Zoom H2essential Portable Digital Recorder

Zoom H2essential — Three-Mic 32-Bit Float Recorder for Field, Stage, and Studio

The Zoom H2essential combines three internal microphones in a single compact unit, expanding pickup possibilities for creators. Two cardioid capsules point front and rear, and a bidirectional capsule covers the sides, allowing one device to handle solo instruments, full ensembles, podcasts, and surround field recordings. This model is a versatile solution for musicians, podcasters, and field recordists who want studio-quality audio without extra gear.

What Sets This Recorder Apart

Typical handheld recorders restrict users to a single stereo pattern. In contrast, this unit delivers nine different pickup arrangements using its unique capsule array. With Mid-Side Raw mode, you can reshape the stereo field later in a DAW. There's also a dedicated accessibility mode that reads menu items aloud, opening new possibilities for blind and visually impaired users.

Recording Engine and Microphone Array

Equipped with a 32-bit float recording engine and dual A/D converters, it captures the full dynamic range of any sound source, so there’s no need to worry about clipping. Three built-in microphones — two unidirectional and one bidirectional — combine into Mid-Side stereo pairs, which you can adjust for width and direction based on the environment.

• Microphones: 3 internal capsules (2 unidirectional, 1 bidirectional) — nine pickup patterns in total
• Recording Format: 32-bit float / 24-bit WAV up to 96 kHz — preserves extended dynamics without clipping
• Storage: microSDHC / microSDXC up to 2 TB — keep recording for days on a single card
• Enjoy up to 20.5 hours of portable use with 2× AA batteries or switch to USB-C bus power when needed.
• Display: 33 mm color LCD with real-time waveform — provides clear visual feedback while recording

Built for Musicians, Podcasters, and Field Recordists

Place the recorder on a tripod to capture natural 90° stereo using the rear mics, or switch to a wide 120° front-and-rear pattern for ensemble sessions. Podcasters with two hosts can record both voices as separate tracks in mono mode. Connect via USB-C to your computer or phone, and you can use it as a 32-bit float microphone while simultaneously saving a backup track to the SD card.