by David Redmond
I’ve been using Zoom products for quite a few years. There’s a h4N pro beside
me as I write, and I’ve also used the H6 in the past. The audio quality of both
products is incredible in my view, and while I have been disappointed by some
Zoom products in the past too, notably the Zoom IQ6, they really are tempting
me to spend money again.
Zoom recently announced new products in the handy recorder range, and they come
with one brilliant feature. They’ve got a screen reader built-in, making them
truly accessible audio recorders.
Firstly, I just want to say a huge well done to the team at Zoom. I’ve worked
professionally in content for a while now and I know from experience that every
radio station will usually have some form of Zoom product. The fact that these
products are starting to ship with accessibility features now will make such a
difference to those who use them.
The new accessible audio recorders in the zoom range.
The new recorders are the Zoom h1E, H4E, and h6E. The e in all three cases
stands for essential. All three have 32-bit float recording, and the h4E and
H6E also have XLR inputs. The devices can act as USB microphones, so in theory,
if I wanted to broadcast an event to our V I Live service I could just plug
Zoom into an iPad and use an app like Backpack Studio to stream the audio.
Realistically is that something I’d do? Probably not, but It’s always good to
have options. The fact you can do all that on a device under €500 is in my view
incredible. Not only is it under €500, but It’s well under €500. The H1E comes
in at €109, the h4E is €219, and the H6E comes in at €329. For decent audio
gear with accessibility built in, that’s great pricing in my opinion.
Users will be able to use the voice guidance feature in English, Spanish,
French, Japanese, German, Italian, or Chinese. So, the product will hopefully
be accessible to content creators across the world.
I’ve got really high hopes for this range of products, and while I definitely
won’t be running out to buy right now, I’d certainly consider a H6E when my H4N
pro decides not to work anymore.
Seeing professional equipment like this ship with accessibility features
built-in is honestly such good news, and I’m hoping it’s a trend we see
continue.
I hope this role will come out across the full zoom range in time, and
hopefully, this can be a wake-up call to other players to add accessibility
features to their products.
The new Zoom recorders are expected in q2 of 2024. For now, well done to Zoom.
Hopefully, this turns out to be as good as it sounds.
Vision Ireland Technology News.
