ZOOM H5 Studio Review

Our sound and lighting courses can be found at https://school.learnlightandsound.com In this review, we look at the ZOOM H5studio which is a portable audio recorder with large (19.4 mm) microphones spec’d at 140 dB max SPL, F-series preamps with 132 dB dynamic range, and 32-bit float recording. It offers six recording tracks — 4 inputs plus a stereo mix — with sample rates up to 192 kHz, advanced limiters that ‘look ahead’ to predict and prevent clipping, and wireless timecode capabilities. The H5studio is designed for professional audio production and includes features like a full-color LCD screen and headphone output, and RF shielding. It can also be used as a USB audio interface. Priced at $370 USD. 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 H5studio 32-bit float audio recorder - https://geni.us/QAtKl - Sennheiser MKH8019 stereo shotgun microphone - https://geni.us/ye4d - Sound Devices MixPre series recorders — https://geni.us/O8e0 - Sennheiser MKH50 boom microphone — https://geni.us/iYb065 - Impact Turtle-Base C-Stands — https://geni.us/8a8tt - Aputure LS 600x Pro Bicolor LED Light — https://geni.us/EreRQa - Aputure Light Dome III Softbox — https://geni.us/AVHU1p - Amaran 300c RGBWW Single-Point LED Light — https://geni.us/uGkDX - Amaran Spotlight SE — https://geni.us/4DuyTz - 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 #H5studio #audio #recorder Index 00:00 Sponsored by Learn Light & Sound - please buy my courses 00:06 Recorded with ZOOM H5studio no processing 00:25 Sound samples vs H4essential & with Sennheiser MKH8018 01:08 All the features & highlights 01:27 6 track recorder with 32-bit float, big microphones, XLR inputs 01:46 Highest quality audio of ZOOM Handy recorders 02:04 Microphones up to 140dB SPL Max 02:19 XLR/combo inputs with ZOOM F series preamps 02:39 60 dB of digital gain 02:52 Limiters, screen, VO accessibility feature 03:10 Wireless add-on modules for timecode & basic iOS control 03:27 3.5mm Outputs and inputs 03:59 Power - AA batteries and USB 04:52 Accessory pack 05:05 Hold/lock switch 05:10 ZOOM 3.0 capsule system - stereo shotgun, stereo, XLR inputs, and wireless receiver 05:38 USB audio interface & record at the same time 05:50 EIN self noise 06:00 Build quality 07:00 RF shielding that works 07:24 32-bit float and dual converters 08:30 3.5mm input and 32-bit float 09:08 Practical noise sample 10:20 Handling noise is a problem 11:52 Gain knobs are digital gain 12:12 H5studio vs Tascam Portacapture x8 12:59 Please buy my courses