My problem is the Auto Levels feature doesn't work like any other recorder I've ever used (at least with V1.0 firmware). No dedicated digital audio inputs, except for USB and SD card. First off, customer service was a dream. The gain stays at the maximum possible level for each take, never pumping up and down. I can easily record a two hour band rehearsal at 44.1K/24-bit on a 32GB Memory card. The preamp quality is good enough for a demo or to put into your computers editing program for some additional tweaking. USB for use as an outboard mic/preamp/ADC input to a computer. Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. There is no confidence head; you don't really know that your file will play back until you're done. It worked as advertised so can't complain there. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. No speaker connector; internal speaker only. I own a post production company that does sound design and mixing for film and documentaries. I prefer to use the Auto Level control setting, which requires an easy menu change. The transfer to my desktop computer with ZOOM's flash disk is fast and easy and I'm finding that the digital recording is so good that I don't have to tweak anything with added EQ, reverb, or stereo spacing. These are: Two cardioid mics, gain listed as +7 ~ +47 dB. Get the optional power supply, though (not included) - you'll need it. Multitrack record also known by its acronym MTR has been around since 1955. Works great for band rehearsals (just don't try to play back for the band while packing up using the built-in speaker - it'll sound like poopy - even thought the audio file itself is fine). AMAZING for a little recorder! Recording engineers have been debating stereo mic technique for as long as there has been stereo, so don't let my preferences distract you — unless you want awesome-sounding orchestral recordings, which are my specialty but not why people buy the H4n. To be able to record in the field at this quality and ease, amazing. 88.9 dB (14.4 effective bits, A-weighted) at 44.1/16 bits WAV. When the REC light is blinking, you're ready, and when REC is solid, you're rolling. As with any room mics you can't adjust levels afterwards but if you want something to listen back to from a show or post it on archive etc. It is very diverse and for you musicians out there the H4N is a 4 track portable studio. I would highly recommend it for interviews, recording live music or as a compact multi track recorder. Last weekend I sucessfully recorded a 1 hour plus performance using a Blue Encore 100 mic, Martin 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars w/Baggs pickups, everything plugged into a TC Helicon PlayAcoustic processor. As this page is copyrighted and formally registered, it is unlawful to make copies, especially in the form of printouts for personal use. Super easy to get recording right away. And has a multiple of other functions. As portable recorders go, this one has more features and is bigger and heavier than others. Measured digitally, directly from the recorded WAV file: 91.1 dB (14.8 effective bits, A-weighted) at 96/24 bits WAV. The good DAT recorders I've tested measure about 6 dBs better under the same conditions, even in their 12-bit LP modes! You can still see all customer reviews for the product. I am not a musician or have had much experience with recording devices but he answered my questions and was very informative. After comparing the various options and tradeoffs between cost and features, I settled on this model. (R&S UPL.). On top of that, it's fairly safe to say that Zoom H4n Pro is a more popular audio recorder, based on its 90+ reviews. It has only analog audio inputs and outputs. That one was really a dictation recorder on steroids. Zoom H4n Pro vs H5: Critical Similarities & Differences Storage limitations Show me the videographer who uses all 32 GB of recording space on one project and I will show you my honest amazement (which may not mean much to you, but for me is harder to come by these days). I am not a nerd. This will vary with ambient noise and your choice of headphone. Nice audio quality and rich feature set for less than $200 USD, Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2020. They keep improving them and I keep upgrading, and it's been worth it every time. If test tones are your thing, there is audible distortion and aliasing at places it shouldn't be. It's able to do much more than I need it to. Back in the day, you needed enough junk to fill a Volkswagen bus to record anything of this quality. There's a problem loading this menu right now. larger. The Auto Level control works great, starting each recording with the levels full up, ducking the levels as needed and never raising them. Great little recording device! What you hear is what you get. Originally designed for musicians, the Zoom H4n has become especially popular with DSLR video and filmmakers over other portable recorders because it has direct XLR mic input connectors with phantom power, and because it can record as many as four channels at once from both the built-in mics as well as from two external sources. You can just leave it on a lectern, or mount it to a camera tripod with its ¼"-20 socket, or use the included mic-stand adapter to use it with any mic stand and most any mic clamp. It's too big for my tastes, but yes, you can mount it on a camera's hot shoe and either let it record by itself, and/or plug its outputs into your camera's audio inputs. Be careful not to push the SD card door while rolling, because the card might pop-out! The Stamina mode records in 44.1/16-bit WAV only. It comes complete with its own microphones. These don't affect the recordings, but they don't encourage me as to the competence of Zoom's designers either. I like the personal service which is so hard to find these days. This handy audio recorder does everything you need for a hand held audio recording unit. © 2011 KenRockwell.com. This is a fine product, and Chris (the Sweetwater assistant in the keyboard room) was very polite and helpful. 15 second backlight, easily set to 30 seconds or always ON or OFF. The advantage of this is complete isolation as compared to using USB or an AC adapter. Zoom H4n The built-in mics are slightly bright, and as conformed by their rated response, they indeed are about 5 dBs hot on the high end: This will make your files nice, crisp and clear, but watch out for hi-fi use. It records in stereo. Portable Digital Audio Recorder (2007-)