H6
A Python library to emulate a Zoom H6 recorder remote control
Introduction
This library allows you to control your Zoom H6 recorder from your computer using an USB to TTL adapter. For this, you will need a few components to make a specific cable, but it’s quite simple.
Cable
You will have to make a specific cable that connects a USB port from your computer to the Zoom H6 remote control port, but fear not. It’s actually really simple.
You will need:
- An FTDI USB to TTL converter:
- A 2.5mm jack screw terminal:
- A simple 3 wire cable
All of these components are widely available to buy online and the overall cost is less than 5€.
Once you have all of the components, the wiring is also quite simple:
| FTDI adapter | 2.5mm jack |
|---|---|
| Rx | L |
| Tx | R |
| GND | V |
IMPORTANT: Make sure that the FTDI USB to TTL adapter jumper is set to 3.3v before using the cable. Leaving it at 5v could damage your recorder.
Installation
Simply install the library using pip:
pip install h6
Usage
You can include this library in your Python project or run it directly as a CLI tool.
CLI
To execute commands using your command line run:
h6 -p /dev/cu.usbserial-alcdut1 -c stop
You must specify the serial port using -p or --port and the command to send using -c or --command.
Importing the library
Usage example:
from h6 import ZoomH6
from time import sleep
# Define the serial port
serial_port = '/dev/cu.usbserial-alcdut1'
# Instantiate recorder
recorder = ZoomH6(serial_port)
# Initialize recorder
recorder.initialize()
# Send 'rec' command
recorder.send('record')
# wait for a while
sleep(3)
# Send 'stop' command
recorder.send('stop')
As you can see, when instantiating the ZoomH6 class you will need to specify the serial port where your FTDI USB to TTL adapter is connected.
The initialize() function executes a specific handshake expected by the Zoom H6 recorder in order to accept incoming commands.
You can send any valid command to the recorder. Keep reading for a list with all the available commands.
Commands
The complete list of available commands is:
| Command | Button |
|---|---|
| play_pause | Play / Pause |
| stop | Stop |
| record | Record |
| forward | Forward |
| reverse | Reverse |
| vol_up | Increase volume |
| vol_down | Decrease volume |
| ch1 | Toggle Channel 1 |
| ch2 | Toggle Channel 2 |
| ch3 | Toggle Channel 3 |
| ch4 | Toggle Channel 4 |
| chr | Toggle R Channel |
| chl | Toggle L Channel |
Compatibility
This library has only been tested with the H6 model, but according to the Zoom support (see #1) it should work with other models such as the H4n and the H5.
If you get to try with any other model than the H6, please write your experience in that issue’s comments.
Changelog
-
0.1.1:
- Added 3 seconds timeout to avoid infinite handshake
- Improved the way commands are sent
- Renamed L and R channels commands for consistency
- Improved error handling
- Updated README file
- Bumped version to 0.1.1
-
0.1.0
- Initial release
