I hope to get a demo unit soon and post a complete review. But in the meantime, reader Jon Skitch managed to snag an H4n and he sent me the following audio sample made using the recorder and a Rode NT1A microphone.
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The noise floor appears to be much lower than on the Zoom H4, which means you get cleaner sounding recordings, at least with a high quality mic like the NT1A. While it's not an apples to apples comparison, you can check out a few recordings I've made with the Zoom H4 and an EV RE50b dynamic mic in my original Zoom H4 review and my Sony PCM-D50 review.
Update: Jon just sent in another recording. This time it's a musical performance and it sounds fantastic.
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super clean, very transparent and crystal clear - near state of the art (studio grade). I think its sounds better than Marantz 661 and its cheaper too, with better built in mics. Not forgetting loads of features.
A real winner.
TOP NOTCH!!
http://www.wingfieldaudio.com/sony-pcm-d50-sound-samples.html
1. Its cheaper and uses 2 batteries only,
2. Sony will use 2 boxes because it does not employ XLR inputs and that defeats the object of being portability.
3. Zoom H4n offers better features. ie MP3 recording,
can be used as an interface card, can tune guitars, has special effects and it also offers mono/stereo/multi-track recordings and much much more...
BTW the sound at wingfield was cleaned up using a software, probably used noise gate, reverb and compression to enhance the sound quality.
H4n is the winner.
Brad. which one is best buy:
1. Sony pcm D-50
2. Tascam DR-100
3. Zoom H4n
My choice would be H4n as you can listen to the demo above that the mic pre-amps are very clean. It can record up 24/96 and has XLR inputs. It has loads of features check this link (a video on zoom H4n):
http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ZOO-H4N
I hope this helps.
That was a very harsh statement you put forward for wingfieldaudio; if you listen to those samples carefully you can here back ground noise. Please in future don't add ludicrous statement, if you don't have enough evidence behind it.
I may look into this one. Presently, I own Edirol RO9 and am not happy with it because there is hiss in every input/output stage. How does headphone amp sound on this one?
I mean, simultaneous 4-track recording...WOOOW! All the gigs I have played, wishing I could capture BOTH me and the audience in a nice way...or to be able to blend the sound from my speakers with a direct recording for added presence/clarity/legibility... awesome!
Kudos to Zoom for pushing the envelope again. I am VERY impressed with this upgrade. Let's hope I'll be able to afford it...even if the price is outstanding.
check this blog for your answer.
http://www.bradlinder.net/2009/03/zoom-h4n-audio-take-2-second-time-not.html
I have tried it with a studio mike and a Sure SM58, inside, outside, in vehicles the works and it works great. When I record ambient sounds in a room, then play it back on my headphones its so clear and real that I find myself answering someone I hear on the recording. Its that clear!
I'm sorry to disagree with you guys, but I feel someone should give an other perspective, for potential buyers reading this. To my ears the H4n is a decent recorder, but sounds somehow hollow and thin' also the preamps are not something I would happy to use, lack of definition, overly bright and too sterile. I would NOT call it's audio recording quality stellar or pristine as some people commented in any way. I'm sure for many people it is good enough and for sure gives you a lot for what it costs, but I feel it still leaves a lot to be desired in the audio department.
I am an audio engineer and I always look for the best possible audio quality first, even for a low cost machine like this one, and then features, and I just felt someone had to put the record straight on this one...
George
this is a quick recording from it, I used the multi-record track mode and used my shure Beta 57a phantom mic to record my vocals which I recorded in my truck thanks to the portability of this unit, recorded my guitar direct line and then recorded guitar with the H4N mics.
I made this for my Wife.
www.wix.com/xesecre/KARY