Zoom has just launched its impressive H1 XLR portable sound recorder, a gadget designed to elevate your audio capturing experience. Boasting dual XLR/TRS inputs, this recorder ensures your recordings are free from clipping, making it suitable for capturing both the most delicate sounds, ideal for ASMR, and extremely loud noises without needing to fiddle with microphone gain settings.
Equipped with dual A/D converter circuits, the H1 XLR supports 32-bit float WAV files at up to 96 kHz, offering a pristine noise floor of -122 dBu. This means you can capture clear, accurate sound in virtually any environment.
For creators on the go, the H1 XLR can also double as an audio interface for podcasting or music recording. Simply connect it to your Android or Apple smartphone, or your PC or Mac, via a USB-C cable. When used in this way, the recorder provides two stereo inputs and two stereo outputs, supporting 16-bit or 32-bit float recordings at 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz.
Storage won’t be an issue thanks to its internal microSD card slot, which supports cards up to a whopping 1 TB. You’ll also have peace of mind knowing your recordings are safe, as you can record simultaneously to the SD card and a connected audio interface host. Plus, a handy trashcan folder minimizes the risk of accidental deletion of important files.
Powering the H1 XLR is versatile. It can run on external power from the Zoom AD-17 5V 1A adapter or a power bank using USB-C bus power. Inside, it can operate on two AA batteries—alkaline, lithium, or rechargeable NiMH. With alkaline batteries, expect approximately four hours of use with phantom mic power on and up to 12 hours with it off. NiMH batteries deliver similar results, while lithium batteries can double these runtimes.
Compact and lightweight at just 5.79 ounces (164 grams), and measuring 2.44 x 4.21 x 1.55 inches (62.1 x 107 x 39.3 mm), the H1 XLR is easy to carry and use. It includes a built-in speaker and a 3.5 mm audio jack for headphones, perfect for monitoring and reviewing recordings on the spot. Its high-contrast OLED display allows users to see a real-time waveform while recording, and it includes voices in multiple languages such as Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The Zoom H1 XLR is priced at $149 and will be available on Amazon US from September 16, 2024. For those capturing fast-action scenes, it’s advisable to pair this recorder with cameras equipped with a global shutter to avoid the annoying rolling shutter effects.
So, whether you’re a filmmaker, musician, podcaster, or simply an audio enthusiast, the H1 XLR promises to enhance your recording experience with top-notch sound quality and user-friendly features. Don’t miss out on getting your hands on this versatile tool!
