Zoom H3-VR Portable Digital Recorder

Zoom H3-VR — 360° Ambisonic Audio Capture in a Single Handheld Unit

The Zoom H3-VR is a self-contained 360° audio recorder combining a four-capsule Ambisonic microphone array, an onboard Ambisonics A-to-B decoder, and a battery-powered field recorder in one compact body. It captures full-sphere surround sound up to 24-bit/96 kHz and exports VR-ready Ambisonics B files directly from the device. A 6-axis motion sensor detects orientation and aligns audio to camera framing in post, removing the need to manually re-orient takes after a 360° shoot.

What Sets this model Apart in the Portable Recorder Category

Most ambisonic workflows require a separate mic, recorder, and a computer running decoding plugins. This instrument folds all three into one device, with A-to-B conversion happening on board so Ambisonics B files come straight off the card. The free Zoom Ambisonics Player software then handles post-production — converting recordings to stereo, binaural, or 5.1 surround with pre-aligned speaker placement.

Recorder Specs — Capture, Storage, and Power

The unit is built around a 4-capsule cardioid Ambisonic array with a maximum SPL of 120 dB, capturing loud concert and field sources cleanly. Power comes from two AA batteries (up to 24 hours on lithium), USB bus power, or an optional 5 VDC adapter for studio or long location days.

• This recorder utilizes 4 built-in cardioid capsules for full-sphere Ambisonic capture in a single device.
• Recording Tracks: 4 — matches the four-capsule array for true ambisonic recording
• Storage Medium: microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC up to 512 GB — flexible card compatibility for any session length
• Battery Powered: Yes, 2× AA (up to 24 h) — true field-portable operation without mains power; Bluetooth requires optional BTA-1 adapter
• Headphone Output: 1/8" / 3.5 mm TRS — live binaural monitoring during capture; no built-in speaker

Who Should Choose this instrument

Anyone needing genuine spatial audio without a complex multi-device rig will find this recorder a strong fit — especially VR and 360° video producers, sound designers, and field recordists pairing a 360° camera with immersive sound for YouTube or VR/AR, as well as musicians capturing rehearsals in binaural or 5.1 surround, while podcasters benefit from Conference Mode via USB.

Innovation Track

Zoom has built a reputation for putting professional recording capability into handheld, affordable devices — the original H4 became a staple for sound designers worldwide. This model continues that philosophy by integrating the microphone array, recorder, and Ambisonics A-to-B decoder into a single 120 g unit.