same ones I put in when I opened it are still in there now! And I've used this for a good few hours! Just WOW. That's where Tascam could learn a few things as their recorders are known for bad battery life. But no problem with the Zoom H5!Recommended - YES Sir-Re Bob!

There are plenty of others around here far better qualified than me to talk about the audio qualities of the H5 (it's perfect for me as a jobbing journalist/reporter and broadcaster - 'nuff said). So instead I will look at the build quality and offer some tips for other new purchasers:Build quality: absolutely superb. Seriously, if you've only been exposed to the likes of the Zoom H1 or Tascam DR-05 then prepare to be taken aback by the step-up in quality here. Everything from the analogue dials with their metal guard bars, to the rubberized finish (great to grip) and the solidity of buttons and sockets speaks to the effort that has gone into making this a device that isn't going to fall apart any time soon. The speaker is a decent size and perfectly adequate for hearing initial playback. Even the battery compartment is well made, with a firm click to the cover (no rattling) and a ribbon to ease battery removal - small points, but often seemingly overlooked by some manufacturers.By way of contrast, I purchased a Tascam DR-22 (not a cheap item in itself) and the build quality was awful - line out socket faulty, generally flimsy feel and loose buttons. The speaker is so small as to be pointless, making the headphone problem more of one. I sent that straight back to Amazon for a refund, looked at the Zoom H5 of a work colleague and ordered that immediately.In the box: as well as 2GB SD card (upgrade to a 32GB at once, and that's the maximum so don't be tempted to use a 64GB or 128GB as you'll lose recordings if you do) and USB cable (great to power the device from a portable power slab by the way) you get a windscreen, a couple of batteries and a hard case. The windscreen is a really cheap foam thing and worth throwing away to be honest, buy a decent 'furry; one instead and you won't regret it. The hard case is adequate, but investing in a bigger case with custom/diced foam is a good idea so you can carry other mic capsules, power supply, xlr cables and external mics etc. Here's a good tip: don't throw away the little bit of foam inside that hard case, keep it and use it to protect the delicate mic capsule (see photo) if you are storing this in the supplied case. You also get a copy of Cubase LE and Wavelab software, not on disc so don't panic when you cannot find them, there are download codes in the box.My final tip would be, unless you are looking to invest in additional mic capsules anyway, not to get the Zoom H6 if you aren't going to be using those six channels. The H5 is every bit as good, in my never humble opinion, as well as being smaller, lighter, better shaped in the hand and newer of course. Save your money and by this, you will not be disappointed...

Excellent device. I just pulled the head and I am using an external dynamic microphone from Rode. I paid about £150 for the microphone and I now have a studio quality sound without hiss or preamp noise.It doesn't need a phantom power because it was a built in 48V source if your microphone needs that. Just enable it from the menu.This is probably the cheapest device in the market with professional grade electronics that will give you clean, crisp and noise-free sound. Anything less than that and you start hearing artefacts.Always use new batteries before the beginning of your recording session.