Zoom Releases New H8 Recorder for Podcasters and Sound Recordists

Whether you're recording live podcasts, live music, or location audio in the field, the Zoom H8 Handy Recorder isn't simply up for the job—it's optimized for it, thanks to three dedicated apps that instantly configure the built-in touchscreen for the task at hand. Switch to the PODCAST app, and you'll be able to trigger sound effects, music cues, and more, right from the touchscreen. Flip to the MUSIC app, and you'll have your faders and trims right under your fingertips. The FIELD app gives you prominent, easy-to-see metering, essential for keeping your on-location audio free from distortion. With the H8’s flexible inputs and long battery life, you'll have the ability to record up to 8 mics at once for hours at a clip.

The H8 has six mic preamps on hand, and ships with an included XYH-6 X/Y Mic Capsule, as well as four AA batteries. Like the H6, the H8 is expandable: it will work with all the available Zoom capsules—including new offerings coming down the pike. Record up to 10 microphones at once with the EHX-8 capsule, which adds four more inputs to the H8's XLR and combination connections. Pick up the XAH-8, and you'll have a pair of condenser mics that you can adjust between X/Y and AB positions, accommodating multiple styles of recording in one mountable capsule. Or, purchase the VRH-8 for lush, immersive, Ambisonic recording without all the pesky cables of your common 360-degree mic.

However you choose to record with the H8, you'll love all its features, such as the ability to drive phantom power to the XLR inputs, making it easy to record with your favorite condenser microphones. If you have an audiophile's ear, you'll appreciate the option to record at 96 kHz/24-bit.

In addition to the ergonomic touchscreen, you'll find tactile gain and pad controls for each input, as well as built-in effects like compression and limiting for safeguarding your audio. The H8 can also operate as a multichannel/stereo USB audio interface for Macs, Windows computers, and iPads.

This is but a smattering of the H8's features. To read more about the H8—or to purchase one today—head on over to our website.