Recorders Capture Audio H3-VR Captures Reality

Whether you’re a game developer, filmmaker or musician, virtual reality is the undeniable future of content creation. While 360-video is exploding in popularity, the ability to easily create 360-audio has lagged behind…until now. One-Stop VR Audio

The Zoom H3-VR virtual reality audio recorder is the complete solution for capturing and processing spatial audio for VR, AR and mixed-reality content. With a built-in Ambisonic mic, recorder and decoder, the H3-VR puts 360-audio in the palm of your hand.

Features of the H3-VR

- 4 built-in mics arranged in an Ambisonic array

- Full-sphere surround sound recording

- Single-knob gain control of all input levels

- Onboard Ambisonics A to B decoding

- Three recording modes: Ambisonics, Stereo Binaural or Standard Stereo

- Record up to 24bit/96kHz

- Stereo binaural monitoring of Ambisonics signal

- Headphone output and line output

- Slate tone

- Extensive metadata

- Auto Mic Position Detection using 6-axis gyroscope (upfront, endfire,

- upside-down, endfire inverted)

- Level Function to ensure precise angle placement

- Wireless iOS remote control available through the BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter

- Onboard Ambisonics playback with audio rotation

- USB 2.0 Audio Interface Mode

- Zoom PC/Mac post-production software to play, change a direction, and convert

- to binaural, stereo,and 5.1ch surround file

- Powered by 2 AA batteries or USB bus power

- Records to microSDXC card up to 1TB

A New Way to Go From A to B

In the past, capturing VR audio required a dedicated Ambisonic mic, a separate recorder and a computer for encoding the audio from raw Ambisonics A format to VR-ready Ambisonics B format. Now, with the H3-VR, all of the encoding and decoding is done on board, saving time, money and effort at every step.

Audio For Every Reality

Ambisonics Audio for VR

The H3-VR’s 4-capsule Ambisonic mic captures precise 360-degree VR audio recordings up to 24 bit/96 kHz. And without ever connecting to a computer, the onboard decoder allows you to export Ambisonics B-format files directly.

Binaural 3D Stereo

The H3-VR also records stereo binaural WAV files up to 24 bit/48 kHz. Stereo binaural provides a hyper-realistic spatial recording that enhances 2D productions with 3D audio.

Standard Stereo

The H3-VR even offers standard stereo recording for recordings that will be played out of speakers rather than headphones.

5.1ch Surround for Video

Free to download, ZOOM Ambisonics Player software can easily convert Ambisonics audio to a 5.1ch surround file that is pre-aligned to the proper speakers, and is exported to your video or audio editor for syncing with standard video

Live Streaming 360

The H3-VR also enables you to live stream events in 360 degrees so that wherever your fans are, they’ll have access to the best seats in the house

Fits Anywhere.

Captures Everything.

The H3-VR’s compact, conical design captures audio from multiple angles without getting in the way of the camera or the action.

H3-VR on Location

We asked Benedict Green to discuss his experience recording with the H3-VR while on a 360º video shoot at Malibu Creek State Park, CA.

6-Axis Motion Sensor

Auto Mic Position and Level Detection make placing the H3-VR simple. Whether positioned upright, upside down, endfire or endfire inverted, the H3-VR automatically calibrates so your audio and video are already aligned for post.

Upgrade Your Game Experience

The slam of dungeon doors, growl of monsters or howl of the wind can make or break a player’s fantasy. With the ability to capture high-quality in-game audio, you can elevate your player’s experience to new levels.

Monitoring & Playback

Monitor your audio live in stereo binaural or use the H3-VR’s onboard Ambisonics Decoding to simulate your recorded 360-experience during playback.

Streaming and More

Perfect for live streaming, video conferencing, direct recording and more, the H3-VR’s audio interface mode turns it into a USB 360 mic for your computer or stereo mic for your iOS device.

Conference Mode

When connected via USB to your Mac/Windows PC or iPad/iOS device, you can use the H3-VR’s Ambisonic Mic as a powerful microphone system for your web conference meetings.

Placed in the center of the table, the H3-VR’s Ambisonic Mic dynamically detects the direction of the voice from each speaker’s position, making it easier to clearly hear all the conference participants, with a minimal amount of ambient noise.Conference Mode

When connected via USB to your Mac/Windows PC or iPad/iOS device, you can use the H3-VR’s Ambisonic Mic as a powerful microphone system for your web conference meetings.

Placed in the center of the table, the H3-VR’s Ambisonic Mic dynamically detects the direction of the voice from each speaker’s position, making it easier to clearly hear all the conference participants, with a minimal amount of ambient noise.

Out of the Shot But in Control

Staying out of the shot can be tricky when recording a 360-degree video, which is why the H3 Control App lets you remotely access transport controls, level settings, and metadata notes right from your iOS device.*

*Optional BTA-1 adapter required

360º Post-Production Made Easy

The H3-VR’s companion ZOOM Ambisonics Player software takes the work out of post-production by easily converting your Ambisonics files to Stereo, Binaural, 5.1ch surround and more. Play, trim, re-orientate and export your audio files in minutes.

What's Included

H3-VR Handy Recorder

Foam windscreen

Dual mounting bracket





Specs

Recording Media: Cards compatible with microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC specifications

(Class 4 or higher)

Recording formats: Ambisonics A, Ambisonics B (FuMa/AmbiX)

WAV 4ch poly (supports BWF and iXML): 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 96 kHz/16-bit, 96 kHz/24-bit

Stereo

WAV stereo (supports BWF and iXML): 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit, 96 kHz/16-bit, 96 kHz/24-bit

Binaural

WAV stereo (supports BWF and iXML): 44.1 kHz/16-bit, 44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit

Display: 1.25" monochrome LCD (96×64)

Motion sensor: 6 axes (3-axis gyro, 3-axis acceleration)

Built-in Ambisonic mic: 4 matched unidirectional condenser mics

Maximum sound pressure input: 120 dB SPL

Mic gain: +18 – +48 dB

LINE OUT: Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini

Maximum output level: −10 dBu (1 kHz, 10 kΩ load)

PHONE OUT: Connector: 3.5 mm stereo mini

Maximum output level: 20 mW + 20 mW (into 32Ω load)

USB: Connector: microUSB

Mass storage operation

USB 2.0 High Speed

Audio interface operation

2 in/2 out (stereo/binaural input), USB 2.0 Full Speed

44.1 kHz/16-bit, 48 kHz/16-bit

4 in/2 out ( Ambisonics A/FuMa/AmbiX input), USB 2.0 High Speed

44.1 kHz/24-bit, 48 kHz/24-bit

Power: 2 AA batteries (alkaline, rechargeable NiMH or lithium)

AC adapter (ZOOM AD-17): DC 5V/1A (supports USB bus power)

Estimated continuous recording time using batteries: 48 kHz/24-bit, FuMa Rec Mode

Alkaline batteries: about 11.5 hours

NiMH batteries (1900 mAh): about 11.5 hours

Lithium batteries: about 24 hours

• The above values are approximate.

• Continuous battery operation times were determined using in-house testing methods. They will vary greatly according to use conditions.

External dimensions: 76 mm (W) × 78 mm (D) × 123 mm (H)

Weight (main unit only): 120 g