ZOOM H6studio Review and Tascam X8 Comparison – 32-Bit Float & Built-In Mic Test

Our sound and lighting courses can be found at https://school.learnlightandsound.com!

In this week’s episode, we look at the new ZOOM H6studio audio recorder. This sound recorder features 4 XLR/combo inputs, 32-bit float recording, and some of the best stereo microphones I’ve heard on a “handy” style recorder. We’ll also cover how the H6studio compares to the Tascam Portacapture X8.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. See https://school.learnlightandsound.com for more info!

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com: http://ko-fi.com/curtisjudd

Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):

ZOOM H6studio audio recorder  — https://geni.us/bkG3e
ZOOM F6 audio recorder — https://geni.us/pCFS
ZOOM F8n Pro audio recorder — https://geni.us/fdkN4s
Tascam Portacapture X8 audio reocorder — https://geni.us/BE098
Sound Devices MixPre-3 II audio recorder — https://geni.us/O8e0
Sennheiser MKH50 microphone — https://geni.us/iYb065
Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — https://geni.us/8a8tt
Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — https://geni.us/AVHU1p
Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender — https://geni.us/GWKt
Canon C70 Cinema Camera — https://geni.us/ABYB
Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8 lens — https://geni.us/qwsEs
Panasonic GH5 camera — https://geni.us/InspOl
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens — https://geni.us/gr47

The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: https://geni.us/G7by

Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd

#zoom
#H6studio
#recorder

Index
00:00 Please buy my courses
00:07 Recorded with the H6studio & MKH50
00:26 Sound recording samples
01:04 H6studio is basically an H5studio but with 2 more XLR inputs
01:55 Specifications comparison
02:11 Handling noise
03:34 RF shielding
04:21 Preamp self noise
05:03 8 track recorder
05:20 32-bit float recorder
06:04 XY stereo microphones
07:12 Digital look-ahead limiters
07:20 Mic capsule 3.0 system
07:52 Menu voice over for visually impaired
07:59 Color screen
08:11 Battery power time test
08:57 microSD HC and XC
09:01 Audio interface and record at the same time
09:31 3.5mm line output to feed to camera
09:41 Onboard speaker
09:50 Port for wireless modules TCA-1 and BTA-1 and iOS app
10:35 Pricing
10:45 Cons
13:08 H6studio compared to Tascam Portacapture X8
15:12 Please buy my courses