Zoom H4n , I Impressive with minor flaws

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

In looking for a portable handheld recorder for scratch tracks and samples, I weighed the benefits of a few of the handhelds available today and settled on the H4n. The other recorders on my short list were the Edirol R-09 and Sony PCM-D50, and also the H4. So far the H4n hasn't disappointed.

I settled on the Zoom H4n for a couple of reasons:

1) 1/4" and XLR inputs with phantom power - Very handy for throwing a mic on a kick and snare, and the H4n will record those plus the internal condensor simultaneously, which is perfect to get the rest of the drum kit for some quick loop scratch tracks.

2) More geeked out features than the others - They are not needed but still fun to have. The H4n is like the Leatherman of handheld pocket recorders with plenty of built in effects (which sound really good btw), built in 4 track recorder mode, tuners and metronome, playback speed control, MP3 encoder, acts as USB audio interface (both input and output), built in monitor speaker, and more. I also like the little things I'm still discovering, like when I put Ni-MH batteries in and then plugin in the adapter it recharges the batteries.

3) Build - I like the build quality compared to the H4 - Not as nice as the Sony but the thing does feel solid and substantial in your hand. The built in mics are a little exposed without a wire cage on the top like others have, it would probably not be a good thing to drop this unit and have the mics hit first.

4) Cost - This recorder was midrange even with it being brand new. It's less than the Sony and more than the H4 or R-09. I suspect the price will come down a bit when it's been out for a couple months down to where the R-09 is now. For what it has built in it's amazing to be it's as inexpensive as it is.

5) Sound quality - The H4n sounds clean. I believe turning on the built in compressor, or boosting a really weak input signal with a lot of input gain could cause hiss, but for the most part I don't notice any. Usually the noise floor is so low on what I've recorded that it is not audible. Some different mics and setups might have different results, time will tell.

6) Menu and button layout - I really like the way they set this unit up. Very easy to navigate and record with, and does what I want quickly with only a few caveats mentioned below.

7) SD card format - SD cards are cheap and readily available. I don't care so much for the memory sticks the Sony uses.

Now the downsides, maybe all these handheld recorders suffer from similar issues but I'm going to give my first impressions never having used one before and the H4n is the best I have to compare with:

1) Menu system - While easy to navigate, still feels like it could use refining through a firmware update. It feels like it wasn't finished when the product shipped. The fonts look a little like a 5 year old put them together, Zoom could have done better with the screen they put in the H4n. A lot of products like this are rushed to market to meet revenue goals, so hopefully they will get time to take another look at the firmware and make UI improvements. Also the firmware is trying to be a little too fancy with the menus. There is a little expanding box effect that happens when you open a menu, but it ends up just looking like screen artifacts when changing the menus. It would have been better to immediately jump to the menu, it would be faster and would look better.

2) File naming (another UI complaint) - I really wish the firmware gave you the ability to delete a character in a file name. The filename can be edited, but characters can only be added or changed, not deleted. If you use divide alot, the name gets larger and larger but cannot be made smaller. This is a bit annoying when combined with the divide implementation....

3) No divide while recording - there is no divide while recording that I could find. It seems like it would have been very easy to make one of the unused buttons act like a divide when recording. Instead you can set a "mark" (non editabled btw, after one is set it is permament in that wav file). The marks let you easily jump to that point and divide it later, but when it divides the file you end up with an 'A' or a 'B' tacked on to the filename. Now, imagine recording an entire gig or practice with only marks to use to delimit the songs, and then you have to divide them later with the naming scheme and lack of delete character function I mentioned above. What you end up getting is files named something like 'STE-001A.wav', STE-001B.wav', 'STE-001BBBBA.wav', and eventualy 'STE-001BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBA.wav' etc and there's not a lot you can do on the device to fix it since the best you can do is replace the extra characters with spaces so that you end up with a file named something like 'song blah .wav' (you can plug it in as a USB interface later and fix all the filenames in the folders, but not a lot you can do on site except stop and restart recordings versus using "marks").

4) Documentation - I'm not sure what Zoom was thinking here. The documentation looks like it was passed through a translation program without any proof reading before shipping. It is filled with sentences such as "On stereo mode can be made 19 different setting using. WAV & MP3. If you want to change, operate before recording". I get the general intent most of the time but it hurts. Luckily the unit is easy enough to use that you don't have to rely on the documentation too much.

As I see it, the complaints I have are mainly around details of the UI implementation and documentation and relatively minor. All around the unit is great and a lot of fun to use. The sound quality is top notch, and the capabilities of the device are astounding. I would have given it 5 stars if the few UI details had been better thought out and someone had read the documenation. For a great all around handheld recorder with excellent sound quality, lots of features, and a reasonable price, the Zoom unit is going to be very hard to beat.

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Zoom H4n : Step to Upgrade System Software

Monday, December 26, 2011

In my opinion, now the portable audio with a wide variety and the most cost happens in the market, one the best is Zoom H4n, but when I bought them late last year, it was discovered that there are limitations.

I have created some uneasiness was recorded by a microphone into the input 1 and 2 in the bottom of the machine, it can not split gain (acceleration signal) of each device. Gain-sharing is required, for example, that if someone speaks mic1 lighter mic2 can not use only gain the necessary mic1 up to the mic2 together.

When I purchased the Zoom H4n, the system software (firmware) version 1.5 and later, it is the Zoom out until the latest update to the v1.72 by a significant increase is that we can split gain of input1 and input2 by  separate and independent, and it is grace ... appreciate it.

I was talking about the update system software. Actually it is very easy. Let them see a good step.

1. To download Zoom H4n system software version 1.72 (latest as of now) from this link http://www.zoom.co.jp/downloads/h4n/software/?lang=en.

2. Then extract the zip file and get a file named SYSTEM.BIN.

3. Connecting a Zoom H4n to a computer with a USB device, select the Storage mode (if it not found the USB cable, remove the SD card from your H4n to connect directly to it at all).

4. Throw a SYSTEM.BIN file into the root directory of the SD card of the Zoom H4n ... cast into thinking it is not anywhere to put it into the folder.

5. Disconnect the USB cable of the Zoom H4n to a computer. Or bring the SD card that came with the computer directly to the SD card I put back into the H4n as it was.

6. Turn on the Zoom H4n, press [PLAY / PAUSE] Now hold on.

7. Use the rotate [DIAL] to the side of the H4n to move the cursor down to "OK".

8. Rotate the [DIAL] to begin the update.

This is done to update the system software version 1.72.

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Zoom H4N Portable 24-bit Sound Recorder

The H4 remains one of the most flexible of the current crop of portable 24-bit recorders, but Zoom have found plenty of room for improvement — and, more importantly, they’ve used it.

Zoom’s H4 digital stereo recorder remains hugely popular and, despite a few reservations, is one of my favourites. With ‘combi’ jack/XLR inputs, 48V phantom power, a coincident stereo pair of mics onboard, and masses of extra functionality (from four-track mixing to guitar effects and a USB audio interface) it’s much more versatile than most recorders, and the sound is good for the price. The H4’s preamps could be better, navigating the menu can be fiddly, the casing might be a bit more robust, and so on, but on balance it’s an excellent portable recorder.

N-Power
It should come as little surprise, then, that Zoom are continuing to sell the H4, while releasing an improved model that addresses many criticisms made of the earlier model. The H4N comes in at a slightly higher price but, like its sibling, boasts a feature set that makes other recorders look positively lightweight.

The H4N’s body has a thick, rubberised coating, which tackles concerns about handling noise pretty effectively — not to mention making the whole device feel more solid, better weighted, and altogether more ‘professional’. If you do find handling noise an issue, there’s a camera-tripod mounting socket on the rear, and a separate mic-stand adaptor for this. If noise is still a problem, there’s an optional remote control that plugs into the main unit via a mini-jack on the left-hand side panel.

Other striking visual changes include a slightly clearer screen (the one on the H4 was already pretty good) and a new control layout. Gone are the rather fiddly controls of the H4: you now have dedicated transport, input- and track-selection controls on the front panel; and the mystifying two wheel/button menu controls of the H4 have been replaced with a more intuitive system based around one menu button and a single scroll-and-click selection wheel. The track-selection buttons double up to provide shortcut keys for some of the more commonly used functions — folder and file selection, playback speed (yes, you can slow down tracks, without pitch change, to learn your guitar licks), and recording format. The recording level and playback volume settings are controlled by dedicated buttons on the right and left panels respectively.

At the top are more solid-feeling mics than appeared on the H4. These are, again, configured for coincident stereo recording, but can be rotated between 90 and 120 degrees. Combi sockets on the bottom panel allow the connection of external mics, or line/DI sources, and these sockets can deliver 24V or 48V phantom power. The preamps have been upgraded; they’re not high-spec by studio standards, but are perfectly adequate for this sort of device. You can also connect a stereo mic via a mini-jack socket (with plug-in power), to use instead of the onboard mics.

As well as the line/headphone output, there’s now a small speaker on the rear. This isn’t for serious monitoring, of course, but it’s a useful addition that brings the Zoom into line with more recent competition. It means you don’t always need to use headphones or external speakers to check things are operating as they should, or to locate a specific track or location within a track. Power comes in via the included adaptor, or a pair of AA batteries.

Like the H4, you can record in different file formats, with a range of MP3 and WAV options, from the cruddiest, media-efficient MP3 to 24-bit, 96kHz WAVs. Usefully, you can record broadcast WAVs, with markers for use when navigating or editing audio files, or burning CDs. All this is recorded to SD card (a 1GB card is included).

Four Play?
The H4’s four-track mixer enabled you to do basic overdubbing, and to apply effects to your recordings, but despite having two mics and two external inputs, it wasn’t capable of simultaneous four-track recording. With the H4N, you still get a multitrack mixer, but the onboard mics and external inputs can be used simultaneously. Because the onboard mics are configured for stereo, your four-track options can seem limited, but you could bypass them using the mini-jack input and a splitter cable for a pair of battery-powered mono mics. Even without this, there are plenty of possibilities. A number of applications are suggested in the detailed manual, and there is plenty more potential. Capturing jam sessions in stereo while, say, DI’ing keyboard and bass/guitar parts, is easy; or you could similarly take a feed off an FOH desk and DI a couple of instruments or set up a pair of ambient or audience mics to give you more options in post production. It also opens up the possibility of surround-sound recording, and it might prove useful for applications such as impulse-response capture.

Putting the H4N into four-track mode is as simple as clicking the menu button, scrolling to ‘Mode’ and clicking, then selecting ‘4CH’ and clicking again. A similar approach is used to set it back to stereo. There’s also an ‘MTR’ multi-tracker mode, which allows you to record mono or stereo sources to each of your four tracks, apply effects to and balance those tracks, and create a stereo bounce.

Bells & Whistles
There’s plenty more on offer too, from compressors and low-cut filters, to guitar amp and cabinet emulations (not the most authentic out there, but certainly passable for demo purposes), and distortion and delay-based effects.

As with so many of Zoom’s products, there’s literally too much to go into in detail in a review of this length, and I’d recommend visiting Zoom’s web site if you’re genuinely curious about the range and quality on offer. Suffice it to say that I’ve called these functions ‘bells & whistles’ as I suspect they won’t sway most people’s decision to purchase. Even if you don’t plan to use these sort of facilities for mixing, they do provide a convenient means for headphone-clad guitar and bass practising.

One really useful ‘whistle’ is the four-in, two-out 24-bit, 96kHz-capable audio interface capability, and you even get a copy of Steinberg’s Cubase LE4 DAW software for Mac and PC thrown in — which makes the package more than enough to get a would-be home recordist started. It wouldn’t be my first choice as a hardware interface (this is, after all, designed with location recording applications in mind) but it’s certainly very usable.

Sound Choice?
In terms of ergonomics and functionality, then, the H4 has undergone quite a transformation to acquire the extra ‘N’ (which stands for ‘next’ — probably my only real gripe!). But what of the sound quality? Well, that’s improved too. Tackling the handling-noise issues of the H4 and upgrading the external mic preamps makes quite a difference. Using the preamps with a pair of AKG C451s, I was able to capture a perfectly usable sound in the studio. The onboard mics are definitely an improvement, and comparable with those on other portable recorders in this price range. The two stereo-width settings also give a useful option when trying to achieve separation between two sources, or simply recording something like an acoustic guitar part in stereo, while leaving a ‘hole’ in the middle for a vocal.

Conclusion
I’m a big fan of the H4N, and found very little to dislike about it. While there are more ‘professional’ portable recorders out there, you’d be hard pushed to find something that’s better on sound quality alone. This product is also aimed at a very different market, where it compares very favourably with the competition. The H4N is justifiably a little pricier than its H-series predecessors, given the improvements that have been made, but although there’s a lot of ‘bonus’ functionality I can’t imagine using, you’re not paying a premium for it. If you want a good handheld recorder, this should definitely be on your shortlist; and if you want simultaneous four-track recording thrown in, it will be a very short list indeed!

Source: www.soundonsound.com

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The Zoom H4n Overview

The Zoom H4n Handy Recorder picks up where the H4 left off and adds additional features to an already popular audio recorder. Ideal for recording interviews, lectures, rehearsals, meetings, and more, this palm-sized unit packs the ability to record up to 4 channels of audio at greater than CD quality.

The H4n features onboard true X/Y stereo microphones to pick up clear, natural sound without phase shifting. The mics can be rotated to select a 90° or 120° recording pattern for terrific versatility. The digitally-controlled preamp, combined with the high-quality microphones, allows you to capture Linear PCM audio at rates up to 24-bit/96kHz. The recorder captures audio to SD or SDHC cards with capacities up to 32GB. A USB 2.0 port allows you to quickly transfer files to a Mac or PC, or use the H4n as a live audio interface.

For connecting your own microphones or instruments, the H4n features XLR/TRS combo input jacks with phantom capability. A 3.5mm line output is provided, and a reference speaker is built-in for quickly reviewing your recordings. The unit operates on a pair of standard AA batteries, and features a Stamina mode to provide up to 11 hours of continuous recording at 16-bit/44.1kHz. Other useful features of the H4n include variable playback speed, automatic and pre-record functions, a low-cut filter and limiter for improving the sound quality of recordings, time stamping, a metronome and tuner, and more. The backlit LCD screen and intuitive controls are easy to use, even for the recording novice. A collection of accessories are included so you can start recording right out of the box.

Integrated Speaker : The built-in speaker lets you quickly monitor recordings without having to bother with headphones.

Power Options : The unit can operate on a pair of standard AA batteries. The recorder's Stamina mode allows it to record continuously for up to 11 hours at CD-quality settings. The recorder can also be powered with the included wall adapter or by USB power.

Intuitive Interface : The backlit LCD screen and intuitive control buttons make it easy to record right away, even for beginners.

Audio Editing : Built-in editing features let you make basic adjustments, while the included Cubase LE software lets you perform more advanced editing functions on a computer. A mid-side stereo decoder allows you to use an external mid-side mic setup, while a mono mix function lets you convert a stereo recording down to mono, ideal for interviews.


Recording Features : The H4n features pre-record and auto record features so you never miss an important moment. A low-cut filter and limiter make sure you capture a clean recording every time.

Playback Features : Playback speed can be adjusted from 50 to 100%, making it easy to learn a song or language, or analyze recordings. You can also choose single or all repeat modes, and A-B repeat.

Time Stamping : The H4n recordings carry time stamp information, and can accept cues/markers to support the Broadcast Wave Format (BWF) used in professional applications.

Musician Tools : The integrated tuner and metronome are perfect tools for singers and musicians.

Remote Control : An optional remote control gives you full access to recording and playback controls, and is ideal for eliminating handling noise 1.

Mounting Options : The recorder can be mounted on a standard mic stand by using the included mic clip adapter, or mounted to a standard camera tripod thanks to the threaded mount.

Accessories Included : The H4n comes complete with a 2GB SD card, wind screen, mic clip adapter, AC adapter, USB cable, and protective case so you can start recording right away.

Source: www.bhphotovideo.com

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