Zoom H4essential Handy Recorder
- Four tracks at once in 32-bit float
- Built-in X/Y mics and two XLR/TRS inputs
- 4-in/2-out USB audio interface
$219.99 USD
Zoom H4essential Handy Recorder
The Zoom H4essential handy recorder captures four tracks at once in 32-bit float, from its built-in X/Y microphones and two XLR/TRS combo inputs with phantom power.
Microphones and Inputs
The 90-degree X/Y mics handle up to 130 dB SPL. The two combo inputs have locking connectors and +48 V phantom power and accept mic or line-level sources, so external mics can take dialogue, interviews, or instruments while the X/Y mics capture the room. A 3.5 mm mic/line input with plug-in power takes a lavalier or a line source.
Recording and Playback
Dual A/D converters mean there is no gain to set. The H4essential records WAV files at 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz in 32-bit float with BWF and iXML metadata, to microSD cards up to 1 TB.
A built-in mixer sets each track’s level, the 2.0-inch color LCD shows the waveform as it records, and the built-in speaker plays takes back. Firmware updates add MP3 recording, level adjustment during recording, and AI noise reduction for steady background noise.
Interface and Control
Over USB-C the H4essential is a 4-in/2-out, 32-bit float audio interface for a computer, iOS device, or Android device, and it records to the card at the same time. The 3.5 mm line output feeds headphones or a camera.
With the optional BTA-1 adapter, an iOS app starts recording, adjusts the mix, shows the waveforms, and changes settings. The Handy Control & Sync app, also through the BTA-1, runs several Zoom recorders and syncs their timecode. The optional TCA-1 Timecode Adapter generates timecode or jams to an external clock.
Voice guidance reads the menus aloud through the speaker or headphones for blind and visually impaired users, in seven languages. The recorder runs on two AA batteries, USB bus power, or the optional AD-17 AC adapter.
Features
- Four tracks at once in 32-bit float
- 90-degree X/Y mics, 130 dB SPL maximum
- Two locking XLR/TRS combo inputs with +48 V phantom power
- 3.5 mm mic/line input with plug-in power
- WAV recording at up to 96 kHz
- 4-in/2-out 32-bit float USB audio interface
- Built-in mixer and 2.0-inch color waveform display
- App control and timecode sync with the optional BTA-1
- Timecode with the optional TCA-1 adapter
- microSD cards up to 1 TB
Specifications
| Microphone | 90-degree X/Y stereo, unidirectional, −43 dB/1 Pa at 1 kHz, 130 dB SPL maximum |
|---|---|
| Inputs | Inputs 1-2: 2 XLR/TRS combo jacks (XLR pin 2 hot, TRS tip hot), no gain adjustment; input impedance 3.8 kΩ or more (mic, XLR), 39 kΩ or more (line, TRS); maximum input +4 dBu (mic, XLR), +24 dBu (line, TRS). Mic/line in: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack, 2 kΩ or more, plug-in power |
| Equivalent Input Noise | −120 dBu or less (mic, XLR, IHF-A, 150 Ω input) |
| Phantom Power | +48 V, 10 mA or less in total |
| Outputs | Headphone: 3.5 mm stereo mini jack, 20 mW + 20 mW into 32 Ω, 10 Ω or less; built-in 250 mW speaker (20 × 30 mm elliptical dynamic) |
| Maximum Tracks | 4 recording, 4 playback |
| Recording Media | microSDHC (4 to 32 GB) and microSDXC (64 GB to 1 TB) cards |
| Recording Formats | WAV: 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz, 32-bit float, mono or stereo, BWF and iXML |
| USB | USB-C (USB 2.0 High Speed); audio interface 4-in/2-out (multitrack) or 2-in/2-out (stereo), 24-bit or 32-bit float, at 44.1, 48, or 96 kHz (interface only) or 44.1 or 48 kHz (with onboard recording); file transfer (USB 2.0 High Speed) |
| Remote | Zoom BTA-1 wireless adapter (optional) |
| Display | 2.0-inch full-color LCD (360 × 240) |
| Power | 2 AA batteries (alkaline, lithium, or NiMH), Zoom AD-17 AC adapter (DC 5 V/1 A), or USB bus power; 3 W maximum |
| Dimensions | 66.9 mm (W) × 156.1 mm (D) × 38.0 mm (H) |
| Weight | 243 g (with batteries) |
