Quick Guide

You must read the Usage and Safety Precautions before use.

The Operation Manual can be downloaded from the ZOOM website ([Link]/docs/h5).
This page has files in PDF and ePub formats.
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© 2020 ZOOM CORPORATION

Copying or reprinting this manual in part or in whole without permission is prohibited.
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 Names of parts
Left Front


XY mic
Names of parts

Input volume L/R

LINE OUT jack

Display
PHONE jack

VOLUME button

Input volume 1 Input volume 2 PLAY/PAUSE button

REC button &
USB port STOP button indicator
(Mini-B) Track buttons & indicators
(L, R, 1, 2)
POWER/HOLD
switch

Back Forward
02 button button
 H5 Handy Recorder

Right/Back Bottom


Names of parts
MIC/LINE input jack Input 1 Input 2
(supports plug-in power)
REMOTE jack Strap attachment hole

Scroll button
Up/down: Select
menu items Speaker (back)
Press: Confirm
menu selection

MENU button
Press:
Open menu,
Return to last screen XLR TRS

SD card slot Battery cover (back) 2 1 TIP: HOT

1: GND RING: COLD

2: HOT
SLEEVE: GND
3 3: COLD

03
 Supplying power/Loading an SD card
Preparations

Supplying power Loading an SD card

1. Turn the power off and then remove the battery 1. Turn the power off and then open the SD card slot

cover. cover.

Push down
and open
2. Insert the SD card into the slot.
Supplying power/Loading an SD card

To eject an SD card:

Push the card further into the slot and then pull it out.

2. Install the batteries.

3. Replace the battery cover.

NOTE
• Use alkaline batteries or rechargeable NiMH batteries.
• Use MENU > SYSTEM > BATTERY TYPE to set the type of
battery so that the amount of remaining battery charge
can be shown accurately. NOTE
Before using SD cards that have just been purchased or
HINT
that have been formatted on a computer, they must be
AC power can also be used by connecting a dedicated AC
formatted by the . To format an SD card, use MENU >
adapter (ZOOM AD-17) to the USB port.
SD CARD > FORMAT.
04
 H5 Handy Recorder
Turning the power on and off

Preparations
Turning the power on Using the hold function
The has a hold function that disables the buttons in
1. Slide to . order to prevent accidental operation during recording.

Activating the hold function

1. Slide to HOLD.

Turning the power on and off

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. NOTE
A remote control can still be used even when the hold
function is active.
Turning the power off

1. Slide to .
Deactivating the hold function

1. Slide to the center.

NOTE
Keep sliding the switch until "Goodbye See You!" appears.

05
 Setting the date and time *
Preparations

By setting the date and time, the recorder can store the recording date and time in files.

1. Press . 4. Change the setting.

2. Use to select
Setting the date and time

“SYSTEM”, and
■ Changing settings
press .
Move cursor: Move up and down

Change item value: Press , then

3. Use to select
move up and down
“DATE/TIME”, and
Confirm change: Press
press .

5. Press
This completes setting the date and time.

*The first time you turn it on after purchase, you must set the
date and time.

06
 H5 Handy Recorder
Connecting mics/other devices to Inputs 1/2

Preparations
In addition to the L/R inputs from the XY mic, the also has Inputs 1/2. These can be used together to record up to 4
tracks at the same time.
You can connect mics, instruments and other devices to Inputs 1/2.

Connecting mics Connecting instruments and other devices

Connect dynamic mics and condenser mics to the Input 1/2 Connect keyboards and mixers directly to the Input 1/2 TRS
XLR jacks. jacks.

Connecting mics/other devices to Inputs 1/2

Direct input of passive guitars and basses is not supported.
Connect these instruments through a mixer or effects
device.

Shotgun mic Lapel mic

L/R
L/R

Lapel mic

PA mixer 1 2
1 2

07
 Display overview
Preparations

Home/Recording Screen

MULTI FILE Mode STEREO FILE Mode

After pressing
Name of input capsule
name of project playing connected to L/R inputs
Status icon (when recording, name of
recorded project) Backup recording
Display overview

Stopped ON After pressing

name of file playing
Recording Counter (remaining Battery charge indicator
(when recording, name of
recordable time) Full recorded project)
Paused

Folder name
Empty
Track L/R
Clip
Track 1/2 indicator

Level meter
(Recording input level)
LO CUT

COMP/
LIMITER PAD and inputs affected

MS STEREO Phantom power voltage and

MATRIX Inputs affected

Recording format
(During use as an audio interface,
computer or iPad setting shown)

08
 H5 Handy Recorder

Preparations
Playback Screen

MULTI FILE Mode STEREO FILE Mode

Name of playing
project

Display overview
Name of input capsule
Status icon connected to L/R inputs
Counter (elapsed
or remaining
Playing Battery charge indicator
playback time) Name of playing file
Paused

Folder name Clip

indicator

Stereo track

Mono track

Level meter
(playback level)

Playback format Playback speed A-B repeat

Key control

09
 Recording process
Recording

Recording follows the process shown below.

When using the MULTI FILE mode, recording and playback data is handled in units called projects.
In STEREO FILE mode, this data is handled in file units.

Turn power Prepare to Playback Overdub

Connect Record
on record and check and edit
Recording process

• Connect the XY mic. • Start recording: • Start playback: • You can also, for
example, overdub,
• Connect mics, • Stop recording: • Stop playback:
mix down to a
instruments and • You can also • Make settings for marks, AB stereo file and
other equipment to make mark settings. repeat, playback speed, check project/file
INPUTS 1/2. playback pitch, playback information.
• Pause recording: mode, and the project mixer
as desired.

1. Set the recording mode 2. Select the recording tracks 3. Adjust input levels
• Select MULTI FILE mode or STEREO FILE mode. • Use the track buttons to select tracks. When the
The file types and formats of recordings differ selected track indicator lights red, the input signal • For each input, use
according to the mode selected. can be monitored.
• Adjust them so that the level meter stays near
• In MULTI FILE mode, you can also press both
• You can also make settings for automatic −12 dB when the loudest sound is input.
INPUT 1 and 2 track buttons at the same time to
recording, pre-recording, backup recording, low • You can, for example, also adjust the side mic level
use them as a stereo track (stereo link).
cut, the compressor/limiter and the metronome, (when using an MS capsule).
for example.

10
 H5 Handy Recorder
Recording mode overview

Recording
The has two recording modes: MULTI FILE and STEREO FILE.
The file types and formats of recordings differ according to the mode.

MULTI FILE mode Selecting the recording mode

The L/R inputs from the XY mic or other input capsule are
recorded to the L/R tracks, and Inputs 1/2 are recorded to 1. Press .
tracks 1/2 as separate files.

Recording mode overview

Since the signals from the inputs are recorded to separate
files, you can change their playback volumes and positions,
for example, independently after recording.
2. Use to select
Only 44.1/48kHz WAV formats (16/24-bit) can be selected when REC MODE,
recording in MULTI FILE mode.
and press .
HINT
By linking Inputs 1 and 2, you can also record them together as
a single stereo file. When Inputs 1 and 2 are linked, two stereo
files will be created. One for the L/R inputs and one for the 1/2
Inputs.
3. Use to select the
STEREO FILE mode recording mode,
The L/R inputs from the XY mic or other input capsule and
Inputs 1/2 are recorded together as a single stereo file. and press .
In this mode, only two tracks can be recorded, but you
can select the recording format freely according to your
purpose.
Use this mode when you want the highest audio quality or
you need smaller files.

11
 Folder and file structure on the H5
Recording

When recording with the , folders and files are created on the SD card in the following manner.

Root

MULTI FILE
mode folder
Folder and file structure on the H5

MULTI

Select FOLDER01-10
as the place to save
projects
FOLDER01 FOLDER02 FOLDER10

Project name: ZOOM0002 Project name: DualStereo Project name: 140531-163015 Project name: LongRecording Project name: ZOOM006
Backup recording: No Backup recording: Yes Backup recording: No Backup recording: No Backup recording: No
INPUTS 1/2: Mono INPUTS 1/2: Stereo Voice memo: Yes Created if recording exceeds 2 GB Additional recording created
ZOOM0001 ZOOM0002 ZOOM0003 ZOOM0004 ZOOM0005 ZOOM0006

Stereo file of signals Stereo file of signals Stereo file of signals First file when recording First stereo file recorded
A new project is created for
each recording. Folders are ♪ recorded from L/R inputs
♪ recorded from L/R inputs
♪ recorded from L/R inputs
♪ exceeds 2 GB
♪ to L/R track

created for each given ZOOM0002_TrLR.WAV ZOOM0003_TrLR.WAV ZOOM0004_TrLR.WAV ZOOM0005_TrLR-[Link] ZOOM0006_TrLR.WAV

project on the SD card and
Stereo file of signals
named ZOOM0001-9999. Mono file of signal Second file when recording Additional stereo file
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
recorded from stereo-linked Voice memo recording file
recorded from INPUT 1 exceeds 2 GB recorded to 1/2 tracks
INPUTS 1/2
ZOOM0002_Tr1.WAV ZOOM0003_Tr12.WAV ZOOM0004_VM.MP3 ZOOM0005_TrLR-[Link] ZOOM0006_Tr12-[Link]
Mono file of signal Project when project Stereo file created by
♪ ♪ ♪
L/R inputs backup file
recorded from INPUT 2 naming is set to “DATE” mix down

ZOOM0002_Tr2.WAV ZOOM0003_TrLR_BU.WAV [Link] [Link] ZOOM0006_ST001.WAV

The setting file name
Project setting file is the same as the
STEREO FILE project name
mode folder
[Link] [Link] [Link]
STEREO

FOLDER01 FOLDER02 FOLDER03 FOLDER04 FOLDER10

Stereo file of signals Stereo file of signals MP3 file when file First file when recording
♪ recorded from L/R inputs
♪ recorded from L/R inputs
♪ naming is set to “DATE”
♪ exceeds 2 GB

[Link] [Link] 140101-120000.MP3 [Link]

Stereo file of signals [Link] MP3 file when file Second file when recording
♪ recorded from INPUTS 1/2
♪ backup file
♪ naming is set to “DATE”
♪ exceeds 2 GB

[Link] ZOOM0001_BU.WAV 140101-120500.MP3 [Link]

Stereo WAV file of mono Third file when recording

♪
mix recording of signals
from INPUTS 1/2 ♪ exceeds 2 GB

ZOOM0002_MN.WAV [Link]

12
 H5 Handy Recorder
Setting the recording format

Recording
Select the format according to the desired audio quality and file size.

1. Press .
MULTI FILE mode

WAV 48kHz/24bit
STEREO FILE mode

WAV 96kHz/24bit
Audio quality
High
File size
Large

WAV 44.1kHz/24bit WAV 96kHz/16bit

WAV 48kHz/16bit WAV 48kHz/24bit

2. Use
WAV 44.1kHz/16bit WAV 44.1kHz/24bit
to select “REC", and press . WAV 48kHz/16bit
WAV 44.1kHz/16bit

Setting the recording format

Recording formats that MP3 320kbps
can be selected when MP3 256kbps
backup recording is ON
MP3 224kbps
MP3 192kbps
MP3 160kbps
MP3 128kbps
MP3 112kbps
MP3 96kbps
MULTI FILE mode STEREO FILE mode MP3 80kbps
MP3 64kbps
MP3 56kbps
MP3 48kbps

3. Use to select
Low Small

“REC FORMAT", and

NOTE
press . • Use the WAV format for recording high-quality audio.
• The MP3 format reduces file size through compression,
but this also reduces the audio quality. Use this format
if you need to conserve space or store many recordings
on an SD card, for example.
4. Use to select • When using the backup recording function in STEREO
FILE mode, some formats cannot be selected.
recording format, and

press .

13
 Selecting inputs and adjusting levels
Recording

Select whether to use the L/R inputs and Inputs 1/2.

In MULTI FILE mode, the L/R inputs will be recorded to the L/R tracks and Inputs 1/2 will be recorded to tracks 1 and 2.

2. To record Inputs 1/2 as a stereo file in MULTI FILE

3
mode, press the
1 2 track button while pressing and

holding 1 . 2
Selecting inputs and adjusting levels

3
1,2 To deactivate the stereo link, press the
1 2 track button
while pressing and holding 1 again.
2

1. Press the buttons of the tracks that you want to

3. Turn for the
record.
selected input to adjust
HINT
The indicators of the selected track buttons light red, and the input level.
you will be able to monitor the signals input on these tracks
through the headphones and line outputs. MULTI FILE mode

NOTE HINT
• In STEREO FILE mode, you can select the L/R inputs by • Adjust so that the peak level stays around −12dB.
pressing the L orL R R track button and Inputs 1/2 by
• If the sound distorts even when you lower the input
pressing the 1 or1 2 2 track button.
level, try changing mic positions and adjusting the
• In STEREO FILE mode, the L/R inputs and the Inputs 1/2 output levels of connected devices.
are selected in pairs. You cannot select just one of either
pair.

When using STEREO FILE mode, skip to step 3.

14
 H5 Handy Recorder
Reducing the input signal level Input 1/2 only

Recording
When connecting a mixer with a standard output level or +4dB, for example, you can set this unit to reduce the input signal
level −20 dB.

1. Press . 4. Use to select the

input, and press .

2. Use to select “IN/OUT", and press .

Reducing the input signal level

HINT
Select ALL to use the pad on both inputs.

MULTI FILE mode STEREO FILE mode

5. Use to select “ON",

3. Use to select “In1/2 and press .

PAD (−20dB)", and

press .

15
 Changing the phantom power setting
Recording

Input 1/2 can provide phantom power of +12V, +24V or +48V.

1. Press .
■ Turning "ON/OFF"

Use to select an input,

2. Use to select “IN/OUT", and press . and press .

Changing the phantom power setting

HINT
Select ALL to use phantom power on both inputs.

MULTI FILE mode STEREO FILE mode Use to select “ON",

and press .
3. Use to select “In1/2

PHANTOM", and
■ Set the "VOLTAGE"
press .

Use to select the

voltage, and press .

4. Use to select an

item, and press .

HINT
If a condenser mic can be used with less than +48V, lower-
ing the voltage will reduce the amount of power that the
uses.
16
 H5 Handy Recorder
Recording

Recording
2. Press to add a mark that can be used as a
reference during playback.
HINT
During playback, you can press and to jump to
places where marks have been added.
NOTE
• Marks can only be added to WAV format files.

Recording
2
3. Press to pause.
NOTE
3 • When recording is paused, a mark is added at that point.

4 1 • Press to resume recording.

4. Press to stop.
NOTE
• In MULTI FILE mode, a maximum of 99 marks can be
1. Press . added to a single project. In STEREO FILE mode, a
maximum of 99 marks can be added to a single file.
• If the file size exceeds 2 GB when recording in MULTI
FILE mode, a new file will be created automatically in
the same project and recording will continue without
pause. When this happens, numbers will be added to the
ends of the file names: “-0001” for the first file, “-0002”
MULTI FILE mode STEREO FILE mode
for the second file and so on.

• If the file size exceeds 2 GB when recording in STEREO
This starts recording. FILE mode, a new file will be created automatically in
the same folder and recording will continue without
pause. 17
 Basic playback
Playback

HINT
• The longer you press and hold or , the faster
searching backward/forward becomes.
• In MULTI FILE mode, during playback you can press track
1 buttons to unmute (lit green) and mute (unlit) them.
1

■ Add a mark during playback

Basic playback

Press at the point where you want to add a mark.

HINT
1. Press .
A maximum 99 marks can be added.

NOTE
• Marks can only be added to WAV format files.

■ Adjusting the volume during playback

MULTI FILE mode STEREO FILE mode

■ Controls during playback Press .

Select playback project/file

or move to a mark: Use and

Search forward/backward: Press and hold /

Pause/resume playback: Press Speaker Headphones

Change side mic level: HINT

You can adjust the volume of the speaker and head-
(MS-RAW mode only) Move up/down
phones independently. You can set them from 0–100.
18
19
 ZOOM CORPORATION
4-4-3 Kanda-surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
101-0062 Japan
[Link]
Z2I-4039-03