The Zoom H5 is a professional-grade portable recorder from ZOOM designed for documentaries, podcasting, audio for video, live performance capture, and field recording. Featuring a swappable XYH-5 X/Y stereo capsule, two XLR-1/4″ combo inputs, and up to 4-track simultaneous recording in WAV at up to 96 kHz, the H5 delivers broadcast-quality audio in a rugged, rubberized handheld body that fits equally well in your hand, on a mic stand, or mounted to a camera.
Built for creators who demand reliability, the H5 supports phantom and plug-in power for condenser microphones, an onboard compressor and low-cut filter, stereo safety track recording to guard against clipping, and flexible power options via batteries, USB, or AC — making it an indispensable tool for musicians, videographers, journalists, and content creators working anywhere in the field.
Key features
- Swappable X/Y Stereo Capsule: Ships with the XYH-5 matched unidirectional condenser capsule in a 90° X/Y configuration, delivering phase-accurate stereo capture up to a punishing 140 dB SPL — and it swaps out for other Zoom capsules (mid-side, shotgun, combo XLR) in seconds.
- 4-Track Simultaneous Recording at 96 kHz: Capture up to four tracks at once — two XLR-1/4″ combo inputs plus a stereo mic channel — in high-resolution WAV format for maximum post-production flexibility.
- Stereo Safety Track: Automatically records a duplicate stereo track at a lower level, so a sudden loud sound will never ruin an irreplaceable take.
- Dedicated Gain Knobs & Ergonomic Controls: Individual gain controls (0–10) with protective bars, per-input -20 dB pad, auto-recording, and pre-recording ensure you always capture the perfect level without menu diving.
- Versatile Power & Connectivity: Run on AA batteries, USB bus power, or AC adapter; output audio via 3.5mm headphone and line jacks or the built-in speaker; store up to 32 GB on SDHC cards.
- Onboard DSP Processing: Built-in compressor and low-cut filter let you dial in clean, broadcast-ready audio straight from the recorder without additional hardware.
Specifications
| Track Recording | Up to 4 tracks (2 XLR/line + stereo mic capsule) |
|---|---|
| Inputs | 2× XLR-1/4" combo + 3.5mm stereo mini-jack |
| Interchangeable Capsule | XYH-5 X/Y stereo capsule (90°, matched unidirectional condensers) |
| Max SPL | 140 dB |
| Recording Format | WAV up to 96 kHz |
| Storage | SDHC cards up to 32 GB |
| Power | Batteries, AC adapter, or USB |
| Outputs | 3.5mm line out & 3.5mm headphone out; built-in speaker |
| Onboard Processing | Compressor, low-cut filter, -20 dB pad per input |
| Safety Recording | Stereo safety track (duplicate at lower level) |
Frequently asked questions
How many tracks can the Zoom H5 record simultaneously?
The Zoom H5 can record up to four tracks simultaneously — two tracks from its XLR-1/4" combo inputs and two tracks from its onboard XYH-5 stereo capsule — in WAV format at sample rates up to 96 kHz.
Can the Zoom H5 power condenser microphones with phantom power?
Yes. The H5 can supply phantom power or plug-in power through its XLR-1/4" combo inputs, making it fully compatible with condenser microphones. It can also accept direct line-level connections from synths, keyboards, and +4 dB mixers.
What is stereo safety track recording and why does it matter?
Stereo safety track recording automatically creates a duplicate stereo recording at a lower gain level alongside your main recording. If an unexpected loud sound causes your main tracks to clip and distort, the safety track preserves a clean, undistorted version — an essential safeguard for live events, interviews, and field recording.
