Zoom H2essential is the successor to the popular H2 field recorder with 32-bit support, a new 3-way microphone system, and a color display.
Zoom has been modernizing its field recorder series since the beginning of the year. For example, the new H1, H4, and H6essential were introduced at NAMM 2024. I reported on this, and I am currently using the H4essential.
H2N, H5, and H8 have not yet received any 32-bit updates. But there is now a movement. With the H2Essential, Zoom has announced the successor of the popular H2N audio recorder/field recorder.
Zoom H2essential
The H2essential is a new audio recorder/field recorder in the same compact format as its predecessor. It comes with major upgrades that push the recorder into the modern age.
Like the other Hessential recorders, the new H2essential offers 32-bit float recording at up to 96 kHz. With this function, you no longer need to pay attention to the levels.
Where the H2n had five flexible microphones, the new version introduced a new microphone system with three mics. It has a pair of front—and rear-facing cardioid mics and a bidirectional mic to capture on either side, so you can configure it in a range of different ways.
A highlight is the ability to configure the shape of the mics’ pickup pattern. You can set it to 120-degree, 90-degree, and mono hyper-directional pickup modes. This unique feature is available for both the front and rear mics. By activating it on both sides, you can create surround recordings.
The new H2essential also features an MS Raw recording option, which allows you to adjust the stereo width in post-production. You can also work with the menu’s pre-recordings, low-cut filters, built-in mixer, and auto-recording functions.
Additionally, you can set marker points throughout the recordings and adjust the playback speed.
Recordings
The new version also now supports the optional BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter, allowing you to pair one or more H2essentials and control them via iOS. In this setup, you can sync the timecode and activate the recording.
On the connection side, it has a stereo line input, a stereo line output/headphone, and a USB socket for power and data. Uff, they keep the stereo line input, so you can still record external sources like your jams. Not to forget, the unit powers from AA batteries or the USB-C socket that works with power banks.
Lastly, the H2essential comes with a new high-contrast 1.3-inch LCD display, giving you a full overview of the waveforms and more.
First Impression
A nice further development of the Zoom H2N. The new features fit well with the field recorder. I am particularly pleased that the stereo input is still included.
Zoom H2essential will be available soon from retailers for $169,99 MSRP and is expected to ship from the end of October 2024.
More information here: Zoom
Available for pre-order from my partners
I love that it has mid-side for both front & rear mics (?) I’ve not heard of that, but it seems doable.
I’ve been really happy with the sound of my H2n. The bass is a bit rolled off, which is usually pretty useful. I wonder if the new version has more low-end, since the added the high-pass filter.
Having it be a 32-float is cool, but I wonder how it works when you want it to record to lower bit depths– will it still process the signal at high-res, then normalize & convert post recording? I guess I could look at a manual.