We thank the National Federation of the Blind for their permission to include this review, produced for the Federation's Access On podcast. Join Jonathan Mosen for an in-depth demonstration of the Zoom PodTrak P4Next portable multitrack podcast recorder, featuring complete navigation with the Voice Guide feature enabled. This demonstration explores every feature and function of this next-generation recorder from the perspective of blind users, showcasing how the built-in accessibility makes professional podcast production truly inclusive.

The P4Next's voice guidance lets you navigate menus and controls with audible descriptions through your headphones, providing complete non-visual access to all recorder functions other than file management and level meters. Some key features include: Next-Generation Audio Processing:

• AI noise reduction that learns and removes unwanted noise, keeping your voice clear, natural, and detailed
• Tone feature that instantly adds polish to your voice with EQ and de-essing, reducing harshness and adding warmth
• Built-in compressor that keeps your podcast sounding crisp and balanced, smoothing out sudden shouts, laughter, and whispers

Professional Input Capabilities:

• Four XLR inputs providing up to +70dB of gain, allowing you to use even the most demanding podcast mics
• 48V phantom power available on all channels
• Dedicated gain control knobs and mute buttons for each input

Monitoring and Control:

• 4 headphone outputs with individual volume controls for everyone at the table

• Backlit transport controls putting record and playback right at your fingertips Remote Guest Integration:

• Support for two remote guests simultaneously via USB, Bluetooth (with optional BTA-2 adapter), or TRRS connection

• Built-in mix-minus removes echo and feedback automatically
• Can host up to 5-person podcasts using 3 mic inputs plus 2 remote connections

Recording and Production:

• Records in 48 kHz/24-bit, the standard for video production
• Saves a ready-to-publish stereo mix, plus individual channels for fine-tuned production, all to a microSD card up to 2 TB
• Four assignable sound pads for triggering intros, jingles, and sound effects with a single tap
• Includes built-in sounds (air horn, applause, laughter, rimshot) or load your own samples

Connectivity and Power:

• USB-C connectivity works as a plug-and-play audio interface for streaming or recording on PC, Mac, iOS, or Android with full multitrack capability
• Run it on two AA batteries or via USB from a mobile battery, bus power, or AC adapter
• Battery life: approximately 3.5 hours on alkaline batteries with dynamic mics

Mobile Integration:

• Connect directly to your phone to record pro-quality audio directly onto your phone's video, no editing required
• Perfect for mobile journalism and on-location recording

Physical Design:

• Compact, portable form factor weighing approximately 300g with batteries
• Intuitive layout with dedicated physical controls for essential functions

This demonstration provides hands-on exploration of setup procedures, menu navigation with Voice Guide, recording workflows, remote guest configuration, sound pad programming, and practical tips for maximizing the P4Next's capabilities in real-world podcasting scenarios. The Zoom PodTrak P4Next retails for $179.99 USD and represents a significant advancement in accessible audio recording technology, combining broadcast-quality sound processing with comprehensive voice guidance for truly inclusive podcast production.

Jonathan's series on the Essential recorders from Zoom, which have accessibility features, concludes with the look at the Zoom H1Essential. This is the smallest member of the family and sells for just $99 USD. It can fit in any pocket, and offers high-quality 32-bit float recording. While understandably the recorder lacks some of the features of its larger siblings, it also boasts some features unique to this member of the family.

Continuing his extensive look at the accessible Zoom Essential family, Jonathan demonstrates and reviews the Zoom H4Essential. With its compact size, powerful features and priced at just $199 USD, the H4Essential may be the Goldilocks recorder for many. While this review stands alone and therefore revisits many of the features found in the H6Essential, Jonathan expands further on the powerful mixer functionality and some other features.

Jonathan Mosen begins his reviews of all three recorders in the Essential series, with the Zoom H6Essential

Zoom has provided these units so the reviews can be produced, but have not heard these reviews before publication, nor influence what they contain.

There is considerable interest from the blind community in the Zoom Essential series, due to the accessibility features available in this professional class of equipment.

The h6Essential is the most capable member of the series, providing six tracks of recording, interchangeable microphone capsules, 32 bit float, a playback mixer, audio interface capability and more.

Those of us who use Zoom digital recorders in our content creation are familiar with the work-arounds that blind people have used for years. We might prepare a menu map which we consult when we want to change a setting. We may have some degree of accessibility if we pair the recorder with our phone's and the recorder's corresponding app. But none of it is as efficient or as complete as the experience a sighted person has. That all changes with the new Essential Series from Zoom, the H1Essential, H4Essential, and H6Essential. Jonathan Mosen speaks with Samuel Greene, Zoom North America's Director of Product Development and Customer Support. We talk extensively about the accessible spoken menus, the benefits of 32 bit float recording, and the different features of the three members of the Essential series. Stay tuned as a future episode will have comprehensive demos of all three recorders.

From the manufacturer: The R-07 packs mission-critical recording features into a stylish and ultra-portable device that goes anywhere life takes you. High-resolution audio, one-touch Scene memory, and Hybrid Limiting ensure great sounding recordings no matter what the situation. And wireless listening and remote control mean you can record with less wires in more places. The R-07 is simple and intuitive, goes anywhere, and provides mission-critical recording functions leaving your phone free to do what it does best. The R-07 looks great, sounds superb, and fits comfortably in your hand or your pocket. It’s easy to use yet provides truly professional results with one-touch recording setup. Its next-generation Bluetooth capabilities mean you can control, monitor and listen back wirelessly using supported smartphones, Apple Watch and Bluetooth speakers. It comes in three stylish colors and runs on two AA batteries or USB bus power. A recorder as compact and go-anywhere as the R-07 could end up in a lot of different recording situations. Whether it’s on-location interviews, on-the-road demos, classrooms, boardrooms, field recording, or just about anything else you can imagine, the R-07 can automatically apply the ideal settings. When you select a Scene, the sample rate, record mode, limiter, low cut, and input level instantly adjust to their optimal settings. And you can alter any of the settings and save them for next time, so you’ll never miss that magic moment.

Designed for a Wireless World The R-07 uses the latest Bluetooth technology with Qualcomm® aptX™ Low Latency for enhanced streaming performance. Remote control of up to four R-07 units at once—right from your tablet, smartphone, or Apple Watch. Manage recordings and ensure what’s being captured is exactly what you want, even while the R-07 is in a prime recording location, and out of reach. Listen on wireless headphones or Bluetooth speakers—all while cutting cable clutter and staying out of the way of your recording subjects. Safe and Sound With Dual Recording and Hybrid Limiting, you’ll never ruin a vital recording due to overload or clipping. And you won’t have to worry about artifacts from aggressive limiting either. The R-07 can make two simultaneous recordings—one at full level and another at a lower level with increased headroom. If there’s unexpected clipping in the main recording, you can replace that section with a portion of the lower-level backup recording. Hybrid Limiting can even handle this automatically, so you get all the safety of limiting with none of the downsides.

Make studio quality recordings with EVO 16’s next-level audio performance. Eight award winning EVO intelligent mic preamps that set their own levels with Smartgain, the all new, groundbreaking Motion UI control system, and enough I/O firepower to tackle even the biggest of sessions, EVO 16 is truly a studio powerhouse, designed from the ground up to make recording easy.

Eight stunning Evo microphone preamps Evo 16's eight Evo mic preamps reflect Audient's 25 years of engineering innovation. These excellent-sounding pre's yield a respectable 58dB of gain for your microphones, along with impressive EIN specs for low-noise, low-distortion results. These digitally controlled analog preamps provide ultra-precise control, enabling you to set your gain with pinpoint accuracy. Matching the levels of stereo-paired mics has never been easier! Evo 16 also boasts top-notch AD/DA conversion with a remarkable 121dB of dynamic range. In short, this audio interface sounds amazing!

Smartgain takes the guesswork out of setting levels This incredible technology automatically sets the gain for all eight of the interface's channels — simultaneously — at the touch of a button. Smartgain employs advanced peak analysis to automatically analyse your input signals and adjust each channel's preamp gain to its optimal level. This feature not only safeguards against clipping, but it's also a huge time saver when you're recording drums or setting up large sessions. On top of that, it makes recording yourself much easier, since you won't need to continuously adjust your preamp gain.

Easy-to-use Motion UI control system Navigating Evo 16 is a walk in the park, thanks to its intuitive Motion UI control system. The interface is centered around a high-resolution TFT-LCD screen, which includes IPS technology for clear viewing at any angle. A channel status indicator displays the channel's name, levels, and functions activated with a push of a button. Crystal-clear, full-colour metering makes keeping an eye on your levels a breeze. What's more, Evo 16's 1-knob control and customisable F-button ensure simple, trouble-free operation.

Key Features: USB 2.0 audio interface provides 24-in/24-out over a common USB-C connection 8 analog Evo mic preamps yield 58dB of gain and digital-precise control Contains 2 JFET instrument inputs, 2 headphone outputs, and ample digital I/O Includes monitor control, audio loopback, and a word clock output Top-notch 24-bit/96kHz AD/DA converters supplies crystal-clear audio with 121dB of dynamic range Smartgain automatically analyses your input signals and adjust each channel's preamp gain Intuitive Motion UI control system with high-resolution TFT-LCD screen Channel status indicator displays the channel's name, levels, and functions activated Easy-to-read, full-colour metering makes keeping an eye on your levels a breeze 1-knob control and customisable F-button ensure simple, trouble-free operation.

The Audient Evo range is a shining example of what can happen when a manufacturer engages with, and truly listens to, the blind community. The accessibility features of this family of audio interfaces will improve and simplify all kinds of audio production. Jonathan orientates you to the hardware and walks you through the software, using the Evo 16.