Zoom H2N Portable Recorder ?

Post by **Sharp** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:28 pm

Hi all.

Anyone have one of these, or something like it.
I'm looking to buy one and I'd like some input as to what you think of them.

Regards
Sharp.

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:59 pm

I have the original H2, purchased 5 years ago. One of the best investment I've ever made.
The mic characteristics is not quite flat, but correctable (to some extent). Stereo image and noise floor is acceptable.
Very practical due to the various file formats and battery operations and the removable SD card, lack of cables but far better quality recordings than most compact digital recorders on the market (except the more recent ones purpose made for the HQ recording market - mostly following-up on the success of the H2).

Jan1 · Post by **Jan1** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:20 am

I noticed a thread at the KVR forum about the H2N which may be helpful.

Post by **Sharp** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:28 pm

Thanks guys.
I ordered a Zoom H4N, and in the mean time I got a loan of a Zoom R16.

Regards
Sharp.

Post by **Sharp** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 9:58 pm

For what it's woth...
That R16 I got a loan off has been working out very well.

When plugged into the mains socket, it's able to pick up noise, so I was unhappy with that. On batteries though it's ultra quite. Not a single blip of noise unless you seriously crank up the volume.

Can't wait for my H4N now.

Regards
Sharp.

Post by **Sharp** » Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:50 am

Hi all.
It's been a year since I got the ZOOM H4N and about a week ago I sold it and upgraded to the new H6.

While the H4N was “ok” it had it's moments where I wanted to bounce it off a wall. It was slow, the channel volumes were not easy to set, and it was a little noisy for my tastes. That said, I don't regret buying it and it was worth the money.

After seeing the H6 in a music store last week, well.... it's clearly a completely different animal. Colour screen, finally proper channel volume knobs, and way better mic's.

I bought it anyway and I've been going around with it for the last week. This is a serious piece of kit. The sound quality of direct line audio is seriously impressive for a portable device. The XY mic is a vast improvement, and you also get a Mid Side mic.

I can seem myself getting many years from the R6. After spending the week using it, I'm happy to say it's preformed perfectly and I've not felt one but frustrated with it at all. Quick to boot, lighten fast to set the volumes, and instant record.

It's well worth checking out if your looking for a portable recorder.

Regards
Sharp.

synthjoe · Post by **synthjoe** » Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:31 pm

Have you ever had a chance to compare the H2N to the original H2? I'd be interested if anyone could report.

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 11:34 pm

I have been considering a little recorder. I would like to have one I could use while I wander around the junk yard or farms and beat on things and make samples of it. Would this little one work well for that?

Post by **Sharp** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 12:24 am

Which one?
Honestly, now that I have the H6, I couldn't recommend any of the lower models. The XY condenser mics are far superior. Way less noise, and extremely sensitive.

Having 4 other inputs that can take jack or cannon connections is also darn handy. The quality of the unit itself is far far above the H4 and lower models. Way better preamps, AD/DA and so on. The floor noise from direct line audio is ultra low.

Regards
Sharp

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:04 am

I was thinking H4 but if the H6 is that much better then it would be better to go for the H6. Thanks! Will it work well for sampling sounds out and about?

Post by **Sharp** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 2:52 am

I was thinking H4 but if the H6 is that much better then it would be better to go for the H6.

There's a vast difference in the sound quality and the build quality is far better.

Will it work well for sampling sounds out and about

Absolutely. Most of the work I've done with my one is all outdoor work. I'm putting together a SFX collection of sounds. I've everything from a Harley to Cows mooing.

As always though with recording out doors, wind can be a problem. The shield it comes with is fine on a clam day, but I find that throwing a coat over the recorder while I leave it running helps a lot in windy conditions like a beach.

Bearing in mind I live in Ireland where it's always windy and raining.

Regards
Sharp.

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 3:26 am

Sounds like Ireland and South Dakota have at least one thing in common, a lot of wind! The worst I have been in is 75mph sustain winds for almost an hour and 120mpg gusts. I didn't believe it so I went outside to see for myself. One gust picked me up and tossed me into the side of the house about 8 feet away. I went back in. Would have been cool to record that wind! I digress. Thanks for the current review of the H6, it sounds like a great little device.

Now if you could send me some of your rain.......

Thoraldus · Post by **Thoraldus** » Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:45 pm

Sharp wrote:Which one?
Honestly, now that I have the H6, I couldn't recommend any of the lower models. The XY condenser mics are far superior. Way less noise, and extremely sensitive.

Having 4 other inputs that can take jack or cannon connections is also darn handy. The quality of the unit itself is far far above the H4 and lower models. Way better preamps, AD/DA and so on. The floor noise from direct line audio is ultra low.

Regards
Sharp

I'm 'pulling the trigger' on an H6 next week. I've been nosing around the internet listening to H6 recordings. Amazing price-performance ratio!

Thoraldus · Post by **Thoraldus** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 7:40 am

Thoraldus wrote:
Sharp wrote:Which one?
Honestly, now that I have the H6, I couldn't recommend any of the lower models. The XY condenser mics are far superior. Way less noise, and extremely sensitive.

Having 4 other inputs that can take jack or cannon connections is also darn handy. The quality of the unit itself is far far above the H4 and lower models. Way better preamps, AD/DA and so on. The floor noise from direct line audio is ultra low.

Regards
Sharp
I'm 'pulling the trigger' on an H6 next week. I've been nosing around the internet listening to H6 recordings. Amazing price-performance ratio!

Got it! Thanks Sharp for the encouragement! It's a WINNER!

Post by **Sharp** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:01 pm

Great stuff.

I hope if there's anyone else thinking of getting a portable recorder that they give this H6 a look too. It's a great product.

From a recreational point of view it's even great....lol... I've spent hours in fields running after Cows in order to sample them.

I even managed to get some extreme close-up recordings of Bulls. Too close mind you

Those Bulls can really haul a$$ when they see a stupid Irish man in a field pointing a Mic at them.

Sharp.