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A handheld recorder is one of the most useful tools a musician, filmmaker or podcaster can own. It captures rehearsals, interviews, field sound and camera audio without a laptop in sight. The Zoom H5 sits in the sweet spot of the range: more flexible than a pocket recorder, smaller and simpler than a full field mixer.
What the Zoom H5 is
Zoom describes the H5 as a four track recorder with interchangeable microphone capsules. Out of the box it comes with the XYH-5, a stereo X/Y microphone pair that clips onto the top of the unit. Below it sit two XLR and quarter inch combo inputs for external microphones, instruments or line level sources. Together that gives you four tracks recorded at once: the stereo capsule plus two independent inputs.
The official Zoom H5 page lists recording up to 24 bit and 96 kHz in WAV files, or a range of MP3 formats, straight to SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB. It runs on two AA batteries for about 10 hours of continuous recording, and an optional AD-17 adapter powers it indefinitely.
The XYH-5 capsule
The supplied capsule is the heart of the H5. Zoom says its design lets the recorder handle up to 140 dB SPL, which means loud sources such as drum kits, amplifiers and live bands can be captured without distorting. The microphones are shock mounted inside a rubberized housing to reduce handling noise, and a low cut filter helps tame wind and rumble. The capsule also has its own eighth inch mic and line input, handy for a lavalier or a small external mic.
The H5 uses the same capsule system as Zoom's bigger H6, so you can swap in other capsules as your needs change. Zoom lists six options, including mid side, shotgun, stereo shotgun and a dual XLR capsule that adds two more combo inputs.
The features that save recordings
- Backup record. The H5 can record a second copy of the left and right tracks at 12 dB less input gain. If a sudden peak clips the main take, the quieter safety track is still clean. Zoom notes this works with 44.1 and 48 kHz WAV files.
- Pre record. The recorder keeps a two second buffer, so pressing record a moment late does not cost you the start of a take.
- Auto record. Recording can start and stop automatically when sound crosses a level you set, useful for unattended capture.
- Compression and limiting. Built in dynamics help keep levels under control when you cannot ride the gain.
Inputs, outputs and camera use
Each combo input has its own physical gain knob, which is far quicker than menu diving when a performer gets louder. Zoom says the H5 uses the same low noise preamps as the H6. On the output side there is a line out with adjustable level for feeding a camera, plus a separate headphone output with its own volume, and both can be used at once. That makes the H5 a strong partner for a mirrorless or DSLR camera, either mounted on top or on a stand nearby.
The recorder also works as a USB audio interface, so the same box that records rehearsals in the field can plug into a computer at home. If you are deciding which external microphones to pair with it, our guide to condenser vs dynamic microphones covers the basics, and the Shure SM58 is a sturdy first choice for vocals.
Zoom keeps firmware updates, manuals and accessory listings on the Zoom website, so register your recorder and check for updates before an important session.
Who it suits
The H5 suits musicians who want great sounding rehearsal and demo recordings, video makers who need better audio than a camera microphone can give, podcasters recording interviews on location and sound hunters capturing ambience. If you need more than four tracks, look at the H6. If you only need stereo, a smaller recorder may do. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best field recorders for musicians.
Where to buy
For more recording gear and setup advice, visit our home studio hub.
