Zoom H4n

By George Themestone

Zoom H4nAmong the portable digital recorders from Zoom, Zoom H4n is on the top range as it offers superior quality. The manufacturer seems to take important feedbacks from their customer and implemented them on this model which was taken from the older H4 version.

You will get an extremely solid and robust recorder from Zoom H4n. This unit is easy to grip and stand up well to surface scratches since it has rubberized hard-shell design, the top of it is made of metal and plastic which are kept down to the bare minimum. This is definitely the better design compared to the previous recorders from zoom, such as H1 and H2. The controls are nice as well as easy to press, while the screen is large enough to view the information displayed. It is even considered as the largest screen among all Zoom recorders and should be being top of the range.

My Review for Zoom H4n

As this model is an advanced design of the previous H4, if you have seen the old model you may realize that it has metal protecting the microphones. The difference with this model is that such feature are eliminated but replaced with the switchable pattern. To pick up sounds in the distance or a general wider encapsulated stereo sound, you can use your fingers and swivel the microphones from its stereo enhancing 90 degree angle to an amazing 120 degree angle. This is much more simple than having a metal cage over the mics, that if you have such feature you wouldnt be able to reach your fingers in to twist them.

Once you purchase this item, you will find that the unit came with a hard-shell plastic carrying case, USB cable, foam windscreen, AC adapter, mic stand adapter, manuals and Cubase LE recording software, also a 1GB memory card. Considering the price, getting these accessories is greatly appreciated especially as most other recorders normally wont come with any of these accessories. Usually you will need to make extra purchase to get your own AC adapter and memory card. The added plastic carrying case also makes a nice complement especially for those who are worried about dropping their recorders. It is nice to know that they really pay attention to the customers needs.

The overall sound quality of this unit is absolutely superb; it offers a nice defined and accurate sound, which is the best of the other top of the range recorders like Sony, but cheaper and has more built-in functions and features. Considering that this is a pocket or handheld recorder, you wouldnt have expected that this recorder can make such impressive sound. The high end models normally give nice, defined and accurate sounds since the microphones built into the unit allows it. However, in some condition you may notice that the microphones gave off a little bit of condenser hiss once the input gain turned up. The only way to solve this problem is by turning down the recording level if you get closer to the object you are recording. But still, there is a chance of having a little bit of noise floor coming from the mics, if you are going to use the recordings for post production video work.

Drawbacks of Zoom H4n

Another downside found is that Zoom H4n was lack of bass response. When you play guitar hand set the recorder a foot or two away from the microphones, the bass on the microphones was a little lacking that your voice sounded a little thin. The guitar would sound fine though, but instruments like guitars dont really have a lot of low end in the first place. Watch out for handling noise, taking the unit around to record interviews while holding it would suffer your recorders, just like any other handheld recorders. You will hear low end rumbling and handling noise when you hold the device and move it around. It is better to use a tripod or the included hand/mic clip adapter while you need to do such work. To make it even better, get another windscreen for outdoors use such as the fuzzy or hairy one. The one included in your package, wont work well for outdoor recordings as well as wind noise.

The stamina mode allows the battery to live longer; in normal mode batteries can stand for 4 hours, while in stamina mode 11 hours. So if you need to continuously record for 11 hours in 16 bit/44.1kHz linear PCM format, you may find this feature quite handy, although it is actually unnecessary. It should be handier if the stamina mode is the normal mode; why would the user need such modes anyway?

This unit is perhaps one of the best on the market right now. Other units may have better sounding built in microphones, namely Sony, but you certainly cant get a Sony portable recorder with the same price as Zoom. Zoom H4ns ability to record with two built in mics, and two XLR mics simultaneously, with 4 tracks at once, explains that although this unit is cheaper than Sony, it comes with more build-in features and functionality. You can record with the built-in mics and at the same time use your own microphones if you want to add variety, redundancy, etc. While if you only want to use your own microphones to record in the field, you can simply use it for a preamp. There are actually a couple features which unnecessary, however it was nice for Zoom to thought of and added them, such as guitar tuner, audio interface, stamina mode, MTR mode, 96k recording, etc.

Overall Conclusion for Zoom H4n

Overall, the Zoom H4n works astoundingly. The designs are well thought out, it produces superior sound quality, and the all the features confirm this unit as a highly recommended top of the range Zoom digital recorder. It is available on Amazon for $298.54, with over 51% off retail price. As an extra accessory, you can purchase a remote control (RC4), which will give you access to a range of functions including recording start, play, stop, fast forward/reverse, recording level adjustment, and input source switching. Other than those, this remote control is also useful for preventing any handling noise. In conclusion, this recorder is really recommended.

«  
  »

486 comments to Zoom H4n