Zoom has announced the H1 XLR, a portable audio recorder aimed at content creators and designed primarily for recording audio for video. Similar in shape and concept to previous Zoom models, it features two XLR-1/4″ TRS combo mic/line inputs, a 3.5mm stereo jack input, and 32-bit float recording. Let’s take a closer look!
Audio is one of the most critical and overlooked factors when it comes to recording quality video. Bad audio is a sure sign of amateur work, while good audio can usually compensate for a not-so-great picture. If you look at YouTube, the term “cinematic” is generally associated with the picture, and there aren’t that many videos that talk about audio when it comes to what is or isn’t cinematic. Field recorders have been accompanying independent filmmakers for a long time, and Zoom, the Japanese audio company, is one of the companies that springs to mind when thinking of a decent way to record audio without having to break the bank. The Zoom H1 XLR follows the company’s philosophy of offering high-quality audio solutions at a reasonable price.
Zoom H1 XLR Overview
The Zoom H1 XLR is a handy audio recorder with two XLR/TRS combo inputs for microphones, instruments, stereo feeds, etc. It also has a 3.5mm stereo input for connecting devices such as on-camera or lavalier microphones. These audio inputs should be sufficient for most content creation situations.
The recorder also offers 32-bit float recording, a feature that was only found on high-end recorders not so many years ago. Remember that the brand already provided this feature in the Zoom F3 in 2022 and in the Zoom Essential series this year. With this feature, you don’t have to worry about controlling the gain to record quiet and loud sounds in the same environment. 32-bit float ensures that almost any sound is recorded without clipping. If you don’t have a sound engineer on set, this feature is invaluable as it gives you confidence when filming while you take care of other aspects of your production.
The H1 XLR preamps record audio at -122 dB EIN and sample rates up to 96 kHz, and can capture +4 dBu line-level signals from any mixer or line output. The recorder features a USB-C port for connecting smartphones and recording audio directly to the captured video. It can also be used as an audio interface with a computer and record directly to the H1 XLR SD card.
The recorder features a mixer and a high-contrast OLED screen that displays a real-time waveform while recording. For more control, it has a built-in speaker for listening and previewing recordings. Finally, the device has phantom and plug-in power for microphones that require them. In addition, it can be powered by two AA batteries or an AC adapter (not included).
Highlights of the Zoom H1 XLR
- Two XLR-1/4″ TRS combo inputs.
- Extremely low noise microphone preamplifier.
- Clip-free 32-bit float recording.
- Flexible 3.5mm stereo input.
- USB-C for computers and smart devices.
- Integrated mixer with bright OLED screen.
- Built-in phantom and plug-in power supply.
- 2×2 Class-Compliant USB audio interface.
- Supports SDXC cards up to 1TB.
Price and availability
The new Zoom H1 XLR field audio recorder is now available for pre-order for $149.99. For more information, visit the Zoom product page here.
What do you think of this new audio recorder? Have you ever used a Zoom recorder? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
