Zoom H2essential Multi-Mic Handy Recorder with 3 Internal Microphones
The H2essential is the only Handy Recorder with three internal microphones, and that is the whole point of it. Two cardioid capsules face front and rear, a bi-directional capsule faces side to side, and the combinations give nine ways to record.
- Three mics in one body: a front cardioid, a rear cardioid and a side facing bi-directional element.
- Nine recording modes: choose 90 degree stereo, 120 degree stereo or mono, then choose front, rear or both.
- Solo musician: 90 degree stereo on the rear mic captures a natural stereo image of a single source.
- Ensembles: 120 degree stereo across the front and rear mics opens out into a wide, immersive field.
- Podcasts: mono on the front and rear mics reduces room noise and gives two discrete tracks, one per person.
- Surround pickup: select both sides for a full surround capture of a space.
- USB microphone: works as a mono or stereo USB mic for streaming and video calls.
- Power and media: 2 AA batteries in alkaline, lithium or NiMH, or the ZOOM AD-17 5V supply, recording to microSD card.
- Compact body: 60 mm wide, 44 mm deep and 97 mm high.
Most handheld recorders give you one microphone arrangement and leave you to move the recorder until it works. The H2essential is the only Handy Recorder with three internal microphones, so instead of asking where to stand it asks what you are recording.
How the three mics work
Two cardioid capsules sit back to back, one facing the front of the unit and one facing the rear. A third bi-directional capsule faces out to the sides. Combining what those capsules hear lets the recorder produce a 90 degree stereo pair, a wider 120 degree pair, or a hyper directional mono pickup that rejects more of the room. Add the choice of front, rear or both sides and there are nine usable configurations.
Picking a mode
For a solo musician, 90 degree stereo on the rear microphones captures a natural stereo image of one source placed in front of the recorder. For an ensemble, 120 degree stereo across the front and rear microphones widens the field and takes in the whole group along with the room around it. For a podcast, mono on the front and rear microphones cuts environmental noise and delivers two discrete tracks, one per person, which is exactly what you want when one guest talks louder than the other and it has to be balanced later.
Streaming and calls
Connected over USB, the H2essential works as a microphone for a computer in either mono or stereo, using the rear mics. That covers streaming, video calls and quick voice tracks without adding a separate interface to the desk.
Power and media
The recorder runs on 2 AA batteries in alkaline, lithium or rechargeable NiMH form, or on the ZOOM AD-17 5V supply. Runtime depends on which recording mode is in use, so it is worth checking Zoom's figures for the pattern you plan to work in. Files are written to microSD card and the body measures 60 mm wide, 44 mm deep and 97 mm high, which keeps it pocketable between locations.