Which one do you guys think is better? I have heard good things about the H2 but is the H4N (note, NOT the H4) any better? I'm planing to order one of them (or any other Zoom product if you have a idea of a good mic) either tonight or tomorrow.
I have an H1 and a H4N. Never used the H2, but they are all good. If you need or ever will want XLR inputs, then the H4N is what you should get. The stereo mics in the front are great and you can expand to external mics in the future. ----------
So I can use the built-in mic now and then later when I can afford it get a good stand-alone mic and plug it in and just use that one until I can afford more expensive gear?
Yes the H4N can record in many different configurations. It comes with a stereo pair of mics attached that work very well. It has 2 XLR inputs with phantom power for any mic you want in the future. You can actually use all 4 mics at the same time too. It has 4 tracking ability, and can hook to a computer as an interface. It's a much better investment IMO.
The H4N has very good built-in stereo mics. It also is a lot of bang for the buck compared to earlier Zoom recorders. Very versatile. The sound card that comes with it doesn't have a whole lot of memory. I purchased a 16 gig and that took care of that issue. I will take a 32 gig but the cost was too high right now. Like everything else memory wise, it will probably sell for same as 16 gig next year.
I've had an H2 for a couple of years. It does a nice job of capturing the sound in the room. It doesn't get much simpler to use. Turn it on and press record.
I've also used it to copy cassette tapes using the line in jack. It has proven itself very useful.
I've seen one H4N. I was hoping to hear the output from it, but the owner was trying to figure out how to use it. It was his maiden voyage with the device. He was experiencing problems that evening.
Ask yourself, how much you will use it and what are you going to do with it? If it is to record yourself playing around the house or at jams, the H2 will work just fine.
Here are a couple of samples that are straight from the device. Please ignore the clams. The first two are clips from a jam at a local bar.
This last one is a solo thing in a more controlled environment. I was playing around with placement of the Zoom and recording sample. I was playing through a tweed Champ clone. The Zoom has about a foot away from the speaker.
Joe, good clips-I especially like the clarity of the 3rd one. I got an H2 for Christmas, but I usually forget I have the thing! I need to to break it out and do some recordings. I do like it, though-perfect for my needs.
Todd - As you know, the live stuff is only as good as the mix coming from the stage. You're always subject to ambient noise in the room. The H2 does a surprisingly good job.
A few years ago, I was playing with some friends at one of their gigs. They recorded the show on an H2. They gave the audio files to Kid Andersen. He had just opened his studio and was starting to work with Pro Tools.
He loaded the files from the H2. He carefully cut out about 36 bars containing a guitar solo. The bass on the original recording was almost inaudible. He overdubbed a new bass track on it. He cleaned it up a bit. The final results were good enough to use as a demo.
The past couple of years, I was fortunate enough to jam with some really fantastic players. I've been trying to improve my playing and thought it would be a good idea to record, listen and learn.
I got an H2 as an early birthday present and I love it! I recorded myself playing with Mr. Rick Lee at the Big Easy Jam in Houston a couple of days ago and the quality is great (also informs me that I need to turn up the amp that I plug into there).
I had it towards the back to pick up some crowd noise because it was a great lively crowd.
I'll get it up on soundcloud as soon as I figure out how to trim it into individual songs in audacity.
I absolutely love it, it kicks the shizzlenitskin out of camera mics! ---------- Shane,
if you're now interested in video, look at the Zoom Q3HD. it also records HD video, with the same audio internals as the other zooms. simple to use, does a great job. here's a sample, shot in moderately low light (video does suffer when lighting is poor):
i typically run both the Q3HD and my H2 off the same mic stand. don't really need both, as the Q3 provides the same audio. but this way i have an audio backup in case something goes wrong (like i once forgot to set the mic gain properly on the Q3 and had to overdub the H2 audio).
for any of these devices, invest in a decent (4G for just audio, 16G for video) SD card, and a good set of rechargeable batteries. a 3 hour gig will consume more than one (less than 2) pairs of AA batteries for video, where a single pair will suffice for audio (the color display on the Q3 consumes power).
Last Edited by on Jul 15, 2011 3:05 PM
well the colours are nice and rich for low light, but the quality sucks - over compressed and blurred (presumably not in post production) to hide grain. Kind of proves my point. OK if you just want quick easy video to share with friends, acceptable on a small YT window, but not something you'd want to watch on a 42" plasma.
Not knocking Zoom for audio though - I have an H4 and am getting an H4n for work. Cant fault it for sound.
I agree with Joe L, the first question is, "What do I want to use it for?" I've got the H2, bought for under $100 on Ebay. I found it dead simple to use. Sounds surprisingly good for recording live gigs for reference, demoing songs and all sorts. I personally would never have a use to go with XLR inputs for better mics and all that. It I did I'd just use my $50 Tapco four channel mixer and the appropriate cable.
It is also really easy to download files into any sort of recording software to do edits and such. I've even used it just as the microphone plugged into the computer to record with Sonar when I wanted to do something quick. ---------- LSC
I have only had the H4n for about 2 months now and have only gone skin deep into its full capabilities but it has already become a must have for my harp practice. Big thumbs up for price/value.
I also bought a very expensive companion instructional dvd which would be too basic for most of you guys. The dvd doesn't get along with my late model macbook which spits it out a half dozen times before begrudgingly accepting the dvd for play. Don't buy the dvd if you already have a fundamental understanding of modern recording techniques.
The optional remote is useful but it is not wireless and the price at 25 + or minus is a bit out of proportion to what it is and does. Esp. when you compare it to the good value that you get with the basic H4n package. I like the remote but most people would easily do without.
If you buy the H4n, strongly consider buying it from sweetwater which you can find online. For the same price that amazon has on the recorder by itself sweetwater gave me free tech support, and a free warranty that is sepperate and apart from the H4n warranty ( if I recall correctly - be sure to check me out on that one to make sure that I'm right ). Sweetwater seems to have a very aggressive customer satisfaction policy.
Also interesting, ( to me at least ) the H4n has a built in "slowdowner". I haven't tried to find out how to use that feature yet but that's next on my Whenever I Get Around To It list.
H4n vs H2 depends on your main goal. H4N is more expensive, bigger and have two built-in mics, but have XLR/Jack inputs. e.g. it's possible to record PA and drums acoustically and mixer aux separately (two extra cables needed) and then mix them at home. You can add two external mics (and you need two extra mic stands and two extra cables. While H2 has 4 built-in mics and smaller. You can't use line in and mics at the same time, but H2 is better for faster setup, just put it on a mic stand in the center of stage and you get 4 channels from other sides and after some mixing and eq'ing you often have a nice live recording without additional cables, additional mics and stands. So if you are not limited in carriage and time for setup (e.g. you have soundcheck each time before your gig) I'll recommend H4N. If you want to capture rehearsals and gigs as fast as possible with maximum ability to modify recordings I'd recommend H2. ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
The challenge for most cameras is performing well in low light. Getting good photos in a dimly lit club is an art form. Video cameras are even more challenged than their still counterparts.
