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Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder

BH #ZOH1E • MFR #H1ESSENTIAL
16 reviews
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Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder
Key Features
  • Portable, Easy-to-Use Audio Recorder
  • Musicians, Content Creators & Podcasters
  • 32-Bit Float: No Level Adjustment Needed
  • Onboard X/Y Mics Handle up to 120 dB
Sporting a compact handheld form factor and an incredibly intuitive interface, the H1essential Portable Recorder from Zoom is designed to make audio capture easier than ever before. With painless 32-bit floating point recording, you can capture perfect audio every time without the need to ever set levels.
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Zoom H1 essential Overview

Sporting a compact handheld form factor and an incredibly intuitive interface, the H1essential Portable Recorder from Zoom is designed to make audio capture easier than ever before. With painless 32-bit floating point recording, you can capture perfect audio every time without the need to ever set levels.

Ideal for musicians, podcasters, filmmakers, and general content creators, the H1essential provides a versatile array of essential features that can support a wide range of scenarios. With the built-in X/Y microphones, you can capture up to 120 dB of sound without issue, while a 3.5mm mic/line input with plug-in power lets you use lavalier mics with ease for dialogue capture. Advanced functions like overdubbing, playback speed adjustment, mono mode, and auto record fit a wide range of applications for the modern creator. Finally, this tripod-mountable recorder can serve as a USB-C microphone and audio interface all at once while simultaneously recording to microSDXC cards up to 1TB.

Equipped with Accessibility Options
The Essential Series was designed with accessibility for the visually impaired. Navigate the menu with audible descriptions through the built-in speaker or headphones. Creators can choose English, Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Italian, or Chinese.
For Content Creators
Musicians
Musicians can use the H1essential to record every practice and rehearsal, a great way to improve your playing. Features like overdubbing and playback-speed adjustment are great for writing and practicing. And with its built-in mics and compact size, the H1essential is the perfect recorder to capture high-quality audio samples.
Filmmakers
The H1essential is great for filmmakers. Record and send audio directly to your camera, or use it to record sound effects to complete your scene. The 3.5 mm mic/line input can be used with lavalier microphones for dialogue capture and supplies up to 2.5V of plug-in power.
Podcasters
Podcasters can mount the H1essential on a tripod for sit down conversations or use mono mode for on-the-go interviews.
Small Package, Big Features
Advanced Functions
The H1essential has advanced features such as overdubbing, prerecord, autorecord, and playback speed adjustment. The H1essential also has a dedicated Marker button to instantly set reference points while recording.
USB Microphone
When connected to a PC, Mac, iOS, or Android device using the USB-C port, the H1essential can be used as a USB microphone while simultaneously recording to the SD card. This versatility can support numerous forms of content creation, making your life easier.
Loud and Clear
The onboard X/Y microphones capture clean audio up to 120 dB SPL, equivalent to the sound of a high-performance motorcycle.
Soft-Touch Controls
Recording and rotary controls have been meticulously designed to allow for quiet operation.
Vivid OLED Screen
The high-contrast monochromatic OLED screen makes it easy to navigate through the H1essential's simple interface.
High-Capacity Storage
The H1essential supports microSDXC cards up to 1TB to record hours and hours of audio.
Long Battery Life
Supporting up to 10 hours of battery life on just two AAA batteries, the H1Essential will last through long recording sessions. Utilize USB-C bus power with outlets and power banks when batteries are not available.

Zoom H1 essential Specs

Portable Recorder
Form Factor
Handheld Recorder
Number of Tracks
2
Number of Input Channels
2
Maximum Sampling Rate
96 kHz / 32-Bit Float
Microphone
Built-In Cardioid Condenser Stereo Pair, X/Y Configuration
Number of Microphone Inputs
1
Built-In Speaker
Yes, 1 W Mono
Display
0.96" / 2.44 cm Monochrome OLED
Memory Card Support
microSDXC (Up to 1 TB)
Internal Storage
No
Special Features
Overdubbing
Recording
Audio File Formats
BWF, iXML, WAV
Sample Rates
44.1 / 48 / 96 kHz
Bit Depth
Up to 32-Bit (Floating Point)
Signal Processing & FX
Speed Change
Timecode Support
No
Recording Time
10 Hrs (All Channels)
Included Software
No
Connectivity
Analog I/O
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Balanced/Unbalanced Line/Mic Input
1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Headphone/Line Output
Digital I/O
No
Phantom Power
No
Plug-In Power
Yes, 2.5 V
System Connection
1x USB-C (I/O, 2.0)
Audio Interface Capability
Stereo Only
Wireless
No
Mobile App Compatible
No
Performance
Headphone Output Power
20 mW per Channel into 32 Ohms
Impedance
Outputs:
≤10 Kilohms
Microphone Sensitivity
-37 dB (X/Y)
Microphone Max SPL
120 dB SPL (X/Y)
Power
Power Options
Battery, USB Bus Power, AC/DC Power Adapter
Battery Type
2x AAA (Not Included)
Approximate Battery Life
10 Hours (AAA Alkaline, Recording, Built-In Mic)
AC/DC Power Adapter
5 VDC at 1 A (Included)
Physical
Included Accessories
No
Dimensions
2.1 x 1.1 x 5.4" / 5.4 x 2.9 x 13.7 cm
Weight
3.2 oz / 92 g (with Batteries)
Packaging Info
Package Weight
0.325 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
6.9 x 3.7 x 1.4"

Zoom H1 essential Reviews

Good for most, bad for me!

By Dean
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2025-04-23

Everything that they say is good about it I agree with. Simple, light, easy to navigate and use, quite good quality. My issue is that I wanted to use it to record my band, (i.e. loud music) and that is where it lacks. Reading that it has 32 point float tech to eliminate clipping, I thought it would do the trick. But that tech is only useful if you have good digital audio editing software where you can reduce/remove the clipping. But the microphones themselves can't handle the volume. So it's not that I'm letting in too much gain and the signal is clipping (which you CAN fix with good software) it's that the mics are distorting so I'm recording distorted audio, no way to fix that. But, if you're operating under 90db and need a good, light, easy to use digital recorder, this thing is great.

Great basic recorder!

By Roger
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2024-12-18

Great to see the H1 in 32-bit Float. Smaller than the original H1, which makes it even easier to fit in your pocket... Never know when you need to record some audio.

See any errors on this page?

will a ipad recognize the zoom h1 essential as ...

will a ipad recognize the zoom h1 essential as mic?
Asked by: marc
Yes, when using the USB-C port to connect to a PC, a Mac, an iOS device, or an Android device, the Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder can be used as a USB microphone while simultaneously recording to the SD card.
Answered by: Michael S
Date published: 2024-10-09

Can you recommend windshields that fit this ...

Can you recommend windshields that fit this recorder?
Asked by: Rex
For the Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder, I would recommend the Rycote Zoom H1n Mini Windjammer.
Answered by: Michael S
Date published: 2024-08-08

Can the H1essential provide phantom power to an ...

Can the H1essential provide phantom power to an XLR connected boom?
Asked by: Dustin
The Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder doesn't have an XLR connection, so it wouldn't be able to provide phantom power to a connected mic.
Answered by: Michael S
Date published: 2024-09-22

Can you use a separate Mike?

Can you use a separate Mike?
Asked by: Charlie
Yes, you can connect an external microphone to the Zoom H1 Essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder through the 1x 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS Female Balanced/Unbalanced Line/Mic Input connector.
Answered by: Daniel O
Date published: 2024-10-27

Can you use your own microphone?

Can you use your own microphone?
Asked by: Charlie
Yes, the Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder has a 3.5mm input that can be used to connect an external microphone.
Answered by: Lisa S
Date published: 2024-10-27

Do I need to use a computer to take advantage of ...

Do I need to use a computer to take advantage of the 32-bit float option, to normalize the audio?
Asked by: Joel
Normalization is possible on the Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder without the use of a computer.
Answered by: Alex D
Date published: 2024-08-08

Does 32 bit float only work when using an ...

Does 32 bit float only work when using an external mic or do the x/y mics on the recorder also work with it?
Asked by: Adam
The Zoom H1essential 2-Track 32-Bit Float Portable Audio Recorder works in 32-bit mode with the built-in X/Y microphones and with external microphones as well.
Answered by: Daniel O
Date published: 2024-12-03
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