UTS CRICOS PROVIDER CODE 00099F

FASS MediaLab

ZOOM H6
Quick Start Reader

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Contents

1 Zoom H6 Quick Start Reader 3

1.1 Zoom H6 Recorder Kit 3
1.2 Names of Parts 3
1.3 Display Overview: Home/Recording Screen 4
1.4 Display Overview: Playback Screen 4
1.5 Overview 5
1.6 Supplying Power 5
1.7 Turning the Power On and Off 5
1.8 Formatting SD Cards 5
1.9 Setting the Recording Format 6
1.10 Overview of Connecting to Inputs 1-4 6
1.11 Plugging In 6
1.12 Dynamic (Reporter) Microphone 7
1.13 Condenser (Shotgun) Microphones & Phantom Power Concepts 7
1.14 Activating Phantom Power 7
1.15 Main Microphone Concepts 7
1.16 Recording Process 8
1.17 Recording Concepts 8
1.18 Selecting the Folder Where Projects are Saved 8
1.19 Basic playback 9
1.20 Select the playback project from the list 9
1.21 Copying sound from the ZOOM H6 9
1.22 Expanded Microphone Concepts & Troubleshooting 10

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1 Zoom H6 Quick Start Reader

1.1 Zoom H6 Recorder Kit

• Headphones
• Zoom H6 main unit with case
• Dynamic (reporter) microphone
• H6 Operators Manual
• USB Cable

1.2 Names of Parts

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1.3 Display Overview: Home/Recording Screen

Note: Page Numbers refer to the Zoom H6 Operation Manual

1.4 Display Overview: Playback Screen

Note: Page Numbers refer to the Zoom H6 Operation Manual

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1.5 Overview
• These recorders retain the settings of the pervious user, as well as their audio data. Since you can’t
be sure the previous user set the recorder correctly, you must follow each step – check and change
the settings appropriate for your use – each time you use the recorder.
• 1. Insert 4 x AA batteries on the back of the recorder, making sure to insert them in the right
orientation as per the diagram inside the battery compartment and ensure that the battery ribbon is
underneath the batteries.
• 2. Turn on your Zoom H6 with the power switch on
the side of the unit.
• 3. First we will erase all previous recordings
(format) from the SD card.

1.6 Supplying Power

• 1. Using batteries: Remove the battery cover.
• 2. Install the batteries. Ensure that the battery
ribbon is underneath the batteries as the batteries are
difficult to remove from the H6 with the aid of the battery ribbon.
• 3. Replace the battery cover.
• Notes: Use Alkaline or Ni-MH. If the battery indicator becomes empty,
turn the power off and install new batteries. Set the type of battery being
used via Menu > System > Battery > and select either Alkaline or Ni-MH.

1.7 Turning the Power On and Off

• Turning the power on: Slide the power switch to the right. The
screen will turn on with the home screen.
• Turning the power off: Slide the power switch to the right. Keep
holding the switch to the right until the Zoom logo appears.
• Note: If “No SD Card!” appears on the display, confirm that the SD
card is inserted properly. If “Card Protected!” appears on the display, the
SD card write-protection is enabled. Slide the lock switch on the SD card to
disable write-protection. If “invalid Card!” appears on the display, the cad is
not correctly formatted for use with this recorder. Format the card or use a
different card.

1.8 Formatting SD Cards

• 1. Press menu button. Note: SD cards must be formatted by the H6
for use with it.
• 2. Use the scroll button to select “SD CARD”, and press the scroll
button.
• 3. Use the scroll button to select “Format”, and press the scroll
button.
• 4. Use the scroll button to select “Yes”, and press the scroll button
to format the SD card.
Note: If you use an SD card that has been formatted by a computer or that
you have purchased, you must format it using the H6 before it can be used

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 with the unit. Be aware that all data previously saved on the SD card will be
deleted when it is formatted.

1.9 Setting the Recording Format

• Set the recording format WAV 48KHZ/24Bit.
Note: Use the WAV format for recording high-quality audio. The MP3
format reduces file size through compression, which also reduces the audio
quality. Use this format if you need to conserve space on the SD card to
store many recordings, for example.

1. Press the menu button.

2. Use the scroll button to select “REC”, and press the scroll button.
3. Use the scroll button to select “Rec Format”, and press the scroll
button.
4. Use the scroll button to select “WAV 48KHz/24bit”,
and press the scroll button.

1.10 Overview of Connecting

to Inputs 1-4
• Now your recorder is setup to record, we are ready
to plug in your microphone(s) and your headphones for
recording.
• The Zoom H6 has 4 XLR/TRS inputs. Mics, instruments and other equipment can be connected to
Inputs 1-4 and recorded independently to tracks 1-4.
• Stereo inputs: By linking tracks 1 and 2 (or tracks 3 and 4) as stereo tracks, Inputs 1/2 (or Inputs
3/4) can be used for stereo input. In this case, Input 1 (Input 3) becomes the left channel and Input
2 (Input 4) becomes the right channel. The indicator of the selected track button lights red. If you
press track button 2 while pressing and holding track button 1, tracks 1/2 will become a stereo track
in the same way. Stereo links can also be deactivated in the same way.
• Connecting mics: Connect dynamic mics and
condenser mics to the Input 1-4 XLR jacks. Phantom
power (+12V/+24V/+48V) can be supplied to condenser
mics.

1.11 Plugging In
• Your kit will include a single mono Dynamic
“reporter” mic. If you require a different microphone,
you will have to book it separately.
• Plug your headphones into the left of the recorder, in the socket named PHONES. Your headphone
volume is located to the bottom of this plug, it is labelled VOLUME.
• Plug your XLR cable into the appropriate “INPUT 1” on the left of the recorder and the other end into
your microphone.
• If plugging in a SHOTGUN mic – Use the XLR micn cable from the reporter mic in the kit, ie the mic
that comes with the H6, to plug in between the pistol grip of the Shotgun mic and the recorder. See
microphone section for more details.

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 1.12 Dynamic (Reporter) Microphone
• Provided in the ZOOM H6 Kit, is a Dynamic (Reporter) Microphone.
It’s good for voice, and close micing.
• A dynamic microphone does NOT require Phantom Power from the
H6, or a battery inside the mic to function.
• If you are using a Condenser (Shotgun) Microphone, it will require
Phantom Power from the H6, or a Battery inside the microphone to
function; you can refer below for information.

1.13 Condenser (Shotgun) Microphones

& Phantom Power Concepts
• The ZOOM H6 can provide Phantom Power for Condenser
(Shotgun) Microphones that require it.
• Another way to power them is by inserting a AA Battery into the
microphone.
• If you do use the ZOOM H6 to provide Phantom Power, it will shorten
the battery life of the recorder significantly, so is best avoided. Where
possible.
• If your microphone requires power, use an AA battery and set
phantom power on the H6 channel to OFF. See the section below on
how to activate/deactivate Phantom Power.

1.14 Activating Phantom Power

• Inputs 1-4 can provide Phantom Power of +48V if you intend to use a
Condenser (Shotgun) Microphone.
• 1. Press the Menu button.
• 2. Use the scroll button to select “Input & Output”, and press the
scroll button.
• 3. Use the scroll button to select “Phantom”, and press the scroll
button.
• 4. Use the scroll button to select “ON/OFF”, and press the scroll
button.
• 5. Use the scroll button to select the Input you want to set, and press
the scroll button.
• 6. Use the scroll button to select “On”, and press the scroll button.
• 7. Select “Voltage”, use the scroll button to select “+48V”.

1.15 Main Microphone Concepts

• If using a Dynamic, they’re not as sensitive as a shotgun, so get in
‘close’.

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 • If using a Condenser, change the battery if
it’s empty, or activate Phantom Power if no
batteries are used. Remember to deactivate
the power if you are using batteries in the mic.

1.16 Recording Process

• 1. Press the Button of the track that you
want to record. If you plugged in your
microphone into Input 1, activate Track 1.
– The Indicator of the selected track button
lights Red.
– If you are using a Stereo Microphone, you
can press the next track button while holding
the previous, they will become a Stereo track.
Stereo links can be deactivated in the same
way.
• 2. Turn the Input Volume, for the selected input to adjust the
input level.
– Adjust so that the peak level stays around -12dB.
• 3. Press the Record Button to start recording.
• 4. Press the Scroll Button to add a mark.
• 5. Press the Play/Pause Button to pause.
• 6. Press the Stop Button to stop recording.

1.17 Recording Concepts

• If you look at the front of the recorder you will see lights and numbers that indicate your recording
levels. When recording, you want your levels to be consistently reaching the -12dB mark, but you
never want your peak (highest level) to reach the 0dB level, this will give you a distorted signal and
ruin your recording (and can’t be fixed later.)
• Position your microphone how it will be to your source and turn the dials to the right of the recorder
until your levels reach the appropriate number.
• The top left dial is for Input 1, the bottom left dial is for Input 2,
the top right dial is for Input 3, the bottom right dial is for Input 4.
• You can listen back to what you have recorded by pressing the
PLAY button to skip backwards and forwards through tracks.
• Next time you go to record, it will not record over what you have
just listened to, instead it will resume after whatever the end track
number is.

1.18 Selecting the Folder Where

Projects are Saved
• 1. Press the menu button.
• 2. Use the scroll button to select “Project List”, and press the
scroll button.
• 3. Use the scroll button to select the folder where you want to
save new projects, and then press the scroll button.

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 • 4. Press the record button to confirm the folder
selection and return to the Home Screen.

1.19 Basic playback

• 1. Press the play/pause button to start playback.
Controls during playback:
• Select project/move to mark: Use
backward/forward buttons.
• Search forward/backward: Press and hold
forward/backward buttons.
• Pause/resume playback: Press play/pause button.
• Adjust volume: Press Volume buttons.
• Add marks: Press the scroll button.
• During Playback: Mute/Unmute tracks by pressing the track indicator
buttons.
• 2. Press the stop or record button to return to the Home Screen.

1.20 Select the playback project from the

list
• 1. Press the menu button.
• 2. Use the scroll button to select “PROJECT LIST” and press the
scroll button.

1.21 Copying sound from the ZOOM H6

• 1. Plug in the USB cable into the ZOOM H6 and the computer. It will
enter a USB mode. Use the scroll button to select ‘SD Card Reader’.
• 2. The recorder will automatically mount on your desktop as a
device/drive. You can also see it in the finder window sidebar, under
Devices.
• 3. Navigate into the ZOOM H6 via the finder, navigate into it’s folder,
and highlight your WAV files, copy them with Command + C (or select
Copy via right-click menu), and Paste them by clicking in your new
backup location and hitting Command + V (or select Paste via right-
click).
• 4. To eject the device, click on the eject icon next to the device’s
name in the finder sidebar. From there you can switch off the H6.

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1.22 Expanded Microphone Concepts & Troubleshooting
• There is a Dynamic Microphone (Reporter, i.e robust) – included with each kit.
– 1. The pickup pattern will be Cardioid, which is
suitable for for voice, but requires close micing for best
results.
– 2. A point to consider with Dynamic mics, is no
battery or phantom power is required for them to
function.
– 3. Simply use the XLR cable provided to plug in the
microphone into the Zoom H6. Use the wind shield to
protect the mic from recording vocal plosives, and wind
blasts.

• Another option are Condenser Microphones,

(Shotgun), which are bookable in the following store
category: Microphones – Rode NTG-2, and for later
MAP project, Rode NTG-3.
– 1. The pickup pattern will be Hyper-Cardioid, very
sensitive especially from font. Can hold low and aim up (at
person speaking) or boom overhead with boom pole.
– 2. These need AA batteries, or use the Phantom
Power from the ZOOM H6 to power the microphone (you
will need to use your own batteries, and this technique
also drains the batteries quicker). One Phantom powered
microphone can last up to 8 hours with a Zoom H6.

– 3. To

insert/replace a battery into the Rode NTG-2 Condenser (Shotgun) microphone: make sure
Phantom Power is switched off, unplug the XLR cable, lift off the wind shield, gently unscrew
the barrel and insert the battery correctly as identified in the battery compartment, re-screw the
barrel, re-place the wind shield, insert the dangling XLR cable that is coming out the top of the
handle into the back of the barrel, and then connect a XLR cable from the bottom of the handle
to an input in the Zoom H6 recorder.

Online Resources:
Zoom H6 Setup Video – Video Gear:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8efa9LInjw

Zoom H6 Setup Video – B&H Photo Video

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/howToVideo/Zoom_H6/3613904544001.html

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