The ZOOM H8 is a professional portable handheld recorder that redefines versatility for podcasters, musicians, sound designers, and content creators. Featuring four XLR inputs with +48V phantom power, two XLR/1/4″ combo Hi-Z inputs, and an included X/Y stereo capsule capable of handling up to 136 dB SPL, the H8 captures up to eight simultaneous tracks with studio-grade clarity — all in a lightweight, field-ready body.
Three intelligent app-driven modes — Podcast, Music, and Field Recording — instantly reconfigure the intuitive 2.4″ color touchscreen to match your workflow, while onboard tools like compression, low-cut filtering, EQ, and stereo safety track recording ensure every session delivers clean, distortion-free audio. Powered by batteries, USB, or AC and supporting SDXC cards up to 512 GB, the ZOOM H8 is built to go wherever your creativity takes you.
Key features
- Up to 8 simultaneous inputs (expandable to 10): Four XLR inputs with pads and +48V phantom power plus two XLR/1/4″ Mic/Line/Hi-Z combo inputs give you the flexibility to record full band setups, panel podcasts, or complex field sessions in one pass.
- Three app-driven recording modes: Podcast, Music, and Field apps instantly optimize the 2.4″ color touchscreen layout and controls for your specific workflow, reducing setup time and letting you focus on capturing great audio.
- Included X/Y stereo capsule up to 136 dB SPL: The bundled unidirectional stereo mic capsule handles everything from quiet ambiences to loud live performances without distortion, and the Capsule System 2.0 allows expansion into Ambisonics 360° audio with separately available capsules.
- Stereo safety track recording: Automatically records a duplicate stereo track at a lower level, protecting your takes from unexpected clipping and giving you a reliable backup in high-SPL environments.
- Comprehensive onboard audio processing: Built-in compressor, low-cut filter, noise gate, EQ, and limiter let you shape your sound on location without a DAW, while selectable auto-record and pre-record ensure you never miss the beginning of a take.
- Flexible power and massive storage support: Run on batteries, USB, or AC power and record to SDXC cards up to 512 GB, keeping the H8 operational through the longest sessions whether in the studio or in the field.
Specifications
| Simultaneous Inputs | Up to 8 (expandable to 10) |
|---|---|
| XLR Mic Inputs | 4 x XLR with pads and +48V phantom power |
| XLR/Line/Hi-Z Inputs | 2 x XLR-1/4" Mic/Line/Hi-Z combo |
| Included Mic Capsule | X/Y stereo capsule (2 unidirectional mics, up to 136 dB SPL) |
| Touchscreen | 2.4" color LCD touchscreen |
| Recording Modes | Podcast, Music, and Field app-driven modes |
| Storage | SDXC cards up to 512 GB |
| Power Options | Batteries, AC adapter, or USB |
| Outputs | 3.5mm line output and 3.5mm headphone output |
| Onboard Processing | Compressor, low-cut filter, noise gate, EQ, limiter, stereo safety track recording |
Frequently asked questions
How many tracks can the ZOOM H8 record simultaneously?
The ZOOM H8 records up to 8 simultaneous input signals straight out of the box. Using the Zoom Capsule System 2.0 with a compatible separately available capsule, recording can be expanded to 10 simultaneous input tracks.
Does the ZOOM H8 support phantom power for condenser microphones?
Yes. All four XLR mic inputs on the ZOOM H8 provide +48V phantom power, making it fully compatible with condenser microphones. It also supports plug-in power and accepts direct Hi-Z connections from guitars, keyboards, and other instruments via the two XLR/1/4" combo inputs.
What recording modes does the ZOOM H8 offer and what do they do?
The H8 features three app-driven modes accessible from its 2.4" color touchscreen: Podcast mode (optimizes the interface for up to four mic channels plus two sound pad channels with 13 pre-loaded sounds), Music mode (enables overdubbing, mixing, EQ, compression, and connection to Zoom Guitar Lab via USB), and Field mode (provides large track meters with quick access to lo-cut, compression, limiting, and noise gate for location recording and sound design).
