I recently had the opportunity to use my newly acquired Zoom H6 for the first time, and I’m excited to share my experience. Please note that this review is written from the perspective of a consumer with some audio knowledge, not a professional audio engineer. That said, I was genuinely impressed with its compact design, ease of use, and practicality.
The Event: Class of ’79 Canyon High School Reunion
I was invited to record and videotape a live band performance at the Canyon High School class of ’79 reunion. The band, led by alumna Vickie Sanchez, put on an incredible show. The lineup featured Steven on bass, Sheldon on guitar, Jeff on keyboards, and Steve on drums, performing a mix of original songs and cover hits for over three hours. While the video was a secondary priority, my main goal was to see how the Zoom H6 would perform in capturing high-quality audio.
The Setup: Preparing the Zoom H6
For the audio recording, I placed the Zoom H6 in the middle of the venue, about 20 feet from the stage, with the XY mics set at a 90° angle. In addition, I set up two dynamic vocal mics on the left and right sides of the stage, approximately 6 feet out, which I connected to channels 1 and 2 of the Zoom H6. I also received a mic feed from the soundboard, combining the audio from all three mics, which I fed into channel 3.
After setting the levels, I hit the record button and let the Zoom H6 do its work.
Post-Production: Mixing the Audio
Once the event was over, I used DaVinci audio tools to mix the four channels of recorded audio. The final mix captured a balanced sound where each instrument was distinctly audible, and the vocals came through clearly. I was particularly pleased that my setup didn’t interfere with the band or the audience, allowing the performance to shine without distraction.
Final Thoughts: A Solid Investment
Overall, I’m delighted with my purchase of the Zoom H6, which is priced at around $250. It proved to be a reliable and versatile tool for live audio recording. The compactness, ease of setup, and high-quality results make it an excellent investment for anyone looking to capture live performances without hassle.
In conclusion, while this review comes from a consumer perspective, the Zoom H6 exceeded my expectations and performed exceptionally well during my first live recording experience.
