Review: Zoom H4n Handy Recorder
There has been lots of buzz recently over the Zoom H4n Handy Recorder ($299). Some saying that it is the best audio recorder to come out in a long time, garnishing awards and praises from Zacuto to Philip Bloom.
I got my hands on a Zoom H4n and wanted to find out how well it performed using a Mac. The integration within Snow Leopard was flawless. The more time I spent using the Zoom H4n, the more I agreed with the praise that has been heaped on the device.
I had the opportunity to review the H2 when it came out and wanted to see how the H4n compared. The improvements are evident right out of the box, but the real test is when you get to hear the quality of the recording.
Here's what you get in the box:
- Built in X/Y stereo Mic record at either 90 degrees or 120 degrees
- Multi-track Recording
- Simultaneous 4 channel Recording
- 24bit/96khz
- USB Audio Interface
- On Board Tuner and Metronome
- 50 Effects & Amp Models
- 1GB SD Memory Card
- Wind Screen
- Mic Clip Adapter
- AC Adapter
- USB Cable
- Protective Case
- Remote Controller
The Zoom H4n is a well built piece of kit and it feels good in the hand. It has been designed to be used in a many different situations and exudes confidence that the audio will be captured properly. The Zoom H4n is an especially attractive option for dSLR owners. In discussions I had with other professionals it was obvious that the Zoom H4n offered more features, pound-for-pound, than the others.
Pros
- Large (1.9-inch) LED display
- Menu Key and Jog Wheel are on the side and work well
- All the buttons are made to last
- Feels like a real piece of audio equipment in the hand
- Condenser mics work well and can be adjusted
- XLRs are an added plus professionals
- Reference Speaker
- Hi-Z/ XLR Inputs
- Rubberized Chassis
- 2 AA Batteries - Normal Mode 6 hours (Stamina Mode 11 hours)
- You can record in MP3 or WAV (from 16 to 24-bit)
Cons Not being able to adjust the microphones differently from the XLRs when in 4-track mode. (Tascam DR100- has adjustable controls)
Sometimes just having an audio device like the Zoom H4n isn't enough.
Pluraleyes Fellow dSLR owners (such as our own Rob Parker) highly recommend and piece of software called Pluraleyes from Singular Software that works great with dedicated audio recorders. It allows you to sync audio almost instantaneously with the click of a mouse in Final Cut Pro. You can take footage from multiple cameras and easily sync the audio, saving an enormous amount of time. The $149 price is well worth it.
Windscreen Taking the ZOOM H4n outside I encountered a lot of wind which can destroy a shoot in an instant. There's an amazing company called redheadwindscreens ($34.95) which make funky cool windscreens designed perfectly for the Zoom H4n for those windy days you encounter.
Sound Test But the true test came when I got a chance to test it out with Yogi who had been the guitarist for some of the biggest acts in Rock and Roll. Starting with Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) and earlier with the Buckcherrys and the Wallflowers. He had just released his solo release, "Hesitant Poet" and has a Zoom H4n too.
- I first tested it out using just "Camera Audio"
- YOGI- "Whites Of Your Eyes" - Camera Audio Only
- Then, 1- Camera Only, 2- Zoom H2 Only, 3- Zoom H4n
- ZOOM H4n Audio Tests - YOGI (LONG TIME COMING)
- Finally, the full version of YOGI - LONG TIME COMING (Interview and Song) H4n
- YOGI- LONG TIME COMING - FULL VERSION (Interview Song) H4n + Cam Aud