Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder

Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder

Unmatched Audio Clarity with 32-Bit Float Technology
The Zoom H4essential is engineered to deliver professional-grade audio with the revolutionary 32-bit float recording technology. Whether you’re capturing soft whispers or loud performances, this portable audio recorder ensures distortion-free and crystal-clear sound. With no need to worry about adjusting levels, it automatically handles extreme dynamics, making it perfect for a wide range of recording scenarios. Say goodbye to frustrating re-recordings caused by clipped audio or low gain issues.

Flexible 4-Track Recording for Creative Control
Expand your audio possibilities with the H4essential’s 4-track recording capability. This feature allows you to layer audio tracks, making it ideal for musicians, podcasters, and filmmakers who require multi-track recording flexibility. Record ambient sounds, vocals, and instruments simultaneously or mix audio seamlessly—all in a compact device. With this powerful tool, you can craft immersive audio experiences that captivate your audience.

Compact Design for On-the-Go Professionals
The Zoom H4essential combines advanced features with a sleek and portable design. Lightweight and easy to carry, it’s a must-have for on-the-go content creators, journalists, and event recorders. Its durable build ensures reliability in various environments, from outdoor shoots to studio sessions. Never miss a moment—keep this portable powerhouse with you wherever inspiration strikes.

Perfect for Musicians, Podcasters, and Filmmakers
Designed for diverse applications, the H4essential caters to a wide audience. Musicians can record live performances or create studio-quality demos, while podcasters benefit from its ability to connect external microphones for superior sound quality. Filmmakers will appreciate its XLR inputs and compatibility with high-end microphones, ensuring synchronized and professional-grade audio for video projects. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the H4essential simplifies the recording process.

Streamlined Controls and Long-Lasting Performance
Ease of use meets efficiency with the H4essential. Its intuitive controls make navigation simple, even for beginners. Powered by long-lasting batteries, this recorder offers extended hours of recording, ensuring you can capture entire events or projects without interruptions. Equipped with a high-capacity SD card slot, it provides ample storage space for your creative ventures.

Why You Should Use the Zoom H4essential Portable Audio Recorder

The Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder is the ultimate solution for anyone seeking high-quality audio recording in a compact, user-friendly package. Here’s why this recorder is the ideal choice:

Flawless Sound Quality: With cutting-edge 32-bit float technology, the H4essential ensures distortion-free audio, even during unpredictable sound spikes. It automatically adjusts to extreme dynamics, so you never have to worry about clipped or overly quiet recordings.

Versatile 4-Track Recording: Whether you’re a musician layering tracks, a filmmaker capturing dialogue and ambient sounds, or a podcaster hosting multiple guests, the 4-track capability makes recording seamless and creative.

Perfect for Any Environment: Its lightweight and durable design means you can use it anywhere—from professional studios to outdoor locations. No matter where inspiration strikes, the H4essential is ready to deliver exceptional performance.

Wide Compatibility: The dual XLR inputs allow you to connect high-quality microphones, making it suitable for professional-grade projects. Whether you’re using dynamic, condenser, or lavalier mics, this recorder adapts to your needs effortlessly.

User-Friendly Features: Simple controls, long battery life, and ample storage capacity make the Zoom H4essential easy to use for beginners and professionals alike. It’s built for convenience, so you can focus on your creativity without technical distractions.

Who Should Use the Zoom H4essential Portable Audio Recorder?

The Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of creators and professionals. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, this device caters to various use cases:

Musicians and Songwriters
If you’re a musician looking to record multi-track compositions, demos, or practice sessions, the H4essential is your go-to device. Its 4-track recording capability allows you to layer instruments and vocals effortlessly, while the 32-bit float technology ensures studio-quality sound, even in spontaneous jam sessions.

Podcasters and Content Creators
Podcasters will appreciate the ability to record multiple voices using its dual XLR inputs. The recorder’s portability and high-quality audio capture make it ideal for interviews, live events, or remote podcasting setups.

Filmmakers and Videographers
Whether you’re shooting a short film or a YouTube video, the Zoom H4essential is perfect for capturing crystal-clear dialogue, sound effects, and ambient audio. Its compact design and XLR compatibility make it an excellent companion for on-location shoots.

Field Recordists and Journalists
For professionals who work in the field, such as journalists, documentarians, or nature sound recordists, the H4essential is indispensable. Its portability, long battery life, and ability to handle varying sound levels ensure reliable performance in diverse environments.

Teachers and Educators
Educators conducting lectures, workshops, or virtual sessions will find the Zoom H4essential invaluable. It captures every word and sound with precision, making it perfect for creating educational content or archiving important discussions.

FAQs for Zoom H4essential 4-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder

1. What is the Zoom H4essential used for?
The Zoom H4essential is a versatile 4-track portable audio recorder designed for musicians, podcasters, filmmakers, journalists, and content creators. It captures high-quality audio in various settings, including live events, studio recordings, interviews, and on-location shoots. With 32-bit float technology, it ensures clear, distortion-free sound, even at varying audio levels.

2. Can the Zoom H4essential record multiple tracks at once?
Yes, the Zoom H4essential allows you to record up to four tracks simultaneously. This feature makes it ideal for musicians who want to layer instruments, as well as podcasters and content creators who need to record multiple voices or sound sources at the same time.

3. Does the Zoom H4essential have built-in microphones?
Yes, the Zoom H4essential comes with built-in stereo microphones that capture high-quality sound for various recording situations. These microphones can be used for recording without the need for external equipment, making it perfect for portable, on-the-go recording.

4. What is 32-bit float recording, and why is it important?
32-bit float recording technology ensures that audio is captured with an extremely wide dynamic range, providing greater flexibility during post-production. It allows for distortion-free recording even in high or low-volume environments, eliminating the need to worry about clipping or adjusting input levels during recording.

5. Is the Zoom H4essential compatible with external microphones?
Yes, the Zoom H4essential features two XLR/TRS combo inputs that are compatible with external microphones. This makes it easy to connect high-end microphones or audio equipment, giving you more control over your sound and ensuring professional-quality recordings.

6. How long does the battery of the Zoom H4essential last?
The Zoom H4essential can run for up to 6 hours on 2 AA batteries, depending on the recording settings. This makes it a great option for field recording or long-duration shoots without worrying about frequent battery changes.

7. Can I use the Zoom H4essential for podcasting?
Absolutely! The Zoom H4essential is perfect for podcasting. It allows you to record multiple microphones at once, ensuring clear and high-quality audio for each speaker. Its portability and ease of use make it a popular choice for podcasters recording on the go.

8. Does the Zoom H4essential support SD cards for storage?
Yes, the Zoom H4essential supports SD/SDHC cards for storage. You can easily save your recordings on SD cards, and they can be transferred to your computer for editing or sharing. The recorder supports cards up to 32GB for extended recording time.

9. How easy is it to use the Zoom H4essential for beginners?
The Zoom H4essential is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy for beginners to start recording right out of the box. The simple controls, along with the built-in guide, ensure a smooth learning curve for users new to portable audio recorders.

10. Is the Zoom H4essential suitable for video production?
Yes, the Zoom H4essential is an excellent choice for video production. It can capture high-quality audio for video shoots, including dialogue, sound effects, and background noise. Its portability and compatibility with external microphones make it ideal for use on film sets and location shoots.

Specifications

INPUT AND OUTPUT CHANNELS

Inputs	Built-in mic (stereo)	1
	XLR/TRS	2
	MIC/LINE IN	1
Outputs	Headphones	1
	Built-in speaker (mono)	1

INPUTS

Built-in mic	90º XY stereo format
	Directionality	Unidirectional
	Sensitivity	–43 dB/1 Pa at 1 kHz
	Maximum sound pressure input	130 dB SPL
INPUT1-2	Connector	XLR/TRS combo jacks ×２
		(XLR：2 HOT TRS：TIP HOT）
	Input gain	Adjustment unnecessary
	Input impedance	MIC: 3.8 kΩ or more
		LINE: 39 kΩ or more
	Maximum input level	MIC: +4 dBu
		LINE: +24 dBu
	Phantom power	+48 V
		Channel total 10 mA or less
	Equivalent input noise	MIC: -120 dBu or less（IHF-A) @150 Ω input
		LINE: -95 dBu or less（IHF-A) @600 Ω input
MIC/LINE IN	Connector	Stereo mini jack
（supports plug-in power）	Input gain	Adjustment unnecessary
	Input impedance	2 kΩ or more

OUTPUTS

Headphones	Connector	Stereo mini jack
	Maximum output level	20 ｍW + 20 ｍW（into 32 Ω load）
	Output impedance	10 Ω or less
Built-in speaker	Type	20 x 30mm elliptical dynamic speaker
	Effective maximum output	250mW

RECORDER

Maximum simultaneous recording tracks	4
Maximum simultaneous playback tracks	4
Recording formats	WAV
	44.1/48/96 kHz,
	32-bit float mono/stereo
	BWF and iXML formats supported
Recording media	4-32GB cards compatible with the microSDHC specification
	64GB–1TB cards compatible with the microSDXC specification

DISPLAY

2.0-inch full-color LCD	360 x 240

USB

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 frequency	44.1/48/96 kHz (AIF only)
		44.1/48 kHz (AIF + onboard recording)
	Bit depth	24-bit, 32-bit float
File transfer		USB 2.0 High Speed

REMOTE

Dedicated wireless adapter

ZOOM BTA-1

POWER

2 AA batteries	Alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH batteries
AC Adapter	ZOOM AD-17：DC 5V / 1 A
	• USB bus power is supported.

ESTIMATED CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIMES USING BATTERIES : 2-track recording (built-in XY mic)

Alkaline batteries	About 9 hours
NiMH batteries (1900 mAh)	About 9 hours
Lithium batteries	About 19 hours

ESTIMATED CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIMES USING BATTERIES : 4-track recording (built-in XY mic with INPUT 1-2)

Alkaline batteries	About 2 hours 30 minutes
NiMH batteries (1900 mAh)	About 4 hours
Lithium batteries	About 8 hours

ESTIMATED CONTINUOUS OPERATION TIMES USING BATTERIES : 4-track recording (plug-in power mic with INPUT 1-2)

Alkaline batteries	About 40 minutes
NiMH batteries (1900 mAh)	About 1 hour 30 minutes
Lithium batteries	About 3 hours 30 minutes

Power consumption	3 W maximum
Dimensions	66.9 mm (W) × 156.1 mm (D) × 38.0　mm (H)
Weight (including batteries)	243 g