Good news, everyone! I finally got my hands on a Zoom H4n demo unit. I'll be putting it through the paces over the next few days and I hope to determine how it stacks up against similar machines like the original Samson Zoom H4 and the somewhat more costly Sony PCM-D50.
Keep in mind, my background is as a radio producer. I'm not a nature recordist, a bootlegger, or a musician (at least not a very good one). So my primary interest is in finding a computer that does a good job of recording vocals and ambient sound in a variety of settings using a variety of inputs including dynamic and condenser microphones and the built in mics. So my review's not going to be definitive, but hopefully I'll be able to tell you within a few days whether I can recommend this recorder over others that I've tried.
In the meantime, you can check out this unboxing video I shot this afternoon.
Labels: digital audio recorders, field recorders, unboxing, video, zoom h4n
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Now I've tried the H4n with dynamic mic (sennheiser md21 and beyer m58) and the built in mics ... and condenser mic... with or without compression...
This material works very well (better than the marantz pmd660 I use at work).
I can't understand the amount of hiss that was on the Ewers' samples. Maybe it was a defective one.
-Michael K.
After spending the past few hours recording the beginning of a new audio book I'm working on, I've found the recordings have NO hiss once the wav files are copied into my PC and played via editing software (with no FX used). When they play on the H4n you do hear a little hiss, but now from the PC into my headphones, there is NO hiss. I'm stunned at how great the recordings sound!
If you are on the fence about this unit, it's fantastic! I'm using a CAD GXL2200 condenser mic and couldn't be happier with this setup.
Thanks Brad for all the info you have about the H4n on your site. It really helped me make up my mind.
Pete
-Sound quality - internal, External mic (Dynamic/condenser).
-Headphone amp quality
-Handling Noise with internal mic.
-limiter - can this avoid distortion.
-low cut- can this tackle wind.
-How effective is supplied wind shield.
-Ease of use.
-Interface-how effective is it in bright light.
-Build quality.
-Battery Life.
-Boot up time.
We all look forward to your review.
-check reference Speaker.
Zoom. I'm waiting for
my TASCAM 100 and will see
how it compares.
Brad -- did you see my
note on the firmware update
for the LS-10 (check the
Olympus site for the latest
on that)....
-compare 3.5mm mic input vs XLR input.
First impressions (and this is only using the built-in mics) are very positive. Captures voice beautifully, and does a surprisingly good job with environments (particularly some unique wind tones that I was almost certain would come out all mushy).
So why bother?HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
To me H4n sounds over equalised (its like setting high frequency beyond the scale). Sony is smooth, more balanced and has more quality to it. Zoom h4 sounds fine at certain areas but seems to have wow/flutter like digital jitter - is the SD card not compatible or not tested; its chopping.
But in all honesty, I think each of these devices sounds very good. It comes down to the price; and just I don't hear ~$150US difference to justify the Sony, not to mention the extra $500 (!) needed for proper XLR inputs.
For voice repro, get the Zoom.
Sounds really great for voice.
RE20 in external kicks booty!