Zoom H4 is good?

Hi Paulo,

If you do decide to go for an H4, make sure the current batch does NOT
produce the 'whiistle' that Neal Ewers detailed in his review in
December 06 here - http://skular.onlinestoragesolution.com/bct958ZoomRecorderReview.mp3
- which manifests itself when running off batteries. (Running off PSU
is fine, but not exactly helpful in the field...)

In case you're wondering why Neal goes into detail about the controls,
the review is for www.blindcooltech.com , which does podcasts for
visually impaired people interested in tech products. (Neal has Sound
Devices recorders for his work as a sound recordist.).

He's also contributed reviews to blindcooltech.com for the Edirol R09,
Sony PCM-D50, Zoom H2, Sony MZRH1 & others.

All the best,

Jason
 >> Stay informed about: Zoom H4 is good? 

On Jun 13, 6:49 pm, Paulo Ricardo Nunes <paulor... RemoveThis @uol.com.br> wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I gess my life will be better if I have a very small portable recorder
> for some ambient sound regordings. I was considering the Zoom H4
> becauses its powered XLR inputs. My mainly set up will be a pair of
> Schoeps mics with a two channel pre-amp Denecke AD-20 connected to a
> H4. Just for good reason I can bypass the AD-20 and connect straight
> to H4. Or, for very few times, record with the in-built mics.
> With a hand held recorder I can be faster and lighter during the
> shootings to record the atmos.
> What is good and what is bad for that configuration? Can I achieve
> good recordings?
> thanks in advance.
> All the best,
> Paulo Ricardo Nunes

I got an H4 about 5 months ago and have to say its a great piece of
cheap gear so long as you know its limitations. Firstly, I've never
heard the whistling sounds that have been reported by some, maybe
they've updated the hardware, maybe just the software. New ones don't
ship with the latest OS, the current version is 2.20, available here:

http://www.zoom.co.jp/english/download/software/h4.php

The onboard mics are definitely far from great but using the mic
emulators you can get some decent results so long as your not trying
to record anything quiet, otherwise its a bunch of hisss. The AD's
are good given the price point and are fine for recording line level
signals, but remember that you can only send it line level via the
1/4" inputs. When they don't have a budget to rent your finer
recorder, this is what they get. My main reason for buying one was
the fact that its still the only cheap one out there that has sturdy
input connectors and I didn't want to spend top dollar on what is
mostly going to be used as a transcription recorder.


Good luck,
Alex
 >> Stay informed about: Zoom H4 is good? 

Personally I'd bypass the H4 altogether.

Line in on the PCM D50 is very good although unbalanced mini jack.

Unit is bigger and more expensive than the Zoom.

Putting Schoeps into an H4 is also unbalanced (in a different way).
 >> Stay informed about: Zoom H4 is good? 

On Jun 13, 6:49 pm, Paulo Ricardo Nunes <paulor....DeleteThis@uol.com.br> wrote:
> Hi guys,
>
> I gess my life will be better if I have a very small portable recorder
> for some ambient sound regordings. I was considering the Zoom H4
> becauses its powered XLR inputs. My mainly set up will be a pair of
> Schoeps mics with a two channel pre-amp Denecke AD-20 connected to a
> H4. Just for good reason I can bypass the AD-20 and connect straight
> to H4. Or, for very few times, record with the in-built mics.
> With a hand held recorder I can be faster and lighter during the
> shootings to record the atmos.
> What is good and what is bad for that configuration? Can I achieve
> good recordings?
> thanks in advance.
> All the best,
> Paulo Ricardo Nunes

Hello Paulo,

I have been using an H4 for about a year as a supplemental rig for
ambient recording/sound effects field recording. I usually use a 722/
Neumann 191 but the H4 is great as a low-cost unit. Using the latest
firmware makes a world of difference, BTW.

Pros:
- inexpensive
- small and concealable for discreet recordings
- 96k/24b
- good battery life
- onboard mics are sufficient in a pinch
- light and portable: fits in a jacket pocket

Cons
- setting the levels beyond the coarse settings is a pain
- XLR connectors don't lock in
- cheap construction
- useless for quiet sounds

The onboard mics are not stellar, and neither are the preamps, but
really for the price they're fine. The mics sound thin and flat, but
I've managed to get some good recordings when using a larger,
conspicuous rig was impossible.

I have used my Neumann 191 with it (via a MixPre, when the 722 was in
the shop), and I've also heard an NT4 using the onboard preamps. Both
results are fine. For the price, the XLR inputs, and the ability to
record 96/24, I think it's the best value prosumer unit out there.

Paul Virostek
Airborne Sound

PS - never experienced the whistling issue
 >> Stay informed about: Zoom H4 is good?