ZOOM H2essential Manual

Inserting microSD cards

Supported recording media:
microSDHC memory cards
microSDXC memory cards

We recommend using microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this product. See the ZOOM website (zoomcorp.com/help/h2essential) for information about microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this unit.

• Always turn the power off before inserting or removing a microSD card.
• To remove a microSD card, push it further into the slot and then pull it out.
  Be careful not to let the microSD card pop out.

Turning the power on

Press and slide down to open

When using batteries, follow these precautions to prevent leakage.

• Do not use batteries if their covers are coming off or their exteriors are damaged.
  
• Do not mix batteries of different types or made by different manufacturers.
  
• Do not use new and old batteries together.
  
• Remove dead batteries as soon as possible.
  Remove batteries when not using them for a long time.
  

A dedicated AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17) or a commercially-available portable USB battery can also be used.

Making settings when first turned on

Accessibility setting

Use to select a setting item, and press to confirm.

A function that enables setting audio guidance and beep sounds is included to assist users with vision impairments.

Language setting

Use to select the language and press to confirm.

Date format setting

The year, month and day will be used in recording file names in the order set here.

Date and time settings

1. Select a setting item, and press to confirm.
   
2. Change the value, and press to confirm.
   
3. After setting all the items, select "OK" and press to complete setting the date and time.
   

Battery type setting

Set the type of battery used correctly so that the amount of remaining battery charge can be shown accurately.

We recommend running SD card tests on microSD cards after purchasing them new or using them with a different device.

A quick test can check the performance of a microSD card in a short time (about 30 seconds) regardless of its capacity. A full test will check the entire microSD card, so the amount of time required depends on its capacity (about 15 hours for 64 GB).

After setting is complete, the Home Screen will open.

Home Screen overview

Press and hold when the Home Screen is open to immediately turn on/off the guide sound.
The button can be pressed when the Menu Screen or Playback Screen is open in most states to return quickly to the Home Screen.

Preparing to record

Connecting headphones and adjusting the volume

Setting the recording orientation and mic pickup pattern

After using and to set the recording orientation, use to set the mic pickup pattern.

Connecting mics that require plug-in power

The MIC/LINE IN (REAR) jack can be used for recording.

• Setting plug-in power
  

Reducing noise from wind and vocal pops

Adjusting the monitoring mix

Adjust the monitoring balance and confirm.

• These settings do not affect the levels of recorded files.
  They only affect the playback of recorded files on the H2essential.
• Levels can be readjusted with the mixer during playback.

Recording

The indicator will light red and recording will start.

Press again to stop recording.

Slide toward HOLD to prevent misoperation when recording.

Operations during recording

	This adds a marker for cueing during playback.
	This stops recording and moves the file to the trash.
	This pauses and resumes recording. Markers are added when recording is paused.
	This stops recording.

Playing recordings

This starts playback.

Operations during playback

	Open the Playlist Screen, export files and use A-B repeat playback, for example.
	Move the file playback position backward/forward.
	Move the file to the trash.
	Stop playback.
	Move to the previous file, the beginning of the file, or the previous mark. Press and hold to search backward.
	Start and pause playback.
	Move to the next file or the next mark. Press and hold to search forward.

Accessing online help (2D code)

Select the Help menu item to show a 2D code.
Scan it with a smartphone to access detailed documents about the product.

zoomcorp.com/help/h2essential

Functions of parts

Rear (display side)

Built-in mics
Using three mic capsules, this mic can achieve hypercardioid and MS stereo (90º/120º) pickup patterns in both front and rear directions.

Speaker
Sound is output here during file playback.

If headphones are connected to the PHONE/LINE OUT jack, sound will not be output from the speaker.

Display
This shows various types of information.

Operation buttons
When the Home Screen is open, use these to adjust the monitoring balance, set the low cut function, add markers to recording files and move files to the trash. When the Home Screen is not open, these have functions shown by icons at the bottom of the screen.

MENU button
Press this to open the Menu Screen.

Other buttons

STOP button	This stops recording and playback.
REW button	Press during playback or when paused to move to the previous file, the beginning of the file, or the previous mark. Press and hold to search backward.
PLAY/PAUSE button	This starts and pauses playback of recorded files.
FF button	Press during playback or when paused to move to the next file or the next mark. Press and hold to search forward.

Front (battery side)

Battery cover
Open this when installing or removing AA batteries.

Left side

VOLUME dial
Use this to adjust the volume output from the speaker and headphones.

PHONE/LINE OUT jack
This outputs sound to headphones or a connected device.

USB port (Type-C)
Connect this to a computer, smartphone or tablet to use audio interface and file transfer functions.
This supports operation on USB bus power.
Use a USB cable that supports data transfer.

Right side

Strap hole
Use this to attach a strap.

POWER/HOLD switch
Use this to turn the power on/off and to disable button operation.

MIC/LINE IN (REAR) jack
An external mic or line-level device can be connected here and recorded. This also supports mics that use plug-in power.

REMOTE connector
Connect a ZOOM BTA-1 or other dedicated adapter here. This enables wireless control of the H2essential from an iPhone/iPad using the ZOOM Handy Control & Sync app.

Top

REC button
This starts recording.
The indicator lights during recording.

FRONT button
Press this to enable recording toward the front. The FRONT button will light when enabled.

REAR button
Press this to enable recording toward the rear. The REAR button will light when enabled.
When an external mic is connected to the MIC/LINE IN jack, REAR recording cannot be enabled.

Pickup pattern selection buttons
These determine whether tracks are recorded in mono or stereo and the stereo width.
Select from one of the following. The selected button will light.

• MONO: Mono (hypercardioid pattern)
• 90º: Stereo (90º MS stereo)
• 120º: Stereo (120º MS stereo)

Bottom

Tripod mounting thread
Use this for mounting on a tripod.

microSD card slot
Insert a microSD card here.

Other functions

USB functions

Audio interface

Connected to a computer, smartphone or tablet, this can be used as a 2-in/2-out or 4-in/2out audio interface.
A driver must be installed to connect with Windows computers. The latest driver can be the ZOOM website (zoomcorp.com/help/h2essential).

File transfer

By connecting with a computer, smartphone or tablet, files on the microSD card can be checked and moved.

Wireless control from an iPhone/iPad

By connecting a BTA-1 or other dedicated wireless adapter and using the ZOOM Handy Control & Sync app, the H2essential can be operated from an iPhone/iPad.

Troubleshooting

Sound is not output or the volume is very low

• Check the headphone and LINE OUT connections.
• Confirm that the headphone volume and line output level are not too low.
• Check the mic orientation or the volume setting of the connected equipment.
• Check the mixer settings.

Monitored sound is distorted

• Use to adjust the volume.
• Check the mixer settings.

"INPUT OVERLOAD!" appears

• The input sound is too loud. Increase the distance between the mic and the sound source.
• Wind can also cause loud noises to be input. We recommend using the Lo Cut setting to reduce noise if air is blown directly at the mic, for example, when recording outdoors or when the mic is near the mouth of a speaker.

Recording is not possible

• Confirm that the microSD card has open space.
• Confirm that a microSD card is loaded properly in the card slot.

The recorded sound breaks up

• Test the microSD card.
• See the Operation Manual for details.
• Use the H2essential to format the microSD card. We recommend using microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this product. See the ZOOM website (zoomcorp.com/help/h2essential) for information about microSD cards that have been confirmed to work with this unit.

Not recognized by computer when connected

• Use a USB cable that supports data transfer.

Date and time are reset frequently

• If power is not supplied by an AC adapter or batteries for a long time, date and time settings will be reset.
  If the Set Date/Time Screen appears during startup, set them again.

Operation is not possible

• Confirm that is not set to HOLD.

zoomcorp.com

Documents / Resources

References

• | ZOOM
• | ZOOM

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download ZOOM H2essential Manual