Corporate Profile
Our Business
Our Group consists of our Company and seven subsidiary companies. More specifically, the Group comprises ZOOM North America, LLC, Sound-Service Musikanlagen-Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH and its own subsidiary, Sound Service MSL Distribution Limited (together known as the Sound Service Group), Mogar Music S.r.l. and Hookup, which function primarily as sales centers in key countries, and two other companies. Our Company’s products account for 60% of the group's total sales, with the remaining 40% coming from import and sales operations by each subsidiary that do not include our products.
Product planning and product development are handled by our Company (Japan). Production is outsourced to Asian EMS companies*1 since we do not have our own factory. Our brand products produced in these factories are shipped to our Group companies and distributors around the world and then delivered to creators in each country.
Faithful to our corporate philosophy of "WE'RE FOR CREATORS," our Group envisions a world where, thanks to the development and sales of creative audio equipment and services like effectors and recording devices, people can become global "expressers*2.
- EMS companies: EMS stands for Electronics Manufacturing Services; an EMS company is a company that is entrusted with the contract manufacturing of electronic devices.
- Expressers (Creators): individuals who pursue self-fulfillment by engaging in activities that allow them to express their true self and thus contribute to society.
Main products
Our group's products are mainly classified into the following categories.
The handy audio recorders of our group are the high-quality linear PCM recorders*1 that record uncompressed audio rather than the compressed digital audio, such as MP3*2 , used for music distribution. The product was developed for musicians playing rock music by applying the recording technology cultivated in multitrack recorders, but in addition to musicians, it is also used among the creators in the video and broadcasting fields as an audio recorder. The H8 is an easy-to-operate flagship model with a 2.4" color touchscreen.
- Linear PCM Recorder：IC recorder records audio data in linear PCM format without compression. Linear PCM is one of the formats for converting analog signals, such as audio, into digital data but without the compression that can cause degradation of sound quality.
- MP3：One of the technologies used to compress audio files and the file format created with it.
The digital mixer is an electronic device that converts multiple input audio signals into digital signals, adjusts the volume and sound quality, and mixes multiple audio sounds. The multitrack recorder is a recording device that provides freedom of choosing multiple tracks (units of recorded data) for recording and playback and allows multiple recordings, such as creating a base musical composition, recording a song on another track, and further recording a song with a different scale on another track. In September 2022, the new generation multitrack recorder R12 with a 2.4" touchscreen was launched.
The effectors*1 of our group are multi-effects that incorporate multiple effects using digital processing. The free combination of the built-in effect types is available, and the created tones are recorded on the main unit and recalled for use by stepping on a footswitch.
Since the release of the 9002 based on the concept of compact multi-effects attachable to guitar straps in 1990, we released a variety of products that include models for bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and models per their price levels, as well as models that are widely compatible across a variety of acoustic instruments, such as saxophone and harmonica. In December 2022, we launched the G2 FOUR and G2X FOUR multi-effects processors loaded with the newly developed multilayer-IR*2 function.
- Effector：This device adds variety to the tone of the guitar, bass, and other instruments and is classified into a single effect pedal with built-in Multi-effects in a single body.
- Multilayer IR：A signal processing technology that can naturally vary characteristics based on three impulse responses captured at different volume levels (loud, medium, and soft) aiming at reproducing the characteristics of a speaker cabinet, which dynamically vary in response to input volume.
The professional field recorder is for creators in video-related industries and sound designers and is intended for outdoor use offering such features as 32-bit float recording*1 with an overwhelmingly vast dynamic range*2 and timecode*3 for high-precision synchronization with video. In January 2022, we launched the 32-bit float field recorder, F3, in a compact and robust palm-size body, followed by the highest-end model, the F8n PRO, in February.
- 32-bit Float Recording：A recording method that adds an 8-bit exponential multiplier to a 24-bit linear device. Has an advantage that the sound does not deteriorate when turned up for editing from a low sound volume (gain) recording.
- Dynamic Range：The ratio of the minimum to the maximum value of processed audio signals, representing the amount of volume control information.
- Time Code：The electrical signal that encodes time and time information required in the production sites of image products, such as motion pictures and TV programs.
We launched the MicTrak Series (M Series) as a new product category in December 2022, integrating the microphone sound collection technology that we cultivated in our handy audio recorders and the 32-bit float recording technology that we developed in our professional field recorders. An unprecedented microphone-type recorder series allows single shot recording without rehearsal, eliminating the need for input gain*1 adjustment, and is equipped with a microphone and high-performance preamp*2 that can withstand high sound volumes.
- Input Gain：The amplification of the electrical signal through an amplifier in an electric circuit or the amplification value.
- Preamps：A type of amplifier used primarily to regulate the output signal from audio devices.
The handy video recorder of our group is for music designed for recording in high-resolution audio*1 quality. Currently available products support 4K video quality, allowing the uploading of high video and audio quality movies to video posting sites, such as YouTube provided by YouTube LLC, and SNS. The flagship product Q8n-4K is compatible with the latest V2 standard for interchangeable mic capsule systems; in addition, the 2CH mic input terminals allow it to be used not only for recording band practice or taking selfies of singing while playing but also for live streaming and Web conferencing as a high-quality sound webcam for PCs and Macs.
- High Reso Audio：According to the definition by JEITA, any audio with either a sampling frequency (kHz) or quantization bit rate (bit) higher than the CD specification is referred to as high-resolution audio, where the CD specification here is 16-bit/44.1 kHz, or 48 kHz.
The lineup of the iQ series and Am7 are recording microphones that can be connected to the iOS devices provided by Apple Inc. and the Android OS devices provided by Google LLC to allow CD-quality stereo recordings. At the same time, we provide the HandyRecorder App with high-quality sound recording and editing functions, and the Mobile HandyShare App that allows high-quality image and high-quality sound movie capturing using the smartphone’s camera image and our microphone. We are also upgrading our lineup of the ZPC-1, a matched pair of pencil stereo mics that allows for full-scale stereo recording.
A lineup of effectors that can add musical harmonies to the human voice, such as vocals and voices, convert it into a robotic machine voice, and even integrate a voice changer to control voice quality characteristics that vary with gender and age.
The desktop vocal processor, V3, is a typical product that is helpful for podcasters and video distributors.
The audio interface is a product that serves as the audio entry/exit point to the computer. Since only digital signals are accepted by the computer, the audio interface is responsible for the conversion from analog to digital when inputting audio into the computer and from digital to analog when listening to the audio from the computer. In June 2022, our group launched the AMS series, a new audio interface that can be utilized for both music production and live distribution in addition to the existing lineup.
A sales agent in southern Europe of our group and the consolidated subsidiary Mogar Music S.r.l. handles product brands other than those of our company as well. Brands other than those of our company imported and sold by Mogar Music S.r.l. as a sales agent are classified as the independent category Mogar Brands.
HookUp Inc., which became a consolidated subsidiary in January 2021 as a result of the acquisition of shares, handles product brands other than those of our company. Brands other than those of our company imported and sold by HookUp Inc. as a sales agent are classified as the independent category HookUp Brands.
A sales agent in central Europe of our group and the consolidated subsidiary Sound-Service Musikanlagen-Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH (hereinafter referred to as the "Sound Service") handles product brands other than those of our company as well. Brands other than those of our company imported and sold by Sound Service as a sales agent are classified as the independent category Sound Service Brands.
For further details on products or to purchase, please visit our product website.