Filmmakers already know Zoom's recent audio recorders, the H4n and the H5, well; we at No Film School are using the F8 all the time. Zoom now has a new U family of audio interfaces for getting audio into your computers, phones, tablets, and more (note: these are not standalone recorders).
The U-44 Handy Audio Interface
ZOOM's new U-44
The U-44 includes both four inputs and four outputs and basically allows you to connect any sort of recording device ever made, including but not limited to whatever microphones, instruments, monitors, computers, or iPads you have in your arsenal.
- Powered via USB or two AA batteries.
- A 10-pin connector makes the U-44 compatible with all other Zoom products: the X/Y module, the Mid-Side capsule, the Stereo Shotgun—the U-44 can handle all of them, providing you with numerous options for recording yourself on the go.
- Combo TRS/XLR inputs
- A selectable S/PDIF connection (optical or coaxial)
- MIDI support
- Hi-Z capability
- Outputs so you can hook the U-44 directly to your monitors
- $199.99
The U-24 Handy Audio Interface
ZOOM's new U-24
The U-24 is essentially a smaller version of the U-44 that can fit in the palm of your hand. The major difference is that it's missing both the S/PDIF connection options and 10-pin capsule support, otherwise it still has all the great same low noise circuitry. It also features:
- iPad compatibility
- Bus-powering and AA-battery support
- H5-series combo preamps
- MIDI ins and outs
- Hi-Z capability
- Multiple monitoring options
- $149.99
What do you think of the new interfaces?
No Film School's complete coverage of NAB 2016 is brought to you by My RØDE Reel, Shutterstock, and Blackmagic Design.
More of No Film School's coverage from the NAB showroom floor:
An earlier version of this post misstated that these interfaces were "recorders"—they are not standalone recorders, but audio interfaces for computers/phones/tablets/etc.
