ZOOM H2ESSENTIAL DETAILS
Unlock endless recording possibilities with the Zoom H2essential, featuring three internal microphones and multiple mic patterns for ultimate versatility.
So Many Ways to Record
The H2essential is the only Handy Recorder with three internal microphones. With the ability to select different mic patterns, it gives creators more options than ever before.
Under the Hood
With two cardioid mics facing front and rear and a bi-directional mic facing side to side, the H2essential allows you to choose the perfect pick-up pattern for every recording.
3 Mics... 9 Ways to Record
Set your pickup pattern to 90º or 120º stereo, or choose mono for a hyper directional pickup, reducing background noise. Then choose to record from the front, rear, or activate both sides for surround sound pickup.
Solo Musician 90º Stereo / Rear Mic
Record in 90º stereo with the rear microphones to capture a natural stereo image.
Ensembles 120º Stereo / Front & Rear
Using the front and rear-facing stereo 120º microphones, capture a wide, immersive sound field of the entire ensemble.
Podcasts Mono / Front & Rear Mics
Mono pickup reduces environmental noise for better isolation. Using the front and rear microphones, you can capture two discrete tracks.
Streaming & Video Calls 90º or Mono / Rear Mics
Use the H2essential as a mono or stereo USB microphone for streaming and video calls.
Sound Design 90º Stereo / Front + External Mic
Record audio for sound design with the front-facing stereo microphone to capture focused, detailed sounds. Add an external shotgun mic to add directional pickup with reduced background noise.
Powered by 32-Bit Float
Record in 32-bit float up to 96kHz ensuring high-quality audio
without ever having to set gain.
32-Bit Float USB Mic
When connected to a PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device using the USB-C port, the H2essential can be used as a USB microphone while simultaneously recording to the microSD card.
Recording Audio-for-Video with Your Phone
Connect the H2essential to your mobile device via USB and record professional audio directly onto your phone's video. Perfect for video podcasts and live streams.
Mid-Side Recording
Record in MS Raw and adjust the width of the stereo image in post production. This is helpful when you want to control ambient noise.
Features You'll Love
The H2essential has advanced features such as a low cut filter, pre-record, auto record, and playback speed adjustment.
Accessibility
The H2essential is designed with Accessibility for the blind and visually impaired. Navigate the menu with audible descriptions through the built-in speaker or headphones. Creators can choose English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian or Chinese.
3.5mm Input
The 3.5mm input can accommodate lav mics, audio players, keyboards and more. You can record with the front mic and the 3.5mm input simultaneously.
Built-in Mixer
Use the mixer to easily adjust each track's audio level.
Color LCD Waveform display
The high-contrast 1.3 inch LCD screen makes it easy to navigate through the H2essential's simple interface.The real-time waveform display lets you see your audio as it records.
Headphone Output
Use the 3.5mm headphone output for headphones or to connect directly to a camera.
Onboard speaker
Use the onboard speaker to listen to your recordings for quick reference as well as to utilize the accessibility functions.
High Capacity Storage
The H2essential supports SDXC cards up to 1TB to record days of audio.
Set Markers
The H2essential has a dedicated Marker button to instantly set reference points while recording.
Power Options
The H2essential can be powered by two AA batteries or via the USB-C port. This includes bus-power as well as external USB battery packs.
Features:
- Mid-Side stereo pickup from the front and rear
- Pickup pattern selection: 120°, 90°, and MONO
- 32-bit float recording requires no gain adjustment
- 3.5mm stereo mini external mic/line input
- 3.5mm stereo mini line/headphone output
- Built-in speaker for quick preview
- Built-in Mixer for volume adjustments
- Color 1.3-inch LCD display
- Low-cut filter
- Accessibility for the visually impaired
- 32-bit float USB mic functionality for Win/Mac/iOS/Android
- Remote control from iOS app via BTA-1 Bluetooth connection
- Micro SDHC / micro SDXC cards up to 2TB supported
- Powered by 2 AA batteries, AC adapter, or USB mobile battery
- 11 hours of operation with 2 AA alkaline batteries
MID mic (FRONT/REAR) - Inputs:
- Pickup pattern: Unidirectional
- Sensitivity: -37 dB/Pa at 1 kHz
- Maximum sound pressure input: 120 dB SPL
SIDE mic - Inputs:
- Pickup pattern: Bidirectional
- Sensitivity: -39 dB/Pa at 1 kHz
- Maximum sound pressure: 122 dB SPL
MIC/LINE IN jack - Inputs:
- Connector: Stereo mini jack
- Input impedance: 2 kΩ
- Maximum input level: −7 dBu
- Plug-in power: 3.3 V
PHONE/LINE OUT jack - Outputs:
- Connector: Stereo mini jack
- Maximum output level: 20 mW + 20 mW (when 32 Ω load)
- Output impedance: 10 Ω or less
Built-in speaker - Outputs:
- Type: 20 mm × 30 mm elliptical dynamic speaker
- Effective maximum output: 250 mW
Recording format:
- WAV
- 44.1, 48 or 96 kHz / 32-bit float
- Stereo / mono
- BWF and iXML formats supported
Recording media:
- microSDHC memory cards
- microSDXC memory cards
Display
- 1.3" full-color LCD: 240 × 240
Connector:
- USB Type-C
- Use a USB cable that supports data transfer
Audio interface:
- USB 2.0 High Speed
- Input and output channels: 4 in / 2 out (Multi); 2 in / 2 out (Stereo)
- Sampling frequencies: 44.1/48/96 kHz (audio interface only); 44.1/48 kHz (audio interface + onboard recording)
- Bit depths: 4-bit, 32-bit float
File transfer:
- USB 2.0 High Speed
Power:
- 2 AA batteries: Alkaline, Lithium, or Rechargeable NiMH
- AC adapter: ZOOM AD-17: DC 5 V/1 A
- USB bus power is supported
Estimated Continuous Operation Time Using Batteries (Front stereo recording):
- Alkaline batteries: About 11 hours
- NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): About 9 hours
- Lithium batteries: About 20.5 hours
Estimated Continuous Operation Time Using Batteries (Front+Rear stereo recording):
- Alkaline batteries: About 8 hours
- NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): About 8 hours
- Lithium batteries: About 17.5 hours
Estimated Continuous Operation Time Using Batteries (Front stereo + external mic recording):
- Alkaline batteries: About 4 hours
- NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): About 4.5 hours
- Lithium batteries: About 9.5 hours
Other Specifications:
- Power consumption: 3 W maximum
- Dimensions: 60 mm (W) × 44 mm (D) × 97 mm (H)
- Weight (including batteries): 170 g
Seamlessly switch between solo, ensemble, podcast, and streaming modes with the H2essential's customizable mic patterns and onboard effects.