B-Stock, Zoom MSH-6, Accessorie mic capsule for Zoom H5 and H6, combines a unidirectional mid mic that captures sound from the center with a bidirectional side mic that captures sound from the left and right, ideal for film, video and broadcast, B-Stock with full warranty, may have slight traces of use
Thanks to their interchangeable microphone capsule system, Zoom's compatible handheld recorders are particularly versatile. They can be quickly adapted to all kinds of different situations and always achieve the best result. Zoom offers an excellent selection of polarity combinations - one of them being the MSH-6. This particular model is equipped with a mid/side combination which allows precise control of the stereo width, both at the time of recording and later in post-production.
The MSH-6 consists of two superimposed microphone capsules. The first is unidirectional (cardioid) and is designed to pick up sound coming from the front. The second is bi-directional (figure of 8), oriented at 90° to the first and is designed to pick up the sound from the sides. The mid microphone picks up central signals, while the side mic records signals from the left and right. The stereo signal is thus obtained by mixing the central signal from microphone 1 with the side signal picked up by microphone 2. Increasing or decreasing the gain of microphone 2 respectively widens or narrows the stereo image.
The MSH-6 capsule can be used with all devices which are equipped with the appropriate fixture. The stereo image of the MSH-6 is achieved by applying the principle of intensity stereo - i.e. using the volume difference between the middle and the side microphones. Switching from mono to stereo is therefore very straightforward, and unlike regular stereo setups, there is no risk of phase coloration when mixing down to mono. If you already possess a compatible Zoom device, you will find that the MSH-6 is an excellent multipurpose tool which will systematically achieve good results – and for a very affordable price.
Founded in 1983, the Japanese company Zoom manufactures a variety of audio equipment, including a range of portable "handy" recorders as well as multi-effects processors, effects pedals, drum machines, and samplers. Over the past thirty years, the company has built a reputation for producing innovative yet affordable products based on original microchip designs. Since the Zoom-9002 (an ultra-compact multi-effects processor that can be attached to a guitar strap) was introduced in 1990, Zoom has become one of the leaders in digital audio processing.
The mid/side recording technique is the way to go when both mono compatibility and stereo width control are required - making the MSH-6 perfect for all AV projects (film, TV, and video). However, MS also works wonders in purely musical contexts, such as the recording of demos or live performances. As you can see, the MSH-6 has a wide range of applications, all the more so since it is compatible with a variety of devices, further extending its functionality. These include the H5 and H6 handheld recorders, the F6 field recorder, and the Q8 portable audio/video recorder.