Zoom H5 as a VOICEOVER mic? 

This is my favorite ASMR channel

Man, the H5 is surprisingly good.

Looking how to set up as a voiceover artist and just discovered this channel - joy of joys! Now subscribed! Mike is engaging, interesting and explains everything in such an enthusiastic way - fantastic! Keep up the great work - please! I'm sold!

I've never done voiceover nor do I necessarily plan to BUT I absolutely love watching your videos! I don't know if that is weird haha.

Not to undermine the very useful information in this video, but this is probably the first time in over a decade of watching RU-vid that I've seen a video with over 10k views and 0 dislikes, kudos

I always appreciate your video's Mike. I'm a fan of your channel now and will be watching from now on.

I know this is old but i just got a h5 and this is the best review ive seen. Simple and straight to the point

Hey Mike. Some of the best videos I've seen. Really enjoy them. I have an interesting setup to say the least. I have been doing VO on and off since about 2007 when I started out at an ad agency (with their equipment...so don't recall their setup). I eventually built my own recording booth, and "inherited" a FOSTEX VF160 digital multi-track recorder that was used in a band I used to play in. 3 of us pitched in to buy it many years ago and it was about $900 and it served it's purpose. Weren't looking for perfection since we used it for live shows and our demos. Eventually I ended up with the recorder as payment for money owed from my band-mates. I eventually started using this to record voice over demos, auditions and jobs. I always had the same setup. Just used what I had since I wasn't planning on investing anymore money at the time. So I used and still use a Shure SM58. (Which is pretty decent) ,but like I said working with what I had/have. Here's the ISSUE: Before I never really noticed it and apparently neither did clients, it was only recently that I started doing VO again that I noticed a humming or hissing sound in my recordings, especially when I normalized my files. After doing much research I just purchased and have already used a Cloudlifter. Seems to do the job intended....BUT, I am still hearing noise on some recordings. Especially after I send them out as MP3s for auditions (seems more noticeable). It's annoying and frustrating. I don't know if it's the recorder itself making all that noise since sometimes I would unplug the MIC and still hear it when I turned up the headphone volume, but also the gain on the channel I was recording to. Like I said, the CL-1 seems to have done it's job for the most part, it's definitely made a noticeable difference, but the noise is still present. I'm thinking it could also be the XLR cables, (probably getting much shorter ones). So I am thinking about just getting a Zoom or Tascam DR-44WL and putting the multi-track away and leaving it for other projects. (or maybe selling it, but god knows I wouldn't get much for it). Anyway would you recommend I just use one of these handhelds. It would also open up more space in my booth. I eventually want to get the SM7b and I already have the Cloudlifter. I just can't stand the noise!!! I remember back in the day using same setup, minus the booth. I actually used a closet full of clothes and never noticed any of that hissing sound. The only difference is that the recorder was outside of the closet. Hope to hear your thoughts on this. Or anyone's thoughts for that matter. Also noticed that depending on the headphones I use to listen to the audio on my laptop, the hissing varies. Ultimately I ant to get rid of it as I feel it's uncaceptable to have even a little noise in an audition or delivered files. thanks! PS Have you reviewed that Tascam DR-44WL yet? What about the Triton Audio Fethead? Would love to see/hear your opinions on both.

Love your videos man you’re so entertaining and knowledgeable, great job!

Thank you for this video. I have had my Zoom H5 for quite some time now but am only recently starting to use it as the audio input for my computer. Seeing that getting up nice and close brings in more bass is definitely a plus. I shall position it closer. The microphone pick up of touching the body is certainly a bugbear. Not too much when it is attached to my desk, though I think I'll get a separate stand just to isolate it a bit more.

Great video!!

Great video. How reliable is the H5 as the only audio interface? What are the disadvantage versus using a real audio interface? I do broadcasting work.

Well done comparison, thank you. I have had very results using the H5 with the different attachment mics. The mid side is very natural sounding just have to remember in outside conditions it will pickup background noise which is not always wanted. Cheers, Pete

Thanks for the comparison. Love my H5. It's a great starter mic and if you are on the go and not in a studio. I often use my Sennheiser lavalier instead of the onboard mic on the H5 with a much better result of course. Thanks again for the video!

you rock dude!!! total education here for us newbies

Awesome video, thanks for making it. I think I need to get some more capsules. I have a question. Do you think the mid-side would be best for nature recording (like ocean surf or maybe some forest noises)?

Hey Mike :)! I think your channel is awesome. One question, I bought the Zoom H5 and think it is awesome for my RU-vid channel, however, if I want to buy an XLR mic and use the Zoom H5, will the preamps be sufficient in the zoom, and if yes, Which mic do you think will be good enough for radio/tv commercial quality? All the Best!

Hi there; thanks for your videos. If you use the XY mics of the H5, I would recommend directing one of the mics towards your mouth and using only the corresponding channel of the recording. This way you will use the mic on axis (i.e. from the direction it produces the best possible sound). This is in contrary to the way when you speak into the XY mics you did in the video when both of the mics are used off axis so even if you summarize the two channels to produce a mono recording, the sound quality will be less than optimal.

The greatest audio channel on RU-vid. Thanks buddy

Love your work on NoSleep!

Well done! So, in an interview situation...would you prefer a separate mic connected to the h5?

Thanks, your channel has been a lifesaver! QUESTION: I've just ordered the E100S, but until I get it, can I get away with the mic set-up on the Zoom H5 (in a closet, etc.) for a voice-over job for computer-based tutorials? Wait, look at that - you've already created a whole video to answer my question! Amazing.

I love your content man. Thank you so much. Keep em coming.

Hi Mike! (You are a Godsend). Just wondering if you have any interest, or may have already considered the M6 as compared to M5? Thank you so much.

Good video. I have a zoom h2n and it comes set for the mid-thing you describe. It has 5 built in mics. It's a miracle I tell ya.

You can also get a black foam windscreen for the Zoom shotgun mic. The model is WSS-6 and it costs $9.99, so it is pretty reasonable. I would only use the dead cat outside in wind, not as a pop filter. The other thing is that there is an adjustable high pass filter on the Zoom recorder. You aren’t stuck with the way it sounds out of the box.

Hey Mike, this was soo cool! Wanted your opinion on the "Zoom H1N" as a voiceover microphone or like a backup interface. it costs only like a $100 and can act as an interface and a microphone. Hope you have a great year!

Great video, My Zoom H5 is so noisy compared to you , how do you manage the noise back sound ? At the post production Step ?

Hi Booth Junkie, really informative video! I have a zoom h5 with a shotgun capsule, unfortunately it has a "hiss" Sound. Do you have any tips for setting? Please help, I need to use it urgently!

Hi, this was nice VoiceOver, can you tell me the recording setup, like what would be input/output, kHz and db. Thanks!

Hey, there! Hi, from Brazil. First, Thanks for sharing so professional, independent and unbiased opinions... I'm a great fan of yours... I have a Yoga HT81 mic and it's muffled when I record... How about bringing a way to compare it with another similar mic and give some hints to improve its audio? Thanks again!

Great informative video! Thanks for putting it together. Nice voice BTW!

*What settings did you use for Zoom H5? It sounds amazing!

The H5 Shotgun sounds absolutely glorious.

I have the H5 and the Rode NTG 2 as various mic options. Brilliant sound quality

Wow....this thing (H5) does a much better job than I had expected.

When you use a zoom mic with an external mic, what settings do you have it on?

Excellent video, man... I have a H5 and I love it...

amazing review, I specifically looked for this model because of this video :)

You say you need to get close to the H5 mics for best results, but to my ears, it sounds better when you stand back. I guess it also depends what you are used to, and what you prefer, your preference obviously being based on very extensive experience and trying so many different things. Great test, which tells me I would be perfectly happy with using the H5 internal mics, though my main use would be as a line recorder to replace my old H4n.

I agree with your comments Mike, but I have to tell ya, the H5 XY and Shotgun microphones hold up pretty damn well against that broadcast Sennheiser. Given the cost of the H5, it's pretty stunning really. Bass is definitely lacking in the H5 mics but given the physics involved with the mics, I'm blown away they can do as well as they do. It really helps to be in close proximity. For my use on my Sony FDR-AX53 4K camcorder, I think it'll sound incredible

Can you show us how to do the settings on a zoom h1? A lot of us have that microphone and I would trust your instructions on it more than any of the other videos I've seen

Awesomely informative stuff. Keep at it, subscribed!

Oh wow! That's a Huge difference to me, argh!

Hi thanks for the nice video, I have a zoom h5, I want a buy a microphone but I don't have enough budget for buy a sennheiser or rode NTG3. but I have the budget for NTG 2 or NTG4 or Zoom SGH-6, Can you please give me suggestion which one is good for my H5 for filmmaking?

Has anyone ever asked you to review the Tascom DR-40 WL in comparison to the Zoom H5? Just curious.

Is it possible to get frequency response curve for H5 and adjust the recording in post to get flat response?

Such useful information! Thank you sir!

Oh, BTW, what preamp were you using on for the Sennheiser? I'd be curious to hear both mics through the H5 preamp. I'm considering buying an H5 to use as a preamp because I'll be sharing a studio with a technophobe, and the H5 is something she can handle. I'm a little wary of trying to introduce REAPER to someone who doesn't even use a computer for email.

Genius video! So helpful.

Mr Delgaudio, hi ... Can you tell us, what make/brand of L.E.D light, is that overhead in your booth please. We are looking for reasonably priced L.E D Lights for our home booth, here in the Caribbean. Or maybe you can recommend some budget lights for a booth ...thanks in advance

Nice voice for radio or podcast!! I bought the H5 zoom and feel great. Can I use the zoom h5 as a DAC for listen music with my headphones audio technica mx 50 on the pc or smartphone?

Great video, thank you. Just found you and subcribed. I have the H4n and recently picked up the H5n. For the life of me I can't get it to stop recording every car, truck and scooter outside. My settings could be wrong but it's picking up every sound in the background.

The H5 has a lo cut / hi pass filter that's on by default, you can adjust the frequency or turn it off completely

Hi I have a question ,if I use H5 with DSLR and use one 3.5mm cable connect both Can I start record audio in H5 when I hit record botton on DSLR ?

Quick comment on mid side recording, it is used for radio and television stereo broadcast applications as the output is directly compatible with FM broadcast modulation. It has no phase shift from positions of 2 close spaced microphones as the main MONO channel in FM is the one Mid microphone, the L+R signal, and the side microphone is the off axis stereo subcarrier in FM, the L-R signal. This eliminates the phase shifts in the main L+R mono signal from motion of the talent in front of the mic. FM station engineers love it as the main MONO center is free of dual diaphragm comb filter effects due to time of arrival off axis sounds. If your program is never listened to in Mono, you might want to skip this feature. If your program is listened to by viewers on a single speaker setup, you will love this feature. Note on the H6 (I don't have an H5) the mode of mixing is user selectable. You can use the recorders matrix to mix the Mid/Side mic into a traditional L/R signal, or you can directly record the raw Mid/Side channels. For mono voiceover, this option gives you a single diaphragm mono mic channel without the comb filter of dual capsule stereo mix. Lean your features and how to use them. The mid side mic may work better for mono voiceover recording when using the mono mid mic and discarding the side mic audio. A good DAW can use the side mic to make an adjustable pattern cartioid to tune the pattern to reject off axis sounds in post production, for example eliminating that off axis phone ring.

Nice vid. How can I sync my audio to a point and shoot camera that doesn't have an audio jack?

great content, cool guy, instant sub! ...I actually happen to use this combo (h5, xy module) for my tutorials if you want to check it out. But I agree it's probably not the best choice for 'real' voice overs.

i want you to do this but versus the zoom h6, really want to hear your perfect voice and booth and audio of both mics the zoom h5 vs the zoom h6 maybe the mkh 416 as well all 3, because i heard that mics on the zoom h6 are better, so if you have the chance, or put your hands on the h6 do that please, h5 vs h6 vs mkh 416 thanks.

The high and low cut filters can be adjusted internally

great buy, set up was very easy, Awesome!

Awesome video! Thanks!

Que interfase usas vos ? Generalmente cuando grabas los videos cual usas ?

Hello its possible or can you let me know how do setup the zoom h5 for recording audio?

you click to synchronise. Do you use any "autosynchro" option. Can you show some?

sennhiser sounds more bassy but once I get used to a given mic, after you've been on it for a few seconds, I don't notice anymore.

I guess it is why you are in a position to talk about these sort of things, but I love your voice. So easy to listen to.

Geez, I own the H5 but rarely use the built in mics. Glad I didn't get the shotgun capsule, on my hifi system the quality difference between the 416 and the Zoom is dramatic. Great comparison, very well done.

How are you getting such a clean sound with the mic so close up? It seems that no matter what my gain settings are, I get annoying plosives all over if I even start to approach it. Is it fixed in post?

Is there any type of remote swtich add-on for recorders? Let's say I'm narrating an audio book and I need to pause and start again as I'm working through the script. Or do I have to reach over to pause it every time?

Hey Booth Junkie - I have a couple of specific questions about using the Zoom H5 for podcast recording - do you have an email address for PMing?

Hey there, I have a NH1, what are your thoughts on that?

Cool! I was wondering how these sound, definitely some weird mid range and reduced low end on them but not really that bad overall.

I dunno, the zoom shotgun sounds pretty good, with the muff taken off and a good pop filter I can see the potential. The Sennhieser sounds slightly warmer but I wouldn't say Zoom was so terrible it is almost a kids toy. I'd say the audio was very professional sounding. The directional mic's sounded pretty good too, if mixed to mono in post I can see its potential. Only issue I could see with the directional mic is it will and does accept all sound. I just looked at the date this was posted 2016. I was thinking about buying one for environmental sound along with some 4K footage, I've made my mind up, I think I've watched about 30 videos on the H5 now.

I'm happily becoming a big fan of your videos. First question. Great intro to the H5. I snagged a used Zoom H4N for $150 and have been looking for a video review demonstration like yours for my device. Can you or any viewers tell me where to go, so to speak? LOL Next, is there one website or source which does nothing but compile info about recording sessions of noteworthy songs? Equipment, instruments, settings, personnel, length of session and etc.? Are there coffee table books about recording gear and mics and famous singers taken during what were later regarded as epic sessions? How many working V.O./NARRATION professionals became so without any formal in-person instruction? How did you get into the business? Why do people leave the business? How can one best train their ear to know what a good sounding recording chain sounds like? I listen to mic shootouts and regularly feeling like the mics with a less boomy bass sounds better! (The H5 sounded just as good as the Sennheiser to me, although the full sounding richness of the shotgun does provide a pleasant feel. But it isn't necessarily better to my untrained ears. If I was actually doing jobs I might be inadvertently submitting the lesser quality recording because my ears aren't yet trained. How can I train my ears? I've seen and heard a RU-vidr using a pre-amp in order to let it "do the heavy lifting" of setting the right amount of gain for an SM7, if I recall. But it also completely neutralized a great deal of room noise so that his mic floor and ambient sound went from unacceptably noisy, even to my ears without the pre amp, to completely silent with the pre amp and the knobs set. Do you want info about that video so you can watch/hear it? If one was interested in exploring the possibility of creating and producing a short form radio feature to be syndicated to stations across the country and sponsored by the commonly recognized big name national audio equipment retailers, is there a resource which could give me all the info I'd need to know? That's it for now. Thanks in advance. Abe

I did not understand fully. If you plug in a great microphone in the Zoom H5 is it still not gonna be good enough for some companies?

what a great video, well done man, kept me watching all the way through. I actually brought the H5 today along with the rode ntg4. i hope it was a good combo for what i want, i kinda figured its a little better than having the adapter (I do seminars to companies, and now RU-vid videos).

Am I going to hate myself if I cheap out and get a H1n for amateur hour streaming and video?

I just ordered from Amazon to h5 to record paranormal EVPs and I will be walking around with it. I don't want no noise from handling, can you recommend something else? Thanks

How do you set your levels going straight into the zoom when you're having to turn it around, or peek over the top to see the screen?

Oh my god! I want to buy 416 after this video! =) It's just insane!

Oohh..If I was getting up close with that Deadcat on it would totally stick to my lipgloss!!

for the price, I think the h5 sounds great.While it is not super rich in sound, all you would have to do if apply some EQ.

H5 is just great!!

I have the H2N as an easy to wear lavalier recorder and to be used as a table top recorder with multiple people and that mic is seriously thee most sensitive with shock. You move anything anywhere on the same table "BOOM!" God help you if you touch the stand. Honestly, that one sounds pretty good, but suffers from the same small capsule issue. I never intended it for 1v1 close up recording, though.

H5 is my favorite mic ever

Ugh please help someone . I am brand new. Zoom H5 with condenser mic. mono mix on caps clipping at -6 db , so I have to keep mono mix off . but with it off I only hear out of one side of headphone . and I have to record in stereo for ACX narration. does everyone work with one ear headphone ? is there a fix ? I've dug for 2 days online. Thank you anyone.

F you always sound outstanding, I just got my zoom H5 and have a couple of issues here. There's a like a buzzing sound in the background, how do you manage to delete it? Thanks

Useful video for me! Thanks for making this :)

I think the XY sounds amazing up close. I'll get my zoom H5 tomorrow and will start using it in videos. You guys get to judge, check out the channel!

11:05 most viral and funny moment of your video!!! I like you humor.

The Sennheiser is more sensitive and sounds better from a distance. But when you got close to the H5 all the differences went away.

If I hook the Stellar x2 to the zoom h5, will the pair make for professional quality recording pre-processing?

Starts snapping fingers to sync audio. Olé. Legit made me laugh.

wow! what a difference! the h5 sounds great, but the hi pass on close distances is really drastic. great great vid!

See I was watching this because I was wondering if the Zoom was good enough to start out with ACX narration or not. Sounds pretty good.

I've been under the impression that using shotgun mics indoors tended to reverb due to their interference channels, and even cause phase issues. Sure didn't hear that in your demo. Perhaps you are in a studio with really good sound insulation? What do you think?

I'm not going to lie, the audio sounds pretty good from the Zoom H5. I need to rerecord large parts of my audiobook because, as it turns out, I had hay fever and you can definitely hear it in my voice, but renting a studio is £350 per day. If I'm careful and go for second-hand pieces, it seems like a I might be able to get quite a good setup as mentioned in your "Setting up your first booth" video for around the same price. Then I build a pillow fort and record the whole damned book at my dinner table. It may be a bad idea, but it's worth a try...

How do you remove the shhhhhh noise? I am using the H5 in my own room but it has shhhh noise. I want to have the audio like yours

Wow! I think I actually like the Zoom H5 better. That is amazing.