Zoom H5 4-Track Portable Recorder for Audio for Video, Music, and Podcasting, Stereo Microphones, 2 XLR/TRS Inputs, USB Audio Interface, Battery Powered

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There’s a range of audio input settings that can be applied – a compressor/limiter handy for voiceovers, a low-cut filter, phantom/plug-in power for microphones that need it. The appeal of that model was the four-track recording, as it gave me the ability to record a stereo feed from the desk while using the built-in mics to capture some audience and room sound.

This makes a big difference, as being able to control levels quickly and easily is essential in situations where you need to make adjustments on the fly. I only needed to look at the manual once, to check that the compressor and high-pass filters could be switched on just for the mics. A Line Out with adjustable volume allows you to send audio from the H5 to the input of a camera or other device without the need for an attenuator cable.Alternatively, the H5 can be used as a stereo or multitrack USB audio interface with up to 24 bit/96kHz. Maybe some uncertainty on the capsules recording quality, they just didn't convince me completely 'cause for a hundred bucks less you get the H2n and the quality gap is not that high (I compared them with a consistent re-amping test).

Even more remarkable, you can use the Zoom as a live USB interface, feeding its four channels in real time to your computer’s preferred recording program.The gain dials are also easily accessible – the mike capsules have their own controls (the X-Y pair has a single stereo volume dial for the L-R channels), while the separate little gain dials for channels 1 and 2 sit below the display. One of the great steps Zoom have taken is to provide physical level controls, rather than limit you to a menu-driven approach.