Zoom H4 2.0 firmware update fixes almost everything

There's a new firmware update for the Zoom H4 Handy Recorder, and boy is it a doozy. In fact, Zoom seems to have addressed almost every single complaint anyone's ever had with the Zoom software. Version 2.0 includes:

• Larger fonts making the tiny display easier to read
• Battery meter shows how much juice you've got left when recording in stereo mode
• Specify whether you're using alkaline or Ni-MH batteries for a more accurate battery reading
• There's a remaining time meter in stereo mode
• Mono mix recording in stereo mode (In other words, you'll still be recording on two tracks, but the output will be dual mono instead of true stereo. This doesn't save you any space on your memory card, but it does make voice recordings more accurate).
• Low cut filter with 10 presets for reducing background sound
• Auto recording mode starts up a recording when there's sound above a certain threshold and pauses when it gets quiet
• Support for SDHC cards up to 4GB (Previously you could only use SD cards up to 2GB)
• Convert WAV files to MP3 directly on the unit to save space
• Divide large files
• Normalize files to bring up the volume on the recorder (Depending on the card you're using, this could reportedly take almost as long as recording a new track, so you might be better off waiting until you get to a PC to do this).
• You can now turn off the input signal when using the USB interface mode. In other words, you don't have to hear the mic or line input sound all the time
  

I downloaded and installed the update, and so far I'm pretty impressed. I would have preferred a true mono recording option in the stereo mode, even if that sounds like a bit of a contradiction. Once you become comfortable recording in mono using the 4-track mode, it's not that hard to do. But since you don't get a battery meter or remaining record time display in 4-track mode, it would be nice if you could do make true mono recordings in the 2-track mode.

You can download the supplemental Zoom H4 manual (PDF link) and see in-depth descriptions of all the new features if you want to read up a bit before messing with your recorder's firmware.

The software update does nothing to solve the electric pulsing noise problem when you're running on battery power, so the best solution is still to build your own battery pack. And of course, the Zoom H4 still has a few hardware issues like noisy preamps when using external mics and loud handling noise when using the internal mics.

But this update is still pretty sweet. It certainly makes up for the last disappointing firmware upgrade.

Update: A couple of people have contacted me to let me know they were having problems installing the firmware. So here are three things to make sure you're doing:

1. Make sure you check to see what version of the Zoom firmware you're currently using and download the corresponding update file.
2. When Zoom says put the update file in the root directory of your SD card, this does not mean the Sys folder. Instead, the file should not go in any folder at all.
3. Make sure your Zoom is plugged in when performing the update.

Selling a Sharp MD-SR50 minidisc recorder

Hey, if anyone's in the market for a cheap minidisc recorder, I'm selling a Sharp MD-SR50 on eBay.

The SR50 is almost identical to the Sharp MD-SR60. The only difference is that this model doesn't come with a remote control. It includes a line input, mic input, and the ability to change record levels on the fly by pushing the record volume up and down buttons. That's something that most Sony minidisc recorders (and newer consumer-oriented flash audio recorders for that matter) are missing.

I bought this recorder as a backup and have barely ever used it. But it was used when I picked it up. So while it's in great condition, I can't account for all the wear and tear. And to be perfectly honest with you, one of the reasons I'm selling it is that the preamps are much noisier than those on my trusty Sony MZ-R50 recorder.

It works great if you need a backup recorder for playing minidiscs. It also records crystal clear audio if you use the line input. But I wouldn't recommend using a dynamic microphone with this unit for broadcast purposes. Podcast, maybe, but not broadcast.

Anyway, eBay being what it is, I have no idea what this will sell for, but I suspect you'll be able to pick it up for under $50.

Update: And it's sold.

Sony PCM-D50: Producer's Edge video from AES

I found yet another video overview of the Sony PCM-D50 digital audio recorder. Producer's Edge Magazine recorded this 10 minute video with a Sony rep at the AES show. Here are a few highlights:

• A/B repeat feature for musicians. You can set a start and end point and have the recorder play the select audio in a loop.
• Digital pitch control
• Pre-record
• 2 hours of record time at 24 bit, 96KHz resolution using the built-in 4GB of memory
• Memory stick expansion
• 4 AA batteries run for 14 hours (He removes the battery tray to show how it slides in and out of the recorder)
• Shows the XLR-1 mic adapter, which makes the unit look a bit frightening (and hard to hold in one hand)
• Low cut filter
• Same limiter feature as the PCM-D50
• No MP3 recording
  

Sony PCM-D50: Mix Magazine video from AES

Mix Magazine has posted a nice video showing off some of the Sony PCM-D50 digital audio recorder's features. I couldn't find a way to embed the video here, so you'll have to check it out over at Mix's site, but here are some of the highlights:

• The Sony PCM-D50 has cheaper mics and preamps than the PCM-D1
  
• The recorder comes with Sound Forge software for digital audio editing
  
• It includes a digital pitch control feature that will let you slow down a recording by up to 75% without affecting the tone (great for transcribing audio or learning to play a guitar track)
• A nice explanation of the pre-record feature (in a nutshell, when you enable pre-record, the PCM-D50 is always recording, but it's not saving to the hard drive. When you hit the record button, it will start the recording from 5 seconds prior to the instant you pressed the button).
• You can adjust the mic placement, which is something you can't do on the PCM-D1. When you're in a typical XY pattern, the right mic is recording the left channel and vice versa. But the recorder will automatically adjust that when the mics are pointed outward instead of inward.

Sony PCM-D50 audio recorder to retail for $499

It looks like Sony's PCM-D50 digital audio recorder will have a street price of $499. It carries a list price of $599, but a quick look at Pricegrabber shows that most online retailers will be selling it for a hundred bucks less.

Of course, none of these stores actually has the recorder in stock yet, although you can preorder it from several stores. The Sony rep at AES told me the PCM-D50 wouldn't be available until November, but at least one store seems to think that it will be available on October 19th.

The Sony PCM-D50, for the uninitiated, is a stripped down version of Sony's uber-high end PCM-D1 digital audio recorder. It has cheaper preamps, mics, and lacks the fancy VU meters on the front of the unit. But it also costs about 1/4th as much as the PCMD-D1 and if the sample recordings I made in a noisy room are anything to go by, it sounds fantastic.

The PCM-D50 also has some handy features missing from lower end recorders like the M-Audio Microtrack, Edirol R-09, and Zoom H2 and H4. For example, the ability to create new tracks without pausing recordings, an easy to use record volume knob for changing levels on the fly, and a solid metal body that minimizes handling noise when using the internal mics.

Related Posts:

• More Marantz PMD620 details
• M-Audio to launch the Microtrack II in November
• Zoom H2 review roundup
• Top 5 gadgets for radio/podcast producers
• Zoom H4 review
  

Using the Zoom H2 mic clip adapter as a handle

Here's something I totally missed when the Zoom H2 digital audio recorder was first released: it includes a mic-clip adapter. While that might not sound very exciting, it kind of is, and here's why:

1. The Zoom H4 cannot be placed on a mic stand. Instead you have to attach a standard camera tripod, making it much harder to use the H4 at a press conference or to record music using a standard mic stand.
2. Both the Zoom H2 and the H4 are susceptible to handling noise because the mic is built into the recorder. In other words, move your hands, even a tiny bit as you're holding the recorder and you'll hear a loud noise on the recording. Some users have reported that by holding the mic clip adapter instead of the unit itself, there's little noise.

In other words, the mic clip adapter can be used as a handle, and makes the Zoom H2 into a much "handier" handheld recorder. You can see some shots of the mic clip adapter/handle in action at O'Reilly Digital Media's writeup of the recent Podcast Expo.

One caveat though: the screwing mechanism is made of plastic, not metal and might not stand up to wear and tear that well. But you could probably say the same thing for the sub-$200 digital audio recorder you're plugging the handle into as well. At that price it wouldn't necessarily be a disaster if you have to buy a new recorder once every year or two. It'd be nice to know whether you can order replacement handles though.