The ZOOM H8

Handy Recorder

The only recorder that adapts to your way of creating

There’s An App
For Your Workflow

Whether you’re capturing audio on location, recording music, or producing a podcast, the H8 color touchscreen adapts to your project’s needs with three App-driven interface options. All with the touch of your finger.

The Podcast App

The PODCAST App makes high-production quality simple. With dedicated Sound Pads, use the touch screen to trigger sound effects, music beds and more. Choose from 13 high quality sounds or load your own via an SD card.

^{The Podcast app accommodates up to 4 mics and two Sound Pad channels.}

The Music App

The MUSIC App puts all the important controls at your fingertips: audio levels, faders, metering and more. With 10 inputs and 12 tracks, capturing a large group is easy. Mix, overdub, and enhance your recordings with EQ and compression. Connect to Zoom’s Guitar Lab via USB to access an endless assortment of amps and effects.

The Field App

The FIELD App is ideal for location sound, sound design, conferences, and more. It gives you instant access to large meters for every track, so you can make sure your recordings never clip. Adjust input type, lo-cut, compress, limiter, noise gate, and other key settings.

The Mic Capsule

The H8 comes with the Zoom XYH-6 microphone. This capsule provides two matched high-quality unidirectional mics, for capturing signal directly in front of the recorder. With the Zoom mic capsule system you can easily swap capsules to ensure you’re always using the right mic for the job.

SIX INTERCHANGEABLE MIC CAPSULES

XYH-6 Mic Capsule: This X/Y capsule comes standard with the H8. The capsule adds two matched high-quality unidirectional microphones to your H8. This Mic is most sensitive to signal coming directly in front and less sensitive to signal coming from behind or from the sides, in technical terms, they are said to utilize a cardiod polar pattern.

MSH-6 Mic Capsule: Mid Side Mic Magic. MS ("Mid-Side") recording is an incredible technique that allows you to actually adjust the width of the stereo image after it has been recorded, making it especially useful for film, video and television projects.

XYH-5 Mic Capsule: X/Y stereo recording allows you to cover a wide area yet still capture a strong center image. This microphone capsule features two matched unidirectional condenser micrphones set at a 90 degree angle and housed within an advanced shockmount to minimize vibration and handling noise, making it ideal for location videography and live broadcast/podcast applications.

SGH-6 Mic Capsule: This Shotgun capsule adds a professional quality hyperdirectional (that is, highly directional) microphone turning your H8 into the perfect audio recorder for anyone working with film, video or live theater, or for ENG (electronic news gathering) applications.

EXH-6 Mic Capsule: If you need more inputs, simply plug in the EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo capsule. It allows you to connect two additional discrete channels for external microphones, instruments, mixers or portable music players.

SSH-6 Mic Capsule: This mid side stereo shotgun capsule includes a super directional microphone for picking up sound in the center as well as a bidirectional side mic for picking up sound from the left and right. This allows you to record a fully mono-compatible stereo image ideal for film, video and television projects. For example, you can capture dialogue with the center mic, and then mix in the desired amount of enviromental sound captured by the side mic directly on your Zoom recorder, or in postproduction. A hairy windscreen is included for reduction of wind noise.

Next Generation Capsule System

Zoom’s Capsule System 2.0 allows up to 4 channels of audio to be added to the H8's capsule connection, creating new ways to expand your recording capabilities.

XAH-8

COMBINATION XY/AB MIC

The XAH-8 capsule delivers pristine stereo recordings. Easily rotate the capsules from a tight XY pattern to a wide AB pattern to enhance the stereo image of your recordings.

VRH-8

AMBISONIC MIC

The VRH-8 is an Ambisonic mic capsule that utilizes four condenser microphones to deliver immersive 360 audio recordings. A built-in accelerometer helps ensure the capsule is always perfectly aligned, while the on-board Ambisonic decoder automatically handles the necessary conversions, saving you time in post-production.

EXH-8

EXPANDER CAPSULE

The EXH-8 capsule provides 4 additional XLR inputs, giving you a total of 10. Each additional input has a dedicated gain knob and pad switch. You can even use your favorite condenser microphones—just connect a power source to the EXH-8 capsule to supply phantom power.

Remote Control

You can monitor level meters and hit REC,PLAY, and STOP in each H8 application mode. Just insert the BTA-1 to your H8 and connect to your iOS device. The H8 Control App is freely available from App Store.

*BTA-1 sold separately.

Inputs & Outputs

H8 offers 4 XLR inputs with dedicated pad switches and gain control. 2 additional XLR/TRS combo jacks with Hi-Z switches allow you to capture line level signals, microphones, or directly record electric guitars and basses.

Monitor tracks using the built-in 1/8” headphone output or connect directly to your camera using the dedicated stereo line output.

Multi-Channel Audio Interface

The H8 is a powerful USB audio interface. Connect via USB to your PC, Mac, or iPad for up to 12 channels of simultaneous recording.

Recording Time & File Formats

Get more than 10 hours of recording time from just 4 AA batteries. Or record forever with the optional AD-17 adapter.

The H8 records BWF-compliant WAV and MP3 files in any of the following formats:

44.1kHz/16-bit, 44.1kHz/24-bit, 48kHz/16-bit

48kHz/24-bit, 96kHz/16-bit, 96kHz/24-bit

State-of-the-Art Editing

The Zoom H8 comes with a free download license for Cubase LE and Steinberg’s WaveLab Cast software. WaveLab Cast helps you to finalize your project with a wide range of comprehensive editing, mixing, and refinement tools.

Podcasting

WaveLab Cast connects you directly with podcast directories, such as Spreaker or Podbean*. You can upload episodes quickly, plus directly create and publish RSS feeds.

Audio for Video

Import your video file and WaveLab Cast will automatically extract the audio. You can use the editing tools to lower unwanted noise, change levels and remove loud sibilants. Metering options allow you to build new tracks, fade-in your music, use EQ and compression. Re-attach the audio to the video file using WaveLab Cast’s export functions.

Field Recording

WaveLab Cast supports up to 96KHz audio quality and includes a high-end re-sampler. RestoreRig removes noise and unwanted sounds. You can assemble new files using the snap functions and crossfade options. Once you’re done, export your sound files in any popular audio format.

For information on license activation and upgrades, visit our Steinberg Software support page.

What’s in the Box

Here is what comes included in the package:

• H8 Handy Recorder
• XYH-6 X/Y Mic Capsule
• AA Batteries (x4)
• Quick Guide
• Steinberg Cubase LE download software
• Steinberg WaveLab Cast download software

Optional Accessories

• WSH-6 Foam Windscreen for XYH-6
• WSU-1 Universal Windscreen
• PCH-8 Protective Case for H8
• XYH-5 XY stereo mic capsule
• MSH-6 MS stereo mic capsule
• SGH-6 Shotgun mic capsule
• SSH-6 Stereo Shotgun mic capsule
• EXH-6 Dual XLR/TRS Combo capsule
• HS-1 Hot Shoe Mount adapter
• ECM-3 Extension Cable (3 meters)
• ECM-6 Extension Cable  (6 meters)
• HRM-7 Handy Recorder Mount (7 inches)
• HRM-11 Handy Recorder Mount (11 inches)
• AD-17 AC Adaptor
• SCU-40 Universal Soft Shell Case
• ZDM-1PMP Podcast Mic Pack

H8 Features:

• Customized applications for field recording, music and podcasting
• 3 distinct interfaces for field recording, music and podcasting
• Interchangeable input capsules
• 12-track simultaneous recording
• Four mic inputs and two XLR/TRS combo connectors
• Gain control knobs and -20dB pads for each input
• Supplied XYH-6 X/Y capsule provides secondary input via a stereo ⅛” Mic/Line In mini phone jack
• Phantom power for all six XLR mic inputs: +24/+48V
• Large color LCD touchscreen display
• Records directly to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512GB
• Up to 24-bit /96kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats
• Auto-record, Pre-record and Backup-record functions mean that you'll never miss that perfect take
• Built-in effects, including low-cut filtering, compression, and limiting
• Multichannel and stereo USB audio interface for PC/Mac/iPad
• Accepts standard AA alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries
• Over 10 hours of operation with 4 AA alkaline batteries

Main Specifications:

Number of input channels		8 (XY mic capsule, 1-4, A, B)
Number of output channels		2 (stereo headphone and stereo line)
Connectors	MIC IN	ZOOM mic connector
	INPUT 1-4	XLR jacks (2: HOT)
	INPUT A/B	XLR/TRS combo jacks (XLR: 2 hot, TRS: TIP hot)
	USB	USB Micro-B (audio interface, mass storage and Guitar Lab connection functions) Note: Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. Operation using USB bus power is possible.
	REMOTE	ZOOM BTA-1 or other dedicated wireless adapter
	LINE OUT	3.5 mm stereo mini
	PHONE OUT	3.5 mm stereo mini
Phantom power		+24 V/+48 V (independent ON/OFF for INPUTS 1–4, A and B)
Recorder	Recording media	Cards that support SD/SDHC/SDXC specifications
	Formats	WAV: 44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit, mono/stereo MP3: 128, 192, 320 kbps
	Maximum simultaneous recording tracks	12 (MIC IN, backup recording, 1-4, A, B, and LR)
Audio interface	Multitrack mode	44.1/48/96 kHz, 16/24-bit, 12-in/2-out
	Stereo mix mode	44.1/48 kHz, 24-bit, 2-in/2-out
Tuner		Chromatic/Guitar/Bass/Open A/Open D/Open E/ Open G/DADGAD
Built-in speaker		400 mW 8Ω mono speaker
Display		2.4" (320×240) full-colour touchscreen LCD
Power		ï  4 AA batteries (alkaline, NiMH or lithium) ï  AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17): DC 5 V/1A ï  USB bus power