zoom h4 recorder review
A detailed review and demonstration of the zoom h4 digital recorder, which uses secure digital cards to store recordings up to 24bit/96khz.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Since I have been asked I explain the process of how to set the H2 to record interviews and transfer the file to a computer. Thanks to my niece Sara, who worked the camera.
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Comments
Would this give good sound quality for an independent film?
I hate the H4. Its very cheap in the build quality and the handling is a catastrophe.
Can you download sound effect patches for this? Where?
BY FAR!!!! the best review on this product. everyone else’s vids just show the tech specs that are already posted on the site. Love the drums at the end. May really get this to record “found sounds” and musicians off the street.
PS does anyone know of a good review like this on the Alesis Protrack for the ipod
zoom is a nice and cheap recorder
so if i wanted to record myself playing drums, which are very loud inside my house, would it be possible to mess around with the limiter setting and some of the other effect settings to get a fairly clean and crisp sound?
ive used both h4 and h2 and i honestly think the h2 is a much better buy,
This is the best review I’ve found on the net.
I’m going out right now to buy it.
Thank you! Thank you!
I have one and I abosl LOVE it. Great for bootlegging shows, recording 4 tracks and especially just sitting down and recording using the built in mics. On any WAV setting the sound is freakin amazing.
All my 2 cents of course.
How does it compare to the Tascam DR100?
i used the h4 to record my songs too.just type ashvind ramani if you wanna check em out.some rock and acoustics.
@James6630 …if you purchase the ZOOM H4n and not the H4…the H4n will record in multi track mode…4 tracks at a time…and more..
@Geardos… but it does come with software that can help you complete your recording…you will need to record many takes to get the entire band…but yes you can do it with this recorder..!
whats the frequency response on it????
in theory it does better than cd quality (24bit 96khz).. but it is only a stereo recorder so you can’t do real mixing of individual tracks with it.. You can only record 1 stereo or 2 mono tracks at a time
I’m new too all the recording stuff, so I’d like to know. Would I be able to use the H4 to record my band play, and after all the editing and whatever, put it on a CD? Would the files be CD quality, or would it just be good for live recordings?
so whats it like for musical instruments?
This review is very informative. Does anyone know if I can purchase an H4N with warranties intact for about $200.00? Anyone with experience purchasing from Musician’s Friend or ZZounds?
I’ve recorded some indies films with this device, beautiful sound quality! ~ReyRey
The H2 doesn’t have the same multi-track features as the H4. But if you can’t get quality audio, why bother, IMHO? I use my H4 for podcasting, not multi-track editing. Personally, I find a computer (like a netbook) with editing software a lot easier to use for that sort of thing, anyway. My point is that the H4 ‘s sound quality through the XLR inputs is a disappointment.
So if I wanted a portable multi-track recorder and wasn’t so picky on sound quality the H2 would be good enough?
Love this unit. I recorded a kayak trip up the Outer Banks and it performed flawlessly. Great stereo separation. You could hear each paddle stroke on the right side, just like being there! Also captured some killer shows (with permission of course!)
Yeah, I agree. This little device will never replace any Pro hardware but is very handy for profesional practice and creation.
The hissing sound is not from cheap mics. Shure SM58, Shure SM7. It’s because of the noisy (cheap) preamps that are part of the Zoom H4′s XLR inputs. The XLR’s are too noisy for pro work, and they don’t provide much boost. Yes, my H4 is fully updated.. Add compression and your problems are compounded. And the peeping activity light sound really is a disappointment (although you can avoid this by running off of AC). The internal mics on the H4 are very clean, though.
Noise are caused by cheap mics, in my experience
Excellent video. Thanks for going slow.
Question? can you use that recorder as a mic to use with Garageband straight?
Is the Zoom H2 chargeable? Or does it only rely on batteries to live?
@blahblahchachacha you must have been trying to usb it to your computer(the wrong way) and it froze. the only way then is to peel out 1of the batteries and then put it back to clear the memory(somewhat re-boot it) it will not hurt it,but next time follow the instructions to the letter and just start over ok? i did the same thing don’t feel so bad
shes putting me to sleep but thanxz for info
It’s Samson…not Samsung…FYI
I was watching people talk about this and they complained so much… saying things like it’s hard to use, feels like a kids toy and the sound recording quality is ok, i just bought this. I read for about 5 minutes learned how to use it all, tried recording it sounds perfect and it is light easy to carry around. This piece of art i bought for $240 and i can easily say it is better then a friend i knows recording device which he payed $900 for. Very very good machine!
how do i turn it off? seriously.
How do you record 2 things ??
So you’ve got one something recordered, and you’ll record an another thing together. How do you do that..
great !!
There is a peak limiter that will keep the input levels from distorting…I smuggled mine into a few metal shows and got wonderful results…great as a microphone for a HD camcorder.
There is no speaker on the unit…you must use your headphones.
I love my H2. This thing is brilliant. Check out my channel to hear a 12 string recorded with it.
What are you using your Zoom h2 for? Interviews, soundeffects?
1. is the cable proprietary, or can you use most usb cables out there?
2. compatible with vista 64x ?
3. does it have folders, and how many of them are there in the device?
4. How much space in GB is there in the device? Is it compatible with SD cards?
5. do you sell it in canada, or ship to canada? Or give me some popular Canadian online music equipment stores.
THANK YOU
Very informative! Thank you. I’m waiting for mine to show up in the mail and I’m very excited! Regarding the questions below, my guess is, this device doesn’t have an external speaker, so you must use the earbuds or a regular set of headphones to listen to the playback. Can anyone verify?
I’m having the same problem and can’t figure it out. I can hear the playback with headphones, but not without.
Hope someone can help. –I’m getting everything to work except hearing the playback. The trouble-shooting part in the book says turn up the sound, but that doesn”t make any difference. It must be something simple I’m missing.
Can anyone help? Thanks in advance.
I’m getting everything to work except hearing the playback. It must be something simple I’m missing. The troubleshooting part in the book says to turn up the sound but that doesn’t make any difference.
What am I doing wrong? Thanks for any help.
Very informative. Thank you.
Is is better to use AGC (automatic gain control) and put it on ‘speech’ when using the Zoom H2 for interviews.
Thanks very much for the video and all the responses. This has been most helpful because I’ve just ordered a unit.
if you made a beat online and you wanted to record the beat AND your voice at the same time with that recorder, would it sound just as clear as it would as any song you’d hear on the radio or whatever??
it looks like you’re holding in your hand the whole time and i didnt’ hear any “handheld noises”
are you holding it carefully and editing out the noise? or is there no handheld noise?
Very nicely done! Thank you!
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