Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $258
Standard/Professional
$149
$400+
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Budget
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Price History
Based on price data from 8 merchants for "Zoom H3-VR". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Introducing the Zoom H3-VR, your ultimate companion for capturing immersive, full-sphere audio like never before. This compact, conical marvel is engineered to transform your virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality content by seamlessly capturing 360-degree audio with its 4-capsule Ambisonic mic array. Whether you're a filmmaker, game developer, or musician, the H3-VR simplifies spatial audio recording, making it more accessible and efficient.
Gone are the days of cumbersome setups with separate mics, recorders, and computers. The Zoom H3-VR integrates all necessary components into one portable unit, allowing real-time encoding and decoding directly on the device. It offers three versatile recording modes: Ambisonics for surround sound, stereo binaural for an immersive headphone experience, and standard stereo for traditional playback. With the ability to record up to 24-bit/96kHz, your audio will be as rich and detailed as your visuals.
Moreover, the H3-VR is equipped with a 6-axis gyroscope for auto mic positioning, ensuring your recordings are consistently balanced and spatially accurate, no matter how you orient the device. Plus, the Zoom Ambisonics Player software makes post-production a breeze, converting your recordings to formats like 5.1 surround sound with ease.
Key Features:
- 4 built-in microphones in Ambisonic array
- Records full-sphere surround sound up to 24-bit/96kHz
- Three recording modes: Ambisonics, Stereo Binaural, Standard Stereo
- Auto Mic Position Detection with 6-axis gyroscope
- Onboard Ambisonics A to B encoding
- USB 2.0 Audio Interface mode
- Wireless iOS remote control via optional BTA-1 Bluetooth adapter
- Records to microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC cards up to 512GB
- Powered by 2 AA batteries or USB bus power
- Includes foam windscreen and dual mounting bracket
The Zoom H3-VR is a powerhouse of functionality, perfect for live streaming, direct recording, and beyond. Enhance your audio game and capture the world in 360 degrees.
Product specs
| Audio Interface | 360 VR Audio Recorder |
| A/D Resolution | 24-bit/96kHz |
| Simultaneous Rec Tracks | 4 x 2, 2 x 2 |
| Simultaneous Play Tracks | 4 |
| Built-in Mic(s) | 4 x Condenser Unidirectional Mics, Ambisonic Array |
| Analog Outputs | 1 x 1/8" TRS (line out) |
| Headphones | 1 x 1/8" TRS |
| Memory (removable) | MicroSD/SDHC/SDXC (up to 512GB) |
| File Format | Ambisonic A/B, WAV 4ch Poly, WAV Stereo, Wav Binaural Stereo |
| EQ | Low Cut Filter |
| USB | 1 x Type Micro-B |
| Software | Zoom PC/Mac Post Production Software (play, change direction, converting audio) |
| Power Supply | 2 x AA batteries (Alkaline, rechargeable NiMH, 1.5V Lithium), 5V DC USB power supply adapter (sold separately) |
| Battery Life | 11 hours |
| Stand Mountable | Dual Mounting Bracket (included), 6-axis Gyroscope (upfront, upside down, endfire, endfire inverted) |
| Height | 4.84" |
| Width | 2.99" |
| Depth | 3.07" |
| Weight | 0.26 lbs. (main unit) |
FAQs
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What is the primary function of the Zoom H3-VR?
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The Zoom H3-VR is designed for capturing 360-degree VR audio, featuring a built-in Ambisonics mic array that records in multiple formats suitable for VR, AR, and 360-degree video applications.
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How does the Zoom H3-VR handle audio recording formats?
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It supports multiple recording formats, including Ambisonic A/B, WAV 4ch Poly, WAV Stereo, and WAV Binaural Stereo, allowing flexibility in post-production.
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What power options are available for the Zoom H3-VR?
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The Zoom H3-VR can be powered by two AA batteries, offering up to 11 hours of battery life, or via a 5V DC USB power supply adapter (sold separately).
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Is the Zoom H3-VR suitable for use with VR video production?
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Yes, the Zoom H3-VR is specifically designed for VR audio recording, with a built-in Ambisonics mic array and software for post-production that allows audio direction adjustment.
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Can the Zoom H3-VR be used as a standalone recorder?
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Yes, the Zoom H3-VR functions as a standalone recorder with its built-in mics and supports up to 512GB of removable microSD storage for extended recording sessions.
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How does the Zoom H3-VR connect to other devices?
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It features a USB Type Micro-B port for data transfer and a 1/8" TRS line out for audio output, making it versatile for various audio setups.
Videos
ZoomSoundLab
Introducing the Zoom H3-VR
Reviews
PROS
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Unmatched for quickly and easily capturing Ambisonic audio
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Stunning sound quality with innovative playback features
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Practical and portable for on-the-go recording
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Versatile, supporting various recording formats including stereo
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Integrates well with VR setups, enhancing immersive experiences
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Offers Bluetooth control for convenience (though requires an adapter)
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Lightweight and comes with a nice mount for camera use
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Produces clear and precise recordings that mirror original sounds
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Expands recording capabilities beyond built-in camera microphones
CONS
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Requires additional wind protection for optimal outdoor use
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Self-noise and pre-amp noise noticeable in quiet environments
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Not very sensitive to soft sounds, affecting field recording quality
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Handling noise can interfere with the audio capture
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Bluetooth functionality requires an additional dongle, not built-in
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Lacks ability to synchronize recording start with cameras directly
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Zoom H3-VR.
Build quality
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The Zoom H3-VR can be too noisy for nature recordings, affecting its suitability for quiet environments.
Source
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
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The H3-VR is appealing to hobbyists due to its affordability, despite concerns about its all-in-one limitations.
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For budget-conscious field recordists, pairing the Zoom H5 or F3 with low self-noise mics like Micbooster Clippy's is recommended for better audio quality.
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A mixed recording approach, using both ambisonic and spot mics, is recommended for emphasizing specific sounds in post-processing.
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Recording in A-format directly into VR camera video files may cause phase issues at 320 kbps AAC, affecting spatialization when using SoundField plugin.
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Lossless PCM recording is necessary for effective spatialization using the SoundField plugin, as AAC encoding can disrupt audio phase integrity.
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Software and compatibility
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For users with a MixPre recorder, the ambisonic plugin is recommended for streamlined workflow.
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The Rode SoundField VST plugin is effective for converting Zoom H3-VR A-format recordings, though it's calibrated for different capsule spacing than the H3-VR.
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Harpex VST plugin is recommended for Zoom H3-VR, with settings for multiple ambisonic mics, enhancing compatibility for users needing more precise spatialization.
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Premiere Pro users may face detection issues with multi-channel VST2 and some VST3 plugins, complicating workflows for ambisonic audio editing.
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Features and functionality
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Users highlight that the internal microphones of the Zoom H5 can be noisy for quiet recordings, suggesting the need for external microphones to reduce noise.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Genre Usage
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